Colonial Empires and the American Revolution Chapter 10, Section 4
Feb 24, 2016
Colonial Empires and the American Revolution
Chapter 10, Section 4
Colonial Empires in South America• Primarily dominated by
Portugal and Spain– Treaty of Tordesillas– French, Dutch, and British
also own lands in South America
• Multicultural society– Mestizos – Offspring of
Spanish and Native Americans
– Mulattoes – Offspring of Europeans and African slaves
Colonial Empires in South America Cont’d
• Economic boost– Goods from the Americas were
sold across Europe– Gold, silver mines produced
immediate finances• Religious reasoning
– Church built missions, cathedrals, hospitals, schools, and orphanages
• Education– Taught reading, writing, and
arithmetic to Native peoples– Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz fought
for women to be educated
British American Colonies• By 1750, over 1 million
people present in British North American colonies
• Colonies were “run” by Parliament, the Royal Council, and the British Board of Trade, but acted independently
• Britain was responsible for protection of the colonies…even in war– French and Indian War
The American Revolution• Sparked by taxes imposed due to
French and Indian War• First Continental Congress
– Urged colonists to support militias– First shots fired in 1775 in
Lexington and Concord• Second Continental Congress
– Approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776
• Foreign support– French, Spanish, and Dutch enter
the war against the British– War ends in 1781
A New Nation• Articles of Confederation
– America’s first constitution, approved in 1781
– Delegates met in 1787 to revise
• The Constitution– Proposed a federal system,
splitting power between federal and state governments
• The Bill of Rights– First 10 amendments to the
Constitution