Maryland was founded by the Calvert family to provide a refuge for English Catholics. The other colonies had different primary religious or economic motivations.

Mercantilism was the dominant economic theory of the period, focusing on accumulating wealth for the mother country at the expense of the colonies. The other options represent economic systems that did not guide colonial policy.

Indentured servitude was a prevalent form of labor in early Virginia, where colonists worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America. This system differed significantly from wage labor, being central to the colony's early economic model.

Tobacco was the dominant cash crop in the Chesapeake colonies, shaping their economic and social structures. The other crops were more commonly grown in different regions or later periods.

The Spanish-American War resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and imperial expansion.

The Navigation Acts were designed to regulate colonial trade and ensure that the economic benefits flowed to Britain. These acts enforced a system where colonies were economically dependent on the mother country.

The Great Awakening sparked widespread religious enthusiasm and personal devotion across the colonies. This movement challenged the traditional authority of established churches and promoted individual spiritual experience.

The Progressive Era was characterized by reforms intended to address social inequalities and economic injustices. This period marked a departure from minimal government intervention towards active regulation and reform.

The 'Square Deal' aimed at ensuring fairness for both consumers and businesses by regulating powerful corporations and addressing labor issues. It reflected Roosevelt's commitment to social justice and a balanced economic policy.

The Panic of 1893 was a major economic crisis that plunged the nation into depression, leading to widespread unemployment and social unrest. This event underscored the vulnerabilities of the Gilded Age economy and set the stage for later reforms.

The Social Security Act established the foundation of the American social safety net by introducing measures like old-age benefits and unemployment insurance. This act is considered a landmark in federal intervention during the Great Depression.

World War I required the U.S. to mobilize its resources on a national scale, leading to increased government regulation and intervention in the economy. The war effort also accelerated industrial production and technological advancements.

The sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 significantly shifted American public opinion against Germany and helped propel the U.S. into World War I. This incident marked an important move away from strict isolationism toward greater international involvement.

Joint-stock companies enabled investors to share risks and capital, which facilitated large-scale colonization and trade ventures. This model was crucial for funding the establishment and expansion of early colonies.

The Roaring Twenties experienced rapid technological progress and a surge in consumer goods production, which fueled mass consumerism. This economic boom transformed American society and laid the groundwork for modern consumer culture.

Mercantilist policies forced the colonies to specialize in producing export goods such as tobacco and sugar, which benefited the European mother countries. This system limited economic diversification and reinforced a dependent economic structure in the colonies.

Progressive Era reforms introduced government regulations and social welfare measures that laid the groundwork for more extensive federal intervention. These reforms set important precedents that were later expanded upon during the New Deal.

The Spanish-American War marked the beginning of American imperial ambitions, and as global dynamics shifted by World War I, economic interests and changing ideologies pushed the U.S. toward a more interventionist foreign policy. This evolution paved the way for the nation's later role as a global power.

The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening encouraged individual thought and questioned established systems, creating an intellectual environment ripe for revolutionary ideas. Their influence helped lay the ideological groundwork for future challenges to traditional authority.

The New Deal represented a major shift in federal policy by significantly increasing government intervention in the economy. Its long-term impacts include the creation of lasting social safety nets and regulatory frameworks that continue to influence American society.