HIST121 Unit Test 3 – Colonial America
and Development of British Colonies
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
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1. Which factor was the primary motivation behind England’s
establishment of colonies in North America during the seventeenth
century?
A. The desire to eliminate all European competition in the Atlantic world
B. The search for economic opportunities, land, resources, and trade
advantages
C. The goal of immediately creating an independent American nation
D. The intention to end all forms of religious disagreement in Europe
Answer: B. The search for economic opportunities, land, resources, and
trade advantages
The English established colonies in North America largely because they
sought wealth, natural resources, new markets, and additional territory.
Economic motives combined with political and religious goals to encourage
colonization.
, 2. Which English colony was founded in 1607 and became the first
permanent English settlement in North America?
A. Plymouth Colony
B. Massachusetts Bay Colony
C. Jamestown Colony
D. Pennsylvania Colony
Answer: C. Jamestown Colony
Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company in 1607 in present-day
Virginia. It became England’s first permanent colony in North America
despite early struggles with disease, starvation, and conflict with Native
peoples.
3. The Virginia Company established Jamestown primarily as what type of
enterprise?
A. A religious community based on Puritan beliefs
B. A joint-stock company seeking profit
C. A military base for defeating France
D. A democratic experiment without economic goals
Answer: B. A joint-stock company seeking profit
The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company whose investors hoped to
earn profits from resources and trade in North America. Jamestown was
founded as a business venture rather than a religious settlement.
4. What agricultural product became the economic foundation of the
Virginia colony?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Tobacco
D. Cotton
,Answer: C. Tobacco
Tobacco, especially the variety successfully cultivated by John Rolfe,
became Virginia’s major cash crop. Its profitability encouraged land
expansion and increased demand for labor.
5. Which individual is associated with making tobacco cultivation
successful in Virginia?
A. John Smith
B. John Rolfe
C. William Penn
D. Roger Williams
Answer: B. John Rolfe
John Rolfe developed a profitable strain of tobacco that helped transform
Virginia into an economically successful colony. His work increased
European demand for Virginia tobacco.
6. The House of Burgesses established in Virginia in 1619 is significant
because it:
A. Created the first elected representative assembly in English America
B. Ended slavery throughout the colonies
C. Declared independence from England
D. Created a monarchy in Virginia
Answer: A. Created the first elected representative assembly in English
America
The House of Burgesses represented an early form of self-government in
the colonies. It allowed elected representatives to participate in making
local laws.
7. Which group founded Plymouth Colony in 1620?
, A. Puritans
B. Separatists known as Pilgrims
C. Quakers
D. Catholics
Answer: B. Separatists known as Pilgrims
The Pilgrims, also known as Separatists, founded Plymouth Colony after
seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. They arrived aboard
the Mayflower in 1620.
8. The Mayflower Compact is historically important because it:
A. Created a system of colonial self-government
B. Established slavery in New England
C. Ended English rule in North America
D. Created the first colonial economy
Answer: A. Created a system of colonial self-government
The Mayflower Compact established an agreement among settlers to
create and follow laws for the good of the community. It became an early
example of democratic self-government.
9. Which colony was founded by Puritans seeking to create a religious
society based on their beliefs?
A. Virginia
B. Massachusetts Bay
C. Georgia
D. Delaware
Answer: B. Massachusetts Bay
and Development of British Colonies
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which factor was the primary motivation behind England’s
establishment of colonies in North America during the seventeenth
century?
A. The desire to eliminate all European competition in the Atlantic world
B. The search for economic opportunities, land, resources, and trade
advantages
C. The goal of immediately creating an independent American nation
D. The intention to end all forms of religious disagreement in Europe
Answer: B. The search for economic opportunities, land, resources, and
trade advantages
The English established colonies in North America largely because they
sought wealth, natural resources, new markets, and additional territory.
Economic motives combined with political and religious goals to encourage
colonization.
, 2. Which English colony was founded in 1607 and became the first
permanent English settlement in North America?
A. Plymouth Colony
B. Massachusetts Bay Colony
C. Jamestown Colony
D. Pennsylvania Colony
Answer: C. Jamestown Colony
Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company in 1607 in present-day
Virginia. It became England’s first permanent colony in North America
despite early struggles with disease, starvation, and conflict with Native
peoples.
3. The Virginia Company established Jamestown primarily as what type of
enterprise?
A. A religious community based on Puritan beliefs
B. A joint-stock company seeking profit
C. A military base for defeating France
D. A democratic experiment without economic goals
Answer: B. A joint-stock company seeking profit
The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company whose investors hoped to
earn profits from resources and trade in North America. Jamestown was
founded as a business venture rather than a religious settlement.
4. What agricultural product became the economic foundation of the
Virginia colony?
A. Wheat
B. Rice
C. Tobacco
D. Cotton
,Answer: C. Tobacco
Tobacco, especially the variety successfully cultivated by John Rolfe,
became Virginia’s major cash crop. Its profitability encouraged land
expansion and increased demand for labor.
5. Which individual is associated with making tobacco cultivation
successful in Virginia?
A. John Smith
B. John Rolfe
C. William Penn
D. Roger Williams
Answer: B. John Rolfe
John Rolfe developed a profitable strain of tobacco that helped transform
Virginia into an economically successful colony. His work increased
European demand for Virginia tobacco.
6. The House of Burgesses established in Virginia in 1619 is significant
because it:
A. Created the first elected representative assembly in English America
B. Ended slavery throughout the colonies
C. Declared independence from England
D. Created a monarchy in Virginia
Answer: A. Created the first elected representative assembly in English
America
The House of Burgesses represented an early form of self-government in
the colonies. It allowed elected representatives to participate in making
local laws.
7. Which group founded Plymouth Colony in 1620?
, A. Puritans
B. Separatists known as Pilgrims
C. Quakers
D. Catholics
Answer: B. Separatists known as Pilgrims
The Pilgrims, also known as Separatists, founded Plymouth Colony after
seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. They arrived aboard
the Mayflower in 1620.
8. The Mayflower Compact is historically important because it:
A. Created a system of colonial self-government
B. Established slavery in New England
C. Ended English rule in North America
D. Created the first colonial economy
Answer: A. Created a system of colonial self-government
The Mayflower Compact established an agreement among settlers to
create and follow laws for the good of the community. It became an early
example of democratic self-government.
9. Which colony was founded by Puritans seeking to create a religious
society based on their beliefs?
A. Virginia
B. Massachusetts Bay
C. Georgia
D. Delaware
Answer: B. Massachusetts Bay
