Native Americans
Animism & Oral Records
Belief that a supernatural force can inhabit inanimate objects. Many worshiped a god of the sun, rain, animals, etc…
Most Native American cultures had no written language, and therefore, it is difficult to prove info.
George Washington
1. Washington attacked and Killed French General
2. Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
3. Good at tactical retreats.
4. Unifying Figure
Puritan
Faith dominated New England. Puritans believe in a strict God and require all members of a community to share those beliefs. Expected to regularly attend church, dress modestly, and punish those who stepped outside of the norms.
Crispus Attucks
The first man killed in the Boston Massacre
An African American man.
Roanoke
Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to establish a colony in present-day North Carolina
The colony struggled and some returned back to England to request further aid.
When returning everyone was gone
Only clue was "Croatian" written on a tree
Small Pox
Devastating disease that killed 90% of Natives population.
And many enslaved Africans.
Thomas Paine
Wrote a 47-page pamphlet call "Common Sense"
Argued in a clear and convincing way that the colonies are allowed to rebel against the British.
Quaker
Strongly Pacifist religion. Decentralized religion – churches were run by parishioners instead of a minister. Opposed Slavery and the mistreatment of Native Americans. (Still enslaved thousands)
France's Involvement
France sent some money and supplies to support the colonists, but the French government feared joining the losing side of the war – they needed to see that the Americans could win this war.
Americans secured a crucial and decisive victory at Saratoga, New York.
Seeing the victory, France formally declared war on Britain and began sending troops in to aid the Americans.
Wanted to weaken British rivals.
The French had a significantly more advanced Navy which managed to gain control over the Chesapeake Bay
Chattel Slavery
Derived from “Cattle”
Slavery was for life.
Children of enslaved women would also be slaves.
Proclamation of 1763
British passed law: made it illegal for colonists to settle beyond the Appalachian mountains.
The land between the Appalachian Mountains and Mississippi River as Native American Territory.
George Whitefield & Johnathan Edwards
Founded Methodist movement
Anglican
Emphasized the importance of baptism and becoming a Christian
Salem Witch Trial
Most famous example of the strict Puritan rules.
The town went through a series of witch accusations mostly leveled at older Women in the town.
19 people were executed and 5 died in prison due to “witchcraft.”
Patriots, Loyalists, & Neutrals
Patriots: Supported American Revolution (commonly found in the middle and northern colonies)
Loyalists: Loyal to Great Britain (control in nearly all cities during the war. Were often wealthy merchants who earned their wealth through trading with Britain)
Neutrals: No side (The Quakers were pacifists and refused to fight.)
Navigation Acts
Laws that forbid colonists from trading with any country or colony other than England.
British Parliament believed that revenue could be created by simply enforcing the Navigation Acts
Conflict Between Natives and Europeans
Differing views on "Owning" land. Europeans also did not understand Native American hierarchy
Native Americans more often allied with the French over the British or Spanish. Why?
French had far fewer settlers, respected Native customs, Spanish had enslaved large numbers of Native Americans.
Rodger Williams & Anne Hutchinson
Formed Rhode Island
Williams was kicked out of Massachusetts due to his belief in a separation of church and state.
Anne was kicked out of Massachusetts for criticizing the church and acting as a minister
Most inclusive region in the colonial world. It welcomed Jewish people, Catholics, Baptists, etc.
Religious Tolerance
American colonies were far more religiously Tolerant than Britain at the time.
Rhode Island (settled by Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson) welcomed a large Jewish settlement in the town of Newport.
The Quakers in Pennsylvania welcomed settlers of many different religious backgrounds to live in the colony.
Non-Christians (especially Native Americans and enslaved Africans) were coerced into converting to Christianity.
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon, a farmer in Western Virginia, put together an army of former and current indentured servants along with former and current enslaved people.
successfully wiped out Native American presence
Burned Jamestown
Effect: removed indentured servitude,
solidified race-based slavery
Plymouth
A group of Puritan religious separatists known as “Pilgrims”
valued community and religion over loyalty to the British monarch. Many had faced arrest and persecution while living in England and hoped to escape that in the New World.
Wrote the Mayflower Compact which was a set of laws by which all members of the community needed to follow – the first written constitution of the North American colonies.
Encomienda system
Native American communities were expected to meet high quotas of materials to provide to the Spanish – Usually was gold or silver. Those who couldn't afford it were subject to violence and sometimes execution.
Reformed after Spaniards read the report on the treatment of indigenous Americans by Bartolome de las Allowed better treatment to the Natives
Instead, the Spanish would use the labor of enslaved Africans
Phyllis Wheatley & Anne Bradstreet
Phyllis: Wrote and published a series of poems about Christianity called “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.”
Anne: Wealthy English women. A devout Puritan, much of her poetry surrounds her religion, and her hopes for salvation. Most famous poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband”
First Great Awakening
Protestant religions began to come together to recognize a common identity. All looked to evangelize the colonies.
Sense of religious excitement that seemed to differ from early Protestantism.
Dunmore Proclamation
Law that allowed enslaved Africans to become free if they fought for Britain's army.
The Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
Passed to punish the colonists for destroying property.
Boston Harbor would be closed until the tea was paid for.
The Massachusetts Constitution was ended – Citizens of Massachusetts could no longer vote for local offices. All trials would be carried out by British officials.
Required colonists to abide by the Quartering Act.
Granted freedom of worship to Catholics living in British territories (Quebec Act) – hated by Protestants.