From Colonial Settlement to Independence: A Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1607 | Founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America |
| 1620 | Founding of Plymouth, the first permanent English colony in New England |
| 1636 | Founding of Harvard College, the first institution of higher education in the American colonies |
| 1754 | Outbreak of the French and Indian War |
| 1763 | Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War and grants Britain control over land east of the Mississippi River |
| 1775 | Battles of Lexington and Concord mark the beginning of the American Revolutionary War |
| 1776 | Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress |
| 1781 | British surrender at Yorktown, effectively ending the American Revolutionary War |
| 1783 | Treaty of Paris formally ends the American Revolutionary War and recognizes the United States as an independent nation |
Colonization and the Formation of American Identity
The founding of the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries was driven by a complex mix of economic, political, and religious factors.
- Economic: The colonies provided a source of raw materials for British industries and a market for British manufactured goods.
- Political: The colonies served as a convenient outlet for England’s surplus population and as a means of expanding British power and influence in the world.
- Religious: Many colonists came to the New World seeking religious freedom, especially from the persecution of Protestant denominations by the Church of England.
As the colonies grew and developed, they began to develop their own unique identity and sense of independence. Colonists began to develop their own political institutions, such as colonial assemblies, and their own economic systems, such as subsistence farming and trade.
The Emergence of Colonial Society
Colonial society was characterized by a high degree of diversity. The colonies were home to people from a variety of backgrounds, including English, French, Dutch, German, and Irish. These different groups brought their own languages, customs, and cultures to the New World, which contributed to the development of a uniquely American society.
Colonial society was also characterized by a high degree of inequality. The wealthy elite, composed of merchants, landowners, and government officials, controlled most of the wealth and power in the colonies. The majority of colonists were farmers, laborers, and artisans who had little say in how the colonies were governed.
The Road to Revolution
By the mid-18th century, tensions between the British government and the American colonists were growing. The colonists resented British policies that restricted their trade, limited their political rights, and imposed taxes on them without their consent.
These tensions culminated in the American Revolutionary War, which began in 1775. The war was a long and bloody conflict, but the colonists eventually prevailed, thanks in part to the assistance of France and Spain. The war ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the United States as an independent nation.
The Impact of the Revolution
The American Revolution had a profound impact on the United States and the world. It led to the creation of a new nation founded on the principles of democracy and individual rights. It also inspired other revolutions around the world, such as the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution.
The revolution also had a significant impact on the development of American society. It led to the abolition of slavery in the Northern states, and it paved the way for the expansion of democracy and individual rights in the United States.
Conclusion
APUSH Period 2 is a period of great change and transformation in American history. The founding of the American colonies, the emergence of colonial society, and the American Revolution all contributed to the development of the United States as a nation.