Beginnings – c1900
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This Power Point is simply touching upon the
most monumental issues pertaining to US
History I, and highlighting the broad themes
that we will be delving into in greater detail
later this year.
Basically, you should ALREADY KNOW THIS. If
you don’t, blame your 9th grade teacher … or,
if you slept through 9th grade … blame
yourself.
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Although Europeans were said to have
“discovered” America, Native Americans had
been living here for centuries before they
were dubbed “Indians” by Columbus.
Disease was the greatest killer of Native
Americans, wiping out up to 90% of certain
tribes.
Cultural Exchange: horses and livestock,
technology, crops and goods
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First permanent English colony in the
Americas was Jamestown, founded in 1607.
◦ To entice potential colonists, the headright system
(promising land to those who could pay their own
way) and indentured servitude began.
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Other important early colony: Plymouth.
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New England Colonies
◦ Religious freedom main motivator
◦ Puritans dominated New England – very devout
Protestants, not very tolerant of other viewpoints.
◦ What are the New England Colonies?
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Middle Colonies
◦ More diverse: Dutch, French, and English
settlements, therefore more tolerant.
◦ Quakers: William Penn (guess which colony he
started?), pacifists.
◦ What are the Middle Colonies?
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Southern Colonies
◦ Heavily agricultural, due to cash crop of tobacco –
slavery and Triangle Trade
◦ Religion of secondary importance.
◦ Virginia: House of Burgesses.
◦ Maryland: Religious toleration
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Mercantilism: economic system where a
powerful country (ie: mother country; ie:
England) tries to establish colonies and
maintain a favorable balance of trade. This
increases that powerful country’s wealth,
power, and importance.
◦ Colonies a source of raw materials and market for
new goods.
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Triangular Trade
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Enlightenment Ideals: rational thought as
opposed to religious devotion
◦ Conception of God as “watchmaker” – creates the
gadget, winds the gears, then hands off: deism.
◦ Deism mostly practiced by the elite.
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1st Great Awakening: mass movement of
religious fervor.
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French and Indian War: colonial extension of
greater war between Britain and France (the
Seven Years’ War).
Lasted from 1754-1763.
Britain vs. France, NOT France vs. Indians.
Ended with Treaty of Paris in 1763, Britain
gained a sizeable amount of land: all of
French Canada and French land east of the
Mississippi River.
The Americans benefitted at the time, but this
war would plague them soon enough …….
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Content Question:
◦ Compare and contrast the Southern, New England,
and Middle Colonies. What were the key cultural
characteristics of the American colonies?
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Terms:
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Puritans and “City on a Hill”
Quakers
Triangular Trade
French and Indian War
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After the French and Indian War, Britain was
heavily in debt and burdened with financing
its gigantic empire.
Since the Americans had benefitted greatly
from the outcome of the war, the British
expected them to take some of the tax load.
Americans were not exactly pleased with this
arrangement …
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Incendiary Proclamations and Taxes
◦ Proclamation of 1763: ordered colonists to stay
within a boundary (Appalachian Mtns.)as to not
conflict with Native Americans.
◦ Stamp Act: tax on all goods requiring a stamp:
wills, contracts, legal papers, playing cards.
◦ Townshend Acts: series of acts, including a
quartering act, and taxes on goods.
◦ “No Taxation Without Representation!”
◦ Boston Massacre
◦ Tea Act and Boston Tea Party
◦ Intolerable Acts
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First Continental Congress: condemned
Parliament for denying colonists the rights
and privileges of British citizenship.
◦ Appealed to royals and to the British people
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Violence in your backyard: Lexington and
Concord, 1775.
Second Continental Congress: not ready to
declare independence yet, sought
compromise with Olive Branch Petition.
Rejected by Brits.
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Sides:
◦ Patriots
◦ Loyalists
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Thomas Paine, Common Sense – call for
independence.
Declaration of Independence.
France was our ally.
Battle at Saratoga – turning point.
General Washington became national hero.
Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1783.
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Content Question:
◦ What were the causes of the American Revolution?
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Terms:
◦ “No taxation without representation”
◦ Declaration of Independence
◦ Loyalist