Colonial Developments

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

The Lost Colony at Roanoke was an English settlement of 117 men, women, and children who arrived on Roanoke Island in 1587. It was the first English attempt to start a colony in the New World, but the settlers mysteriously disappeared.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

When John White returned to Roanoke in 1590, the colony was empty. The only clue left behind was the word “CROATOAN” carved into a wooden post. This word referred to a nearby island and the Croatoan Native American tribe.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Jamestown was the first permanent English colony in North America. It was founded on May 13, 1607, in present-day Virginia by about 144 settlers and sailors who arrived on the ships Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. The colony was started by the Virginia Company of London and named after King James I.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Plymouth Colony was the second permanent English colony in North America. It was established in the New England region, in present-day Massachusetts, and existed from 1620 to 1691.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Pilgrims were the passengers on the ship The Mayflower who left England in 1620 to find a place where they could practice their religion freely. They were called Pilgrims because they were taking a religious journey, or pilgrimage.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

The Mayflower Compact was an agreement signed by 41 men aboard the ship The Mayflower in 1620. It joined the Pilgrims together under a plan to make decisions as a group, using majority rule.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Puritans were a religious group in England who wanted to purify, or simplify, the practices of the Church of England. They disliked fancy ceremonies, expensive decorations, and the selling of church positions. Because of their beliefs, they were often persecuted.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Religious freedom is the belief that people should be able to practice their religion openly, follow their own beliefs, and not be punished or persecuted for worshiping differently from others.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

The New England Colonies were the northernmost group of England’s colonies in North America. They included colonies like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Gatherings in New England colonies where members of the community came together to discuss issues, create rules, & make decisions for their town.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

The Middle Colonies were a region of English colonies in North America with a warm climate, fertile soil, flat land, forests, and many rivers. These conditions made the area good for farming, raising livestock, and lumbering. Iron was also found in large amounts.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Religious toleration means accepting and respecting the beliefs, values, and religious practices of people who follow a different religion than your own. It does not mean you have to agree with them, only that you allow them to worship in their own way.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

Quakers were a religious group known for their strong beliefs in peace, equality, and fairness. They refused to fight in wars, opposed slavery, and believed that men and women were spiritual equals.

● Standard 7.2c — The Three Colonial Regions

The Southern Colonies were the English colonies located farthest south, closest to the equator. With warm weather, long growing seasons, and fertile soil, this region was ideal for farming and agriculture.