U.S. History: 1600-1860

U.S. History: 1600-1860

“Discovery” of America• Portugal reaches Spice Islands by

sailing east, Spain sails west• 1492: Italian Christopher

Columbus convinces Queen Isabella of Spain to fund voyage– Reaches Cuba & Hispañola,

eventually explores all Caribbean islands and Honduras

– Thought he was exploring The Indies

European society is based on hierarchy

(ranks/class) Also based on the nuclear family

Christianity shapes European world view Reformation causes conflict between two Christian

faiths: Catholics vs. Protestants

England and the Netherlands= Protestant Christians

Spain and France= Catholic Christians European powers begin to create colonies in New

World

Discovery & Settlement

1607: John Smith establishes colony of

Jamestown, VA Joint-stock company—Virginia Co. Headright system: get to VA and get 50 acres of

land If you don’t pay your own way, you work off what you

owe as an indentured servant, get freedom and land when debt is paid

Virginia adopts tobacco as cash crop, grows rich Africans brought to work as indentured servants,

later slaves Bacon’s Rebellion, taxation without

representation

The 1st English Colony

Puritans were persecuted for religions beliefs in

England, come to America, est. Plymouth Colony Second group est. Massachusetts Bay Colony

Puritans believe new colony to be “shining city on a hill” to spread it’s light to the world

Strong link b/w church and state cause some to split into new colonies: Providence (R.I.), New Hampshire, Connecticut

King Philip’s War fought b/w Native Americans and Puritans, many left dead, Puritans win

Puritan “New England”

Henry Hudson sails up the Hudson River for

the Dutch, est. colony of New Netherland Colony settled by Dutch, French,

Scandinavians, etc. English see New N. as a “wedge” b/w N.E. and

VA, take over colony in bloodless takeover Duke of York takes over, renames New York William Penn est Pennsylvania as Quaker

colony

The Middle Colonies

Northern colonies=pre-industrial, mercantile

Engage in trade, manufacturing, strong gov. Middle colonies=pre-industrial, mercantile

Engage in trade, manufacturing, diverse population

Southern colonies=agrarian, slave economy Cash crops, slaves, aristocratic, wealthy

England growing rich off of colonies, begins to heavily tax the colonies

Business in the Colonies

Britain & British North America The United Kingdom of Great

Britain= England & Scotland (1707) King & Parliament share power, king

guides Parliament but most power with PM

Hanover Dynasty (German), gains power, Parliament gains more power

Prime Minister William Pitt speaks for middle class: “expand trade, empire”

British government “controls” colonies, but Americans elect legislatures to run them, avoid British intrusion in their business

Revolution In The Air Britain wants to pay for Seven Years’

War by taxing American colonists 1765: Stamp Act, repealed in 1766,

but damage done 1774: First Continental Congress,

Philly 1775: Fighting begins at Lexington 1776: Second Continental Congress

declares independence, Thomas Jefferson

Continental Army unorganized

War For Independence Many European powers see helping

Americans as way to spite British– France: arms, money, officers for

training; king recognizes the United States (1778)

– Spain & The Netherlands also offer support

1781: General Cornwallis surrenders to General George Washington at Yorktown

1783: Treaty of Paris ends war, establishes an independent American state