US History Chapter 1: Exploration & Colonization

Social Studies - US History

• This lesson material is for GELC students only. Copying is strictly prohibited.

Chapter 1: Exploration, Colonialism & Original 13 States

• Quote: "Colonialism is the cousin of slavery." - Chadwick Boseman

Bering Strait

• A land bridge connected present-day Russia and Alaska 20,000 years ago.
• People migrated from Asia to the North and South American continents.

Native Americans

• Migrated people settled as Native Americans.
• They established extensive tribal cultures and several advanced civilizations.

Spice Trade

• Before sea travel developed, Europeans bought spices from Middle Eastern traders.
• Traders bought spices from India and resold them in Venice, Italy at very high prices.
• Spices were as valuable as gold.

Route to India

• Europeans (Portugal, Spain, England, and France) searched for sea routes to India after ships could navigate the seas.
• Some sailed around Africa, while others, like Columbus, sought a westward route.

Discovery of America

• Columbus believed he had reached India, calling the natives "Indians."
• Europeans colonized the continent for resources.
• Native Americans were harmed and enslaved.

Colonialism

• Initial exploration aimed to trade directly with India.
• This led to colonizing countries with valuable resources to boost economies.
• England, France, Netherlands, and Spain colonized much of the present-day United States and Canada.
• Colonists aimed to expand power, wealth, and provide permanent homes for colonists.

Original 13 Colonies

• 13 colonies were founded on the east coast of the present-day United States, primarily by English settlers.
• Varying social and economic factors impacted life in each colony.

New England Colonies

• Includes present-day New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
• Founded by English Pilgrims seeking religious freedom.
• Mayflower ship landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
• Economic activities centered around fishing, whaling, and shipbuilding.

Middle Colonies

• Includes present-day New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
• Diverse nationalities (French, Irish, German, Italian, and English) settled in these states.
• Industrial work and staple crops (like wheat) were prominent economic activities.

Southern Colonies

• Includes present-day Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland.
• Fertile land and good weather supported cash crops (tobacco, rice, and cotton).
• Plantations required large labor forces.

Indentured Servants

• Poor people from England borrowed money from wealthy colonists in exchange for labor.
• They typically worked for 4 years.
• Sometimes, indentured servants were sold into slavery.

African Slaves

• Increased labor demand led to the forced enslavement of Africans in US colonies.
• Enslaved Africans were not treated as humans.
• Slavery endured throughout their lives.
• Conflicts later arose around abolishing slavery.

Convicts

• English courts sent convicts to US colonies to reduce prison populations.
• Unskilled convicts worked on plantations; skilled convicts worked as tradesmen.
• Some convicts returned to England after their sentences ended, while others stayed in the colonies.

Indentured Servants vs. African Slaves vs. Convicts

• Who: Europeans sought better lives, Africans were enslaved, and convicts were sent as punishment.
• How: Indentured servants borrowed money; Africans were captured; convicts were sentenced.
• Freedom: Indentured servants had a set term of service; slaves were enslaved for life; convicts had terms varying from 7–14 years.
• Trade: Indentured servants could be sold, slaves were property and routinely traded.