America's early history

Definition

America's early history refers to the period from the pre-Columbian era through the establishment of the United States in the late 18th century. This era encompasses the complex interactions between Native Americans, European colonizers, and African slaves, laying the foundation for the cultural, social, and political landscape of what would become the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first successful English colony was Jamestown, established in 1607 in Virginia, which struggled initially but eventually became profitable through tobacco cultivation.
2. Native American societies were diverse, with complex political structures and social systems long before European contact.
3. The introduction of African slavery began in the early 17th century, fundamentally altering the labor landscape and economy in the southern colonies.
4. The Enlightenment influenced early American thought, promoting ideas of democracy, liberty, and individual rights that would later shape revolutionary ideals.
5. Colonial resistance to British rule in the 1760s and 1770s arose from taxation without representation and other grievances, culminating in the American Revolution.

Review Questions

• How did the Columbian Exchange impact America's early history?
  • The Columbian Exchange dramatically transformed America's early history by facilitating the transfer of crops, livestock, and diseases between the New World and Europe. This exchange introduced new agricultural practices and food sources that enriched diets on both sides of the Atlantic. However, it also brought devastating diseases to Native American populations, leading to significant demographic changes and contributing to their societal disruption.
• In what ways did indentured servitude shape the social and economic structure of early colonial America?
  • Indentured servitude played a crucial role in shaping early colonial America's labor force and economy. It allowed planters to acquire labor without paying wages upfront by contracting individuals to work for several years in exchange for their passage. This system contributed to population growth and settlement while establishing a class divide between wealthy landowners and laborers, setting a precedent for future labor systems, including slavery.
• Evaluate how America's early history laid the groundwork for democratic principles that emerged during the American Revolution.
  • America's early history established various democratic principles through local governance and community participation. Colonial assemblies began asserting their power against British authority, fostering political engagement among colonists. Enlightenment thinkers inspired colonists to advocate for individual rights and challenge oppressive rule. These evolving ideas about governance and rights culminated in revolutionary sentiments that ultimately led to declaring independence from Britain and creating a democratic framework for the new nation.

Related terms

Columbian Exchange:

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

Indentured Servitude:

A labor system where individuals worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America and the promise of land or money after their service.

Triangular Trade:

A system of transatlantic trade in which goods and enslaved people were exchanged between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.