Chapter 5 Vocabulary

Paxton Boys: The Paxton Boys were a group of settlers from Pennsylvania who carried out a violent protest in 1763 against Native Americans in the aftermath of the French and Indian War. They demanded greater protection from Native American attacks and expressed frustration with the colonial government's handling of Native American affairs.
Regulator Movement: The Regulator Movement was a popular uprising in the 1760s and 1770s in the North Carolina backcountry. It was a response to issues of corruption, economic exploitation, and lack of representation in the colonial government. The Regulators sought to establish law and order in their communities and demanded more responsive governance.
New York Slave Revolt: The New York Slave Revolt, also known as the New York Conspiracy of 1741, was a series of events in New York City involving a supposed plot by enslaved individuals and poor whites to revolt against the colonial authorities. Many people were arrested and executed, and the incident further fueled racial tensions in the city.
South Carolina Slave Revolt (Stono River): The South Carolina Slave Revolt, also known as the Stono Rebellion of 1739, was a significant slave rebellion that took place near the Stono River in South Carolina. Enslaved Africans rose up against their captors, killing several whites and attempting to escape to Spanish Florida. The revolt was brutally suppressed, leading to harsher slave codes in the colony.
Triangular Trade: The Triangular Trade was a system of trade during the colonial era that involved the exchange of goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. European merchants would transport manufactured goods to Africa, where they would be exchanged for enslaved Africans. The enslaved Africans were then transported to the Americas and sold for raw materials, such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton. These raw materials were shipped back to Europe to complete the triangular trade cycle.
Molasses Act: The Molasses Act of 1733 was a British law that imposed high tariffs on molasses, sugar, and rum imported into the American colonies from non-British Caribbean colonies. The act was intended to protect the profits of British West Indian sugar planters and promote their products in the North American market. However, colonists often evaded the law through smuggling.
Arminianism: Arminianism is a theological view associated with Jacobus Arminius and his followers. It challenges the Calvinist doctrine of predestination by emphasizing free will and the possibility of salvation for all individuals, not just those predestined by God. Arminianism had a significant impact on religious debates during the Great Awakening in the American colonies.
Great Awakening: The Great Awakening was a religious revival movement that swept through the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. It emphasized individual religious experience, emotional preaching, and the idea of a personal relationship with God. The Great Awakening had a profound impact on American society, fostering new religious denominations, encouraging increased religious tolerance, and contributing to a sense of shared identity among colonists.
Old Lights: The Old Lights were conservative and traditionalist ministers who opposed the emotional and revivalist preaching style of the Great Awakening. They were critical of the new religious movements that emerged during the revival and sought to maintain traditional religious practices and church hierarchies.
New Lights: The New Lights were proponents of the Great Awakening and embraced its emphasis on emotional preaching, personal conversion experiences, and a more democratic approach to religious leadership. They often clashed with Old Lights over theological and religious practices.
Poor Richard's Almanack: Poor Richard's Almanack was a popular annual publication written by Benjamin Franklin. First published in 1732, it contained weather forecasts, practical household tips, proverbs, and witty sayings. The almanac became widely read and contributed to Franklin's reputation as a successful writer and publisher.
Zenger Trial: The Zenger Trial was a landmark court case that took place in 1735 in New York City. John Peter Zenger, a printer and journalist, was charged with seditious libel for publishing critical articles about the colonial governor. The trial established the principle of freedom of the press and played a significant role in shaping the development of American press freedom and the concept of the free press as a vital component of democracy.
Royal Colonies: Royal colonies were colonies in British America that were under direct control of the English Crown. In these colonies, the king appointed a royal governor to represent the monarch's interests and oversee colonial affairs. Examples of royal colonies include Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York.
Proprietary Colonies: Proprietary colonies were colonies in British America that were granted to individuals or groups known as proprietors. These proprietors were given considerable control over the colony's governance and economy. Examples of proprietary colonies include Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.