2.3 Study Guide - European Colonization

Which of the following was the greatest short-term effect of Spanish colonization on American Indians?

• It sharply decreased their population.

• It opened them to European ideas.

• It gave them new crops to grow.

• It led to their disappearance from the Americas.

Answer explanation

The biggest short-term effect of Spanish colonization on American Indians was a big drop in their population. This happened mainly because of diseases that Europeans brought with them. These diseases hurt many Native American communities and caused a lot of death.

What caused the Pilgrims to settle in New England?

• They wanted to take part in the fur trade.

• They wanted to escape poverty and starvation.

• They wanted to practice their religion freely.

• They wanted to convert Indians to Christianity.

Answer explanation

The Pilgrims moved to New England mainly to get away from religious persecution in England. They wanted the freedom to practice their religion without being bothered by others. This wish for religious freedom was the main reason they made the journey.

What was the main cause of death among African captives being transported from the Americas on slave ships?

• Slave mutinies resulted in thousands of deaths.

• Most captives died from a lack of food and water.

• Diseases spread quickly in the tightly packed holds of ships.

• Captives were brutally beaten by slave ship captains.

Answer explanation

The main reason many African captives died on slave ships was because of diseases. These sicknesses spread quickly in the crowded and dirty spaces below the deck of the ship. This made it very dangerous for the people on board, and many did not survive.

Which of the following statements summarizes a result of the French and Indian War?

• It gave France control over the Mississippi River.

• It gave British colonists more freedom.

• It marked the end of French power in North America.

• It destroyed the American Indian alliances.

Answer explanation

The French and Indian War led to the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This treaty changed a lot of things in North America. It took away a lot of land that France claimed, which meant that France was no longer a strong power in North America.

The first French colonists in North America were mostly interested in

• taking part in the fur trade.

• finding silver and gold.

• gaining religious freedom.

• building farms and plantations.

Answer explanation

The first French colonists were mainly interested in trading furs. Furs were valuable and very popular in Europe. This interest in making money led them to explore and settle in North America.

Which of the following best describes the transportation of newly enslaved Africans to the English colonies?

• Enslaved African families were allowed to remain together

• Enslaved Africans were allowed to leave the hold and go up on deck freely.

• Enslaved Africans were forced aboard ships and chained together to prevent mutinies.

• Enslaved Africans could choose to make the journey or return to their homelands.

Answer explanation

Enslaved Africans were taken against their will onto ships. They were often chained together so they couldn't rebel. This harsh treatment shows how terrible the conditions were during the Middle Passage. It is very different from other choices that might suggest freedom or being with family.

What natural resource most attracted European traders to the lands that later became Canada?

• timber

• animal furs

• minerals

• fish and whales

Answer explanation

European traders were very interested in Canada because it had a lot of animal furs. One of the most popular furs was from beavers. Beaver pelts were very valuable in Europe because people used them for clothing and to keep warm. This strong demand for furs encouraged people to explore Canada and trade in that area.

The outcome of the French and Indian War was significant for the British most of all because they

• defended their colonies in New England

• gained control of French land east of the Mississippi

• discouraged the Native Americans from fishing with the French again

• joined with the Spanish to defeat the French.

Answer explanation

After the war, the British took control of a lot of land that belonged to the French. This land was located east of the Mississippi River. Gaining this territory helped the British become more powerful in North America. It also created problems for them with Native Americans and other countries that had colonies in the area.

Study the image:

What generalization about the experiences of American Indians on Spanish missions does this image best support?

• American Indians were forced to endure long hours of hard manual labor.

• American Indians were treated cruelly by the Spanish missionaries

• American Indians often died from diseases that had been brought from Europe.

• American Indians were expected to convert to Christianity.

Answer explanation

The image shows a scene about the Spanish missions. In these missions, American Indians were often asked to change their religion and become Christians. This was a big part of what the missionaries were trying to do, and it shows how important religion was in their experiences.