Chapter 1- Creating a Nation

European Exploration Columbus landed in Bahamas Set off series of European Explorations

First English Colonies -Roanoke Island (Lost Colony) Sir Walter Raleigh wanted to create 1 st colony- economic motives Roanoke became 1 st English colony – failed due to hunger – Men returned to England nd attempt – Included women and children – John White- governor The Lost Colony – John White returns- no one there – Unknown where colonists went

-Jamestown Colony Virginia Company obtained charter- economic reasons small group of men land and establish first permanent English colony Hardships – Lack of food – Bad relations with Natives – Disease (dirty water) Government – HOUSE OF BURGESSES- first legislative (law making) body in Americas

-Plymouth men and women settled in pursuit of religious freedom. Hardships: – Cold winters- poor shelter – Lack of food – Disease Help from Natives (Thanksgiving) Government – Mayflower Compact Governor and elected council work for good of all

Life in the13 Colonies  The Great Migration ( )  Period of mass migration from England to N. America  3 major sections of colonies developed:  New England Colonies- founded by Puritans  Protestant beliefs promoted American idea of a strong work ethic.  Middle Colonies-  founded by William Penn  Quakers- promoted religious toleration  Southern Colonies-  Lord Baltimore founded Maryland as a safe haven for Catholics

Slavery in the Colonies – Triangle Trade route (Africa, Carribean, 13 Colonies) – Middle Passage – Harsh slave codes

The Middle Passage Experience

Enlightenment Influences Colonial America Enlightenment Ideas  John Locke – -Natural Rights (Life, Liberty, and Property) – -Rebellion against a bad government  Jean Jacques Rousseau – -Govt created by the consent of the governed  Montesquieu – -Separation of powers – 3 branches of govt. – -Checks and balances

Great Awakening  1730s and 1740s- revival of religious feeling in American colonies  Challenged Puritanism  led to new denominations (Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists) Impact of the Enlightenment and Great Awakening  Enlightenment ideas supported colonists desire to politically break from England  The Great Awakening led people to question traditional authority of King and Church

The First Government Articles of Confederation (1781) – Created a very weak central government

Constitutional Convention (May 1787)- Purpose: to write a new constitution Debate and Compromise – VA Plan vs. NJ Plan VA Plan- proportional representation NJ Plan- equal representation – The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) Bicameral Congress – House of Reps- reps based on population – Senate- equal representation – 3/5 Compromise One slave = 3/5 a person

Key Ideas in the Constitution Federalism – power divided between Federal and State govts. Separation of Powers/checks and balances – 3 branches of government (Montesquieu)

The Fight over Ratification Debating the Constitution – Federalists/federalism- advocates strong central govt. For passing of the constitution – Anti-Federalists wanted weak central govt. and powerful State govts. against passing of the constitution – The Federalist Papers -written to convince Americans that a strong federal (central) govt. was needed Outcome: – First ten amendments to the Constitution were added to protect basic rights (made Anti-Federalists happy) – Ratification occurred June 21, 1788