(3) US History Overview 1: Jamestown to the Civil War

Overview of American History

• The series will provide a scaffold of U.S. history.

• Focus will be on major events and their connections.

Early Settlements

• Jamestown, Virginia

  • Established in 1607 as the first successful English settlement.

• Pilgrims and Plymouth

  • Settled in 1620, commonly recognized as another significant English settlement.

  • Before these, Spanish and Portuguese were already establishing settlements in the New World.

• From 1620 to mid-1700s:

  • Significant migration and city development occurred in the colonies.

The 13 British Colonies

• By mid-1700s, the eastern coast contained the 13 British colonies.

• French Settlements

  • Located northwest, primarily around Quebec and Canada.

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

• Started due to territorial disputes over Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• Conflict Details

  • Often misunderstood as a conflict between French and Native Americans against the British; it was actually the French and their Native allies against the British and the colonists.

  • Known outside the U.S. as part of the Seven Years' War.

• Outcome

  • Ends with the Treaty of Paris (1763).

  • France loses most of its territory in the New World to Britain.

  • Louisiana transferred to Spain.

Colonial Tensions and Taxation

• British sought to tax colonies to recover war costs.

• Stamp Act (1765)

  • Required special seal on paper documents, representing a significant tax burden.

  • Led to colonial unrest due to lack of representation in Parliament.

• Boston Tea Party (1773)

  • Protest against the British tea tax, colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

  • Resulted in the Coercive Acts, which further escalated tensions.

Road to Independence

• First Conflicts of the American Revolutionary War (1775)

• Declaration of Independence (1776)

  • Officially declared independence from Britain.

The American Revolutionary War (1776-1783)

• War fought for independence, concluding with the Treaty of Paris (1783).

• U.S. emerges as an independent nation.

Formation of Government

• Governed by Congress under Articles of Confederation.

• U.S. Constitution

  • Drafted in 1787, ratified in 1788, effective in 1789.

• Establishment of presidential term limits by George Washington, who served from 1789 to 1797.

Expansion and Manifest Destiny

• Louisiana Purchase (1803)

  • United States purchased Louisiana territory from France, effectively doubling its size.

• War of 1812 (1812-1815)

  • Resulted from ongoing British interference post-independence.

  • No significant territory changes but affirmed U.S. sovereignty.

Texas Independence and Mexican-American War

• Texas War for Independence (1836)

  • Anglo settlers in Texas revolted against Mexican rule.

• Annexation of Texas (1845)

  • U.S. annexed Texas, leading to tensions with Mexico.

• Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

  • Initiated over disputes regarding Texas and territory in the West.

  • Resulted in significant land cessions to the U.S., including California and parts of several other states.

Civil War Era

• Increased tensions over slavery between North and South.

• Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860)

  • Viewed as a threat by Southern states, leading to secession.

• Civil War (1861-1865)

  • Started when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter.

  • Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), advocating for the freedom of slaves.

• End of the Civil War

  • South surrendered in 1865, leading to the abolition of slavery (13th Amendment).

Impact of the Civil War

• Casualties

  • Bloodiest war in U.S. history, with 18% of Southern white males dying.

  • 6% of Northern males died, marking a significant demographic impact on the country.