US History vocabulary week of January 6

Front

What is a caste?

Back

A caste is a social class or group in a hierarchical system.

Answer explanation

A caste refers to a social class or group within a hierarchical system, often associated with specific roles, privileges, and social status, distinguishing it from other options like clothing, government, or food.

Front

Colonial Economy

Back

A system where colonial powers extract resources from colonies for their own benefit.

Answer explanation

Colonial economy refers to a system where colonial powers extract resources from colonies for their own benefit, often prioritizing profit over the development of local economies or industries.

Front

What is the primary characteristic of a caste system?

Back

It is a hereditary social hierarchy.

Answer explanation

The primary characteristic of a caste system is that it is a hereditary social hierarchy, where social status is assigned at birth and typically remains fixed throughout an individual's life.

Front

How did colonial powers typically benefit from a colonial economy?

Back

By extracting and exporting resources from colonies.

Answer explanation

Colonial powers primarily benefited by extracting and exporting resources from colonies, which provided them with raw materials and wealth, rather than investing in local industries or promoting self-governance.

Front

What is a common feature of colonial economies?

Back

Dependence on the export of raw materials.

Answer explanation

Colonial economies typically relied on the export of raw materials to the colonial powers, which were then processed and sold. This dependence limited local industrialization and wealth distribution.

Front

Egalitarian

Back

Egalitarian is a belief in equality and equal rights for all individuals.

Answer explanation

Egalitarian is a belief in equality and equal rights for all individuals, emphasizing that everyone should have the same opportunities and treatment, which distinguishes it from government systems or economic models.

Front

Empire

Back

An empire is a significant political entity that rules over extensive territories and diverse populations.

Answer explanation

An empire is defined as a significant political entity that governs large areas and various peoples, distinguishing it from cultural movements, economic systems, or local governments.

Front

Describe the fur trade in the colonies.

Back

The fur trade was a crucial economic activity in the colonies, involving trade between colonists and Indigenous peoples for animal furs, particularly beaver pelts.

Answer explanation

The fur trade was vital in the colonies, facilitating exchanges between colonists and Indigenous peoples for furs, especially beaver pelts, which were highly valued in Europe, thus significantly impacting the colonial economy.

Front

How did geography play a role in the development of the different colonies?

Back

Geography shaped the economic activities and settlement patterns of different colonies.

Answer explanation

Geography influenced the resources available, climate, and terrain, which in turn shaped the economic activities like agriculture and trade, as well as settlement patterns, leading to distinct colonial developments.

Front

What is mercantilism and what role did it play in the early colonists?

Back

Mercantilism is an economic theory that promoted state regulation of trade and wealth accumulation, playing a crucial role in shaping colonial economies to benefit the mother country.

Answer explanation

Mercantilism is an economic theory that emphasized state control over trade to accumulate wealth, significantly influencing colonial economies to serve the interests of the mother country.