Colonial America: Society and Governance

What was the primary motivation for the first English settlers who established the Jamestown colony in Virginia?

• To escape religious persecution

• To find gold and get rich

• To establish a democratic government

• To create a new society based on equality

What significant challenge did the Jamestown colony face in its early years, leading to a high death rate among colonists?

• Frequent attacks from French settlers

• Lack of farming skills among the colonists

• Severe droughts and crop failures

• Overpopulation and limited resources

What was the "Headright System" implemented by the Virginia Company to attract more settlers to the colony?

• A system offering religious freedom to all new arrivals

• A grant of 50 acres of land for each person a settler paid to bring over

• A program providing free passage to anyone willing to work for five years

• A lottery system where new colonists could win plots of land

How did the cultivation of tobacco impact the social structure and economy of the Virginia colony?

• It led to the development of small, self-sufficient family farms

• It created a society with a small class of wealthy landowners and a large number of servants

• It encouraged the growth of towns and urban centers

• It promoted religious diversity and tolerance

What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?

• To declare independence from England.

• To establish a system of self-governance and just laws for the Plymouth colony.

• To form a military alliance with local Native American tribes.

• To outline the rules for trade with European merchants.

How did the Pilgrims primarily survive their first harsh winter in Massachusetts?

• They brought enough supplies and farm animals from England.

• They received significant aid and knowledge from local Native Americans.

• They quickly developed new farming techniques suitable for the climate.

• They were joined by more settlers from other European countries.

What was a key difference in governance between the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Virginia Company?

• The Massachusetts Bay Colony was primarily focused on making money, while Virginia was focused on religious freedom.

• The Massachusetts Bay Colony had its board of directors relocate to America, allowing for greater self-governance.

• Virginia prioritized social unity and the common good, unlike Massachusetts.

• The Massachusetts Bay Colony allowed all inhabitants to vote, while Virginia restricted it.

Which statement best describes the nature of Puritan society in the Massachusetts Bay Colony regarding individual freedom and equality?

• It was a highly democratic society where all citizens had equal rights and could practice any religion.

• It emphasized individual liberty and encouraged diverse religious practices.

• It was a society where power was concentrated among church members, and dissenters like Roger Williams were banished.

• It promoted complete social and economic equality among all inhabitants.