SECTION 1:FOUNDING THE AMERICAN COLONIES

The American Journey,Ch. 2: Road to Independence

Spanish Colonies in America

You already learned that other countries set up colonies in America.

Spain primarily set up in the Caribbean, Florida, and the Southwest (California-Texas and Cen. America). Remember, they used missions, presidios, and

pueblos to Christianize the Native population. They also used slave labor to cultivate agriculture in

the Caribbean. Not nice.

French Colonies in America

The French settled primarily in Eastern Canada to profit from fur trapping and trading.

However, they also discovered the Mississippi River and claimed a vast territory (which they called Louisiana after King Louis XIV), extending up the Mississippi River north to Canada, South to the Gulf of Mexico, east to the Appalachian Mountains, and west to present-day Colorado and Idaho. Pg. 119: map Remember how huge Louisiana was in the 1600’s—it

comes into play in a big way later!

English Colonies in America

English colonies were primarily created by charter, a land grant or permission granted by royalty.

The English set up colonies along the East Coast and throughout Northern Canada.

The Virginia Company (a joint-stock) set up the first permanent English colony in America, Jamestown, 13 years before the Pilgrims reached Plymouth.

English Colonies in America

Life in Jamestown was very hard.How did the colonists manage to survive?

[discuss] Luckily, they had strong leadership under John Smith and

were able to practice subsistence farming. Eventually, they found a cash crop: tobacco.

Why would more people go to Virginia?! [discuss] They were given the right to elect burgesses, or

government representatives if they moved to Virginia. This House of Burgesses voted on laws for the colony. It was the first colonial representative government, but it

created a pattern that the future states would follow. Virginia eventually became a British royal colony.

English Colonies in America

The Pilgrims (Puritans) came to America because they were being attacked for their faith at home. They landed in (present-day) Massachusetts, outside the

Virginia Company’s protection, & had to make their own laws.

They created the Mayflower Compact.How did the Mayflower Compact work? [discuss]

The colony set up its own laws. Everyone agreed to do what was best all of Plymouth.

It was so successful, that more Puritans came over and founded Massachusetts and its capital, Boston.

English Colonies in America

Connecticut and Rhode Island soon followed. Connecticut’s Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was

the first constitution in America. A constitution is a formal plan of government.

Rhode Island was the first American colony to allow complete freedom of religion and separation of church and state.

New York was originally a Dutch colony called New Netherlands, but the English kicked the Dutch out. Not nice.

English Colonies in America

Colonists in Virginia eventually spread west and settle on Native American land, leading to conflicts.

Maryland was created Catholic, but eventually the number of Protestants led to the Act of Toleration (1649), an early step toward religious freedom.

Carolina was set up as a gift colony for King Charles II’s friends, but eventually the southern settlers took control and divided Carolina into North and South Carolina.

English Colonies in America

Georgia was the last English colony created. Originally it was for debtors, but it became a haven for

religious refugees, too. It was also

created to be a barrier

between Spanish Florida

and the British Carolinas.

The 13 colonies, c. 1733

•New Hampshire•Massachusetts (including Maine)•Connecticut•Rhode IslandNew

England Colonies

•New York•New Jersey•Pennsylvania•DelawareMiddle

Colonies

•Maryland•Virginia•North Carolina•South Carolina•Georgia

Southern Colonies

SECTION 2:LIFE IN COLONIAL AMERICA

The American Journey,Ch. 2: Road to Independence

Trade in Colonial America

Remember that there was NO United States yet. Each of the 13 colonies was largely separate, and they seldom

mixed. Often they didn’t even get along. Colonists would say, “I’m a Virginian” or “I’m a

Pennsylvanian,” but never “I’m an American.” Why? [discuss] The colonists thought of themselves as (and were) British

citizens.New England was the center for the triangular

trade: 1. Materials/crops taken from Caribbean to New England. 2. Goods manufactured in N.E. and taken to Africa. 3. Goods traded in Africa for slaves, who are brought back to

Caribbean to raise more crops and get more materials.

Trade in Colonial America

The Middle Colonies were good for growing crops. These crops were taken to New York City and

Philadelphia to be shipped off. That made NYC and Philadelphia very busy, populous

cities.The Southern Colonies were known for heavy

agriculture. Plantations were the center of farming. This led to a huge need for workers…

Slavery in Colonial America

Why would colonists use slave labor? [discuss] Cheap Workers were scarce Social beliefs (inferiority, etc.) Most were simply raised thinking it was not a problem

Many, especially Puritans, Quakers, and Mennonites in the North, opposed slavery.

Religion and Education in the Colonies

How do you suppose the Great Awakening would have influenced the colonists? [discuss]

One of the biggest impacts was the spread of education. Originally education was religious education, but it

quickly became general.More education meant more reporters,

magazines, newspapers, etc. How might this have impacted future events? [discuss]

Government in the Colonies

Originally, the colonies were owned by individuals or companies.

Gradually, Britain began taking direct control of the colonies and establishing its own governors and laws.

The early governments had a two-house council: The House of Lords (upper house) was filled by British

lords and officials. The House of Commons (lower house) was filled with

colonial citizens. How do you suppose things played out with this setup?

[discuss]

Government in the Colonies

Because Britain (England + Scotland) was powerful and looking out for its own best interests, it began to pass laws that affected the colonies. Navigation Acts (1650’s):

All colonial goods must be sold to Britain, even if another country offers a better price.

All goods bought from other countries must first go through Britain and be taxed.

All goods must be shipped to America on British ships with British crews.

How did the colonists react? [discuss]

History of Limited Government

Magna Carta (1215): The king did not have absolute authority and had to grant certain rights to citizens.

English Parliament: House of Lords/House of Commons. People got representation

English Bill of Rights (1689): King had to grant all fair rights to Parliament. Inspired American Bill of Rights

Virginia House of Burgesses (1619): First representative assembly in the colonies.

Mayflower Compact (1620): Set up direct democracy based on “just and equal” laws for all.

SECTION 3:TROUBLE IN THE COLONIES

The American Journey,Ch. 2: Road to Independence

The French and Indian War, 1754-1763

Both France and Britain claimed the area between the 13 colonies and the Mississippi River, known as the Ohio River Valley.

The French recruited Native Americans to help them fight the British.

The colonies began to band together to protect themselves from a potential French threat. Remember, they thought of themselves as British

subjects. Remember, also, that the colonies had not previously

cooperated much aside from trade.

Britain Begins Harsh Policies

Once Britain won the war, it gained control of all of American colonies from the East Coast to the Mississippi River.

Immediately, Britain began issuing proclamations restricting the colonists’ movement, trade, etc. Why? [discuss]

Britain also began to heavily tax the colonies. Why? [discuss] They needed money after the expensive war. Probably a measure of control over the colonies.

Britain Really Ticks Off the Colonies

New laws: Sugar Act (1764): Actually lowered a tax, but only to

circumvent smuggling. Stamp Act (1765): Tax on all printed material (must be

stamped) Eventually repealed

Declaratory Act (1766): Britain can tax the colonies however it likes.

Townshend Acts (1767): Taxed basic items (glass, tea, paper, lead) that were imported.

How did the colonists feel about all this? [discuss]

The Boston Massacre

Let’s look objectively at the “Boston Massacre.” How did the events even come to pass?

British troops were stationed in Boston Crowd was getting rowdy and resented troops’ presence Troops were probably overworked and underprepared

Who was to blame? [discuss] What was the outcome?

Anti-British sentiment Repeal of all Townshend Acts except Tea Act

The Boston Tea Party

Why did the colonists hate the Tea Act? [discuss] British East India Co. (BEIC) didn’t have to pay taxes This meant that colonial tea was more expensive No one was buying colonial tea

King George III responded to the Boston Tea Party in 1774 with the Coercive Acts, which the colonists called the Intolerable Acts. Boston Harbor was closed British troops had the right to be quartered in colonists’

homes Boston was under military rule

Changes in the Colonies

Several factors you need to know: 1. By no means did everyone want revolution. 2. The people united somewhat against Britain, but there

was still no United States yet, and each state had its own ideas about how to act.

3. However, the British acts did unify the states more than ever, and many began to think of themselves as Americans.

4. Most thought that Britain could be reasoned with and that if fighting did break out, it would be short-lived.

The Continental Congress

The Continental Congress was really the first unified meeting of representatives (except Georgia).

Several figures showed up who would become famous: George Washington & Patrick Henry of Virginia John & Samuel Adams of Massachusetts

What did the Continental Congress achieve? Statement of grievances: asked Britain to repeal the acts. Boycotted all British goods until acts repealed Formed a militia, an army of citizen soldiers, just in case…

Independence?

However, most were not willing to consider independence, even in 1774-1775. This part of history is usually way oversimplified. Many, called Patriots, were willing to consider war against

Britain, but even most Patriots hardly considered independence.

Many were neutral. Others, called Loyalists, were totally against war and

independence. They were still quite loyal to Britain.This was not a simple, unanimous decision!

Beginning with the Sugar Act in 1764, colonists became increasingly angry at Britain, but it took 12 years before the colonists finally wrote the Declaration of Independence!

Fighting Breaks Out

In 1775, however, the colonists’ hands were forced. Minutemen and other colonial troops were ready for war if

Britain initiated it. King George III ordered British troops to seize the arms at

Concord, Massachusetts. This is when Paul Revere and William Dawes made their

legendary ride. They didn’t actually say, “The Redcoats are coming!”

At Lexington and Concord, several skirmishes led to about 80 deaths.

Believe it or not, independence was still a while off.

SECTION 4:WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

The American Journey,Ch. 2: Road to Independence

War Begins

The Second Continental Congress meets in 1775. This time Washington, Adams, and Henry are joined by

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, among others. The Continental Congress realized that a war was

inevitable, but they still didn’t think it would be huge. The Second Continental Congress began to govern all

the colonies and created the united Continental Army under General Washington. What does this show? [discuss]

The Continental Congress still tried to petition George III for peace, which he refused.

Independence!

Finally the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence. “A leap in the dark”

Thomas Jefferson authored the document on July 4th, 1776, and it was passed on July 6th. What/who were Jefferson’s influences? [discuss]

Magna Carta (1215) English Bill of Rights (1689) Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (Jan. 1776) John Locke: “right to life, liberty, and property”/social

contract John Adams and Benjamin Franklin assisted

The Declaration

Look on pg. 152 and read the quote from the Declaration of Independence.

What does this quote mean? [discuss]Declaration of Independence, pgs. 164-167

Behind the Scenes: The Revolutionary War

Remember, Patriots, Loyalists, and those who were neutral still strongly argued the war. It was still far from unified or unanimous!

American Revolution inspired other countries. Spain and France aided the war effort with troops.

Lafayette & Rochambeau France and Netherlands aided financially. France and Saint Domingue looked to America as a model

for their own revolutions in 1789 and 1791.General Washington was brave and competent,

but he was not phenomenal, and Americans lost many, many bloody battles due to his being timid and hesitant.

Behind the Scenes: The Revolutionary War

Life for soldiers was utterly miserable, especially during the Valley Forge winter. Food, clothing, ammunition, and shelter were scarce. Many troops did not see any payment for a long, long time.

The war was a very long effort, 1775-1783. Although the British conceded and began peace negotiations in

Paris in 1781, peace was not established for two more years. “Washington Crossing the Delaware” took place in 1776. It

was important, but it was nowhere near the decisive victory.Frankly, the Continental Army probably lucked out.

Britain made lots of tactical mistakes.

What Was Gained?

At the Treaty of Paris (1783), Britain officially recognized The United States as being its own, separate nation.

By 1787 U.S. territory claims included all of the land from Florida to Canada west to the Mississippi River. [See map, next slide]

Claimed by Britain & U.S.

Added by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Formerly British territory won in French & Indian War

Claimed by Spain & U.S.

FIN