Introducing American HistoryPage | 1

Welcome to the beginnings of American history!

Name: ______

Our first unit has three topics: Colonization, Revolution, and Expanding Westward. By the end of the unit you should be able to answer the following questions:

1) How did colonization impact North America?

2) What would cause the American colonists to want to rebel against their king?

3) What impact did Manifest Destiny have on the USA’s expansion westward?

Assignments: Table of Contents:

American History 20G

Introducing American HistoryPage | 1

Navigation Act Paragraph/4

Letter to Editor: /20

Declaration of Ind Paragraph/4

Colour-coded map: /15

Website search:/12

Test:/30

Intro to Colonization: 2

Road to Revolution: 6

Declaration of Independence: 11

Manifest Destiny:14

USA Territorial Expansion:16

American History 20G

Introducing American HistoryPage | 1

Intro to Colonization

1)Fill out the table for the term colonization:

Word
Colonization / Definition / Example of the word in a sentence. / Diagram:
Synonym

2)Now that we understand what colonization is, write down three essential questions you have on the beginnings of Colonial America.

3) Briefly describe North America before European contact:

4)Why did Europeans explore North America?

The name given to British America was the Thirteen Colonies. It consisted of 13 British colonies (although those colonies were not always all British!). Answer the following questions based on the video: “Building Jamestown: The First Settlement” (3 Mins.)

5)What was the name of the first colony? What year?

6)Why did they make the journey from Europe?

7)How long were they at sea for?

8)What was the name of the first settlement? Who was it named after?

9)How many people died by the spring of 1610 as a result of problems with water, disease and starvation?

Characteristics of the Colonies

Now that we understand a little as to how colonization began in North America, it is important to consider the characteristics of the colonies. What did colonization look like in British America? How were the colonies similar? How were the colonies different?

Use this information to create a graphic organizer(s) helping you to answer these two questions:

1)What factors motivated people to move from Europe to the New England, the Middle, and the Southern Colonies?

2)What were the differences between the economic activities conducted in the New England, the Middle, and the Southern Colonies?

Each colony had its own unique characteristics, but historians lump them into groups based on where they were, why they were founded, and what kinds of industry they had:

New England Colonies
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire / Middle Colonies
Delaware
Pennsylvania
New York
New Jersey / Southern Colonies
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia

Motivations
By and large, the people who settled in the New England Colonies wanted to keep their family unit together and practice their own religion. They were used to doing many things themselves and not depending on other people for much. Some of these people came to New England to make money, but they were not the majority.

The people who founded the Middle Colonies were looking to practice their own religion (Pennsylvania mainly) or to make money. Many of these people didn't bring their families with them from England and were the perfect workers for the hard work required in ironworks and shipyards.

The founders of the Southern Colonies were, for the most part, out to make money. They brought their families, as did the New England colonists, and they kept their families together on the plantations. But their main motivation was to make the good money that was available in the new American market.

Economy
The New England Colonies were largely farming and fishing communities. The people made their own clothes and shoes. They grew much of their own food. Crops like corn and wheat grew in large numbers, and much was shipped to England. Foods that didn't grow in America were shipped from England. Boston was the major New England port.

The Middle Colonies were part agriculture, part industrial. Wheat and other grains grew on farms in Pennsylvania and New York. Factories in Maryland produced iron, and factories in Pennsylvania produced paper and textiles. Trade with England was plentiful in these colonies as well.

The Southern Colonies were almost entirely agricultural. The main feature was the plantation, a large plot of land that contained a great many acres of farmland and buildings in which lived the people who owned the land and the people who worked the land. (A large part of the workforce was African slaves, who first arrived in 1619.)

Southern plantations grew tobacco, rice, and indigo, which they sold to buyers in England and elsewhere in America.
Video: “American Colonies Take Hold” (5 mins.)
Create your graphic organizers here:

Economics and Colonization

1)In terms of economics, what was the view of the British towards the 13 Colonies? Why did they want to have control over the Thirteen Colonies?

2)Explain why the British passed the Navigation Acts.

3)List three main features of the Navigation Acts

4)What was Salutary Neglect and why was it practiced?

5)Briefly summarize the political power that existed in the Thirteen Colonies. Who controlled what happened in the Thirteen Colonies?

6)Make sure you have completed your Navigation Acts Historical Significance paragraph! This will be handed out on a separate piece of paper. (4 Marks)

Lasting Impacts of Colonization

Summarize the major changes that occurred as a result of colonization using the video “Impact of European Colonization.” (3 mins.)

Next: 13 Colonies MapOption: Life in Colonial America

The Road to Revolution

Thinking of Revolution

  1. In order to help us understand the American Revolution we must consider the role of government. In your opinion, what is the function of a government?
  1. Describe the characteristics of a good government.
  1. Describe the characteristics of a bad government.
  1. Compare what you wrote earlier in this booklet to your own ideas of a good government. Did the colonies have a good or bad government? Why?
  1. Take a few minutes to brainstorm why people would revolt against a government. What things would make you frustrated enough to challenge your government?
  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______

"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin (1759)

  1. “Liberty” is a word that is used a lot in literature throughout American history but especially during the American Revolution. What does this word mean and why might this word be used a lot during the Revolution? Think about the quote and the brainstorming activity above where you thought of reasons to revolt against your government.

Causes of the Revolution

The colonization of America by Britain has impacted the world in ways still seen today. Connected to the impacts of colonization is the result of the Seven Years’ War (or French & Indian War as named in the USA). Based on what was discussed in class, summarize why the Seven Years’ War is so important in American history. (video: Battle for a Continent)

Colonial Protests

Britain became the world’s super power. With this new status Britain began to question its policy of Salutary Neglect in the American colonies. Now we are going to look at the causes of the American Revolution. As you fill out the chart think of your own reaction to the events.

Analysis of the Causes of the American Revolution

Event/Cause / British Purpose / American Response / Your Reaction
Proclamation of 1763
Stamp Act 1765
Declaratory Act
1766
Townshend Duties
1767
Tea Act
1773
Coercive Acts
1774
Quebec Act
1774

Declaring Independence

"The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!" -- Patrick Henry (1774)

What is Patrick Henry saying about the American colonies in 1774?

Highlight or underline parts of this text that tell you why the First Continental Congress is historically significant.

First Continental Congress

On Sept 5, 1774, 56 colonial delegates met in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress. The Congress marked an important event in colonial affairs. It was the first time that leaders from different colonies had met face to face. Previously, most colonies had considered their differences with Great Britain individually. Now they were united as a group. The Congress, which met for more than 7 weeks, resolved that the colonies should have the right to make laws in the colonies. Although the Congress recognized Parliament’s right to regulate trade, the Congress agreed that the colonies would not import goods from Great Britain after December 1774. After Sept 1775, they resolved not to send colonial goods to Great Britain.

Many colonists, however, were determined to take more radical steps to end British rule. In every colony a volunteer army was organized and weapons collected. In New England, minutemen (members of the local militia who had promised to be ready for action at a moment’s notice) drilled on village greens, while the town officials stored ammunition, weapons, and food. In the Southern Colonies, planters recruited soldiers at their own expense. It began to appear that the dispute between Great Britain and the colonies would be settled by force.

We just finished looking at the First Continental Congress and how the colonies demanded that they should have the right to make their own laws in the colonies.You are now going to complete your first larger assignment. Your task is to write a one page “Letter to the Editor” using the events leading up to the American Revolution. Mr.Klapak will handout an assignment with more information on it. (20 Marks)

Paul Revere and the Start of War

The British government did little in response to the First Continental Congress and tensions heightened even more. After the First Continental Congresses we have the famous story of Paul Revere.

Based on the three short videos answer the following questions:

1) Paul Revere was a member of what group? ______

2) Who was hiding in Lexington? ______

3) What was being supplied in Concord? ______

To help us understand exactly what happened it is your job to make a timeline on the next page.

Timeline activity:

As you watch the movies, label the events in the order they occurred (1-8). After the movie is finished place the events on the timeline on the bottom of this page.

-First Continental Congress

-American Revolutionary War begins

-Paul Revere’s famous ride to Lexington to warn the revolutionary leaders

-Paul Revere rides from Lexington to Concord but is stopped by British

-“Red Coats” begin march from Boston to Lexington and Concord to seize illegal weapons and revolutionary leaders

-Paul Revere is told of the “Red Coats” movements

-Paul Revere returns to Lexington to witness a small battle (Battle of Lexington and Concord)

-“Red Coats” return to Boston and are significantly wounded and killed on their return to Boston because the minutemen have mobilized

Important Note: The Battle of Lexington and Concord is generally accepted as the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. Remember this in your timeline.

Declaration of Independence

With a background into some of the main events leading up to the Revolution, our focus now shifts to the Declaration of Independence. Complete each of the following using a copy of the original Declaration of Independence. Remember, be patient when you read this!!! It is a primary source and was written almost 250 years ago and can be difficult to read. (Textbook: Rise of the American Nation pg.118)

1. The “Preamble” in the Declaration of Independence talks about why the colonies want to break away from the British government? Based on what you have studied, why do the colonies want to break away from the British?

______

2. According to “A New Theory of Government”

  1. What three natural or unalienable rights do people have? There is the right to life, ______, and ______.
  1. Who do governments get their power from? Governments get their power from the consent of the governed. What does this mean? Put it into your own words. ______
  1. What must people do if government abuses its power?______

3. On the Declaration you will find a total of 28 complaints that the American Colonists put forth against British rule. List any five of these complaints in your own words.

4. Under the last section, “A Formal Declaration of War”, what are the signers going to do?

______

American Victory in the American War of Independence

It is important to recognize that while the American Revolution is a very important event in American History, we do not have the time to go into a lot of detail in this class. There are a number of important battles, people, and events that occur during the war that we are skipping over. If this is a part that interests you, please make note of it as you will have the chance at the end of the semester to look at it in more detail. We will now examine the significant factors that contributed to the American victory over the mighty British Empire by completing the table below.Video: “Road to Revolution” (5 mins.)

Factors / Significance / Details
Geography / Colonists:
British:
British Military Policy
American Naval Activity / Privateers
British Problems in Europe
British Problems at Home

1)The British formally recognized American Independence with ______in 1783.

2)American had to now face the difficulty of maintaining its own country. From 1781-1787 the United States was a ______under an agreement called ______.

3)Three major problems faced by the Americans are:

4)Because of these problems there was a strong need for a strong central government. An American Constitution was adopted in ______. This constitution established a federal government with three branches of government. Based on our classroom discussion: what is a federal government? Write at least one sentence.

5)The three branches of government are:

1)

2)

3)

6)The new government limited the power of any branch of government. For example the President could appoint officials and form treaties but the President needs the approval of the ______. Before a new law can be made it must be approved by the ______and signed by the ______.

______became the first President of the United States of America.

7)In 1791 the ______was added to the constitution. This protected ______.

8)Use your notes to write a paragraph on the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence. You will be using the same format and rubric from the last historical significance paragraph. (4 Marks)

Manifest Destiny

The American Revolution is now finished and we now look to the newly born United States of America. This young country was full of optimism as it slowly grew and grew into the superpowers we know today. In order to understand this growth it is important to understand the mentality/belief in America during the 1800’s. This mentality can be found within this quote from John O’Sullivan in 1845.

"(It is) ...our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty"

These words have become some of the most famous in American history. This worksheet will help us to understand the meaning, power and historical significance of these words in American history.

1)What does the word destiny mean? Fill out the rest of the boxes below based on the definition provided on the board.

Word
Destiny / Definition / Example of the word in a sentence. / Diagram:
Synonym

2)What does the word manifest mean? Fill out the rest of the boxes below based on the definition provided on the board.

Word
Manifest / Definition / Example of the word in a sentence. / Diagram:
Synonym

3)Now we must put the words together in order to understand the concept of Manifest Destiny and its role in American history. So what is Manifest Destiny?

To put it simply, Manifest Destiny was a long held belief that Americans had a God-given right to occupy the entire North American continent. It was their destiny to control the territory from coast to coast.

4)What is your reaction to Manifest Destiny? Do you think it sounds like a good or bad idea? Write at least three sentences.

5)Remember that when the United States of America was born it was made up of 13 colonies on the East Coast of North America. What problems do you think might occur if Americans believed that they had the right to live anywhere (spread out westward) in North America without asking permission from anyone? Write at least three sentences.

6)We are now going to look at a famous painting by John Gast in 1872 that represents Manifest Destiny.

  1. Who is in the painting?
  1. What is going on in the picture?
  1. Why are they doing that in the picture?
  1. Who is Manifest Destiny in the picture and what is she doing?

Now that we have an idea of what Manifest Destiny means in the USA, it is now time to look at how the USA expanded its territory.

USA TERRITORIAL EXPANSION

First let’s pick up from the Seven Years’ War to make sure we understand.

The Seven Years’ War (the French & Indian War) gave control of Eastern North America to what country? ______

After the Seven Years’ War the American colonies grew more and more frustrated with Britain leading to the Declaration of Independence. How many colonies were a part of the Declaration of Independence? ______

The American Revolutionary War ended in 1783 with the Treaty of ______.