U1C1: Beginnings of America U.S. History

Main Idea Diverse cultures existed in the Americas, Europe, and Africa before 1600. Spain began colonizing America, and later, England built a diverse group of colonies on the Atlantic seaboard. The American colonies developed politically, culturally, and economically.

Focus Question Who were the first people in the early Americas? Mesoamerica: Olmec, Maya, Aztec-farmed, built pyramids, had number and writing systems North America: Anasazi, Hohokam, Mound Builders, Mississippians-farmed, built housing and shelters, towns

The World before 1600 Between 12,000 & 40,000 years ago, scholars agree that nomadic hunters migrated from Siberia to Alaska over an Ice Age land bridge known as Beringia Agricultural revolution occurred about 7,000 years ago-dramatic lifestyle change Olmec (1200 BC), Maya (400 BC), and Aztec (1400s) built empires in Mesoamerica (Mexico) Hohokam, Anasazi, Mississippians in North America. California- many hunter/gatherer groups developed because animals/plants available year round scientists disagree on when and how the first Americans arrived however Olmec influenced later cultures, Maya built pyramids, developed writing & number system (0), Aztec – militaristic formed large empire...Tenochtitlan Aztec capital (Mexico City) Hohokam-irrigation, Anasazi-adobe, Mississippians-farming

European Exploration Middle Ages-500-1500: period of lawlessness; gave birth to nation-states, led to countries with kings. Crusades-1096-1291: opened European eyes to new lands and people Magna Carta-1215: limited power of kings Renaissance: French for “rebirth” scholars, artists, scientists Reformation: 1517 Martin Luther, Protestants Christopher Columbus:1492, Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria landed in Bahamas, thought it was in Indies in Asia Columbian Exchange: exchange of European and American food and animals; smallpox & measles wipe out Native Americans Middle ages Magna Carta Renaissance Reformatin

European Colonies in America Spanish goal was “God, gold, glory;” explorers in the Americas: Juan Ponce de Leon: Florida Hernan Cortes: conquered Aztecs in 1521 Hernando de Soto: Mississippi R. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado: Grand Canyon Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo: San Diego English: Explorers: John Cabot & Francis Drake Defeat of Spanish Armada led to English colonization

Encomienda System: Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, mixed Spanish/African, Africans, Indians The English in Virginia: fled Europe seeking profit, 1587-Roanoke, 1607-Jamestown: tobacco major crop, John Rolfe & Pocahantas, 1619- House of Burgesses, first law making body or legislature The Northern Colonies: fled Europe for religious freedom, 1620 Puritan separatists sailed Mayflower for Massachusetts, survived because of Wampanoag Indians. Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire The Middle and Southern Colonies: proprietary colonies of King Charles II, New York, New Jersey, Carolina, Pennsylvania (Quakers), Maryland (Catholics), Georgia

Colonial Life The Beginning of Self-Government: rising tensions were related to- mercantilism, the Navigation Acts, role of royal governors The Colonial Economy: north: commerce-based economy, seafaring, triangular trade. south: agricultural economy (plantation system) relying on Middle Passage for slaves America’s Emerging Culture: The Enlightenment: John Locke- “life, liberty and property, Baron de Montesquieu-divided governmental powers. The Great Awakening- colonial religious revival led to redefining relationship with G.B. The French and Indian War: 1754-1763-Britain gained Canada and U.S. to Mississippi R. Enlightenment: used logic and reason, the tools of science to improve society, law, government

Focus Question Who were the first people in the early Americas? Mesoamerica: Olmec, Maya, Aztec-farmed, built pyramids, had number and writing systems North America: Anasazi, Hohokam, Mound Builders, Mississippians- farmed, built housing and shelters, towns