I. Foundation of American Society

The People of the Colonies

1. Native Americans- First people to occupy the

Western Hemisphere

Way of life was influenced by the environment

The Iroquois Confederation

Federal system which included 6 Nations

Confederation designed to keep peace among tribes and provide mutual defense

Consisted of representatives of each tribe

Served as a model for colonial union (Albany Plan of Union and Articles of Confederation)

2. The ColonistsMotivations for coming to the colonies…

1) RELIGIOUS REASONS

2) ECONOMIC REASONS

3) POLITICAL REASONS

New England

Influenced by the Puritan religion, church membership was required for participation in government.

Diversified Economy- Farming and Shipping.

• Ports of Boston and Salem became centers for colonial shipping.

• Fishing and Ship building industries emerged

The Middle Colonies Diverse population- Dutch, German,

Scotch-Irish

Wheat and corn trade helped to build up the cities of New York and Philadelphia

Large numbers of tenant farmers in the Hudson River valley of New York and New Jersey

The Southern Colonies Warm climate and rich soiled helped

agriculture flourish.

Southern colonies based on crops grown for export (tobacco, rice, and indigo)

Cultivated by indentured servants and then enslaved Africans

The central role of agriculture led to growing dependence on slavery

3. The Africans

ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADEGrowth of tobacco, indigo and rice led

to British involvement in the slave trade.

Triangular trade- New England merchants traded rum for slaves in West Africa, the slaves were sold in the West Indies for molasses or sugar, which was shipped to New England to make more rum.

Early British Colonies

1607- Virginia the first successful English Colony founded by the Virginal Company of London (joint stock company).

1619- Virginia House of Burgess- 1st elected legislature, step towards

representative government

1628- Massachusetts Bay Colony (joint stock company).

Founded by middle-class Puritans who wanted a refuge for their religious beliefs in North America

Influenced by the Puritan religion, church membership was required for participation in government.

Diversified Economy- Farming and Shipping.

• Ports of Boston and Salem became centers for colonial shipping.

• Fishing and Ship building industries emerged

Government by Compact Mayflower Compact(1620)- The adult

males of Plymouth, signed an agreement to consult each other and run the community by majority rule.

Fundamental orders of Connecticut (1639)

First written Constitution in America Government by the consent of the

governed

Signs of colonial unity

The Albany Plan of Congress (1754)

Drafted by Ben Franklin

the earliest attempt at organizing the 13 colonies against the French.

Signs of colonial unity

rejected because it threatened the democratic institutions created in the absence of direct British rule.

Salutary Neglect -ignoring the colonies for their own health, leading to development of self-rule

Salutary neglect created

Significance of written compacts

As the colonies constructed plans of government that defined the structure and power of government, rule by the crown became less and less tolerable.