Founding Of America

Geography of the USThe US has many different climate types. From the fertile soils of the Midwest, to the humid climates of the South the American people adapt to their environment to make a living and access natural resources. For instance, where is the geography most

suitable for long growing seasons?

Where are there many rivers and ports for shipping and manufacturing?

South

North East

ColonizationThe first settlement was in Saint Augustine, Florida (1565) founded by the Spanish.

The first “US” colony Virginia in 1607. Over the next 115 years the 13 British Colonies were founded.

The ColonistsThe colonists came for a variety of reasons. Most of the colonists were English, but people from Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, France and Africa.

Many European immigrants came as indentured servants. They were contracted to work for 7 years to repay the cost of their passage to the US.

The main reasons for emigrating were:

Religious FreedomDifferent colonies were founded for different religions. The Pilgrims and Puritans founded Massachusetts. The Roman Catholics sought refuge in Maryland, and Pennsylvania was a safe place for Quakers. Rhode Island allowed all religions, including Judaism

Economic opportunitiesSettlers were drawn to the availability of land and the opportunity to own it. In their home countries only the wealthiest owned land.

Political FreedomThe ever changing loyalties in the Europe led some to flee to the colonies. As new kings rotated onto the throne they often persecuted certain groups such as the Jews.

Interaction with Native AmericansThe European settlers and Native Americans had very different views and values. For instance, land was considered personal property for the Europeans that could be bought and sold. For Native Americans, land was considered communal and used for the good of all.

Additionally, Europeans believed their way of life was superior and expected the Native Americans to adopt their style of clothing, government, and religion.

Despite their differences, many Native tribes traded and created alliances with colonists.

WarfareAs colonies continued to grow there were frequent conflicts between settlers and Natives. By the 1700s the tensions escalated as the British, French and Natives fought for land and trade. in 1756 The French and Indian War began. This war was fought for control of present day Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Colonial SlaveryIn the agricultural South huge plantations developed requiring large work forces. As the availability of indentured servants decreased the Southern plantation owners looked for a new labor force. Borrowing from the West Indies model of slavery the American south developed strict slave codes to keep Africans and African Americans controlled.

Slavery was not isolated to the South, but was significantly more popular. By the time of the American Revolution there were 50,000 enslaved people in the Northern colonies. In the South there were 400,000.

MercantilismThough many colonists journeyed to America to avoid religious and political oppression they were still British citizens subject to the Kings laws and wishes. For the King the colonies were a source of income. The colonists would ship raw materials to Britain where they would be manufactured into goods. The goods would travel back to the colonies where it would be sold.

European Claims to land

Political influences- ancient

The governments of the 13 colonies reflected ideas that came from Western Civilization.

Ancient Greece- Greece gave the concept of democracy, or government by the people. (started in Athens)

Ancient Rome- Rome contributed the idea of republican government, or a republic. In a republic voters elect representatives who speak and act for other citizens. AKA Representative Democracy.

Political influences- British eventsAmerican politics were also influenced by several events and documents in Britain.

Magna Carta- This document placed limits on the Kings power. Established the right to a trial, though only for nobles.

Petition of Right- Put certain basic rights and legal traditions into writing. Writ of Habeas Corpus requires that a person be brought before a court to decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Prevents arrest and imprisonment without a trial

The English Bill of Rights- The parliament overthrew the king and replaced him with William and Mary who were required to sign the English Bill of Rights. This established that representative government and the rule of law outweighed the monarch’s power.

Political Influences- Enlightenment

John Locke-

Locke’s ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence, state constitutions and the United States Constitution. He believed people were born with Natural Rights including the rights to

Life….Liberty…and property

These rights predate government and it is only through a social contract between the people and their government. The governments exist only with the consent of the governed.

If the government fails to protect these rights, the contract is broken and the people may change or replace the government.

Political Influences- EnlightenmentBaron de Montesquieu- This French philosopher believed that Britian’s government was successful because of separation of powers. The power was divided between the monarch and the 2 houses of parliament. This division helped balance political power

Jean-Jacques Rousseau- Another French man who furthered the idea of Social Contract, or the consent of the governed

Voltaire- French Philosopher letters praising the British institutions and rights. He also wrote against religious intolerance and persecution.

ReviewWhich economic policy was based on the idea that the American

colonies existed to provide economic benefits to Great Britain?

a. Mercantilism b. Socialism c. Free Trade d. Capitalism

In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was most influences by John Locke’s idea of

a. Due process of law b. natural rights c. rights to privacy d. Jury

The pair of which geographic conditions encouraged the development of the plantation economy in the Southern Colonies

a. Wide coastal plain and few harbors

b. Rocky soil and short growing season

c. Long growing seasons and humid climate

d. Flatlands and lack of forests.

Road to RevolutionThe British ruled the colonies under salutary neglect, or a healthy ignoring the colonies. This allowed the colonies to experiment with self government through the house of burgess, town meetings and colonial legislatures.

However after the French and Indian war the British changed their governing of the colonies to be more proactive. The Proclamation line of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachians. The goal was to avoid conflict between the colonists and Native Americans.

Pull out your maps from yesterday. Please label the Proclamation line of 1763 on your maps.

Road to Revolution- economicBritain had won France’s land, but the war had created a huge debt. The British Parliament believed the colonies should pay for their own defense and enforced mercantilism and passed new taxes.

Sugar Act- tax on foreign imports

Stamp Act- tax stamp on printed material from newspapers to wills and marriage licenses. Proof that you had paid for the item

Navigation Acts- gave the right to regulate trade to Britain.

Why does this political cartoon have a Skull and crossbones to mark the location of the stamp?

Before the French and Indian war the English Government left the colonies alone, to run themselves. What was that called?

How did it change after the war?

Salutary Neglect

After the war England began enforcing mercantilism and taxing the colonists

Road to Revolution- PoliticalThe colonists resisted the efforts of parliament to tax them, claiming that parliament was infringing on their natural rights. Colonists reasoned that without representation in parliament, they should not be taxed by the British government. Great Britain insisted that Parliament represented all of its subjects.

The issue of no taxation without representation rose again when Parliament passed the tea act, making British tea less expensive than tea imported from foreign nations.

Protesters destroyed 3 shiploads of tea during the Boston Tea Party. This lead to the Intolerable Acts which shut down the port of Boston, forbid town meetings and reduced the powers of the local government. More troops were sent to enforce the rules.

Thomas Paine- Common SenseThe American Revolution began in 1775, but the declaration of Independence was not signed until July 4th, 1776. The colonists were not originally looking for independence, but Common Sense was influential in persuading the colonists to end their relationship with Great Britain.

As the colonies prepared for war and demands of independence the colonists were divided. Some still supported the King and English laws, they were called Tories or Loyalists.

What idea from the philosophers is reflected in this passage?

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state,

is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer

or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our

calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we

suffer."

social contract

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, who was heavily influenced by John Locke’s theories of Natural Rights and Social Contracts.

The Purpose of the Declaration:-To announce to the world that the colonies were a new, independent nation

-To explain and justify the reasons that the colonies were becoming the United States of America.

The Three Parts of the Declaration-A theory of government

-A list of grievances against the king

-A formal resolution declaring independence

Key ideas of government

-people have natural rights, including the rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

-The government receives their power from the consent of the governed and the power is to be used to protect the people’s natural rights

-When a government fails to protect those rights, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish that government

Not all Americans Supported Independence

Watch the video then create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the Patriots vs the Loyalists. (Hint: you may want to take notes throughout the video)

Continental Congress

During the war the government was the 2nd continental congress. After the war, the Articles of Confederation took over

George Washington was named the colonial commander in chief. He was responsible for assembling and training the continental army. The colonists were aided by the French who sent military arms, troops and naval support.

The French increased their support after the Battle of Saratoga, when the Americans maintained control of the Hudson River Valley and demonstrated their ability to win the war.

End of the WarThe war lasted from 1775-1781 when the British surrendered at Yorktown in Virginia. The Treaty of Paris was negotiated by John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin. It was signed in 1783.

The British recognized American independence. The nation’s boundaries were set:

Canada to the north

Mississippi river to the West

Spanish Florida to the South

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR MAPS BY LABELLING THE BOUNDARIES BELOW

ReviewThe main reason Britain established the Proclamation line of 1763 was to:

a. Avoid conflict between colonists and native Americans

b. Make a profit selling the land West of the Appalachian Mountains

c. Prevent American industrial development in the Ohio River Valley

d. Allow Canada to control the Great Lakes Region

In writing the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson was influenced most by John Locke’s idea of

a. Due process of law

b. Natural rights

c. The rights of the accused

d. the right to privacy

Review

I. ___________________________________A. Committes of CorrespondenceB. Nonimportation AgreementsC. Boston Tea PartyD. First continental Congress

Which heading best completes the partial outline above?1.Protests against slavery in the American colonies2.British Parliamentary Actions to punish colonial Americans3.Colonial responses to British Mercantile Policies4.Colonial attempts to end the British policy of Salutary Neglect

STOP

After the French and Indian War the British began actively controlling the colonies:-Proclamation line of 1763-Taxes-Mercantilism enforced

The English ignored the colonies which allowed the colonists to experiment with self government and create their own unique governments and society

Bell Ringer

What is Salutary Neglect as practice in the 13 English Colonies?

How did Salutary Neglect change AFTER the French and Indian war?

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles set up a confederation among the 13 states. A Confederation is an alliance of independent states. The states give as much power as they choose to the central government, but the states hold most of the power.

Weaknesses Achievements

-The government had no power to levy taxes or set a national currency-The President had no direct authority

-No national judiciary (court system)

-Congress could only raise an army by requesting troops from the states

-Conclude the war and negotiated the Treaty of Paris

-Land Ordinance of 1785

-Northwest Ordinance of 1787

*the Land and NW ordinances set up the guidelines by which new states could join the nation. Prohibited slavery in the NW territory.

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of confederation sucked because the Feds were too weak

The Articles of confederation sucked because the Feds were too weak

The Articles of confederation sucked because the Feds were too weak

The Articles of confederation sucked because the Feds were too weak

Shays RebellionRead the article and answer the questions with complete sentences

Call for reformAmericans began to see the need for a stronger central government:

-Shays’ Rebellion sparked fear of mob rule

-The National government was unable to pay war debt

-The nation was not working well on trade

In 1787 the states called a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. They met for “the sole and express purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation.”

Constitutional Convention55 delegates from all the states (except Rhode Island) met to create a new constitution. The delegates were made of prominent lawyers, planters and merchants. Most of the population, however, were small farmers.

How do the delegates not represent the majority of Americans?

The most famous delegate was George Washington, though James Madison may have had the most influence on the constitution.

What are we talking about here?

The Constitutional Convention was an attempt to create a strong FEDERAL government. This means taking power AWAY from the

states.

Federalism- a system of government in which authority is divided between national and state governments; the belief in or advocacy

of such a system

Compromise Compromise Compromise

The delegates task was to create a strong enough government to govern effectively, while protecting individual liberties. To accomplish this the delegates had to compromise with each other. The Constitution took many compromises, but there are 4 major compromises.

1) The issue of Representation

2) The issue of Slavery

3) The issue of commerce

4) The Presidency compromise

Representation There were two main plans proposed to settle issues of representation.

Read the Virginia & New Jersey Plans then complete the venn diagram

Virginia vs. New Jersey plans

This compromise is called the Connecticut Plan, or the Great Compromise

Representing SlavesA bitter debate continued over slaver and power. The Southerners wanted the enslaved people to be counted for representation purposes, but not for taxes.

What advantage would this be for the Southerners?

They compromised and the delegates decided on the 3/5ths compromise.

The 3/5ths compromise

The Commerce Compromise

The Issue:Northerners wanted a government that could regulate trade. Southerners feared that the importing of slaves would be prohibited and that their agricultural exports would be taxed. Southerners felt that if these happened they would lose money and be subject to Northern decisions.

To compromise the delegates agreed that the congress could not pass export duties (taxes). Additionally, Congress could not prohibit or limit slavery for 20 years.

Slavery could not be prohibited for the next 20 years. What problems do you foresee with this arrangement?

Presidency Compromise

The delegates favoring a strong central government wanted a president with a long term of office elected directly by the people. (Federalists)

Delegates favoring states rights wanted a president with a short term in office who would be selected by the state legislatures. (Anti-Federalists)

In the Presidency Compromise the two sides agreed to a four-year term of office and the indirect election of the president through the Electoral College.

COPY THIS TABLE!!Compromise Issue Solution

The Great Compromise

Equal or proportionate representation in Congress

States would have equal representation in the Senate, but the House would be depend on population

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counting enslaved people within population to determine representation

Enslaved people were counted as 3/5 of one person, both for taxation and representation

Commerce Compromise

Granting Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade

Congress is forbidden from taxing state exports, or passing anti-slavery trade laws for 20 years

Presidency Compromise

Length of a president’s term of office and method of election

Presidents will serve a 4yr term and be elected by the electoral college

Ratification (or approving the new constitution)

Once the delegation had written the constitution it had to be ratified, or approved by the states. The writers had written that 9 of the 13 colonies must approve the constitution for it to go into effect. However, there were fierce debates in all the states between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Federalists: Wanted a strong national government to provide order and -protect the people’s rights. In New York the Federalist Papers, a series of essays, were written to support ratification. These essays influenced public opinion towards ratification

Anti-Federalists: Wanted a weak national government so that it would not threaten the rights of the people or states’ powers. They also wanted to add a Bill of Rights to protect the people against abuses of power.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Split into two groups (evenly numbered!). One group will be Federalists and the other are Anti-federalists. You have 15 minutes to read the opinions before you and formulate an argument for your position. Select 1 person to speak for your group.

You may create visual aids to further your side’s claims.

Ratification

Ultimately the new Constitution was approved by the 13 colonies, and went into effect in 1789. The first president was George Washington. Congress immediately went into session to respond to calls for a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were passed by 1791.