What type of colonies were characterized by joint-stock ownership managed by businesses?

The correct answer is that joint-stock colonies were indeed characterized by joint-stock ownership managed by businesses. These colonies were established primarily to generate profits for investors who bought shares in the venture. Joint-stock companies pooled the resources of many investors, minimizing individual risk while allowing for the funding of large colonial projects.

This structure facilitated the establishment of several early colonies, including Jamestown, which was funded by the Virginia Company, a joint-stock company. Investors would share in the profits (or losses) of the colony based on their level of investment. Thus, the model of joint-stock ownership was crucial for stimulating economic activity and colonization efforts during the period of European expansion in the Americas.

Understanding the context of joint-stock colonies helps clarify the economic motivations behind early colonization compared to the other types of colonies, many of which had different governance and funding structures.