1.

Native Americans-
First people to occupy the Western
Hemisphere

Way of life was influenced by the environment

The Iroquois Confederation

Federal system which included 6 Nations

Confederation designed to keep peace among tribes and provide mutual defense

Consisted of representatives of each tribe

Served as a model for colonial union
(Albany Plan of Union and Articles of
Confederation)

Motivations for coming to the colonies…
1)
RELIGIOUS REASONS
2)
ECONOMIC REASONS
3)
POLITICAL REASONS


Influenced by the Puritan religion, church membership was required for participation in government.
•
•

Diversified Economy- Farming and Shipping.
Ports of Boston and Salem became centers for colonial shipping.
Fishing and Ship building industries emerged


Diverse population- Dutch, German, Scotch-Irish

Wheat and corn trade helped to build up the cities of
New York and Philadelphia

Large numbers of tenant farmers in the Hudson River valley of New York and New Jersey


Warm climate and rich soiled helped agriculture flourish.

Southern colonies based on crops grown for export
(tobacco, rice, and indigo)

Cultivated by indentured servants and then enslaved
Africans

The central role of agriculture led to growing dependence on slavery

ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Growth of tobacco, indigo and rice led to British involvement in the slave trade.
Triangular trade- New England merchants traded rum for slaves in West Africa, the slaves were sold in the West Indies for molasses or sugar, which was shipped to New England to make more rum.


1607- Virginia the first successful
English Colony founded by the
Virginal Company of London (joint stock company).

1619- Virginia House of Burgess-

1 st elected legislature, step towards representative government


1628- Massachusetts Bay Colony
(joint stock company).

Founded by middle-class Puritans who wanted a refuge for their religious beliefs in North America


Influenced by the Puritan religion, church membership was required for participation in government.
•
•

Diversified Economy- Farming and
Shipping.
Ports of Boston and Salem became centers for colonial shipping.
Fishing and Ship building industries emerged


Mayflower Compact(1620)- The adult males of Plymouth, signed an agreement to consult each other and run the community by majority rule.

Fundamental orders of Connecticut
(1639)


First written Constitution in America
Government by the consent of the governed


The Albany Plan of Congress
(1754)

Drafted by Ben Franklin
 the earliest attempt at organizing the 13 colonies against the French.

 rejected because it threatened the democratic institutions created in the absence of direct British rule.

Salutary Neglect -ignoring the colonies for their own health, leading to development of self- rule


As the colonies constructed plans of government that defined the structure and power of government, rule by the crown became less and less tolerable.