The document provides a detailed overview of the history of the founding and development of the United States from the earliest Native American civilizations through the establishment of the US Constitution. It covers the voyages of European explorers, the development of the 13 colonies with different economies and cultures, the growth of slavery, conflicts with Native Americans and between the colonies and Britain, the American Revolution, and the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the drafting of the US Constitution to create a stronger federal government.
15. • 1600s – about 1000 Africans per year
• 1700s - 5.5 million transported to the Americas
• By 1860 - 11 million
• Before 1831, more Africans than Europeans
came to the Americas
18. The Northern (New England) Colonies :
Geography:
Shorter Rocky Soil
Growing Lots of
Season harbors
Cultural Adaptations :
Cities
Small farms Fishing/
(family) Shipbuilding
Churches
Schools
Businesses
Town Mtgs
19. Cultural Adaptations
Fewer Cities,
Churches, &
Schools
Large Farms/ Cash Crops
Spread out on
land
Slavery
Longer Few harbors
summers
Fertile Soil
Geography:
The Southern Colonies :
28. Characteristics of New England
Settlements
Low mortality life expectancy about
70
Large, extended families; avg. 6 children
per family.
Avg. age at marriage:
Women – 22 years old
Men – 27 years old.
30. Boston: “A City on a Hill”
• “beacon of righteousness” to the world
• 1630-1640—16,000 immigrated, usually as families
• Church attendance required, but membership not
automatic
• Government by elected representatives responsible
to God; all adult male church members could vote
31. Provincial Cities
• Only ~ 5% of pop!
• Five largest cities: Boston, Newport, New York,
Philadelphia, and Charles Town
• Economies = commerce, not manufacturing
• English culture, fashion, and architecture
41. The Emergence of North Carolina
• VA = aristocratic planters and Church of
England
• Dissenters moved south to Carolina
Poor farmers, little need for slaves
Religious dissenters
• Early North Carolinians:
Strong resistance to authority, hospitable to
pirates
Irreligious
• 1712 NC officially separated from SC
49. Rule Britannia?
• Most Americans bound to England in 1763
• Ties included British culture, consumer
goods, religion, military victories
• Americans thought of themselves as partners in Empire
• To British, “American” equaled “not quite English”
67. Weaknesses of the
Articles of Confederation
A unicameral Congress
[9 of 13 votes to pass a law].
13 out of 13 to amend.
Representatives were frequently
absent.
Could not tax or raise armies.
No executive or judicial branches.
68. Underlying Principles of the US Constitution
• Popular Sovereignty (people power)
• Limited, Representative Government
• Federalism (literally, united states)
• Separation of Powers (to avoid dictatorship)
• Checks and Balances (to avoid dictatorship)
• Individual Rights (to protect citizens from gov.)
• Flexibility (change with the times)