Beginnings of an American Identity Early American Culture Roots of American Democracy French & Indian War

Early American Culture New kind of Society –Land, Wealth, & Rights Available to all? Social mobility –No “titled” aristocracty –Large middle class –Slavery

Working life –Apprentices Boys left families about 13 –Literacy 85% of males in America – 60% in England –Diversity Different cultures Benjamin Franklin –Enlightenment thinker –Printer, writer, politician, sage, statesman, inventor, & founder

Great Awakening –Christian religious revival – God was the answer –Began in New England Jonathan Edwards –Fiery preacher – “Sinners in the Hands of an angry God” George Whitefield –Preached in all 13 colonies – raised money for orphans –Helped begin social change Enlightenment –Human reason – man was the answer –Writings of Englishman John Locke Natural rights of man –Life liberty, & property Belief to challenge authority & make progress

Magna Carta (1215) –King John forced to limit royal power –Began concepts of justice & self-government Parliament – England’s congress Lords & Commons Edmond Andros –Governor who tried to stop self-government –Increase Mather sent to plead with King James II Glorious Revolution (1688) –William & Mary come to power in England –English Bill of Rights (1689) Colonists claimed these rights as Englishmen Peter Zenger –Freedom of the press

Expanding French Empire

The French & Indian War Global rivalry –England & France Eastern frontier (New York & Great Lakes) –Spain & France Western frontier (Texas) –Nations warred in Europe –Both wanted to be superior in the New World along with France

French & Indian War Territory along the Alleghany mountains –Claimed by both French & English –George Washington General Edward Braddock Sent by Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie (Virginia) to force the French out of fort & return to Canada –22 years old commanding 132 soldiers Defeated by French at Ft. Necessity –1st battle of the war

French & Indian War –Albany Congress Representatives of 7 colonies meet –Stephen Hopkins (RI) –Benjamin Franklin (PA) –NY, MA, NH, CT, MD Albany Plan of Union –Proposed by Franklin “ Join or Die ” –Called for a central government with representatives –Failed because no colony wanted to give up power to a central government

French & Indian War

French advantages –France controlled more land –A single government –Professional soldiers –Indian allies British advantages –More settlers –Colonies were easier to defend –Colonists were willing to defend their homes & families

French & Indian War Edward Braddock’s defeat –2nd attempt at the Ohio valley –Ft. Duquesne defeat William Pitt –Became new Prime Minister of England –Led to capturing Ft. Duquesne Renamed Ft. Pitt & later became Pittsburgh –Captured Quebec –Drove French from North America

French & Indian War Treaty of Paris (1763) –England got all land east of Mississippi river Including Florida from Spain who had sided with France –Spain received New Orleans & Louisiana Territory Pontiac –Led an uprising of Indians against the British & colonists all along the frontier –Proclamation of 1763 Tried to stop settlers from moving west of Appalachian mountains