United States Section 2

Early History of the United States Native American tribes varied depending on the natural resources available to them When The Europeans came to America in the 1400s, the Native American’s lives were changed drastically. The European took over their land and brought over new diseases which made many Indians sick.

Native Americans in the East and Midwest – The Woodland Indians grew crops and fished in the Atlantic Ocean They hunted and used logs and bark to build houses and canoes They lived in longhouses – The Plains Indians lived in semi-permanent villages. They grew crops and hunted buffalo They lived in teepees – The nomads were Indians that lived farther out west. They traveled from place to place hunting buffalo When the Europeans came, they brought horses which these Indians used to follow herds of buffalo. The Indians had great respect for the buffalo. They hunted them and made use of the entire animal.

Native American Groups of the West The dry and harsh climate in the west could not support much agriculture Native Americans lived in small scattered groups. In the southwest, they grew corn and built towns out of adobe. They fished along the west coast.

First European Settlements The first English settlements began in the 1500s. The English king hoped that the settlements would bring wealth Religious dissenters also settled colonies, hoping for religious freedom. The first settlement was in Jamestown, VA in 1607 The second settlement was Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.

The English Colonies The English colonies developed based on the natural resources available. In New England, the rocky soil and cold climates limited many crops but allowed shipbuilding, fishing, and trade The Middle Colonies had rich soil which enabled them to grow many crops The Southern Colonies has warm climate which supported large farms called plantations. – Plantations grew cash crops which were crops sold for money

Each colony had its own government, but was expected to keep in touch with the British Parliament. In 1763, the Parliament established new rules for the colonies, and raised taxes which angered the colonists. The colonists felt that the British government did not protect their right to freedom and decided to revolt. In 1783, after winning the Revolutionary war, the colonists gained their independence

A New Country In 1787, the delegates from each state wrote the constitution. The constitution created a strong central government, but also gave each state the power to govern. The constitution also separated church and state which gave people the freedom to follow any religion they chose.