PERIOD 3

American and National Identity

How did Americans define themselves at this time?  

(Mainstream and sub- cultures)

What shaped American identity during this time period?

• French & Indian War (1754-1763)

  • Created colonial unity

• George Washington 

  • One of the colonial officers who would lead troops during this war

• Declaration of Independence (1776)

  • Continental Congress formally declaring independence from Britain

    • Helped form new national identity w/ the idea of equality, individual rights, and gvmt (by consent of the governed)

• American Duties Act of 1764 (Sugar Act)

  • Imposed import duties on wine, coffee, & other luxurious items

  • Raised funds and reestablished authority

• Groups formed

  • Sons of Liberty

  • Daughters of Liberty

  • Vox Populi

    • ALL 3 Dedicated to the repeal of the Stamp Act

• Patriots vs. loyalists

Work Exchange and Technology

What defined the US economy at this time?

Group 1

• Tobacco Farming

  • Southern colonies that relied on agriculture for economy

• Slavery

  • Lack of manpower led to an increase in slavery, and many slaves worked on tobacco farms in the South, with no pay would become America’s main source of economy later on

• Indentured Servitude

  • Similar to slavery, but would get paid very little, indentured servants were usually immigrants and only were to help settle down in America

• Colonial Mercantilism

  • Merchants would sail across the continents to trade, but was limited and regulated by colonial overlords

• Small-scale farming

- `The small rural population and American settlement led to smaller farms

• Limited Manufacturing

      - Manufacturing was limited to port cities; the majority of them being in the North.

• National Bank

  • Regulated currency, stored extra money, and gov. can make money through interest and pay off people

Geography and the Environment

What role did the environment and geographical features of the US play in this time period?

Group 2

• Valley Forge- establishment to resupply troops during the winter during 1777

• After the British took Fort Duquesne from the French. The French and allied American Indian nations used guerilla warfare to capture several important forts, built a new one on Lake Champlain.

• The Proclamation Line of 1763 denied colonists the right to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.

• Continental Army had more knowledge than the British in the Revolutionary War

Migration and Settlement

Where did people move to? Why? Where did they come from?

(push/pull factors)

How did migration/immigration and new settlements shape America?

Group 3

• People moved westward to the Appalachian Mountains into places like Tennessee. 

• Came from 13 colonies 

• Pull: They moved westward due to the fertile land attracting them, a chance to engage in trades. More economic opportunities. Religious freedom.

• Push: Economic hardship, overcrowding, lack of land, and restrictions in the eastern colonies.

• Migration led to the development of distinct colonial economies (plantations in the South, trade in New England).

•  Western migration after the Revolution expanded U.S. territory and led to the creation of new states, while immigration shaped cultural diversity.

•  Migration into western territories caused conflicts with Native Americans and Britain, which made future political struggles over land and slavery.

Politics and Power

What was the political controversy of this era?

Political Parties-

Who held power and who did not?

1. Controversy:

• Articles of Confederation- was weak 

• Continental Congress- acted in place of national gov, wanted states to cede land claims

• Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan- The Virginia Plan included 2 representatives per state, and the New Jersey Plan highlighted the needs for smaller states  

• Virginia Resolves: no tax without Representation 

• Series of Acts passed (seen as way to fight for rights): Townshend Act, Quartering Act, Coercive Acts

• Import tax:

^led to boycotts violence between the Brit. colones 

Tax on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea 

• Women boycotts (Symbolized female commitment) 

• : Pledged to stop drinking tea

• Provide boycott on goods

• Stopped drinking tea

• Tax on textile herbs, cloth, and dresses. 

2. Political Parties:

Federalists: Wanted a strong central government, lived in cities/urban areas, believed the new government was not strong enough

Anti-Federalists: Farmers, in rural areas, wanted a less powerful/weak government, and believed the new government was too powerful

3. Power:

• White Men, Plantation Owners

• Minorities did not have any power including: the poor, women, American Indians, and African Americans

America in the World

What role did America play in the world during this time period?

How did Americans view other countries? How did foreign countries view America(ns)?

Group 5

It was transitioning from a clump of British colonies to an independent nation. They adopted a policy of neutrality towards other nations as they were becoming a country. Basically just a growing nation. woohoo

How America viewed other countries

During the colonial era, there was a growing resentment despite their loyalty to Britain. They saw France and Spain as just distant powers. 

After ->France became an ally to the US. VIews of Britain were mixed. Neutral opinion of Spain. Kind of ignored and looked down upon Native Americans. 

How other countries viewed America

Before the revolution, Britain saw America as a source of economic assets and resources. France wanted to support America so that they could break away from Britain (rivals). Spain was skeptical and concerned about America.

After-> Britain recognized the US as a threat post-revolution and they were sad to lose their economic assets. The French attitude was positive post-revolution but compromised by the French Revolution. 

American and Regional Culture

What were the differences between different regions in the US?

Id the different regions and its unique culture/econ/political views

Economy

• New England colonies had an economy based out of farming, fishing, and shipbuilding. New England colonies didn’t have the same terrain and soil meant for cash crops

• Middle Colonies had an economy based on farming, trade, and manufacturing. Urban centers like Philadelphia and New York were good hubs for trade

• Southern Colonies had an economy based on farming. The south had good and rich soil giving them better access to cash crops

Culture

• New England Colonies focused on religious discipline and self-reliance (not needing to believe in a religion)

• Middle Colonies had customs, languages, and traditions

• Southern Colonies believes in a hierarchy or class structure

Political

• New England Colonies wanted a strong peoples government and self governing

• Middle Colonies viewed Enlightenment ideals (Freedom)

• Southern Colonies wanted hierarchies or a class structure. Political power went toward the wealthy landowners

Social Structures

What were things that shaped society?  

(laws, ideas, common practice) 

What institutions defined the roles that people played?

Group 7

Laws

Constitution - the foundation of government 

• Protected slavery in certain areas 

• ⅗ Compromise

• Fugitive state clause: reinforced the social hierarchy of race

• Slave Codes: denied enslaved people basic rights // deeply segregated southern society 

bill of rights

• protected individual rights 

• limited gov power

Ideas

Enlightenment Ideas

• natural rights “life liberty and property”

• republicanism

Practices

• enslaved labor - south || indentured servitude - north

• traditional roles / family structures - men mainly held all the power  

Institutions 

church - reinforced community values and social expectations

education - North focused on education // Southern had not much access to education

slavery - shaped the social hierarchy