Colonization to Reconstruction Study Notes

COLONIZATION TO CONSTITUTION

SSUSH1 - Colonial Era

  • Mercantilism: Economic policy where European countries exploited American colonies by:
    • Importing cheap raw materials.
    • Exporting costly manufactured goods.
  • Trans-Atlantic Trade: Key trade routes to export resources to Europe creating economic dependency.
  • Triangle Trade: Major trade routes between England, Africa, and Americas:
    • Finished goods to Africa, slaves to Americas, raw materials back to England.

Southern Colonies

  • Includes Virginia, Maryland, Carolinas, Georgia (1607):
    • Economy driven by cash crops (e.g., tobacco).
    • Dependency on slave labor due to labor-intensive crops.
    • Jamestown, Virginia: First successful English colony.
    • High mortality rates due to tropical diseases.
    • Mixed relations with Native Americans leading to conflicts.

New England Colonies

  • Includes Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire (1620):
    • Founded for religious freedom, economy based on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade.
    • Puritans vs. Separatists (Pilgrims).
    • Conflicts with Native Americans led to King Philip’s War.

Mid-Atlantic Colonies

  • Includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware (1614):
    • Originally Dutch territory (New Netherlands), later seized by English.
    • Developed a diverse economy with trade and agriculture.
    • Pennsylvania established by William Penn (Quaker influence on peaceful relations).

SSUSH2 - Economy & Society in Colonial North America

  • European Cultural Diversity:
    • Scottish, German, Dutch, Swedish contributions to culture, education, and religious practices.
  • Middle Passage:
    • Enslavement and importation of African slaves; poor conditions led to high mortality rates.
    • Resulted in a blended African-American culture.
  • Colonial Self-Government:
    • Jamestown’s House of Burgesses: First legislative assembly .
    • New England’s Town Meetings.
    • Bacon’s Rebellion as a precursor to fighting for rights.

The Great Awakening (1730)

  • Religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield.
  • Established public education and emphasized individual rights.

SSUSH3 - Causes of the American Revolution

French & Indian War (1763)

  • Conflict over colonial territory; led to massive British debt.
  • Resulted in taxes on colonies and diminished salutary neglect.

Key Legislative Acts

  • Proclamation of 1763: Restricted colonial westward expansion.
  • Stamp Act: First direct tax on colonies led to uprisings.
  • Intolerable Acts: British retaliation included martial law in Massachusetts.
  • Common Sense (1776): Thomas Paine’s pamphlet urging independence from Britain.

SSUSH4 - The American Revolution

Declaration of Independence (1776)

  • Authored by Thomas Jefferson; inspired by John Locke’s principles.
  • Outlined grievances against King George III; asserted natural rights.

Key Battles

  • Saratoga: Turning point; convinced France to ally with the Americans.
  • Yorktown: Last major battle leading to British surrender.

SSUSH5 - The Constitutional Era

Articles of Confederation

  • First governing document; weaknesses highlighted by Shays’ Rebellion.
  • Led to Constitutional Convention of 1787 to create a stronger federal government.

Constitution Features

  • Separation of Powers and checks and balances among branches of government.
  • The Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature addressing representation.

Ratification & Bill of Rights

  • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists debates leading to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.

SSUSH6 - First Five Presidents (1788 – 1824)

George Washington

  • Established precedents for the presidency; dealt with Whiskey Rebellion to show federal strength.

John Adams

  • His presidency marked by the Alien and Sedition Acts leading to pushback by states.

Thomas Jefferson

  • Doubled U.S. territory with the Louisiana Purchase but faced political and ideological contradictions.

James Madison

  • Led during the War of 1812, reinforcing American nationalism.

James Monroe

  • Era of Good Feelings marked by the Monroe Doctrine asserting influence in the Americas.

SSUSH7 - The Age of Jackson

Jacksonian Democracy

  • Expanded suffrage, altered party dynamics, and addressed state rights.
  • Noted for Indian Removal Act and the resulting Trail of Tears.

SSUSH8 - Causes of the Civil War

Missouri Compromise

  • Maintained the balance of free and slave states; led to later tensions.

Compromise of 1850

  • Addressed territorial disputes and added stricter fugitive slave laws.

SSUSH9 - The Civil War (1861 – 1865)

Economic Differences

  • Notable industrial vs agrarian economies driving sectionalism.

Significant Battles & Leaders

  • Fort Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg significant for moral and strategic purposes.

Key Outcomes and Amendments

  • Post-war amendments (13th, 14th, 15th) aimed at civil rights protections.