Module 1: American Beginnings - 1607 to the 1750s
Martina and Terrance are on a quest to see how America was born, what made the nation grow and change, and how America became the way it is today. In this module, you will join the two as they begin their travels from the year 1607 through the 1750s. They will visit the Southern, New England, and Middle colonies as each area is explored, colonized, and settled by various groups of people for numerous reasons. They will begin in the Southern colonies, where they will visit the first permanent settlement at Jamestown and learn about the people seeking financial prospects. Follow them as they go to the New England colonies and come in contact with the Pilgrims and Puritans who settle Massachusetts as an exile for religious freedom. Finally, explore the the Middle colonies with Martina and Terrance as they meet immigrants who are seeking both economic opportunities and religious freedom.
Getting Started
Prior to this history course, you may have learned about European colonization and why certain groups of people came to the New World. Take a moment to refresh your knowledge by playing the Colonial Voyage game. In this non-graded activity, select your ship and see if your ship can make it from England to Virginia by answering a series of questions. Click the player button to get started.
Key Vocabulary
To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.
American Indians | Mayflower Compact | Presbyterian |
Baptist | mercantilism | proprietary colony |
cash crop | Methodists | Protestant |
covenant community | Middle Passage | Puritans |
direct democracy | Native Americans | Quakers |
evangelical religion | New Amsterdam | representative democracy |
Great Awakening | New Netherland | Rolfe, John |
House of Burgesses | Newport, Christopher | stock-company |
Huguenots | Penn, William | subsistence farming |
indentured servants | Pequot War | triangular trade |
indigo | Pilgrims | Winthrop, John |
Jamestown | plantation | |
King Phillip’s War | Plymouth Colony |