Chapter 4: Life in the Colonies

Review Sheet 1

Name: ______

Carefully read pages 102-106, then complete the following.

1. Regarding the English Parliamentary Tradition:

a. The Magna Carta or “great charter” was the first document to do what?

The Magna Carta was the first document to limit the power of the English ruler.

b. In what two ways did the Magna Carta limit the power of the King?

·  Limited the king’s ability to levy taxes

·  Protected the right to own private property

·  Guaranteed a trial by jury

c. Explain what “power of the purse” was, and why it was so important.

The power of the purse was the ability to levy taxes. It was important because Parliament had a certain amount of control over, limiting the king’s power.

d. In 1689, Parliament placed King William and Queen Mary on the English throne who

then signed the English Bill of Rights. State two powers this document granted

parliament. (These are found in the yellow box at the bottom of page 103)

·  Ability to levy taxes

·  Raising and keeping a standing army

·  Free election of members of parliament

·  Freedom of speech.

2. Regarding Colonial Self-Government:

a. What led colonist to expect a voice in government?

The rights that the English had won over the years led them to expect a voice in government

b. What were the first three colonial legislatures set up in British North America?

(Use the table below)

Colony / Name of Legislature / Year Established
Jamestown / House of Burgesses / 1619
Mass. Bay Colony / General Court / 1629
Pennslvania / General Assembly / 1701

c. In what ways did colonists have greater rights than people in England?

50%-75% of the colonist (white males only) in North America had the ability to vote.

d. Who couldn’t vote in Colonial America?

Women, Native Americans and Africans.

3. Regarding Freedom of the Press:

a. Why was John Peter Zenger arrested?

Zenger had written a series of TRUE article about the governor criticizing him. At that point in time this was considered libel.

b. What fundamental principal did the Zenger case establish?

The idea that a democracy depends on well informed citizens, and it is the job of the press to be the informers.

c. What is the responsibility of the press?

To keep the public informed.

4. Regarding Regulating Trade:

a. In 1651, the English Parliament passed the Navigation Acts to support mercantilism.

What were these three laws?

·  Shipments from Europe to English colonies had to go through England first.

·  Any imports to England from the colonies had to come from ships built and owned by British subjects.

·  The colonies could sell key products like sugar and tobacco only to England.

b. Why did some colonists resent the Navigation Acts?

Some colonists resented the Navigation Acts because they felt that the laws favored English merchants, and that they could make more money selling their goods directly

c. How did some colonists get around the Navigation Acts?

Some colonists got around the Navigation Acts by smuggling their goods illegally

Carefully read pages 110-112, then complete the following.

3. Regarding Social Classes:

a. Describe the role that land played in people’s desire to come to America

For many Europeans land was the measure of wealth. America had an abundance of land, thus attracting many.

b. Complete the following table

Approximate Number / Who made up people in this class? / Describe life for people in this class.
Gentry / Few in number / Wealthy plantation owners, merchants, ministers, royal officials, and lawyers. / They lived in luxury. Had homes with gold mirrors, clocks and other luxury items.
Middle Class / Majority of the colonists / Mostly whites, small planters, farmers and artisans. / These men could vote, hold office and own land. They gave the poor hope that they could be social mobile and move up the social hierarchy.
Indentured Servants / Someone who was given free passage to the Americas in exchange for their service. / They would work at their given job for 4-10 years and have very little rights. After their servitude they would be given clothes, tools and 50 acres of land to work.
Free Africans / 60,000 / Free people of African ancestry. / Allowed to own property, but not generally allowed to vote or participate in government.