The Story of the Times: Beginnings to 1750

The Story of the Times: Beginnings to 1750

(Page 4)

1. What was the name of the colony founded by English settlers on an island in the James River in the the present state of Virginia in 1607?

2. What did early Native Americans have a literary tradition that was entirely oral?

3. (Map Reading) Look at the map on page 4. As Native Americans spread out to populate North America, they developed varied cultures. (a) Name two tribes in the Southwest culture area. (b) Which area are the Cherokees associated? (c) What geographic features might have led to the development of different ways of life?

4. (Connect) Look at the picture on the bottom of page 4, How does this pueblo dwelling reflect the southwestern environment in which it was built?

(Page 5)

5. When did English colonists begin arriving on the east coast of North America?

6. Who were the passengers who sailed from England on the Mayflower in 1620? Why did they leave England? Where did they settle once they reached North America?

7. What is the term for a state that is under the immediate guidance of God?

8. (Making Inferences) Look at the picture at the top of page 5. What Puritan values does this painting illustrate?

9. (Analyze Art) Look at the painting at the bottom of page 5. These children posed for a portrait about 1670. Like other Puritans, like other Puritans they could expect to live twice as long as children in other colonies, where life was harder. What evidence of prosperity do you see in this painting?

(Page 6)

10. What did Puritans believe that human beings existed for? What did they believe was the sole expression of God's will?

11. Explain the meaning of "predestination."

12. What was the only way that Puritans believed they could accomplish good through?

13. (Draw a Conclusion) Look at the drawings on page 6. John White, a colonist at Roanoke, made these vivid drawings and others that gave many Europeans the first glimpse of the plants and animals of Americas. Why would White's drawings be of value to Europeans who planned to settle in North America?

(Page 7)

14. Early on, where was much of the the literature the colonists read produced?

15. What did the Puritans typically write?

16. (Making Inferences) Look at the picture on the top of page 7. Like native artists throughout Central America, Mexican artists created elaborate works of gold. Their designs were rich in symbolism and natural references. How do you think the fine quality of gold ornaments like this one reinforced the European desire to conquer the Western Hemisphere?

17. (Compare and Contrast) These rooms from Colonial Williamsburg illustrate the living quarters of white landowners and African slaves. (a) What do these rooms have in common? (b) What are the major differences?

(Page 8)

18. Why did the Puritans produce neither fiction nor drama? What did they use the writing of poetry as?

19. In what year did the Puritan found Harvard College?

20. What were established in Massachusetts in 1647?

21. What year was the Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits published? What event was it a discourse on? What did this event result in?

22. (Interpret Place Names) Look at the picture on the top of page 8. The Puritans founded Harvard College at Newtowne in 1636. Three years later, they renamed the city Cambridge to honor the British city where many of the colonists had studied. What does this fact reveal about the group who fled England?

23. (Linking Past and Present) Look at the picture at the bottom of page 8. Many of the books printed in the colonies were religious publications. Compare this 1640 hymnal cover with covers of modern magazines and printed material. 

(Page 9)

24. Who was the leader of the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia? What did he write to describe his experiences for Europeans?

25. When and where did the first theater in America open?

26. Who was the author of The History of the Dividing Line?

27. (Making Inferences) Look at the picture at the top of page 9. John Smith was the founder of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. What does the clothing in this picture reveal about his social standing and rank?

28. (Drawing Conclusions) Look at the map on page 9. New immigrants from Europe, as well as enslaved Africans, carried their own cultures to the American colonies. Which group settled in all the colonies? What would explain this?