chapter one the nations beginnings prehistory-1824

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Chapter OneThe Nations Beginnings

Prehistory-1824

Learning Objectives

• H-SS 11.1 Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence.

• H-SS 11.3 Students analyze the role religion played in the founding of America, its lasting moral, social, and political impacts.

The main theme of American history is:

• Conflict and change

• Exploration

• The quest for liberty

• New ideas and new identities

1.1 Many Cultures Meet



The American IndiansAncient Peoples Migrate to the Americas. Different groups stopped for food, shelter or water. Most scientists believe that Asians walked across a land bridge following food to the Americas.



As they followed food they found different climates and landscapes-this developed great cultural diversity. Groups who could tame the land did so with agriculture, others were nomadic. Groups spread from Alaska to Mexico, and as far East as Nova Scotia. Civilizations formed.Main Idea: Tens of thousands of years ago, ancient peoples began migrating to the Americas where they expanded southward and developed their own cultures.

The EuropeansThe Renaissance changed Europe. People started to question theIdea that the world was flat. There were also advances in technologyThat led to bigger ships and bigger voyages. Renaissance businessMen became aware of riches in the Indies. These advances led to risky adventures. Mariners found faster andMore dangerous routs to Asia. By 1492 the time was right for a Business man to try to sail around the world in search of riches.











Main Idea: From the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries, the Renaissance brought scientific advances and an increase in wealth to Europe.

The West AfricansPortuguese mariners found highly civilized African kingdoms on their search for riches. They opened trade with these kingdoms. For a while, both sides benefited from the exchange.

Africans also sold slaves. Portuguese mariners bought them and brought them back to Europe. They also used slaves to work plantations on colonies. The Portuguese did not invent slave trade, but they GREATLY expanded it.







Main Idea: Portuguese mariners sailed south into the Atlantic Ocean and reached highly sophisticated Western Africa, which led to an expansion of the slave trade.

First Encounters in America

Christopher Columbus reached the Americas in 1492 without any idea of the affects his actions would cause. The people who followed Columbus worked to make the natives into Christians.

Conquistadores became aware of the riches in the Americas and conquered everything that has a Spanish name today. They were ruthless and destructive, it only took them three years to conquer the great Aztec nation.

The Columbian exchange made Europeans rich. They took native land and forced African slaves to work on it. Besides bringing new people to America, Europeans brought new animals, plants, language, and cultures.

Main Idea: Spain sponsored a voyage they hoped would reach the Indies of East Asia, but instead brought them to the Americas. The Spanish quickly conquered the Native American civilizations they found and began to colonize the land.



Columbian Exchange

1.2 The American Revolution



1.2 Objectives

• H-SS 11.1.1, 11.3.2• Describe the European colonial presence in North

America.• Trace the development of democratic ideals in

Europe and America.• Identify the causes of the American Revolution.• Discuss the results of the American Revolution.

European Colonies in the Americas

Some people went to America for religious freedom, others for political reasons, and most for economic opportunity.

People looking for economic opportunity split into groups. The group in the south grew crops like tobacco, cotton, and sugar. The northern people could not grow crops efficiently, they built goods.



Main Idea: Spain established colonies in present-day Florida and the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America; France established colonies in Canada; and England established colonies in the eastern United States.

New England Colonies

Middle Colonies

Southern Colonies

Democratic Ideals in the American Colonies

English Tradition- As English citizens, the colonists believed they should have English rights. They did not believe the king should be all powerful. They believed in a bill of rights.

Enlightenment/French- During the enlightenment people believed in reason, and liberty. They thought that all people were created equal, and that they should all have the same rights.

The Great Awakening- religious beliefs came back to make an impact on the new government.

Main Idea: Many English colonists already believed they were entitled to the rights of English citizens when the Enlightenment and Great Awakening of 1700s expanded this way of thinking.

Causes in the American Revolution

Americans did not want to pay taxes with out being able to vote. “No taxation without representation”. The English were fighting an expensive war (the French and Indian War). The English needed money to pay for the war. They charged the American people taxes for stamps, etc. Eventually this led to great resentment of the English. Their soldiers were harassed and disrespected. This resulted in the Boston massacre, and hatred for the British.


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Main Idea: To pay off their debt from war with France, Britain raised taxes in the colonies. This angered the colonists and they began to boycott British goods.

The War for IndependenceWar began in 1775, when British troops attempted to seize arms and ammunition stored at Concord, Massachusetts. New Englanders quickly formed a militia.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence

The militia was no challenge for trained British troops until the minutemen resorted to guerilla tactics. With superior knowledge of land, and American Indian style fighting tactics, the Americans gained military advantages. George Washington controlled the Colonial Army. The colonies, with French support, pushed the British North to Canada.




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Main Idea: When Britain refused to stop taxing the colonies, war broke out. In 1776, the colonies adopted a Declaration of Independence and finally defeated Britain in 1783.

1.3 The Constitution



1.3 Objectives

• H-SS 11.1.2 • Identify the weaknesses of the Articles of

Confederation.• Describe the role of compromise played in the

creation of the Constitution.• Define the principles expressed in the Constitution

and the Bill of Rights.• Focus Question: What ideas and debates led to the

Constitution and the Bill of Rights?



A confederation of StatesThe Articles of Confederation were the first attempt to make a constitution.Most power remained with the states, not the federal government.The Fed only had power to declare war, and to regulate trade between states.Each state had its own trade policy.The fed tried to tax, but the states did not always pay.The fed could not pay the war debt. No president.To make a decision, 9 of the 13 colonies had to vote on it. (This was nearly impossible)The gov. could not protect its citizens who were moving west.The gov. could not control Shay’s Rebellion.


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Main Idea: After the American Revolution, the 13 states established their own constitutions and a federal constitution that limited federal power, could not levy taxes, and had no President or army.

The Constitutional ConventionNew Jersey PlanMore power to the state government. Executive branch has most power.Unicameral legislatureAll states are represented equally (no matter the size)Loose confederation of states, not United States.

Virginia PlanNational Union (United States)Checks and Balances



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Main Idea: Americans agreed the Articles of Confederation were flawed and states sent delegates to a convention to discuss changes.

The Constitutional ConventionPower to taxBicameral Legislature (House and Senate)Large states have more powerPresident

Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise)Bicameral Legislative BranchSenate for small states (2 each)House for large states (depends on population)3/5 compromise






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Main Idea: Americans agreed the Articles of Confederation were flawed and states sent delegates to a convention to discuss changes.

The Struggle Over Ratification

Main arguments for the Constitution (Federalists)-Strong Central Government-Need a strong leader-Unified states were much more likely to survive than individual states



Main arguments against the Constitution (Anti-federalists) -Bill of Rights was added to the constitution.-Separation of Power



Main Idea: After the Constitution was written, it still needed to be ratified. Supporters of the Constitution promised to add a bill of rights to satisfy those who were against it.

Principles of the Constitution

Main Idea: The new Constitution divided powers between the federal and state government, and promoted a separation of powers within the federal government.

1.4 The New Republic



1.4 Objectives

• H-SS 11.1.3• Discuss the structure of the federal government

and political parties.• Explore the major foreign policy issues that

confronted the US.• Describe the growing differences between the

North and South.• Focus Q: How did the US and its government

change in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s?

Government and Party PoliticsHamilton (Federalist)- Wanted the US to develop a commercial and industrial economy that could support a federal govt. Wanted to pay off the war debt. wanted a central bank with power to regulate state banks.

Jefferson (Democratic Republican)- wanted limited government intervention. Wanted to strictly follow the constitution. Did not want to pay taxes to the North.





Main Idea: George Washington served as a strong first President for the United States. As conflict arose between members of his Cabinet over limits of federal power, two separate political parties were established.

The Struggle over Foreign Policy

Jay’s Treaty said that the United States would not get involved with European wars. France was mad about the treaty because they JUST helped us win our independence over England. We were both interested in liberty, and the abolition of monarchy.








Main Idea: As the United States established a federal government, officials attempted to remain neutral in foreign affairs, but still faced challenges internationally.

Jefferson, Madison, and the War of 1812

Jefferson purchased land west of the Mississippi from Napoleon. England and the US become more angry with each other. English still owned parts of Canada. We invaded Canada to get back at the English. In 1814 British Canadians invaded the US. They burned the White House and the Capital Building. Americans won the major battles. Americans said this proved them secure and reputable.








Main Idea: Thomas Jefferson’s presidency was marked by the growth of the Supreme Court and the Louisiana Purchase. By the end of his term, the United States was forced to go to war with Britain.

Growing Differences Between North and South

The north had poor agricultural land, but plenty of immigrants and natural resources. The North used the industrial revolution to make money. The south continued to use slaves. After the invention of the cotton gin the American economy exploded. This spread slavery (need more labor to make more $)





Main Idea: Industrialization grew in the northern states while the southern states became more dependent on cotton and slave labor.

The Monroe DoctrineJames Monroe hoped to unify the nation by taking control of the western hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine said that European



The Monroe doctrine was not enforceable by the new US government. We did not have the military or economic power to defend south American lands.

monarchies had no business meddling with American republics.

Main Idea: When James Monroe became President, he announced a doctrine declaring that European monarchs had no business meddling in American republics. In exchange, the United Sates agreed to stay out of European affairs.

chapter one the nations beginnings prehistory-1824

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