US History Key People, Concepts, & Events PDF

# Explaining Important People, Concepts, and Events in Early American History ## Important People * **John Smith:** Englishman who helped establish the Jamestown colony in 1607. He explored the Chesapeake Bay and interacted with Native American tribes in the area. * **William Bradford:** Pilgrim...

# Explaining Important People, Concepts, and Events in Early American History ## Important People * **John Smith:** Englishman who helped establish the Jamestown colony in 1607. He explored the Chesapeake Bay and interacted with Native American tribes in the area. * **William Bradford:** Pilgrim leader and governor of Plymouth Colony. He wrote *History of Plymouth Plantation*, which documented the experiences of the Pilgrims. * **John Winthrop:** Puritan leader and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He envisioned the colony as a "city upon a hill", a model of Christian society that would inspire the world. ## Important Concepts * **Puritanism:** English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England. They believed in predestination and a strict moral code. * **Separatism:** English Protestants who believed in separating from the Church of England. They felt that the Church of England was too corrupt to be reformed. * **Anglican Church:** The official church of England. * **Mercantilism:** An economic system prevalent in Europe during the colonial period. It emphasized government control of the economy and aimed to maximize exports and minimize imports. British mercantilist policies restricted colonial trade and manufacturing, contributing to tensions between Great Britain and the colonies. * **Calvinism:** A branch of Protestantism associated with the teachings of John Calvin. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, predestination, and the importance of scripture. * **Three Sisters Farming:** An agricultural technique practiced by Native Americans in North America. It involved planting corn, beans, and squash together. The corn provided support for the beans, the beans added nitrogen to the soil, and the squash leaves helped suppress weeds. * **Indentured Servitude:** Individuals who agreed to work for a certain period of time in exchange for passage to America. They were a significant source of labor in the colonies, particularly in the early years. * **Head Right System:** A land grant policy encouraged settlement in the colonies. Under this system, individuals who paid for the passage of an indentured servant to America were granted a certain amount of land. * **The Proclamation Line of 1763:** A British decree prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was intended to reduce conflict with Native Americans but angered colonists who desired access to western lands. * **Navigation Acts:** A series of laws passed by the British Parliament to regulate colonial trade. They required that certain goods be shipped only on British ships and that certain colonial exports be shipped only to England. * **Amendments:** Changes or additions to the U.S. Constitution. ## Important Events * **1607:** Founding of Jamestown * **1620:** Signing of the Mayflower Compact * **1676:** Bacon's Rebellion * **1763:** Treaty of Paris ending the French and Indian War. * **1763:** The Proclamation Line of 1763 * **1774:** First Continental Congress * **1775:** The Battles of Lexington and Concord * **1776:** Declaration of Independence * **1776:** Common Sense by Thomas Paine * **1783:** Treaty of Paris recognizing American independence * **1787:** Constitutional Convention * **1789:** U.S. Constitution adopted * **1791:** Bill of Rights ratified * **1803:** Louisiana Purchase * **1848:** Seneca Falls Convention * **1854:** Founding of the Republican Party * **1773:** Boston Tea Party * **1770:** Boston Massacre ## Summary of Key Events The text describes the key events in early American history from the founding of Jamestown and Plymouth Colony to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It details the journey from English colonization to the declaration of independence and the struggles for freedom and liberty. ## Key Themes * **Religious freedom and religious persecution:** The text emphasizes the role of religion in the founding of the colonies and the importance of religious freedom for English Separatists and Puritans. * **Native American relations:** The text addresses the complex relationships between colonists and Native Americans, including conflict and treaties. * **British rule and colonial resistance:** The text describes the growing tensions between colonists and the British government leading to the American Revolution. * **Slavery:** The text mentions the arrival of the first slaves in America in 1619, though it does not go into depth about its impact. ## Historical Significance This text provides a broad overview of key events in American history. It highlights the major turning points that shaped the nation's identity and future. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding the American past to better understand the present.