UNIT 1: Origins of a New Nation

The 1st People

likely came from Asia across land

bridge

as early as 40,000 yrs ago?

Migration

1. climate warmed…polar ice melted, sea levels rose

2. Population grew…migrated thru out both continents…developed distinct cultures…tribes

10-12,000 yrs ago:

Then…over 1,000s of years..

• The various tribes developed own unique lifestyles depending on where they lived

• For ex: (from now on…”E.G.”)

1. Plains tribes hunted…followed migration of herds

2. Coastal tribes had permanent settlements, learned to fish

3. Many farmed…the Hohokam irrigated the dry land of the Southwest

Sec. 2: Europeans arrive

• Deep Background:

1. Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D.

2. Europe entered “Dark Ages”

3. In time, nation-states began to emerge (France, England, Spain, Italy)

4. The Renaissance begins in Italy in the 1300’s…

The Renaissance

Means “re-birth”

1. Arts, literature, architecture, and sciences- Inquiry into how and why the physical

world works…

E.G. DaVinci, Newton, Kepler, Galileo, etc.

Some results:

• New technologies (printing press, telescopes, navigational instruments)

• New tech for ship-building…ability to sail further

• Led to revival of trade with the East and search for new, shorter routes

The Protestant Reformation

1. Martin Luther criticized many of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church (which had been the ultimate authority for over 1,000 years).

2. “Protestants” broke away

European exploration

• Sailed east and west from Europe• 1487: Dias around Africa• 1498: Da Gama around Africa to India• 1492: Columbus west looking for

China…Europeans didn’t realize there were 2 entire continents in the way

• Over next 100 years, many more would follow…

The Point:

• Shorter routes to China meant higher profits

• Search for new routes led to discovery of new lands

• New lands meant potential riches for Europeans

• Question was: who would get what? And at what cost?

Competition

• England, France, Spain• Potential riches of this new world were the

prize• What about the Indians?

– They were forced, one way or another, from their lands

– decimated by European diseases

European Settlement (1600-1650)(Chapter 2)

• The Spanish:Focus was south and central AmericaEst’d. 1st permanent settlement in New World

(in present day FL)

• The French:Settlements around the Great Lakes and

around the Miss. River

The English

• Failed attempt late 1500’s at Roanoke (the Lost Colony)

• 1607: Jamestown (VA)• 1620: Plymouth Colony (the “Pilgrims”)

European Settlement

Moving outward

• From Plymouth colony, new settlers began to move outward…

- Rhode Island (1636)- Connecticut (1639)

• From Jamestown:- settlement up the James River…early tobacco plantations

Colonies develop (1650-1750)

• 3 different economies developed in the northern, middle, southern colonies

• Climate, soil, other resources determined what would be produced

The 13 Original Colonies

Northern colonies:

• Colder…shorter growing season• Rocky, sandy soil• Abundant natural harbors• What industries seem likely?

1. Maritime (fishing, shipbuilding-whaling) merchants, trade & commerce with Europe, small artisans

Southern Colonies

• Excellent soil, long growing season• Few natural harbors• Led to agricultural economy based on a

few crops:1. Tobacco

2. Rice

3. A bit later…cotton

Middle Colonies:

• Combination of northern & southern economies:

• Some shipbuilding• Some commerce• Some agriculture

Mercantilism

• Is an economic system in which:A. A nation establishes colonies to supply

mother country with raw materials

B. The colonies provide a market for finished goods

C. The result: wealth is created

The Triangle of Trade

• England• W. Africa• The Colonies

(incl. the W. Indies)

Tying it all together:

• As noted earlier, Spain’s efforts were directed more towards present day Mexico and lands further south

• That left England and France as the main competitors in North America…the story continues in Unit 2