American HistoryPart 2, Chapters 1 – 3

Down Syndrome Child

An “isthmus”

• Lived from 1580 to 1622

• Kidnapped by Englishman, Thomas Hunt (1614)

• Sold into slavery in Spain

• With help of Christians, escaped to London, England

• Learned English while in England

Squanto – Native American (Patuxet)

• Joined an expedition to New England (1619)

• Upon return, found out his tribe had been wiped out by disease

• Pilgrims (total 102) arrived in Plymouth late autumn of 1620

• Stayed on Mayflower during brutal winter – half died

Squanto – Native American (Patuxet)

• Squanto met Pilgrims at his former village (Spring 1621)

• Taught Pilgrims how to grow corn, catch fish, etc.

• First Thanksgiving celebrated in November 1621

• Squanto died in November 1622 of fever, possibly poisoned by rival tribe

Squanto – Native American (Patuxet)

• New England Puritans valued education, for religious study as well as economic success.

• Both boys & girls attended elementary (primary) school, though sometimes at different hours or seasons.

• Secondary (high) schools were mostly in major cities, with the goal of preparing boys for college

• Most colleges were very small, with perhaps just a few professors and tutors. Studies included ancient history, ancient languages, theology, and mathematics.

New England 17th Century Education

• Few youth had access to a high school or college education

• Many young people – both boys & girls – benefitted from vocational training, especially apprenticeship. • Apprenticeship – learning a trade (skilled/manual job) from an experienced master worker

Colonial Education

• Required that many printed materials in the colonies use stamped paper produced in London.

• These printed materials were legal documents, magazines, newspapers and many other types of paper. • The stamp tax had to be paid in valid British currency, not in colonial paper money.

• Purpose was to pay for British troops stationed in the colonies.

The Stamp Act of 1765

• Colonists opposed “taxation without representation”.

• Protests and demonstrations often became violent.

• Tax distributors were intimidated, and resigned. The tax was never effectively collected.

• First significant joint colonial response to any British measure.

• The Act was repealed on March 18, 1766

The Stamp Act of 1765

Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware River,December 25 – 26, 1776

• Also known as the U.S. – Mexican War

• 1846 – 1848 (fighting ended in autumn of 1847)

• Came after the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas

• Mexico considered Texas as part of its country,

even though Texas fought for – and won –

independence in 1835 and 1836.

The Mexican – American War

• Mexico attained independence from Spain in 1821

• Many internal struggles – almost civil war

• However, Mexicans were united in refusing to

recognize the independence of Texas

• Mexico threatened war with the U.S. if it annexed

Texas.

The Mexican – American War

• In 1829, because of immigration from the U.S.,

the Anglos (whites) outnumbered native Spanish

speakers in the Texas territory.

• The Mexican government decided to levy1

property taxes, increase tariffs on U.S. goods, and

prohibit slavery.

1 Impose, force upon, require

The Mexican – American War

• The settlers rejected these demands, leading to

the Texas Revolution of 1836, with the Texans

defeating Mexico.

• After the Texas Revolution of 1836, Texas

received official recognition from Britain, France,

and the U.S., which all advised Mexico not to try

to re-conquer the new nation.

• Most Texans wanted to join the U.S.

The Mexican – American War

• Texas became the 28th state on December 29,

1845.

• This led to the war, which America won.

• America also received California, Nevada, Utah,

Arizona, western Colorado, southwestern

Wyoming, and New Mexico.

• Mexico received $15 million, and the U.S. took on

$3.25 million of Mexican debt.

The Mexican – American War

For next week, please read Part 2 History,

Ch. 4 – 6,

pages 80 to 115