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Learning Objectives
 | To understand that beginnings of colonial America evolved as three, distinct regions: the Chesapeake, New England, and the Middle Colonies. |
| To realize that the expectations of its early settlers and the existence of specific geographic factors determined the basic social, economic, and political systems within each region. |
| To be able to compare the similarities and differences among the three regions of British America. |
| To consider the ways that the evolutionary development of each of the regions helped shape the American character and provided the major themes for formation of a new nation. |
Directions - History 102 / Online -Fall Semester 2009
| Complete the steps in this activity. You will discuss the information learned in the online discussion. |
| Be sure to read the information on each model colony. |
| The chart, Making British America: Three Model Colonies , is optional but might be helpful. |
| Much of the information in this online lecture is also discussed in Chapter 3 of the textbook. Therefore, this activity will also help you with that chapter test. |
Timing & Assessment
| Timing - Activity / Discussion - Posted August 19; Comments in Discussion due by September 7 |
| Assessment - 20 points - Based on comment in the discussion |
Introduction
In the 17th century (1600s) nearly 200,000 immigrants left their homelands of Great Britain and continental Europe for the "New World.” For three generations, North America represented to these peoples a chance to gain political and religious freedoms and to achieve greater social and economic status. This is a story about ordinary people who took a risk: Leaving behind family, friends and familiar circumstances, they traveled to the "New World," a world defined as a wilderness inhabited by "savages." Despite fears and setbacks, they succeeded in developing viable colonies for the British Empire. More importantly, they established political, religious and social institutions that were both different and more liberal than those of their "mother country."
Yet, the reality that these immigrants used British America as a social laboratory came at a price: Alongside their implementation of the more progressive institutional structures, these settlers established a labor system of African slaves and threatened the very existence of Native Americans. An estimated 300,000 West Africans were forcibly transported to the New World during the 17th century. Though most went to the Caribbean Islands, some were sold in the British colonies. Consequently, the initial presence of enslaved Africans in colonial America became a key factor that defined the first 150 years of this nation’s history. The fate of Native Americans also defines much of our early history. Small pox, warfare, and loss of land took the lives of one million Native Americans by 1700. The survivors found themselves no longer in control of their own lives. Instead, they, like the enslaved Africans, were subordinated to the “white man’s” rule.
Acquiring an understanding of the evolution of the 13 colonies of British America is important for two reasons.
It reveals much about the foundations of this nation’s social, economic,
and political institutions of the United States.
It illustrates how the struggles, challenges and decisions of colonial
settlers began to shape American identities.
This activity provides means to gain this essential understanding. It asks that you uncover the dynamics of colonial development by a structured comparison and contrast of its three distinct regions: the Chesapeake, New England and the Middle Colonies. Using this regional comparison demonstrates that both the expectations of settlers and geographic factors not only defined British America in the 17th century, but also laid the foundation for what became the United States of America.
Homework Assignment - Essential for Online Discussion Comments
Step One: Gaining an understanding of the differences among the three regions of British America
Tasks:
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Locate the specific colonies, using the Map of British America. Pay attention to the location of each of these colonies in their respective regions. A simlar map is also on page 75 of the textbook. |
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Read the overview for each model colony. |
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Make notes on your findings, paying particular attention to the comparative categories of immigrant group and central motivation of colonization. |
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If helpful, you can complete the relevant sections of the form, "Making British America: Three Model Colonies." |
Resources:
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The South: Virginia |
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New England: Massachusetts Bay Colony |
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Middle Colonies: Pennsylvania |
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Making British America: Three Model Colonies - worksheet |
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Map: British America |
Step Two: Examining the ways that settlers of each of the model colonies expressed the purpose and assumptions of colony's settlers.
Tasks:
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Review notes included on "Making British America: Three Model Colonies." |
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Read the mandatory primary resources listed for each model colony |
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Select specific passages or quotations from the primary resources that reflect the purpose, attitudes and/or expectations of the colony's settlers. |
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Continue to complete “Making British American: Three Model Colonies." |
Resources: Select the two regions that most interest you.
Virginia:
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William Bryd's Diary - Read the introduction as well as the diary entries. |
Massachusetts Bay Colony: Select One of the Readings
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John Winthrop's concept of "City on a Hill" found in longer essay, "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630) In this sermon, John Winthrop defines the sense of historical and religious mission that he and the other Puritans felt. It is this text that includes the often-quoted "city on the hill." |
| John Winthrop's On Liberty: Read the second paragraph. In this section, Winthrop makes the distinction between individual liberty and collective (civil or federal) liberty. He argues that individual liberty is selfish and wrong, whereas collective liberty is moral. Note that he uses the concept of the "well-ordered family" to illustrate his point. |
Pennsylvania:
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William Penn: The Frame of Government (constitution), May 1682 (Read "The Preface" only) |
Consider the ways that one of the following themes from the colonial experiences of Virginia; Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are still present to today's society. Submit your observations in the online discussion. Provide specific examples, and, if appropriate, compare the existence of this theme today with the emergence of this theme in colonial America.
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Racism |
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Cultural Diversity |
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Religious Toleration / Freedom |
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Desire for political and social equality |
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Demand for conformity |
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Use of cheap labor to increase profits of business and/or agriculture. |