Founding of America Unit 2 Ms. Rybak

Founding of America Map of Colonies Timeline The American Colonial Period Settlement of America Colonial Political Experience The American Revolution The European Tradition Causes of the Revolution Timeline Map of war

Saratoga Valley Forge Trenton Lexington and Concord Yorktown Cowpens Vincennes Ft. Ticonderoga

English establish Jamestown colony Pilgrims establish Plymouth colony A Bill of Rights is created in England French and Indian War starts Lexington and Concord Declaration of Independence British surrender Articles of Confederation approved

American Colonial Period ► Settling America  The Native Americans ► Relations with European Settlers:  Relations with European settlers varied from place to place – sometimes coexisting and sometimes in conflict.  Differing cultural values led to many conflicts.

The Native Americans (cont.) ► Trade  European settlers depended on trade with Native peoples for survival initially.  Some native tribes, such as the Iroquois, came to dominate areas of trade with the Europeans. ► Alliances  Various alliances between native people and European powers existed, failed, and became created again and again over time. ► Iroquois alliances helped them dominate the fur trade in the North East ► The Powhatan Confederacy influenced the initial survival of the Jamestown Colony

The Native Americans (cont.) ► Warfare  Early fighting lessoned the threat of the Powhatan Confederacy in the Virginia area.  King Philip’s War: New England tribes fought against growing European expansion  French and Indian War: ► Between France and England (French and Native Americans vs. English colonies) ► In Europe (called the Seven Years War there) and America ► Fought for control of the Ohio River Valley area mostly.

American Colonial Period ► Settling America  Africans ► Free Blacks:  Early Africans were considered “indentured servants” – freed when their contract ended

Africans (cont.) ► Enslaved Blacks:  Large plantation farms in the south required many workers  Africans were brought to work on these farms as enslaved workers  Smaller farms and a more diverse economy required less slaves in the northern colonies

American Colonial Period ► Settling America  The Europeans ► Many different Europeans cultures were represented in the colonies ► The English dominated though, and came to influence the development of the 13 different colonies the most of any of the European peoples. ► They came for religious, economic, and political reasons.

The Colonial Political Experience ► Experiments of Democracy  Mayflower Compact: ► 1620 – Pilgrims signed contract before landing at Plymouth to consent to be governed by a body that they created themselves ► This established the precedent of self-government in the Colonies.

Experiments in Democracy (cont.) ► Virginia House of Burgesses:  Prototype for colonial legislative bodies – based on the two-house system similar to the English Parliament  This further established the tradition of republican government in America ► Northeast Town Meetings:  In New England, the “Town” was the center of local government.  Citizens would hold “town meetings” and vote directly on law.

Experiments in Democracy (cont.) ► Albany Plan of Union  Representatives from the colonies gathered to create a common “union” governmental body.  Initially designed to help protect the colonies against the French.  Was a plan to share governmental responsibilities between the colonies on a central level.  Was rejected by the colonies because they feared losing local control.  Became a model for later centralized governmental ideas such as the US Constitution.

Experiments in Democracy (cont.) ► John Peter Zenger – Freedom of the Press  Zenger was arrested for accusing the governor of NY of doing things he wasn’t supposed to be doing.  His lawyer argued that it wasn’t a crime, if what he printed was accurate.  The jury freed Zenger – establishing the case of freedom of the press.

The American Revolution ► European Democratic Traditions  Much of what later became part of the American experience of democracy came from ideas and events that took place in Europe before and during the American Colonial Period.

The American Revolution (cont.) ► Events:  Magna Carta ► Document signed in 1215: Limited the powers of the monarchy for the first time  English Bill of Rights ► Late 1600’s – England – established representative government in England and the idea that the “rule of law” was more important than the powers of a monarch.

The American Revolution ► Enlightenment Connection:  John Locke ► People have certain rights (life – liberty – property). ► If the government fails to protect people’s rights – people can overthrow the government.  Barron de Montesquieu ► Separation of powers was a good idea (legislative – judicial – executive).  Jean Jacques Rousseau ► “Social Contract” – people can choose their government – but must agree to follow its rules ► The idea that the “majority rules”

Causes of the Revolutionary War ► Mercantilism:  The idea that colonies exist to support the economy of the “Mother Country”  The colonies were used to provide raw materials and markets for English goods ► Salutary Neglect:  The British government did not pay much attention to the day-to-day political activities of the colonists, allowing them to rule themselves as they saw fit  Was seen as both a negative (the British didn’t care about them) and a positive (the Colonists learned how to do things on their own.

Causes of the Revolutionary War (cont.) ► Proclamation of 1763:  British rule that prohibited colonists from moving west into lands won from France after the French and Indian War ► Taxation Issues:  Several new taxes caused increasing resentment in the colonies

British Act Colonial Response Sugar Act: Tax on imported sugar Smuggling, reduced consumption Stamp Act: tax on all written documents, newspapers, letters, legal papers, playing cards Boycott of all products, Stamp Act Congress Townsend Act: Variety of taxes (lead, glass, tea). Provides for the first search warrants against colonists. Continued boycott of products Tea Act: Tax on non-British Tea – gave a monopoly to the British East India Company for sale of tea in colonies Boston Tea Party Intolerable Acts: Response to Boston Tea Party – closure of Boston Harbor, Suspension of self- government (Town Meetings). Also called the Coercive Acts Continued protests, prelude to war

Causes of the Revolutionary War (cont.) ► Natural Rights:  The basic tenants of the Enlightenment caused the colonists to eventually decide to make a political break from Great Britain ► Common Sense:  Written by Thomas Paine  Appealed to rational thought  Propaganda for action by the common man in the colonies  Increase support for the fight for independence

Natural Rights (cont.) ► Declaration of Independence:  Delegates from all colonies met in Philadelphia in June, 1776  This document stated the colonies’ intention to declare their independence from Britain, and then gave the reasons why they did so  Agreed to by the representatives on the 4 th of July – marking the beginning of the United States of America  Written by Thomas Jefferson  Most of the document was based on the ideas of the Enlightenment (natural rights, consent of the governed, etc.)

Essential Questions ► In what ways was the make-up of the colonies in American significantly different from the culture in Great Britain? ► In what ways did aspects of European culture contribute to a desire by colonists to claim their independence? ► What part of the colonial experience in America helped colonists feel confident in both their ability and right to declare their independence from Great Britain?