Exploring the Northeast Chapter 4 Exploring the Northeast

Geography of the Northeast Lesson 1 Geography of the Northeast Objectives Describe the geography and climate of the Northeast. Explain how people in the Northeast use natural resources.

Coasts to Countryside The Northeast is the smallest region in the United States in terms of size. Varied Landscape Atlantic Ocean forms the eastern border Northern coast is rocky and jagged Has many harbors, a protected area where ships can dock safely

Shaping the Northeast Glaciers shaped many of the physical features of the Northeast. As glaciers moved across parts of the Northeast, they eroded, or wore down landforms. In time, glaciers melted and some of the basins filled with water. Many lakes in the Northeast formed in this way. Glacier- huge, slow-moving mass of ice.

Climate Climate in Northeast varies across the region and changes from season to season. Four Seasons Winter: cold and snowy Spring: warm and sunny Summer: hot and rainy Autumns: cool Variety Even during the same season, the climate varies from place to place. Region is colder in the north and warmer in the south Extreme Weather Blizzards- snow storms with strong winds

Natural Resources The Northeast region has many natural resources that people use to make a living. Farming North: potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, flowers, shrubs South: corn and other vegetables Inland: Dairy: milk, cheese, ice cream Mining Stone: people use a quarry to produce granite and marble. A quarry is a large open pit cut into the ground from which stone is mined. Using trees: Logging and producing food Fishing: important for people living along the coast

Summary The Northeast has varied landscapes and climate with four seasons. The region has many natural resources that people use to create important industries.

Early History of the Northeast Lesson 2 Early History of the Northeast Objectives Describe the early people of the Northeast Explain the Northeast’s role in the American Revolution.

Early People Before 1500’s, Native Americans were the only people living in the Northeast. Iroquoian – lived farther inland Algonquian – lived near the Atlantic Coast Hunting, Gathering, and Farming Shared land and resources, hunted in forest, fished in nearby waters. Forest were important resource. Used wood to build homes and villages. Made tools, weapons, and canoes too. Joining Together At times the groups fought each other. Two leaders came up with a plan for peace. They convinced the 5 largest Iroquois tribes to join a confederation, or a group of governments that work together.

1500’s – Europeans began to explore the Northeast The Colonies 1500’s – Europeans began to explore the Northeast Europeans decided to move to the Northeast and build colonies A colony is a settlement ruled by a far away government. During the 1600’s eight colonies were found by colonists, people living in colonies. They brought the land or took it by force from the Native Americans. Some colonies grew into port cities. A port is a trading center where goods are put onto and taken off ships. Self-Government 1733 Britain had 13 colonies in the Northeast Colonists had to follow British laws but governed themselves Each colony set up own government and elected most of its leaders. Colonists wrote their own laws

New laws in the colonies Declaration of Independence Forming a Nation The British colonists selected their own leaders but had no representation in British government. New laws in the colonies 1760’s Britain started passing laws for the colonies. Some made them pay taxes and some made it difficult to trade. Colonists shouted, “No taxation, without representation” Colonists started talking about independence, freedom to govern oneself. Declaration of Independence 1775 – fighting started in Massachusetts between colonists and British soldiers Representatives decided to write a declaration, official statement of independence. It was signed in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

Fighting for Independence The American Revolution had officially begun. A revolution is a major sudden change in government or people’s lives. It meant war. After 8 years of fighting the colonists defeated the British. 1783 – war was ended by signing of a treaty The colonists had formed a new nation, the United States of America. Summary Native Americans were the only people living in the Northeast when explorers arrived in the 1500’s. Years after, settlers built colonies and later fought for and won their independence.