Colonial Empires and the American Revolution Chapter 10, Section 4

Colonial Empires in South America Primarily dominated by Portugal and Spain – Treaty of Tordesillas – French, Dutch, and British also own lands in South America Multicultural society – Mestizos – Offspring of Spanish and Native Americans – Mulattoes – Offspring of Europeans and African slaves

Colonial Empires in South America Cont’d Economic boost – Goods from the Americas were sold across Europe – Gold, silver mines produced immediate finances Religious reasoning – Church built missions, cathedrals, hospitals, schools, and orphanages Education – Taught reading, writing, and arithmetic to Native peoples – Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz fought for women to be educated

British American Colonies By 1750, over 1 million people present in British North American colonies Colonies were “run” by Parliament, the Royal Council, and the British Board of Trade, but acted independently Britain was responsible for protection of the colonies…even in war – French and Indian War

The American Revolution Sparked by taxes imposed due to French and Indian War First Continental Congress – Urged colonists to support militias – First shots fired in 1775 in Lexington and Concord Second Continental Congress – Approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 Foreign support – French, Spanish, and Dutch enter the war against the British – War ends in 1781

A New Nation Articles of Confederation – America’s first constitution, approved in 1781 – Delegates met in 1787 to revise The Constitution – Proposed a federal system, splitting power between federal and state governments The Bill of Rights – First 10 amendments to the Constitution