Chapter 2: Section 1

Chapter 2
The United States and Canada
Shaped By History

Section 1: The First Americans and the Arrival of the Europeans

A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 1, fill in the table below with information about the first Americans and the arrival of the Europeans.

Facts About the first Americans and the Arrival of the Europeans

First Americans

1. Around 30,000 years ago, groups of people migrated from Asia;
they spread throughout North and South America;
Indigenous groups had many different cultures

Arrival of Europeans

2. After 1492, life changed for some indigenous peoples;
Spanish settlers often colonized through zealous missionary efforts;
French traders often lived among indigenous peoples

English Colonists

3. English settlers established 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast;
many colonists arrived as indentured servants;
the first permanent English colony was established at jamestown, Virginia in 1609;
the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts was established in 1620;
enslaved Africans were brought to America around 1640;
many colonies were established by people seeking religious freedom;
colonists helped Britain win the French and Indian War.

Break with Britain

4. The British taxed the colonies;
colonists objected, demanded to be represented in British government;
this conflict led to the Revolutionary War, which began on April 19, 1775 with the first shots begin fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts;
The United States declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence;
the Americans won the Revolutionary in 1781 when General George Washington defeated the British General Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia;
The Treaty of Paris in 1783 made American Independence official;
leaders met and wrote the Constitution in 1787, which established the framework for the government of the United States;
The US Constitution was ratified by all colonies by 1789 and officially became the law of the land

B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: For each definition below, write the correct key term in the blank provided.

5. Originating in a certain place indigenous

6. Religious people who try to convert others to their religion missionaries

7. A person who works for a period of years to gain his or her freedom indentured servant

8. A large farm in the South that usually produced one main crop plantation

9. To refuse to buy certain goods or services boycott

10. The war between the American colonies and Great Britain the Revolutionary War

First Americans	1. Around 30,000 years ago, groups of people migrated from Asia; they spread throughout North and South America; Indigenous groups had many different cultures
Arrival of Europeans	2. After 1492, life changed for some indigenous peoples; Spanish settlers often colonized through zealous missionary efforts; French traders often lived among indigenous peoples
English Colonists	3. English settlers established 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast; many colonists arrived as indentured servants; the first permanent English colony was established at jamestown, Virginia in 1609; the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts was established in 1620; enslaved Africans were brought to America around 1640; many colonies were established by people seeking religious freedom; colonists helped Britain win the French and Indian War.
Break with Britain	4. The British taxed the colonies; colonists objected, demanded to be represented in British government; this conflict led to the Revolutionary War, which began on April 19, 1775 with the first shots begin fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts; The United States declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence; the Americans won the Revolutionary in 1781 when General George Washington defeated the British General Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia; The Treaty of Paris in 1783 made American Independence official; leaders met and wrote the Constitution in 1787, which established the framework for the government of the United States; The US Constitution was ratified by all colonies by 1789 and officially became the law of the land