Quiz on Early English Colonization in America

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| Questions: 28 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025
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1. Which of the following countries were British colonies?

Explanation

The question asks about former British colonies, so options should include only countries that were under British colonial rule.

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About This Quiz
American History Quizzes & Trivia

Explore the early stages of English colonization in America through this focused assessment. Understand the historical context, key figures, and significant events that shaped the initial English settlements. This content is vital for students of American history looking to deepen their understanding.

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2. Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?

Explanation

Sir Walter Raleigh was an English explorer and soldier who was sent by Elizabeth I to establish colonies in the New World, including the failed Roanoke colony. His attempts at colonization and exploration in the Americas are well-documented in history.

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3. What was the name of the colony that disappeared off the coast of North Carolina, earning the nickname 'The Lost Colony'?

Explanation

The correct answer refers to the Roanoke colony, which mysteriously disappeared in the late 16th century, leading to its nickname 'The Lost Colony'. Jamestown, Plymouth, and Santa Fe were also historical colonies in the United States, but they were not the colonies that vanished without a trace like Roanoke.

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4. What type of company was the Virginia Company of London?

Explanation

The Virginia Company of London was a joint stock company, meaning it had multiple investors who shared the profits and risks of the company.

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5. What is a Charter (or Corporate) Colony?

Explanation

Charter (or Corporate) Colonies were colonies established by companies that received charters from the crown to do so. They were not formed by individual settlers without royal authorization, governed directly by the monarch, or through military conquest.

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6. What are some key aspects of the Jamestown colony?
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7. What was the Powhatan Confederation?

Explanation

The correct answer describes the Powhatan Confederation, which was a group of villages and tribes in the coastal area led by Powhatan, speaking Algonquin and producing corn through agriculture.

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8. What was the 'Starving Time'?

Explanation

The 'Starving Time' was a period of extreme hardship for the settlers in Jamestown, Virginia, marked by severe winter conditions, lack of food supplies, and resorting to cannibalism in an effort to survive.

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9. What were the Anglo-Powhatan Wars?

Explanation

The Anglo-Powhatan Wars were specific conflicts between the English settlers of Jamestown and the Powhatan Native American tribe in the early 1600s. The wars had significant impacts on the relations between the colonists and Native Americans in the region.

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10. Who was Pocahontas?

Explanation

Pocahontas was a Native American woman who played a key role in the history of the early English colonies in Virginia.

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11. Who was John Rolfe?

Explanation

John Rolfe was a historical figure known for his significant contributions to the economic development of the Virginia Colony through the cultivation and commercialization of tobacco. The incorrect answers provided do not accurately depict his background or achievements.

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12. What crop was native to the New World and became a staple crop in Virginia?

Explanation

Tobacco was a crop that originated in the New World and became a staple crop in Virginia due to its successful growth in the region. The other options were either brought to the New World by European explorers or not native to the Americas.

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13. What was the Headright System?

Explanation

The Headright System was a policy in colonial America where companies would grant settlers land in exchange for bringing over new colonists. It was implemented to encourage population growth and expansion.

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14. What was indentured servitude?

Explanation

Indentured servitude was a labor system where individuals were essentially sold into temporary slavery for a fixed period of time, typically 4-7 years. It was not a system where individuals were granted permanent ownership of land, paid high wages, or had full autonomy in their working conditions.

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15. What was the House of Burgesses?

Explanation

The House of Burgesses was a significant institution in colonial Virginia where elected representatives met to make laws and decisions for the colony. It was one of the first forms of representative government in British North America.

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16. What characterized Royal Colonies during colonization?

Explanation

Royal Colonies were under direct control of the crown, with the king having significant power over the governor and the colony's affairs.

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17. What was Bacon's Rebellion?

Explanation

Bacon's Rebellion was a significant event in colonial American history, characterized by a rebellion of small planters, farmers, and indentured servants against the larger planters who supported Governor William Berkeley. The rebellion ultimately led to major changes in property requirements and the colonial government's actions towards Native Americans.

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18. Who was Nathaniel Bacon?

Explanation

Nathaniel Bacon was a key figure in Bacon's Rebellion in colonial Virginia, not a chef, artist, or inventor.

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19. Who was William Berkeley?

Explanation

William Berkeley was the governor of Virginia who was associated with the planter class and had significant control over the government during his time in office.

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20. Which colony was established north of Virginia in 1632 and created as a Proprietary Colony?

Explanation

Maryland was established as a Proprietary Colony by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, in 1632. It was situated north of Virginia and served as a refuge for English Catholics.

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21. What are proprietary colonies?

Explanation

Proprietary colonies were established through grants given to individuals or groups, allowing them to govern the colony independently. This setup differed from colonies governed directly by the British monarch, established for religious freedom, or where political rights were equal for all residents.

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22. Who was Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore?

Explanation

Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore, was a member of the Calvert family and was the proprietor of Maryland. He sought to create a colony where Catholics could worship freely, leading to the establishment of Maryland as a refuge for Catholics. He did not engage in piracy, was not a playwright, and was not a French explorer.

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23. What were quitrents?

Explanation

Quitrents were annual fees paid to the Calverts family in the late 1600s.

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24. What was the outcome of Coode's Rebellion?

Explanation

Coode's Rebellion was a successful uprising that led to the ousting of the Calverts family, the loss of Maryland's charter, and the decrease in power of Catholics within the colony.

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25. Who was John Coode?

Explanation

John Coode was a historical figure who played a significant role in leading a rebellion against the government of Catholics in Maryland.

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26. Who were the Puritans?

Explanation

The Puritans were actually Calvinists/Congregationalists who believed in predestination and like the idea of theocracies. They were not Pilgrims, Spanish explorers, or Native American tribes.

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27. Who were the Separatists?

Explanation

The Separatists were a specific group of Puritans who decided to break away from the Church of England and face persecution for their beliefs.

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28. Who were the Non-Separatists among the Puritans?

Explanation

The Non-Separatists were the majority of Puritans who remained in the Church of England while seeking to reform it, rather than breaking away completely.

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Which of the following countries were British colonies?
Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?
What was the name of the colony that disappeared off the coast of...
What type of company was the Virginia Company of London?
What is a Charter (or Corporate) Colony?
What are some key aspects of the Jamestown colony?
What was the Powhatan Confederation?
What was the 'Starving Time'?
What were the Anglo-Powhatan Wars?
Who was Pocahontas?
Who was John Rolfe?
What crop was native to the New World and became a staple crop in...
What was the Headright System?
What was indentured servitude?
What was the House of Burgesses?
What characterized Royal Colonies during colonization?
What was Bacon's Rebellion?
Who was Nathaniel Bacon?
Who was William Berkeley?
Which colony was established north of Virginia in 1632 and created as...
What are proprietary colonies?
Who was Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore?
What were quitrents?
What was the outcome of Coode's Rebellion?
Who was John Coode?
Who were the Puritans?
Who were the Separatists?
Who were the Non-Separatists among the Puritans?
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