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• Notes on Indigenous America and the lead up to the American Revolution

Mesoamerican Societies: Shared Characteristics

• Polytheism involving the belief in multiple gods was common
• Maize-based diets were a staple food source
• Well-developed mathematical systems were used for trade and astronomy
• Complex calendar systems were used to track time
• Innovations in farming techniques were implemented
• Written languages were used for communication

Mound Builders of the Mississippi River Valley (Mississippian Cultures)

• Built hundreds of burial mounds
• Larger Mississippian groups were not present at the time of European arrival

Puebloan Peoples

• Located in the Southwestern US, in present-day New Mexico and Arizona.
• They were known for their unique cliff dwellings.
• They had distinct cultural practices east of the Mississippi .

Language/Culture Groupings

• Algonquian
• Iroquoian
• Muskogean were typically small, autonomous clans with a hunting and warlike mentality

Shared Characteristics of Indigenous Americans

• Leadership was structured around a chief or council of tribal elders.
• Less strict gender roles than in Europe were experienced
• Matrilineal cultures had inheritance through the mother's line.
• Religious beliefs had little division between secular, religious, natural, and spiritual aspects.
• Animism involved belief in spirits in nature.
• Community membership was based on religious ceremonies.
• Believed in one chief creator figure.

Beliefs about Land and Property

• Power was derived from status, not wealth
• Generosity and gift-giving was central
• Absence of private land ownership; possessions were individually earned

West Africa

• The significance of kinship meant family ties were crucial
• African slavery was different from North American slavery
• The European slave trade involved various European nations

Spanish Colonization

• Scandinavians (Vikings) were the first Europeans in America
• Population rebound followed the bubonic plague

Iberian Exploration

• The Iberian Peninsula is inclusive of Spain and Portugal
• Unified Spain came about through the Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella
• Trade desires motivated Spain to avoid other countries' trade routes
• Caravel ships were used as a speedy ship for exploration
• Mercantilism equated wealth with gold and silver bullion, not free trade
• Colonies were established to aid the mother country

Portuguese Exploration

• A trading post empire facilitated the global slave trade expansion

Empire and Conquest

• Major settlements were established in Central and South America
• Motivations were driven by Gold, God, and Glory (Spanish conversion to Catholicism).
• The Treaty of Tordesillas divided new lands between Spain and Portugal

Spanish Exploration of North America

• Ponce de Leon and Hernando de Soto explored the Southeast
• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado explored the Southwest
• Horses were introduced to the Americas
• Missions were established, but there were no large settlements

New Spain

• Haciendas were large farms/ranches
• Encomienda was a land claim granting labor rights over natives
• Bartolome de Las Casas was a critic of Spanish treatment of natives

New France

• Located in Canada, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River
• Goals were to find gold and a Northwest Passage
• Marquette and Joliet explored the Mississippi Valley
• Mortality was high among young, male, indentured servants
• Relationships with natives were based on trade in a middle ground approach

New Netherlands

• Situated in Manhattan, New York, and New Jersey
• Trade focus was as a world trade center
• The Dutch West India Company created New Amsterdam (NYC)
• Patroonships were land grants to encourage settlement

English Colonization

• Before colonization, there was a social hierarchy based on birth class
• There was a limited monarchy, with Parliament as a larger government body
• Desire existed for land, with the New World seen as a source of freedom

Indentured Servitude

• Only about 1/3 of English settlers were free
• Servants were under strict control and could potentially gain "freedom dues"

Chesapeake Bay Colonies

• Virginia and Maryland were key colonies
• Jamestown was the first permanent settlement
• John Smith instilled military discipline
• The Virginia Company used the "Headright" system for land grants
• The House of Burgesses was the first elected assembly in America

Tobacco

• Tobacco proved a Cash crop, benefiting England and individuals in Virginia
• A social structure emerged around wealthy planters

Relationships with Native Americans

• The Powhatan Confederacy initially enjoyed peaceful relations that turned conflictual
• Treaties were often unfair and followed by battles

Puritanism

• A Protestant subgroup dissatisfied with the Church of England
• Beliefs centered around self-governed communities and moral living
• Seen as a national security threat because of expulsion from England
• Emphasized Personal Bible Study and Educated Ministers
• Calvinism and Preordination was influenced by Calvinism
• God had already decided their fate, belief in preordination
• Internal pressure existed to demonstrate signs of salvation through good works
• Freedom did not extend to acting or worshiping however one wanted

Mayflower Compact

• The journey aimed to glorify God and work for the greater good

Massachusetts Colonists

• Family-oriented settlement with more women than in Chesapeake colonies
• Families and congregations migrated to build communities
• Not set up for profit. but set up as a society-building project
• An area of government & leadership with a charter colony granted to eight men by the king
• Initially resisted democracy but added a representative body, wherein town representatives had to be in good standing with the church

Community Structure

• Small towns without any large plantations

• Each town was required to have a church and school to facilitate reading the Bible

• Harvard University was founded for religious education

• Social Hierarchy divided society as: "Some must be rich, some must be poor"

• The upper class was recognized as "Gentleman" and "Lady"

• There were strict Puritan laws with severe punishments such as banishment and execution

• Ministers couldn't hold political power, but religion heavily influenced governance

Divisions Begin

• Roger Williams' Criticism of Puritanism
• Roger Williams was the first major critic of Puritanism in the New World
• Williams was considered the "Purest of Puritans"
• Williams Advocated separation from the Church of England to form a new denomination
• Williams believed any law-abiding citizen had the right to practice any religion
• Williams was Banished from Massachusetts, escaped to Native American lands
• Williams moved south and founded Rhode Island

Anne Hutchinson's Challenge

• Anne hosted meetings where both men and women discussed sermons
• Anne criticized Puritan leadership, saying people didn't need the church to determine right and wrong
• Anne Was tried, held in custody, and banished to Rhode Island

Rhode Island & Connecticut

• Rhode Island had no official church, no religious voting qualifications, and a more democratic government
• Connecticut had a similar founding, with even greater church/state separation

Expansion & New Colonies

• The King took land from Massachusetts, granting it to others to form New Hampshire & Maine

Relations with Native Americans

• Economy & Trade Primarily based on family farms, producing for themselves and selling surplus
• Strong trade industry thanks to Good port locations
• A rising merchant and trader class
• Thriving shipping industry (fishing, timber, etc.)
• Strict religious adherence declined over time, causing decline of Puritanism
• Church membership was a struggle to maintain
• New England became a “hotbed of revolutionary activity”

Relationship with Native Americans

• Neutral to strained relations; colonist were not overly aggressive since they didn't need Native land
• No religious conversion occurred by the Spanish
• Natives were viewed as unfit for society by the colonists
• Conflicts arose as settlements expanded

Pennsylvania/ William Penn

• Land Grant happened due to the King owing Penn's father a debt and granted Penn land in America to repay

Quaker Beliefs & "Holy Experiment"

• The Society of Friends (Quakers) emphasized equality for all
• Believed liberty was a universal entitlement
• Immoral behavior i.e swearing and drunkenness was prohibited
• Most of the male population had the the opportunity to vote, through Democratic & Land Policies
• Lower land ownership requirements for voting (100 acres compared to the higher acres in other colonies)
• Land was widely available and Eventually, voters only needed 50 acres for freedom
• The Carolina Charter was Granted by the King in 1663 to Prevent Spanish expansion from Florida
• Granted to a group of wealthy planters who closely connected to Barbados (The Richest plantation economy)
• Many settlers that were wealthy owned planters from Barbados who owned slaves

Plantation Economy

• Included slaves in the headright system
• Rice cultivation thrived which caused Rapid economic growth
• Became the wealthiest elite in North America
• From the start, Carolina was built as a plantation-based economy

Georgia

• Founded later than the other colonies (1732)
• King's Goal was to Act as a buffer against Spanish Florida
• Charter granted was Granted to James Oglethorpe
• Oglethorpe Designed the colony as a social experiment influenced by Enlightenment ideas

Oglethorpe's Vision

• Designed the colony as a social experiment influenced by Enlightenment ideas
• He gave working class people a chance to improve their lives & AImed to avoid extreme wealth disparity

Early Policies

• Slavery Was initially outlawed in the colonies, Sought to create a more equal society

• This caused a Shift to Plantation Economy

• Economic reality and climate favored plantation farming

• Carolina planters moved in to expand their holdings

• Eventually, Georgia adopted a plantation-based economy

Colonial life Changed

• The Colonies experienced significant population growth and expansion of the economy
• This caused limitless availability of land and labor And was a valuable part of the triangle trade across the Atlantic
• A Rising significance of individuals caused cultural changes

New England: Commerce & Atlantic Trade

• Had strong Commercial Ties with America which was heavily connected to global market
• Imports from various countries & exports to multiple destinations
• New England Benefited most due to geography which caused
• The creation of Many job opportunities and a thriving economy

Wealth & Social Structure

• Many merchants became the wealthiest and most powerful citizens which caused a significant wealth inequality
• In Boston, the top 5% owned half the city's wealth
• There were also Developments in Urban & Port cities- such as Boston, with the city flourish with commercial activity
• The middle colonies comprised of mostly German & Irish with a large portion located in Pennsylvania
• Wheat was a big crop and flower milling, causing the Mid-Atlantic colonies to be called the "bread basket"
• The population was eager for british goods and had a significant presence among quaker merchants
• In the Southern colonies, especially the Caralinas' plantation Owners & Slavery grew exponentially

Regional Differences in Slavery

• Most of the Farmers in the Upper South (Chesapeake) tobacco used the "gang system” which meant (set hours, constant supervision)
• Lower South (South Carolina & Georgia slavery) caused First colonies with a majority slave population ((2:1 overall, 10:1 in rice regions)
• As a byproduct of slavery, slaves came from various African cultures with different social structures, religions, and languages
• Some Slave owners intentionally mixed slaves from different regions to prevent communication and resistance which caused growth population

Culture Adaptions and Resistance

• Slaves balanced accommodation and resistance, this Created unique identities and communities
• Traditions And Religion influenced The Colonies leading some African traditions being preserved, while others were lost such as some religion/ traditions
• Religious enslaves were forced to adopt Christianity over time

The Glorius Revolution

• Background was against an Authority Parliament vs. Monarchy and was caused by King's problem
• The King Was found leading to Political unrest and religious conflict (Catholics vs. Protestants)
• In order to consolidate power, 1. Created the "Dominion of New England" and 2. Removed self-government and placed Andros in charge

The Glorius Revolution

• The Ruling Monarch was Overthrown, and Andros was removed in the colonies
• The English People selected the Dutch rulers to be on the throne(William and Mary)
• British Colonists Remained as English subjects until the Declaration of Independence
• This indicated that People did not identify as “Americans” yet
• France sparked the enlightenment, due to the beginning a transatlantic movement applying the scientific method to all areas of life (systematically, logically) concentrating efforts/thought on reason and logic

Overall, American Identity Grew

• This caused people to Increase in literacy and their interest in reading
• "Freedom of the press" was viewed as essential to liberty
• The Colonists Placed increased Pressure on newspapers to monitor content, but relied on and upheld the Enlightenment Ideas to "-isms"
• John Locke created the concept of natural rights
• Montesquieu: Separation of powers
• Thomas Hobbes: Social contract, Benjamin Franklin contributed with Rationalism

This Revolution Caused some Key Concepts to develop

• Diest Belief in a creator God, but no intervention in human affairs
• Cosmopolitanism: Cities as centers for idea exchange
• Revolution: ideal government is a republic with sovereignty of the people and many Conflicts between Colonists and Native Americans which were often a cause for battle

The Pequot War (1636-1638) broke out

• The War broke out due to Conflict over land between New England settlers and Pequot tribes

• King Philip's War was led by the indigenous Metacom "King Phillip" which lead to the revolt due to English Colonists, resulting in a severe decline in Native American population

• Growing racism and fear of indigenous people caused many Colonists to fight the indigenous

• People came together during this war, uniting over the First Great Awakening (1730s-1740s) when

• Traveling evangelists bought new, emotional, personal experiences of religion, causing the populace to unite Colonies, (though not everyone supported it)

• This caused the creation of New Denominations:emergence

• Baptists and Methodists came from this Awakening and Encouraged women and interracial services( which was led by by influencial preachers and the people George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards)

Debate

• Created Sparks debate between “Old lights” (traditionalists) and “New lights” (reformers) Promoted individualism and questioning over authority
• The French & Indian War (also known as the 7 year war) broke out becauset there was British and French conflict over the Ohio River Valley, during that time both sides fought to retain control of the Ohio River Valley
• During the French and Indian War The British were Victorious, which indicated the Treaty of Paris would be signed, expanding British territory
• The Proclamation Line of 1763 meant that The Colonists had been Limits Colonial expansion Westward The indigenous tribes Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1766) Led by Native American prophet Neolin, urging many to return to traditional ways

Eventually a Colonial War broke out between

• Pontiac, an Ottawa leader, leads attacks on British forts and settlers where the british were unable to effectively counter attack
• This struggle was Seen as a racial struggle, forcing British into negotiations

Revolution broke out, specifically

• Revolutions caused, Navigation Acts. Colonial Trade Restrictions: Colonies can only trade with England

• There were also a set of 100 years+ of laws governing colonial trade Trade was then limited to British sailors and British Systems Officials were given Custom's Writs

• This indicated that these Customs Officials were allowed to search for smuggled goods without question

• The British used what was known as "Salutary Neglect" by Governing colonies.

• However, This indicated that the the British colonies don't enforce many all laws or acts

• This situation made Colonies largely neglected by England during this time

Post-French and Indian War

• England, being the primary sponsor of the conflict experienced considerable amount of debt during those years

• Sugar Act was created to aim to Reduce tax on sugar to stop illegal smuggling and introduced New measures Introduced to combat smuggling

• Those who Smuggled was now caught and put into British ran Courts meaning there was A Legal Changes

• Colonists did'nt get Jury Trials which caused Cases handled through "military courts"

• This Primarily affected those involved, not general public

• This caused the Crown to enact the stamp act

Revolution

• First Direct Tax on Colonists: the way Taxed goods so the common end consumer would be taxed as well (Directly affecting even those who had little financial means
• People that were affected were Everyday people, requiring paper goods to have an official stamp Sparks to Stamp Acts
• Stamp Act Congresses became the norm with the declaration of "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" which stated Concluded: The right to consent to taxation is essential to freedom Response

Colonists Boycotted British goods.

• This caused Committees of Correspondence to spring up in the colonies and spread news among the populace
• Because such large economic harm came from the Stamp Act, it was Repealed, and replaced with a
• Declaratory Act where then Parliament indicated in no uncertain terms that they had “full power and authority...in all cases whatsoever."
• The Crown Then released New act called Townshend Acts
• The Townshend acted Imposed New Series of Taxes on Imports: Duties on products like lead, glass, paint, and tea
• To further consolidate power, they Strengthened anti-smuggling measures, changed Customs Officials and Colonial Governors

Changes to Customs Officials and Colonial Governors

• The Crown begun to directly pay their own officials salaries, shifting power from local colonial governments to the British crown, which caused an angered reaction

• New colonial Merchants agreed to Nonimportation Agreements, this meant taxed goods would be on American docks

• Inspection, led by Committees of Inspection ensured that goods are not brought to the Americas

• The Colonist's Nonconsumption effort caused Colonist's refused to buy taxed goods, and relied on American-made products with Women taking much Responsibility for purchasing decisions

• This lead to the colonist Daughters of Liberty Begin producing their own goods through the homespun movement

• As a way to maintain a sense of society, Republican Motherhood emerged, with Women becoming seen as essential to nation-building with a responsibility to upholding values and passing them onto children.

As tensions with the crown rose, a Boston Overview developed with a

Series of Riots in which heavy British Military Presence was deployed throughout the city

• In - 1770 the Boston Massacre broke out after the British army was deployed in mass and was the site of escalating

• Incident Began with a snowball fight, escalated when British soldiers fired shots leading to several deceased American Colonists

• Colonists Used this tragic event as major public relations that was characterized by major and PR/propaganda (portrayed as a vicious attack on unarmed Americans)

• The Tragedy did Not immediately lead to independence; tensions continued to rise, even when John Adams' took up the role and acted as defense lawyer for the British soldiers

• The people argued that The British acted a fool through Adams reasoning that they acted on training and reflex

• The Boston tea party was born through Tea Acts and Smuggling practices from the Tea Trade

• Many Colonists sought to not support British taxed tea by drinking smuggled Dutch tea , which created a conflict after the East India Company had a monopoly, which forced Americans to buy from them

Revolution Tea Tax

• British presented the tax as cheap for colonists, but it also gave the government power over their economic affairs

• Government declared the tax as a "gift" to colonists, but it was Widely viewed as two closely connected entities (“in bed with each other").

• Colonists Rejected the idea of paying taxes on tea, preferring to destroy it rather than comply as Colonists attempted to prevent tea from entering the harbor to avoid paying taxes.

• The British Government Issued 2-day deadline to unload the tea which caused patriots to engage in a protest called the Boston tea party, where a band of patriots dressed up as Indigenous individuals and dumped much of the British tea into the sea

• It must be mentioned, some colonists did to not support this act concerned that destroying the property would cause Millionsworth of property damage was too excessive, and caused doubt questioning of the people Violent approach( However the colonies rallied together when crown created - 1774)

• Intolerant acts (Coercive Acts) were issued as a Response to the Boston tea party and included.

• In the Boston Port Act: the Crown Closed Boston Harbor until the East India Company was repaid for lost tea.

• The Crown Suspended Massachusettes Government Act, this Suspended Massachusetts' colonial government, increasing British control

• There was and Administration of the Colonial population as well as a new Law which Granted British Officials accused of the crimes, protection from domestic laws.

• Quartering Act: Required civilians to house and supply British troops There was an Quebec Act: Expanded Quebec's territory and granted religious tolerance to

All of these occurrences Increased Resent for the Crown, causing

Colonial Reactions which resulted in the First Continental Congress being assembled (1774)

• At the Congress, colonial leaders gathered to coordinate resistance and Formed the Continental Association

• Furthermore, the Colonies Sent the “Olive Branch petition to King George, in an effort to reach a peaceful state

• Shortly after, the War Begins in 1775- with the Battles of Lexington & Concord

• First armed conflict engagements of this type was a clear indicator that the American Revolution the had Began

• It became Known as the "Shot Heard Round the World" as the Colonial militias (Minute Men) fought against British troops who fought aganist Minute Men (local militia members, not professional soldiers).

• The Key results of this engagement Marked the beginning of armed conflict between Britain and the colonies and Independence at this time as Still not yet declared- the Crown then responded with issuing out.

Lord Dunmore Proclamations

• As A Royal Governor of Virginia Offered Freedom to enslaved people and to Those who Fought for British Crown and part of a strategy to weaken the colonial rebellion.

• Many Colonists were Impacted and Alarmed white Virginians and other colonists caused Distrust of the enslaved people led to a Fear of loss of control, which Indirect Motivation the populous

• Colonist responded by writing Common Sense by Thomas Paine, which was Widely accessible and used common Language to critique British government The colonist then went on and Suggested a democratic government

• Frequent elections and a systemof rights that wereprotected by constitution.

• The ideology further Dived the Colonist, forcing the them to select sides depending on what they think could achieve the American cause with some choosing the

• The colonists split Between loyal Patriots (for independence) and Loyalists (loyal to Britain), which indicated that early war British Strategy

• Focused strategy included Capturing urban centers which the British thought, would control rebellion Aimed to cut off Massachusetts

Key location involved in the war

• Were New York Captured By the by British in 1776 which made it A loyalist stronghold
• Valley Forge the site of Winter encampment (1777-78) during which the Continental Army endured
• The Marquis de Lafayette: French nobleman Who volunteered to fight for American cause/ became the military leader Who aided George Washington.
• Americans were able to Win the Turning Point Saratoga (1777) which was followed by American victory: In 1778 France officially joins the war.

Other key instances in France at the time

• French Navey came for assistance

• The Navy Helped to challenge British Control of Ocean

• French troops, led by General Rochambeau fought alongside American forces

• A suggested the Colonial congress & Slavery should be considered after Georgie and South Carolina refused

• To incentivised troops and to fight against slavery, they Suggested Georgia & South Carolina freeing the enslaved population.

• Southern Campaign was launched by Colonial congress Savannah as their First engagement

• British captured Savannah in Dec. 1778

• A 6 week Siege took place in Charleston in April 1780

• The Crown Took thousands of American troops and city The British adopted new Tactics and the war was fought on an Attrition style of ware-fare which included smaller scale battles using a form of smaller warfare tactic in the Mountain range with American knowledge of the terrain greatly disadvantaging

• America and our new ally foraged into battle and secured the Final Major Battle At battle of Yorktown in 1781 During this battle: 1. The French forces were on Ocean & American Forces was solidifying land British trapped: a. French at water b. American at land British captured: a. No chance to escape in 8 days. 2. British Surrendered ( effectively ended war)

War of Attrition

• During this battle: 1. The French forces were on Ocean & American Forces was solidifying land
• British trapped: a. French at water b. American at Land and there was:
• The creation of the victory declaration from the 1783 to the Treaty of Paris: and
• British gave formal Recognition of American Independence while Defined US land Boundaries in: (Atlantic and Mississippi River and (Great Lakes and Florida) The colonies Promised Protection for all those Loyalists
• Loyalists Exodus: Up to 100,000 of all Loyalists left For England and Canada for various reasons
• However they stayed forever bonded over the common experiences that they experienced during Revolution
• One such experience such that Revolution occurred and they stayed for the country that they fought A revolution happened and the colonies and the colonist forever changed