STAAR+Social+Studies+8+Review

Major Era 1: Exploration and Colonial Era (1492-1763)

Reasons for Exploration

• Religion (God): The quest for religious freedom was paramount during this period as various groups sought refuge from persecution. Notably, the Puritans and Pilgrims fled to establish societies based on their values. Additionally, there was a strong missionary component aimed at converting indigenous peoples to Christianity, which was a driving force behind many explorations.

• Wealth (Gold): European powers were primarily driven by the desire for riches. They aspired to find new trade routes to acquire valuable resources like gold, silver, spices, and silk. This quest led to the establishment of direct trade relationships that were highly lucrative and allowed European nations to build their wealth and influence globally.

• Fame (Glory): Nationalism and the quest for glory played significant roles, as nations were eager to expand their empires, gain prestige, and acquire territories. Exploration and conquest were romanticized through the stories of explorers, making the pursuit of fame a compelling motivator for many.

Outcome: The age of exploration culminated in the discovery of North America by Europeans, which initiated widespread colonization and profound demographic shifts that would alter the continent's socio-economic landscape.

Establishing Colonies

• Motives:

  • Pursuit of Freedom: Many settlers sought new lands to practice their religious and political beliefs freely, escaping oppressive regimes.

  • Economic Opportunities: Aspirations for financial gain through mercantilism drove many colonists, emphasizing the accumulation of resources and the establishment of profitable colonies.

Settlement of American Colonies:

• New England Colonies (CT, NH, MA, RI): Established primarily by Pilgrims in 1620, followed by Puritans in the 1630s, who fled religious oppression in England. Their communities thrived on town meetings and a strong sense of community cooperation, leading to vibrant social, cultural, and economic life.

• Middle Colonies (NY, NJ, PA, DE): New York emerged as a key trading hub, facilitating trade between Europe and America. Pennsylvania, founded by William Penn, became a sanctuary for Quakers seeking religious freedom, promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse populations, including German and Dutch settlers.

• Southern Colonies (VA, MD, NC, SC, GA): Established for varying reasons, including Maryland, formed by Catholics seeking refuge from Protestant rule. Georgia was initially created as a haven for debtors and the poor, offering a fresh start for its inhabitants while contrasting with the plantation economy dominating other regions.

The Establishment of Slavery

• Causes of Slavery: The demand for labor to cultivate cash crops like tobacco and rice led to the development of an inhumane system of slavery. Originally, indentured servitude was common, but as the demand for immediate labor increased, the brutal reliance on enslaved Africans took hold, forming the backbone of the Southern economy and fostering plantation economies.

• Cotton Gin: Eli Whitney's invention in 1793 significantly increased cotton production, expanding the plantation system and solidifying reliance on enslaved labor. This technological advancement fundamentally reinforced the economic necessity of slavery and highlighted the South’s dependence on this labor system.

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• Causes: British colonists aimed to capture valuable French territories in North America, escalating tensions over competing land claims and resources. This conflict marked a significant battle between colonial interests and European imperial ambitions.

• Events: The conflict integrated British troops, French forces, and various Native American tribes, many of whom allied with the French to resist British encroachment on their lands.

• Treaty of Paris (1763): This treaty concluded the war, resulting in significant territorial gains for the British. However, it laid the groundwork for rising tensions as Britain began imposing taxes on the colonies to recoup war expenses.

Conflicts with Native Americans As colonial expansion progressed, it increasingly led to violent confrontations with Native American tribes who faced displacement and loss of their ancestral lands. Numerous conflicts, such as Queen Anne's War and the Powhatan Wars, characterized the colonial period.

Key Historical Figures:

• Thomas Hooker: Founder of Connecticut, championed democratic governance and established the Fundamental Orders of 1638, often regarded as one of the first written constitutions in the Western world.

• William Penn: Advocated for religious tolerance and democratic governance, founding Pennsylvania as a model for a diverse, pluralistic society, promoting peaceful relations with Native Americans and various religious groups.

• Anne Hutchinson: A prominent figure advocating for religious freedom whose banishment from Massachusetts led her to co-found Rhode Island, demonstrating the struggle for personal liberty and the right to practice one’s faith.

Important Events:

• 1607: Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement, marking a pivotal moment in the colonization efforts in North America.

• 1620: Pilgrims founded Plymouth and signed the Mayflower Compact, establishing a foundational document for self-governance and majority rule in the colonies.

Representative Government:

• Mayflower Compact: An early form of self-government, it set a precedent for democratic practices that would influence future governance in the colonies.

• Virginia House of Burgesses: Established in 1619 as the first legislative assembly in North America, it marked the inception of representative government, paving the way for future legislative bodies.

Major Era 2: Revolutionary Era (1763-1789)

Revolutionary War

• Declaration of Independence (1776): Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, this foundational document articulated the colonies' grievances and proclaimed a break from British rule. It was heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideals that promoted individual rights and the notion of government by consent.

Significant Early Battles:

• Lexington and Concord: Often termed the "shot heard 'round the world," these battles marked the beginning of armed conflict between British forces and colonial militias.

• Saratoga: Recognized as a key turning point in the Revolutionary War, it not only boosted morale but also secured French support for the American cause, a critical element in achieving victory.

• Yorktown: The last major conflict of the war, where British General Cornwallis surrendered, effectively concluding combat and initiating the negotiations that would lead to independence.

Treaty of Paris (1783): This treaty formally ended the Revolutionary War, recognizing the independence of the United States and setting forth its borders, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of North America and redefining relationships between emerging nations.

Tensions with Britain:

• British Policies: Enactments including the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and Tea Act incited widespread dissent among colonists and became focal points for protests.

• Boston Tea Party: This act of civil disobedience emerged as a response to British taxation without representation, epitomizing the growing resentment toward British rule and galvanizing colonial unity against oppression.

• Intolerable Acts: A series of punitive measures enacted to reassert British authority, these laws precipitated the convening of the First Continental Congress and heightened the push towards rebellion.

Leaders of the American Revolution:

• George Washington: His leadership as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army was pivotal in the fight against British oppression, serving as an emblem of colonial resistance.

• Samuel Adams: A significant figure in organizing rebellion against British policies, he was instrumental in forming the Sons of Liberty, promoting activism among colonists.

• Benjamin Franklin: An influential diplomat who played a crucial role in securing French support, he advocated for colonial unity and independence.

• Thomas Paine: His writings, particularly "Common Sense" and "American Crisis," inspired many colonists to resist British tyranny and justified the push for independence.

Influential Documents and Ideas:

• John Locke: His theories on natural rights, government legitimacy, and social contracts profoundly influenced revolutionaries' rhetoric and the overarching ideological framework of the movement.

• Montesquieu: Advocated for the separation of powers within government, ideas that would later be foundational in shaping the structure of the U.S. government.

• Magna Carta & English Bill of Rights: These early documents laid critical groundwork for American legal and political rights, emphasizing the necessity of limits on governmental power and the protection of individual liberties.

Philadelphia Convention (1787): This gathering of delegates aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the drafting of a new Constitution that addressed previous governmental weaknesses, forming a more robust federal structure and system of checks and balances.