Early American History

1. Native Americans

2. Early explorers

3. The 13 English colonies

Indian Cultures, 1450

Native American societies

Most tribes were hunter-gatherers (move to different places each season according to food in that area)

Some tribes had some forms of farming (corn, beans, vegetables).

In the west, buffalo were an important part of life – food, clothing.

Plains Indians buffalo hunt

Native American cultures

Many American words and city names come from Indian languages. “Mississippi”, “Manhattan”, etc.

Indian forms of government influenced the American system of government.

They had a strong respect for nature, animals, and spiritual life.

In Mexico and Central America, they developed into powerful civilizations like Maya, Aztec, and Inca.

Different types of houses

Eastern woodlands longhouse

Trading with European explorers

Norsemen in America

Vikings (Norsemen) explored North America & established a short-lived colony in 1000AD.

Christopher Columbus

American history traditionally begins with the 1492 “discovery” of America by Columbus

Voyages of Columbus, 1492-1503

Christopher Columbus

An Italian explorer. He was hired by the Queen of Spain to look

for a Western route to India. He landed in Central America in 1492.

Effects of Columbus’ Voyages

Introduction of European diseases Many of the natives died from the diseases Invasion of Spanish conquistadors (“conquerors”) Conquest of great Indian civilizations:

Mexica (Aztec) of Mexico and Inca of Peru

Conquest of American Civilizations

Other explorers

Ferdinand Magellan: first to sail around the whole world (1519-1522)

Marco Polo: Travelled along the Silk Road to China and wrote a book about his adventures.

Amerigo Vespucius: the first to realize that North America was a new continent, and not India. America was named after him. After this it was also called “the New World”.

Columbian Exchange

Before the Columbian Exchange, there were no oranges in Florida, no bananas in Ecuador, no tomatoes in Italy, no pineapples in Hawaii, no rubber trees in Africa, no cattle in Texas, no chile peppers in Thailand and India, no cigarettes in France and no chocolate in Switzerland.

Spanish settlements

Florida was explored by Spain in 1513. California and New Mexico also had Spanish

settlements. The Spanish were mainly interested in

finding gold. Today many South and Central American

countries are Spanish speaking because of Spanish colonization.

Jamestown, Virginia 1607

Jamestown: first permanent English colony in America (there were several other colonies before this that didn’t survive).

Established as trading colony (they heard about the Spanish finding gold). But actually, there was no gold there, and that place wasn’t even good for farming.

Only 61 of 500 survived the first year – starvation and sickness.

Developed tobacco as cash crop, which led to success.

Captain John Smith saved the colony from starvation

Pocahontas saved Captain Smith & married John Rolfe

Jamestown house foundation

Jamestown mansion ruins

Jamestown, 1619

First white women sent from England as wives

First representative assembly in America (House of Burgesses)

First slaves from Africa arrive

Plymouth Plantation: another early colony

1620: Pilgrims came to Plymouth Plantation on the Mayflower

Pilgrims: Puritans who separated from Church of England

Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts

Pilgrims wrote Mayflower Compact: first self-government in America

“Consent of the governed”

Early example of American democracy: rule by majority

Pilgrims and Indians

An Indian named “Squanto” knew some English and helped them learn about the new land.

They were able to form a peace treaty. First Thanksgiving celebration 1621.

The 13 Colonies

Each colony was sent and controlled by the British Monarch.

Colonists were free to make money and own the land, but they had to obey British laws and pay taxes.

These 13 colonies later became the original United States of America.

Massachusetts Bay Colony (Boston) 1629

Largest Puritan settlement Governor John Winthrop: “City upon a hill”. Self-government, but only church members

could participate. The Puritans were very strict in their religious

beliefs.

Rhode Island

Roger Williams was kicked out of Boston for religious differences; he founded the town of Providence.

Anne Hutchinson was also kicked out; joined Williams

New principle: separation of church and state Foundation for American tradition of religious

freedom and tolerance

Pennsylvania

William Penn, founder. “Quakers” (Society of Friends) – sought

religious freedom in America. Colony welcomed all who read the Bible and

believed in God. Many persecuted Germans settle in “Penn’s

Woods” – bring new religious traditions. Later played a big role in America’s

independence.

William Penn signing treaty with Indians

Maryland

Lord Baltimore, founder Haven for persecuted Roman Catholics 1649 religious freedom for all Christians

Other colonies

New Netherland settled by Dutch– English take over; rename it New York

Delaware settled by Swedes: log cabins Connecticut founded by religious dissenters

from Massachusetts Other colonies founded for commercial

purposes

Dutch & Swedish Colonies

New Amsterdam (New York)

New Jersey Delaware

Georgia: the last colony

Founded by General James Oglethorpe, 1732 Intended as a refuge for debtors – a place to

work instead of go to prison. Military colony as buffer against Spanish in

Florida.

Benign Neglect

English generally left the colonies alone – very little supervision or support

Colonies develop self-government & representative assemblies

Labor shortage aids freedom & results in almost classless society

Colonial America: 1607-1775

2 centuries of neglect allows colonies much freedom & democratic institutions

Threats to colonies: Spanish in Florida, Indians in the West, & French in Canada

French & Indian War, 1754-1763

It was related to the Seven Years’ War in Europe (France lost Canada to the British).

In America, Britain also won all the land between the 13 Colonies and the Mississippi River. They also got Florida from Spain.

Different Indian tribes were fighting on different sides of the war.

French & Indian War, 1754-1763

1754 attack by George Washington in western Pennsylvania begins conflict

1756: colonial war becomes world war (Seven Years’ War)

1759: British capture Quebec 1763: Treaty of Paris – British empire in

America doubles in size

North America, 1763

Conflicts leading to independence

Large British debts from Seven Years’ War. Problem of defending colonies from French &

Indians. British need for new revenue (money) leads

to new taxes. British put soldiers in colonies for defense –

but they were seen as threats to liberty.

Stamp Act, 1765

Tax on documents & printed matter Sons of Liberty (political group of American

patriots) protest; riots; boycotts “No taxation without representation” Tax repealed

Colonists “tar & feathering” a British stamp tax collector

Many new taxes made the colonists more and more angry.

Boston Massacre

March, 1770, Boston, Massachusetts

Drunken crowd attacks British soldiers

Soldiers fire into crowd; kill 5

Sons of Liberty claims it’s a British plot to destroy colonial liberty, call it a “Massacre”

Boston Massacre: Paul Revere propaganda (p. 278)

Boston Tea Party, 1773

New taxes lead to new protests British repeal taxes, except tax on tea Tea becomes symbol of British “tyranny” Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians destroy

tea in protest of “tyranny”

British Response

British respond with “Intolerable” Acts: close Boston Port, suspend legislature.

Colonists see this as plot to destroy colonial liberty

First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia to plan strategy: first inter-colonial government

First Continental Congress, 1774

12 colonies (not Georgia) sent delegates to Philadelphia to discuss the situation.

Some wanted to break away from England, but some wanted to reconcile.

They decided to boycott trade with England, and sent a letter to King George III to explain the problem.

English Parliament rejected the letter and so both sides started to prepare for war.

“Shot Heard Round the World”

Minutemen: farmers prepared to fight at a “minute’s notice”

British plan to seize arms Paul Revere & others warn

minutemen Lexington & Concord: armed

clashes – start of war

Battle of Lexington, 1775

Radicals

Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Thomas Paine: Common Sense, 1776 – rejected idea of monarchy

America in 1776

Patriots: 1/3 favor independence Loyalists: 1/3 remain loyal to England Neutrals: 1/3 neutral

Declaration of Independence

July 2, 1776: Independence

July 4: Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration adopted by Second Continental Congress

P. 281 quote from Declaration

Declaration of Independence

Introduction Preamble Indictment Denunciation Conclusion Signatures

Writing the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, & Thomas Jefferson

“Spirit of 1776”

The American army had little organization or training.

But they fought to protect their homes and political beliefs.

Many of the British soldiers were mercenaries (paid to fight) from other countries.

Even though the Americans were fewer and unprofessional, they would not give up.

Saratoga, 1777

Colonial victory in New York

Consequence: treaty with French (and later Spanish)

Cold winter; great suffering: army dwindles to 5000

George Washington

Most respected man in America

Washington preserves the army – saves cause of independence

Washington’s Valley Forge headquarters

Yorktown, 1781

Decisive battle French aid is crucial Lord Cornwallis

surrenders to Washington

England decides the war is too costly, they leave.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

13 colonies free & independent Canada remains part of British Empire Britain cedes Northwest Territory to United

States

North America, 1783

Required Reading

• Sections 3 and 4