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This is a survey course that provides students with an investigation of important political, economic, and social developments in American history from the pre-colonial time period to the present day. Students will be engaged in activities that call upon their skills as historians (i.e. recognizing cause and effect relationships, various forms of research, expository and persuasive writing, reading of primary and secondary sources, comparing and contrasting important ideas and events).
Puritans
The Puritans first came to America in 1620 on the Mayflower. The Pilgrims, as they were called, were separating from the Anglican church and escaping religious persecution in England by escaping to America. Other Puritans soon flocked to America hoping to "purify" the Anglican Church and develop a colony which would be a model to the world ("a city upon a hill")
Virginia Settlement
One of the New England colonies and chartered by James I in 1606, Virginia was founded to give the English territorial claims to America as well as to offer a colonial market for trade. Jamestown, became a prosperous shipping and tobacco producing colony and the colony developed the House of Burgesses, a bicameral legislature in 1619.
Exploration
Explorers in the late 15th, 16th, nad early 17th centuries began the European phase of American history. Their "discoveries" in the New dispelled rumors of a northwest passage and settled ancient questions of world geography. Contact between Europeans and Native Americans would have a dramatic effect on Europe, but a devastating impact on those who were wrongly called "Indians."
I. Prehistory
A. Bering Land Bridge
B. Hundreds of independent tribes
C. Civilizations – Mayans – Central, Incas – South, Aztecs – Mexico
D. Mount Builders – Ohio
II. Early Discoverers
A. Vikings – Leif Ericsson – Greenland – Northern Canada – 1000 AD
B. Italian Christopher Columbus – for Spain – 1492 - Guanahani
III. Spanish/Portugese Exploration
A. Reasons for exploring
I. England
A. Buccaneers – Protestantism and Plunder – Sir Francis Drake
B. Roanoke Island – 1585 – “lost colony” – forgotten during war – CROATOAN
C. Reasons for Colonization
1. Enclosure – small farmers forced out
2. Unemployed farmers
3. Primogeniture – oldest son
4. Joint Stock Company – investment
5. Peace with Spain
6. Adventure
I. Social Structure/Family Life
A. South – gap wide between rich and poor – hierarchy of wealth and status
1. Planter aristocracy w/ slaves mimicking feudalism of Europe
2. However, these planters were hardworking, involved in day-to-day affairs
3. Few cities – poor transportation
4. Women more powerful – men die leaving property to widows
a. Weaker gender – see Eve’s failure
I. Revolution Questions
a. Necessary – Coming of Age/Time Had Come or America would have remained obedient had England not made mistakes
b. A true revolution or merely transfer of power from one wealthy group to another
c. Capitalist motivation to keep money in America instead of taxes going overseas
II. Decades before 1754 – proud to be Englishmen
a. Colonists annoyed at Navigation Acts, Brits annoyed with chaotic legislatures
I. State Constitutions
a. Kept some of old – provincial assemblies
1. Colonial self-government for 150 years
2. “their just powers from the consent of the governed”
b. Methods – written constitutions
1. written by provincial assemblies
2. Mass. – town meetings, state conventions
c. Format – dec. of independence + citizen rights + executive/legislative
I. Constitutional Convention – 55 delegates meet in Philadelphia – Washington – Presid.
A. Virginia Plan – large state plan – representation based on population
B. New Jersey Plan – small state plan – every state receives equal rep
1. Great Compromise – House + Senate
2. Slaves = 3/5 of the population for House rep counting purposes
C. Bill of Rights – citizens rights to prevent oppressive gov’t - 1791
I. Causes Foreign– France and England attacking American merchant ships/impressment
A. French Revolution turns violent – Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans favor
B. Washington stays out – Neutrality Proclamation 1793 – U.S. just beginning
C. Jay’s Treaty – Britain won’t attack in future, but won’t pay for past attacks
D. Washington’s Farewell Address – stay out of foreign alliances – policy for next 100 years
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