Study Guide Unit 1 - Lecture notes 1 PDF

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Colonial America

Jamestown (1607)  Declaration of Independence (1776) 1. Explain some of the motivations for colonization? That is, what are some of the reasons that settlers were willing to risk their lives to migrate? Religious reasons: pilgrims and puritans came to America and settled in the New England colonies for religious freedom – both in opposition to the church of England – Calvinists; William Penn (Englishman who is a Quaker) forms Pennsylvania and invites people of all different religions to live there – offers them a safe place of religious toleration Economic reasons: 1st permanent English settlement in North America = Jamestown (in Virginia) – funded by the Virginia company – came for gold (instead they found tobacco); only nobles owned land in England – very hard to own land there – people coming are commoners – opportunity to own land Social Reasons: highest degree of social mobility anywhere on earth (excepting the Southern colonies) England had very strict social structure and it was hard to move up – promise of a new life 2. How did the physical environment (climate and landscape) cause the three colonial regions to develop differently economically? Southern Colonies: rich soil, long growing seasons conducive to agriculture agriculture-based economy New England Colonies: shorter growing season, rocky soil  turn to the sea (famous for great ports). Economic activities included shipbuilding, commerce, fishing Middle Colonies: rich, fertile soil  agriculture-based economy (bread basket colonies); growing seasons not as long as south – not as conducive to plantation agriculture as the south – small farming 3. Generally, how did the populations of the three colonial regions differ in terms of their ethnic make-up, their social structure, their religion, the degree of democracy practiced, and educationally? Southern Colonies: *Plantation based agriculture (major cash crops = corn, rice, indigo, tobacco) *low degree of social mobility *predominantly English with African slaves (90% of the people of African ancestry lived in the southern colonies *Established church = Anglican *South = least educated: large plantations, farms – people spread out so hard to set up schools; only planters could afford to get their kids an education (hired tutors or sent their kids away to school); no motivation to educate farm laborers *people who arrive first get the best land  most money  planter class – dominate politics and economics; people who arrive last have to move inland – less fertile land

New England Colonies: *1st settlement in New England colonies = Plymouth (settled by Pilgrims), then settled by Puritans  both of these groups came to America for religious freedom *Laws in New England colonies based on Bible (theocracies, except RI); you had to be a member of the church to participate in politics *established church (tax-supported) = congregational (except RI) *you had to be an adult male landowner and a church member to vote *ethnicity: pretty much purely English (slavery legal but not really any slaves because not agricultural) *Best education: people were close together so it was easy to establish schools; 1st college in America = Harvard – founded for training Puritan ministers Middle Colonies: *no established church *last to be settled (mostly by farmers – “bread basket” colonies) *most diverse area: NY originally a Dutch colony, Pennsylvania *adult male landowners could vote and hold office (same in southern colonies) 4. Characterize and briefly describe the structure of government shared by the thirteen colonies. People bring their culture with them – model colonial governments after English (King sharing power with 2 house parliament). Adult male landowners could vote and hold office (in New England you also had to be a church member). Colonial America was the most democratic place on earth at the time. Each colony had a bicameral legislature because parliament had a house of commons and a house of lords  except Pennsylvania had only one house because they believe in equality. Lower house was

democratically elected. Bicameral legislatures typically share power with the governor (chosen by the king). 5. Account for why it can be said that the population of the thirteen English colonies, by 1775, could be described as the most diverse ethnically, the most diverse religiously, the most socially mobile, the best educated, and the most democratic society on earth at the time.  Various ethnic groups came from England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Africa  RI and Pennsylvania – practiced religious freedom – many persecuted religious groups found a sanctuary there  “Land of opportunity” – plenty of land available – you didn’t have to be nobility to own land – can climb the social ladder (indentured servants)  In England, males who own land can vote – easier to own land in America – more people can vote – more people participating in politics than anywhere else Jamestown – 1st permanent English settlement in North America; was in Virginia; backed by the Virginia company – came for gold; 1607 plantation economy – southern colonies had a plantation based agricultural economy; the planters were the large land owners who were very wealthy and dominated politics and economics First Families of Virginia – 1st people to arrive in southern colonies get the best land  most money  planter class  dominate politics and economics (people who arrive last have to move inland to less fertile land); planter class – top of social hierarchy; largest plantations – based on slave labor; dominate politics and economics indentured servitude – people who wanted to come to America but couldn’t afford it promised labor for a certain number of years in exchange for their voyage to America being paid for – signed contract called indenture. Then indentured servants might become tenants or get their own land and become small farmers. Pilgrims / Plymouth – Pilgrims established the first settlement in the New England colonies at Plymouth; came to the colonies for religious freedom; Calvinists – in opposition to the Church of England Puritans – second group to settle in the New England colonies – Massachusetts Bay Colony (theocracy); also Calvinists who were in opposition to the church of England – came to colonies for religious freedom… but they didn’t believe in religious freedom town meetings – in the New England colonies; all the citizens would gather in the church to make decisions about governing the town; considered one of the purest forms of democracy Harvard / MA School Law – first college in America; founded for training Puritan ministers Congregational Church – established (tax supported) church in the New England colonies (other than Rhode Island) Roger Williams – Puritan minister who was banished from MA because of his religious beliefs  went to Rhode Island and established it as a new colony based on religious toleration. Kicked out of MA because he believed in separation of church and state and that the colonists should but the land from the Natives.

New Netherland – the Dutch had a colony where NY is now; English took it over and established NY Quakers – small group with major influence; wealthiest denomination; pacifists – morally opposed to war; strong value in the equality of all human beings – leaders in abolition movement and women’s rights “Inner Light” – Quakers have a strong belief in the equality of all people – believe that each of us has an “inner light” or small piece of God inside us, which is accessed by quiet contemplation William Penn – founded Pennsylvania; Englishman who was a Quaker; invites people of all different religions to live in Pennsylvania  offers them safe place  very diverse The Revolutionary Era 1. Explain how the French and Indian War (1754-1763) changed the relationship between England and her thirteen American colonies. In 1763, Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War. With the treaty of Paris 1763, France lost all of its North American empire. The colonists no longer needed mother England for protection because they were no longer afraid of the French. Additionally, war led to a growing sense of colonial independence and increased British debt. Part of the reason the war was fought to protect the colonists from the French and their allied Indians; Parliament expected the colonists to help pay for the war because they were beneficiaries. Parliament began directly taxing the colonists. 2. What factors caused the colonists to go from fighting for their “rights as Englishmen” in 1775 to fighting for independence by the summer of 1776?  King George III ignored the Olive Branch Petition which the Second Continental Congress sent him in May of 1775, even though the colonists were trying to make peace with England.  Common Sense (Jan 1776) = pamphlet by Thomas Paine (best seller)  Its common sense that the colonists need independence  argues that monarchy is a poor and illogical form of government  argues against aristocratic society  we should have a republic  he is arguing for independence  writes in every day, less formal language  ordinary people can consume it  Richard Henry Lee (delegate from Virginia at Second Continental Congress – remained in session throughout the war) issues a resolution for independence  congress votes in favor of it and forms a committee of 5 men to write the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson = lead writer)  DOI formally adopted by 2nd Continental Congress 3. Explain the justification for revolution as set forth by the Declaration of Independence. People are born with natural rights and they create governments to protect their natural rights. Power comes from the people (the consent of the governed). If the government fails to protect the natural rights of the people, they have the right to revolt against that government and create a new government. 4. Identify the advantages and disadvantages for both sides in the Revolutionary War. Colonial Advantages:  Home field advantage (they were familiar with the land and had shorter lines of communication and transportation – the British were conducting the war from 3,000 miles away)  Guerilla tactics

 Help from France and other nations (provide weapons, money, soldiers) British Advantages:  3-1 population advantage  Money – financial institutions, tax system  Already had organized army and navy (best navy in the world)  Colonies have no financial institutions separate from the British – don’t even have currency  have to borrow from citizens and foreign nations  Better trained, more experienced army  Support from people in the colonies: Native Americans, slaves, loyalists  Colonies have smaller, ill-equipped army, lack of unity, loyal to their states 5. For what reasons is the American Revolution generally characterized as a conservative revolution, politically, economically, and socially? What changes did the revolution bring in these three areas?  Political change: state governments functioned the same way as the colonial governments – don’t really change who gets to vote; 13 colonies tied together by central government instead of monarchy  Economic change: people who have power and wealth are the same – land not redistributed  Social change: American society becomes more egalitarian – many states reduced their land owning qualifications for voting; Southern colonies disestablished Anglican church (Anglican was the church of England); every Northern state either abolishes slavery outright or calls for the gradual emancipation of slaves (free blacks are still second-class citizens – couldn’t vote, go to school, hold certain jobs); women are not politically equal (couldn’t vote), but their status is elevated because of independence  seen to have a special role in nurturing the children: REPUBLICAN MOTHERHOOD (in a Republic, mothers have a special duty to instill “civic virtue” in their children) 6. How did the success of the American Revolution affect slavery in the new thirteen states? Why was the ending of slavery nationwide not more seriously considered? After the American Revolution, every northern state either abolished slavery outright or called for the gradual emancipation of slaves (this is every state north of Maryland – Mason-Dixon line). MasonDixon line divided slave and free states. The Southern states needed slaves for their plantation-based agriculture economy and would never have agreed to emancipate the slaves. Equality is sacrificed for unity – Northern states knew that Southern states wouldn’t have joined US if they abolished slavery. Northerners though slavery was a dying institution – didn’t count on invention of cotton gin – slaves more valuable. Treaty of Paris, 1763 – Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War  France losses their North American Empire  increased sense of colonial independence and increased British debt Proclamation Line of 1763 – when the French and Indian War ended, the Indians did not stop fighting; the king of England does not want to keep fighting; a proclamation of the king that forbade the colonists from crossing west of the Appalachian Mountains Stamp Act of 1765 – Parliament begins directly taxing the colonists; tax on all printed materials Stamp Act Congress – Reps from 9 colonies (increasing unity between colonies) decide to boycott Stamp Act

“no taxation without representation” – rallying cry for Sons of Liberty; Parliament began directly taxing the colonists – they had paid taxes imposed by their own colonial governments, who they elected, but not by Parliament, who they didn’t elect. Sons of Liberty – groups of colonists that come together to boycott; at times violent; first Sons of Liberty group founded by Samuel Adams, then spread to all the colonies Townshend Acts of 1767 – Parliament repeals Stamp Act and passes Townshend Acts; paper, paint, glass, lead tea = taxed Boston Massacre – British troops had been sent to the colonies to enforce tax collection. Friction between colonists and soldiers because soldiers take jobs from colonists (main economic activity in New England colonies = commerce); especially friction between dockworkers and soldiers  drunk dockworkers see lone British Century  throw snow at him  he calls backup  8 soldiers form circle to protect themselves from the hundreds of angry colonists  someone shouts fire  5 colonists die Tea Act of 1773 – gives a monopoly on the importation of tea to the colonies to a British company – the British East India Company (owned by stockholders; members of Parliament have stocks); lowers price of tea but cuts out colonial merchants; New England major economic activity = commerce and shipping Boston Tea Party – Sons of Liberty dresses as Indians go aboard 3 ships belonging to BEIC and throw tea overboard; destruction of private property – 30 mill worth of tea Coercive Acts – (“Intolerable Acts”) Parliament didn’t know who the Boston Tea Party offenders were so they punished Massachusetts as a whole  shut the port in Boston  sympathy from other colonies First Continental Congress – growing sense of unity between the colonies (all send reps except Georgia) - Boycott all British products - Coercive Acts null and void - Call for the formation of colonial militias - Meets in Philadelphia - Not talking about independence yet – want to restore their rights as British citizens - Decide to meet again the following spring Lexington and Concord – first battle of Revolutionary War; near Boston; Brits learn colonists are stockpiling weapons in concord  decide to march in and arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock and capture weapons  try to march secretly through the night  met at Lexington by minute men (colonial militias) with muskets Second Continental Congress – May 1775; “Olive Branch Petition” – reps try to make peace with England – send it to George III – he refuses to even read it; Continental Army commended by George Washington Olive Branch Petition – sent by 2nd CC to George III – they asked him to make peace between the colonies and England and make Parliament stop passing unfair laws Continental Army – composed of militias from each state (minute men); command by George Washington

George Washington – brilliant general; commander of Continental army; first president

Common Sense – Jan 1776 = pamphlet by Thomas Paine (best seller); Its common sense that the colonists need independence; argues that monarchy is a poor and illogical form of government; argues against aristocratic society; we should have a republic  he is arguing for independence; writes in every day, less formal language  ordinary people can consume it Richard Henry Lee – delegate from Virginia at 2nd Continental Congress; issues a resolution for independence Declaration of Independence – formally adopted by 2nd CC  now they are no longer fighting for their rights as Englishmen but for independence Treaty of Alliance with France – America might not have won the war without French help; France provided the Continental Army with weapons, money, soldiers Treaty of Paris, 1783 – recognized the independence of the colonies; ended war; established boundaries for US civic virtue – all citizens need to be willing to sacrifice their own self-interest for the good of the whole (republic = run by the people) republican motherhood – in a republic, mothers have a special duty to instill civic virtue in their children; mothers seen by society as being morally virtuous

The Confederation Era 1. Explain the features generally shared by the state constitutions written during the Revolutionary War. They create 3 branches of government– separation of powers. Every state creates a powerful legislative branch and weak judicial and executive branches. All state constitutions include a bill of rights (13 different bills of rights). Sates think of themselves as different countries  13 separate constitutions. 2. Explain the concept of “constitutions” was changed by the Americans. United states redefines constitution as “a written plan for government.” Americans making it a written document – writing down what the functions of the government will be. When the British spoke of constitutions, they were talking about a set of traditions that had existed over centuries. Americans actually write down basic frameworks for government. 3. Identify The Articles of Confederation. Describe the structure of the government it created. List its major weaknesses. In what ways was this constitution a success and in what ways a failure? ID: Written in 1777; ratified in 1781. Written by second continental congress to create a national government which would tie the 13 states together  then each state had to approve it. States tied together in a confederation – loose alliance (“league of friendship”) majority of power remained with individual states  operating like 13 different counties. STRUCTURE: Confederation Congress: 1 vote/ state; no executive or judicial branches WEAKNESSES OF THE AOC

- Federal government has no power to tax - No judicial branch (no way to settle disputes between states) - No executive branch (no army) - 13/13 to amend AOC - no power to regulate trade between states or between states and foreign nations (hampers economic growth) - no uniform currency SUCCESSES - Land Ordinance of 1785: passed by Confederation Congress; provides for the survey and sale of western land – 6 x 6 mile township; 1 x 1 section = 640 acres; land was sold and money went to the national government, which was in debt - Northwest Ordinance 1787: sets up governance of western land; establishes the process by which western territories can become states (when a territory’s population reaches 60,000, the territorial legislature writes a constitution and has it approved by Confederation Congress  then they are a new state) three branches of government – Judicial (judges), Legislative (makes laws), Executive (carries out laws) bill of rights – all state constitutions included a bill of rights – 13 different bills of rights; states felt that it was important to say what your rights as a citizen are that the government can’t take away; later, Bill of Rights added to U.S. Constitution Articles of Confederation – written in 1777 by second continental congress; rati...