Lesson 2.4: The American Identity Develops

 EXPLAIN THE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES OF THE 13 COLONIES IN REGARD TO ECONOMICS.  New England:  Middle:  Southern:

 Before the colonists begin to expand westward, they must first develop an “American Identity”. From a personal level, why is it important to know what you stand for as a person before you graduate from High School and leave home?

 THE SEVEN YEARS WAR IN EUROPE SPILLS INTO CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE FRENCH/NATIVES VS. ENGLISH.  AMERICANS WERE TIED TO THE BRITISH DUE TO RECEIVING PROTECTION FROM FRENCH AND NATIVES  BOTH FRENCH AND BRITISH WANT CONTROL OVER OHIO RIVER VALLEY….THIS WAR IS ABOUT EXPANSION

 AMERICAN MILITIA BORE BRUNT OF WAR FOR FIRST 2 YEARS.  AMERICAN COLONISTS REALIZE THEIR INTERESTS DID NOT COINCIDE WITH THE BRITISH.  FURTHERMORE, IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE BRITISH FELT THEMSELVES SUPRERIOR TO THE COLONISTS.  GEORGE WASHINGTON HIMSELF BEGAN TO HATE THE BRITISH DUE TO POOR TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF BRITISH OFFICERS.

 As a result of the French and Indian war, the Albany Plan of Union was a proposal to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, in July Representatives of several colonies had gathered to plan their defense related to the French and Indian War. The Plan represented an early attempt to form a union of the colonies "under one government as far as might be necessary for defense and other general important purposes." [1

 AFTER BRITISH AND COLONIST VICTORY IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR,THE BRITISH PROCLAIM THAT COLONISTS ARE NOT TO EXPAND WEST OF THE APPALACIAN MOUNTAINS.  BRITISH “CLAIM” THEY ARE PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM INDIANS  YET CONCERNS OVER THE DEBT “WAS THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG”

 AMERICANS VIEW THE PROCLAMATION AS AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THEM.  COLONISTS HAD BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO “CALLING THEIR OWN SHOTS” DUE TO BRITISH POLICY OF SALUTORY NEGLECT.  THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, ALONG WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF 1763 WOULD MARK THE BEGINNING OF AN AMERICAN IDENTITY THAT WOULD DEMAND A GOVERNMENT “FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE”

 Within your pairs, answer the following questions in your learning log:  Study “The Proclamation of 1763 and Greenville’s Reforms”. Pg 57  1) At what physical barrier did the Proclamation of 1763 set the western boundary of the colonies?  2) Why do you think colonists wanted to move west of that boundary?  3) Summarize how the Proclamation of 1763 helped to form an American Identity.

 FIRST MASS MOVEMENT OF THE AMERICAN COLONISTS.  MOVEMENT WAS A DIRECT CHALLENGE TO THE BRITISH KING (ANGLICAN CHURCH)

 BROKE DOWN SECTIONAL BARRIERS  EMOTIONAL SPIRITUALITY  NEW DENOMINATIONS FORM LEADING TO COMPETITION BETWEEN CHURCHES FOR PARISHONERS

 The Trial of John Peter Zenger, pg 46.  What point is Hamilton making when he says that a “man can make very free with his God” but must be careful what he says about the Governor?  What does Hamilton say will happen if people are not allowed to express opinions about those in Government?

 Imagine that the President of the United States has decided that he wants to create a new American flag, and he has asked you to design it.  STEP 1: LIST 3 THINGS THAT YOU BELIEVE REPRESENTS OUR AMERICAN IDENTITY TODAY.  STEP 2: USING YOUR LIST, CREATE A NEW FLAG THAT SHOWS SCENES OR SYMBOLS THAT DEPICT YOUR IDEAS ABOUT OUR IDENTITY AS A NATION.

 IN YOUR JOURNAL, SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED TODAY. HOW DID THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, THE PROCLAMATION LINE OF 1763, AND THE GREAT AWAKENING HELP FORM AN AMERICAN IDENTITY. WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FORMATION OF AN AMERICAN IDENTITY AND THE FACTORS THAT LED TO AMERICAN EXPANSION?