I797_10212023125117

AMERICAN HISTORY For more than 200 years, the United States has strived to become a “more perfect union.” Its history has been one of expansive citizenship for all Americans. By learning about our shared history, you will be able to understand our nation’s traditions, milestones, and common civic values. Our country is independent because of the strength, unity, and determination of our forefathers. It is important for future Americans to know this story. We are people working toward great ideals and principles guided by equality and fairness. This is important to keep our country free. As Americans, we have been committed to each other and our country throughout our history. The following section will help you understand American history from the colonial period and independence to the Civil War and other important events during the 1800s, 1900s, and today. Sk ke e e ke ek e sk sk ek e sk sk sk ke e sk ok ke ke ke sk sk ek e ok ok sk e s ke sk ke sk s sk sk ok e ok ke sk ke sk ok sk ek e ok ke sk ke s ok ke skeoke e ok ke ke ok ok A keoke ok ok ke ko o ok ok A: Colonial Period and Independence 58. What is one reason colonists came to America? « freedom + political liberty « religious freedom . economic opportunity practice their religion * escape persecution In the 1600s and 1700s, colonists from England and other European countries sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. Some left Europe to escape religious restrictions or persecution, to practice their religion freely. Many came for political freedom, and some came for economic opportunity. These freedoms and opportunities often did not exist in the colonists’ home countries. For these settlers, the American colonies were a chance for freedom and a new life. Today, many people come to the United States for these same reasons. 59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? e American Indians e Native Americans Great American Indian tribes such as the Navajo, Sioux, Cherokee, and Iroquois lived in America at the time the Pilgrims arrived. The Pilgrims settled in an area where a tribe called the Wampanoag lived. The Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims important skills, such as how to farm with different methods and how to grow crops such as corn, beans, and squash. Relations with some American Indian tribes became tense and confrontational as more Europeans moved to America and migrated west. Eventually, after much violence, the settlers defeated those American Indian tribes and took much of their land. 60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? + Afficans + people from Africa Slavery existed in many countries long before America was founded. By 1700, many Africans were being brought to the American colonies as slaves. Men, women, and children were brought against their will. They were often separated from their families when they were sold as slaves. Slaves worked without payment and without basic rights. Most worked in agriculture, but slaves did many other kinds of work in the colonies, too. Slavery created a challenge for a nation founded on individual freedoms and democratic beliefs. It was one of the major causes of the American Civil War. 61. Why did the colonists fight the British? « because of high taxes (taxation without representation) + because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) « because they didn’t have self-government The American colonists’ anger had been growing for years before the Revolutionary War began in 1775. The decision to separate from the British was not an easy choice for many colonists. However, Great e A e A ek sk ke ek ok ok A AR kA kK ok Rk A kA Kk K Rk AR A A Kk KRR A AR kA A Kk kK A A KKk Ak ok ok ok kA Ak Ak Ak kK ok k kK ok ok ok