1. U1C1: Beginnings of America
U.S. History

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. European Exploration
Middle Ages : period of lawlessness; gave birth to nation-states, led to countries with kings.
Crusades : 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

6. 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

8. 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, 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

10. 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: Britain gained Canada and U.S. to Mississippi R.
Enlightenment: used logic and reason, the tools of science to improve society, law, government

11. 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