Content: The American Colonies 1650-1763
Life in the colonies was shaped by the policies enforced by Great Britain, the economics that emerged in the various regions, and the distinctive American culture that was beginning to form. Struggles over territory eventually led to the French and Indian War
  • Politics in the colonies
  • Enlightenment Ideas
  • Economics in the colonies
  • Slavery
  • Colonial Culture
  • The French and Indian War
/ U.S. I Learning Standards:
USI.1 Explain the political and economic factors that contributed to the American Revolution.
(H, C)
  • the impact on the colonies of the French and Indian War, including how the war led to an overhaul of British imperial policy from 1763 to 1775
  • how freedom from European feudalism and aristocracy and the widespread ownership of property fostered individualism and contributed to the Revolution
USI.2 Explain the historical and intellectual influences on the American Revolution and the formation and framework of the American government. (H, C)
  • the political theories of such European philosophers as Locke and Montesquieu
Seminal Primary Documents to Consider: Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641) and John Locke’s Treatises of Civil Government (1690)
Pacing Guide:8/27 – 9/11(10 days)
Key Questions:
How did the Glorious Revolution and the English Bill of Rights affect political developments in the colonies?
What do you think the formation of the New England Confederation might mean to the colonists?
Were the Navigation Acts fair or unfair?
How might the colonial economy have developed had slavery not existed?
What impact did the enlightenment have on the colonies?
Who do you think was a more influential preacher of the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards or George Whitefield? Why?
How does the case of Crown v. Zenger relate to today?
Why do you think the colonists did not feel bound by the Proclamation of 1763?
During the French and Indian War, who do you think the Native Americans should have supported the British or the French? Did it make a difference?
How might the colonists’ new self-confidence affect their relationship with British officials? / Skills and Outcomes: When students have finished studying this topic, they will know and be able to:
Interpreting Visuals: Examine the painting of the embroidery of the Boston Common in 1750 on pp. 70-71. What acitivities do you see depicted in the embroidery? What does it reveal about the person who designed it? In what ways do you think the city’s common served the community? How has the Boston Common changed? Does the Common still serve the same purpose? (Skills Handbook, p. H30)
Examine the time line on p. 71 and answer the accompanying questions. How do world events influence colonial life?
PreviewPolitical Life in the Colonies using the PIC methodand the 3 Column Key Term GO
  • Interpret chart on the Rising Tensions between England and America. pp. 73-75 (Skills Handbook p. H15)
  • Identifying perspective: develop arguments defending the Navigation Acts from the viewpoint of English trade officials and opposing the Navigation Acts from the viewpoint of colonial merchants. (Compare/Contrast Chart GO, Transparency 8)
  • Decide if the Navigation Acts were fair or unfair in paragraph form.
  • Summarize howthe Dominion of New England affected politics in the colonies. (Social Studies Skills, Summarizing Teacher Resource Files p. 21)
  • Use the Main Idea and Details GO to identify salutary neglect. (Reading Social Studies, p. 91 and/or Holt Online Teacher Resources at go.hrw.com)
PreviewThe Colonial Economy using the PIC method
  • Take Notes identifying the major products of the northern and southern colonies. T Chart GO (p.77)
  • Analyze Primary Source document “Olaudah Equiano Describes the Horrors of a Slave Ship.” Teacher Resource File p.15 (Skills Handbook, H28)
  • Mark up a map on the Triangular Trade route. Teacher models aloud followed by gradual release.
  • I See It Means South Carolina Rice Plantation
  • Cause and Effect GO identify why the use of indentured servants declined while slavery continued.
  • After reading explain how climate and soil affected the development of the colonial economies. Cause and Effect GO (Transparency 4) (Skills Handbook H9)
  • Interpret chart pp. 83 African Population
PreviewAmerica’s Emerging Culture using the PIC method
  • Summarize Benjamin Franklin’s background based on “The Inside Story.” How did Franklin exemplify enlightenment beliefs?
  • Interpret the chart on Key Political Thinkers of the European Enlightenment on p.85. (Skills Handbook, p.H15) Reference p.85
  • Draw a diagram showing how the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening led to a new American culture. Think/Pair/Share (Reading Skill p. 86)
  • Connection – American Civil Liberty. Examine the summary of Crown v. Zenger and explain its influence on the British colonies and the U.S. today. (p. 87)
PreviewThe French and Indian War using the PIC method
  • View American’s History Video Program: Impact of French and Indian War. Complete KWL GO (Transparency 16)
  • Sequencing Make a timeline of major events and battles in the French and Indian War using the dates provided on p.95.
  • Examine Political Cartoon on the Albany Plan of Union, p.92 (Skills Handbook pp. H12, H28-29)
  • Drawing Conclusions: What was the goal of the Albany Plan of Union?
  • Interpreting Maps The French and Indian War in New York (p.93) and European Claims in North America, Before 1754, In 1763 (p. 94) (Skills Handbook p.H20)
  • Summarizing What were the major effects of the French and Indian War?
/ Formative/Summative Assessments: Students will complete the following products/other assessments to demonstrate the skills and understandings they have acquired.
  • Suppose you are a merchant in New England. Write a persuasive essay entitled “In My Shoes” explaining why you are resisting English law and disobeying the Navigation Acts. You will present your explanation to the class aloud. (School wide rubric on Open Responses)
  • Write poems or song lyricsdescribing the conditions that enslaved Africans were forced to endure during the Middle Passage. Use information from your notes and the primary source document on Olaudah Equiano.
  • Write a paragraphexplaining how the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment led to a new American culture.
Online Activity
Create aninformativebrochure about the French and Indian War using the four photos provided on the website. Your brochure should explain who fought the war and the effects of the war on American colonists, Europeans, and Native Americans. Laptops or computer lab must be reserved for this activity.
  • Alternative Assessment – Open response: What were the effects of the French and Indian War on all those involved:
  • British
  • French
  • Colonists
  • Native Americans
Write a short persuasive essaysupporting or refuting whether the colonies were justified in protesting British policies. Support your point of view withreasoning and examples from your reading and studies. (Directions and Rubric, Chapter Resource File, p.23)
Quizzes and Topic Test
Required
  • Select at least one more assessment of your choice