Unit 2

Learning Objective: Explain the context for the colonization of North America from 1607 to 1754.

Learning Target: I can explain the historical developments that led to European colonization of North America by analyzing primary sources.

Contextualizing Period 2 with Primary Sources

Make inferences about the factors that contributed to the colonization of North America, AND assess the impacts of this colonization.

In Period 2 (1607-1754), Europeans began to pursue establishing permanent colonies in the Americas. These colonial economic and social structures differ vastly due to environmental and demographic factors. The Spanish have strongholds in the Southwest. The French enjoy the resources of the Mississippi Valley region and in the North. The Dutch arrived to populate New Netherland. In this unit, we will begin to shift our focus on the colonies established by the British. The British colonies in New England, the Chesapeake, the Middle, and Southern regions experiment with new forms of autonomy and religious tolerance (or in some cases, intolerance). The interaction among Native Americans continues and the desire to maintain power causes colonies to pass strict codes against slaves.

Instructions:

Examine the 8 documents below in order to preview the upcoming unit. Make conclusions and inferences about the documents.

What do you see? What do these documents suggest about Period 2?