History Insights

1) Many of the New World’s early explorers were looking for a shorter route around Africa to India.

A – True

B – False

2) The introduction of Native American foods, such as corn and potatoes, to Europe spurred a dramatic increase in Europe’s population.

A – True

B – False

3) The original Spanish settlement of New Mexico

A – experienced little missionary activity because Spanish settlers were preoccupied with farming. \

B – was enriched by the discovery of an abundance of gold and silver.

C – rarely came into contact with Native Americans because the Spanish killed them all upon their arrival.

D – was led by Juan de Oñate who forced Native Americans to pay taxes to Spanish authorities.

E – relied on hunting rather than crops such as corn because they lacked irrigation networks.

4) Which of the following statements accurately describes the English Puritans?

A – They successfully converted James I to their beliefs.

B – They rejected the doctrines of Martin Luther.

C – They wanted to simplify religion to its most basic elements.

D – They believed in religious freedom.

E – They believed people could be saved by their own actions, not just by God’s grace.

5) The first Jews in the colonies arrived in

A – Maryland.

B – New Netherland.

C – Pennsylvania.

D – Massachusetts Bay.

E – Rhode Island

6) Why was there so much division within the Anglican Church under James I?

A – Although he was a Catholic, the church remained Protestant.

B – Dissenters believed the church needed “purifying” from Catholic rituals.

C – He granted special privileges to Puritans that were not extended to Catholics and Anglicans.

D – He was atheist, yet as king, he was also head of the church.

E – He promoted the Separatist cause and sought to appease its demands.

7) In what way did Cecilius Calvert intend for Maryland’s colonists to be “more committed” to the colony than the colonists at Jamestown?

A – The colony remained unconcerned with converting Native Americans.

B – The colonists all came from the same church congregation in England and already knew each other.

C – The colony recruited families intending to stay rather than single men seeking quick riches.

D – The colony focused solely on tobacco exports in order to perfect the process.

E – The colony accepted only Catholics, fearing that they would clash with Protestants.

8) Explain the impact of the Protestant Reformation on the settlement of the Western Hemisphere.

9) Columbus has become a controversial figure. For what reasons does he deserve praise, and for what reasons does he deserve criticism?

10) “The lack of planning was the genius of British colonization.” What does this statement mean? How accurate is it?