1. Exploring the Northeast
Chapter 4
Exploring the Northeast

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.