UNIT 1: NEED TO KNOW
STANDARDS FOR US HISTORY
Students must master these standards
to perform well on unit exams, the
GHSGT in Social Studies and the EOCT.
SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that
the economy and society of British North
America developed.
SSUSH2.5: . Explain the development
of mercantilism and the transAtlantic trade.
What was the economic relationship between the colonies
and Great Britain?
Many American colonists benefited from the trans-Atlantic trade
relationship with Great Britain, even though the real purpose of
the colonial trading system was to enrich Britain. The British
interest in establishing colonies was influenced by the theory of
mercantilism, which stated that a country’s ultimate goal was selfsufficiency and that all countries were in a competition to acquire
the most gold and silver
How can you explain the balance of trade between Great
Britain and the colonies as a successful mercantilist system?
Due to mercantilist ideas, nations concentrated on the balance of
trade – the amount of goods sold compared to the amount
bought. A favorable balance of trade would mean that more gold
was coming in than going out. In order for Britain to maintain this
favorable balance for itself, it used the American colonies as a
market for British goods, and as a source of raw materials that
were not native to Britain. Thus, Britain was able to keep gold
flowing in the right direction.
SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that the
economy and society of British North America
developed.
SSUSH2-6. Describe the Middle Passage,
growth of the African population, and AfricanAmerican culture.
What was the Middle Passage?
The route that brought Africans to the West Indies (and later
to North America) was known as the “Middle Passage.”
What were the conditions enslaved Africans endured during
the Middle Passage?
It was an unusually cruel and inhumane journey. Africans were
branded with hot irons before they left Africa for identification
purposes. They were packed into the dark cargo holds of ships in
horrible conditions with little food or water. They were often
beaten and abused in unthinkable ways. Up to 20% of enslaved
Africans died aboard each slave ship that crossed to the Americas.
What was involved in “triangular trade?”
The trade was described as “triangular trade” because it involved
merchants who carried rum and other goods from New England
to Africa. In Africa they traded their merchandise for enslaved
people whom they transported to the West Indies and sold for
sugar and molasses; these goods were then shipped to New
England and made into rum.
What were the lives of enslaved Africans like after arriving in
the Americas?
Once in America, their lives were extremely difficult. Around 80-90
percent of slaves worked in agricultural labor on plantations and
farms. The remainder worked as house slaves.
How did enslaved Africans survive and form a unique culture
in the Americas?
Slaves led a grueling existence but were able to bond together in a
sense of community for support and to fight against their plight in
numerous ways. They developed a unique culture keeping alive
many traditions from their various native lands, including weaving
baskets, molding pottery, music, dance and stories. By the mid 1700s the slave population was increasing in North America
because of the growth of rice growing in the southern colonies
SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that the economy
and society of British North America developed.
2.7. Identify Benjamin Franklin as a
symbol of social mobility and
individualism.
Describe the major events in the life of Benjamin Franklin.
He was from a Boston family with 17 children. His father was a
candle-maker and wanted Ben to be a minister. Ben wasn’t a good
student and didn’t do well in school. After he dropped out, he
became an apprentice in his brother’s printing shop. He eventually
became a writer, a statesman, a philosopher, a printer and an
inventor. He also became America’s first millionaire. He created the
first fire department, was the first Postmaster General and signed
all four documents that helped create the US.
How does Benjamin Franklin serve as an example of “Social
mobility?”
The fact that he moved from being poor and under-educated to
being wealthy, accepted by heads of state in Europe as an
ambassador, consulted by men who would become the first
presidents of the US, demonstrates how he moved freely among
all social classes.
How does the life of Benjamin Franklin serve as an example
of “individualism?”
The path that he carved for his life – leaving his family to do his
own thing, inventing, service to his country and life- long learning
certainly points to his individualism – he chose his own path, while
still accomplishing so much.
SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that the economy
and society of British North America developed.
2.8. Explain the significance of the
Great Awakening.
What was the “Great Awakening?”
The Great Awakening was an event that began in New
England in the 1730s. It was a series of religious revivals lead
by George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards.
What role did the Great Awakening play in colonial America?
The Great Awakening led to the founding of many new religious
movements and denominations. The Great Awakening was the
first truly national event, in that these revivals were conducted all
over the colonies and even where they did not occur, people knew
about them.
What connection did the Great Awakening have to the
American Revolution?
Some historians think this event paved the way for the American
Revolution because it enabled the colonists to think of themselves
as able to make independent decisions from the Church of England
and the Puritans. It was certainly a step along the way for
Americans developing their own ideas about themselves and their
relationships to society.