Big+Ideas

toc =Filling in the Gaps=

New learning that is essential for us to remember

The spread of Western European culture.
Seen earlier in history with Babylonians, Romans, etc. Technology An Ideology of Conquest (ethnocentrism). The idea is just there. Nobody had to decide on this.

Protestant reformation Catholic Counter-reformation Believers vs. Non-Believers

Irish worth less than slaves, because indentured servitude had an end point, while a slave was so forever.

The way North America was settled:
Spain-Rule over inhabitants France-Trade with inhabitants Britain-Push inhabitants out of the way

Disease
France ended up with nobody to trade with Spain ended up with no slaves Britain ended up with no slaves

Marriage
Frenchmen married Indians British men married British women Spaniards married Indians

British population increased rapidly, Spanish and French both declined.

Population could not keep up with the amount of land acquired, requiring importation of slaves.

Misunderstanding of Indian/European version of land ownership

Conquest/Conflict
War between European Countries in North America Colonists themselves are not aware of the larger global conflict between their respective countries All land is returned to the other side as part of peace treaty. English and French kings fighting over who would be the rulers of various smaller "countries."

English colonists believe themselves to be English, but keep getting dragged into conflicts that have nothing to do with them. Led to increased distance between London and large "American" cities.

In 1763, Colonists felt a sense of victory, London felt a sense of responsibility for protecting the colonists.

Colonists questioning the presence of British soldiers in "non Indian" cities to protect them from Indian raids.

Dominion status

Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union How much coordination between Franklin and William Pitt?

Taxes
George III chooses to take more control over British governance Tax rates determined by the rich Chose to cut taxes, but expeses remained the same To avoid future war expenses, Proclamation of 1763 is enacted An attempt to slow expansion and extend peace Colonists aren't told about this, so they see it as an unfair control, uses troops for this Colonists also required to pay for this protection In London's mind, colonists are not being asked to pay that much In colonists' mind, taxation is not spread equally among British citizens

Trade
Navigation Acts Restriction to colonial trade Colonists' view: They are either foolish managers, or evil dictators Colonists only knew their leaders through the laws that were dictated to them, and weren't provided with reasoning Colonists found loopholes in the law Colonial courts tried smuggling cases, very few guilty verdicts London took over these trials

Allies/Misdirection
French and colonists begin to build an alliance, as mutual enemies of Britain Colonists could never have won a war with England on motivation alone France assisted the colonists with money and supplies, while assuring England that they would never support rebels Contrary to textbook references, the colonists did not reach out to France after war broke out. Rather, France reached out to the colonists before war broke out. Franklin plays England to think they are winning, and plays France to get them fully involved in the war Alliance with France establishes America as a separate country, enabling trade and commerce with other countries, as no other nations had recognized them as a country yet.

War
Britain sends Whigs to America as generals Whigs want a political settlement, not a military settlement Colonists' first delegates to France did not work out, hired spies were working for Britain Replaced by Benjamin Franklin-has top British spy (SIS) as his secretary Silas Deane attempted to prove Franklin a British spy, killed by Franklin's secretary War between England and France played out at Yorktown While England is busy congratulating each other for an impending victory, the colonists defeat them at Saratoga, and France joins as an American ally.

French alliance treaty did not allow for a peace treaty with Britain Jay was able to get a "preliminary" peace treaty signed