The era of the exploration and colonization of the Americas by Europeans marked the beginning of the recorded history of what is now the United States. This period also marked the beginning of global trade and cultural exchanges that would alter the lives of people around the world. This era would significantly affect the range of personal freedom among individuals and groups in the Americas. The growing conflicts between American Indian populations and European colonists, and the expansion of the African slave trade provide contrasts to the emerging development of self-rule.
Standard I: Students will understand how the exploration and colonization of North America transformed human history.
Objective 1: Describe and explain the growth and development of the early American colonies.
Objective 2: Assess the global impact of cultural and economic diffusion as a result of colonization.
Objective 3: Distinguish between the rights and responsibilities held by different groups of people during the colonial period.
Standard I: Students will understand how the exploration and colonization of North America transformed human history.
Objective 1: Describe and explain the growth and development of the early American colonies.
- Using maps - including pre-1492 maps - and other geographic tools locate and analyze the routes used by the explorers.
- Explain how advances in technology lead to an increase in exploration (e.g. ship technology)
- Identify explorers who came to the Americas and the nations they represented.
- Determine reasons for the exploration of North America (e.g., religious, economic, political).
- Compare the geographic and cultural differences between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies (e.g., religious, economic, political).
- Analyze contributions of American Indian people to the colonial settlements.
Objective 2: Assess the global impact of cultural and economic diffusion as a result of colonization.
- Describe the cultural and economic impacts that occurred as a result of trade between North America and other markets (e.g., arts, language, ideas, the beginning and expansion of the slave trade, new agricultural markets).
- Analyze and explain the population decline in American Indian populations (i.e. disease, warfare, displacement).
Objective 3: Distinguish between the rights and responsibilities held by different groups of people during the colonial period.
- Compare the varying degrees of freedom held by different groups (e.g. American Indians, landowners, women, indentured servants, and enslaved people).
- Explain how early leaders established the first colonial governments (e.g. Mayflower compact, charters).
- Describe the basic principles and purposes of the Iroquois Confederacy.