Colonizing America/Crash Course US History #2

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

10

Overview

In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green teaches students about the (English) colonies in what is now the United States. He covers the first permanent English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, the various theocracies in Massachusetts, the feudal kingdom in Maryland, and even a bit about the spooky lost colony at Roanoke Island. What were the English doing in America, anyway? Lots of stuff. In Virginia, the colonists were largely there to make money. In Maryland, the idea was to create a colony for Catholics who wanted to be serfs of the Lords Baltimore. In Massachusetts, the Pilgrims and Puritans came to America to find a place where they could freely persecute those who didn't share their beliefs. But there was a healthy profit motive in Massachusetts as well. Profits were thin at first, and so were the colonists. Trouble growing food and trouble with the natives kept the early colonies from success. This video can be used when teaching students about the House of Burgesses.

**Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 10 - United States History I

SS10.US1.2

Compare regional differences among early New England, Middle, and Southern colonies regarding economics, geography, culture, government, and American Indian relations. [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.g., A.1.i.]

UP:SS10.US1.2

Vocabulary

  • regional
  • Magna Carta
  • English Bill of Rights
  • Mayflower Compact
  • House of Burgesses
  • Great Awakening
  • New England colonies
  • Middle colonies
  • Southern colonies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Regional differences among early New England, Middle, and Southern colonies a regarding economics, geography, culture, government, and American Indian relations.
  • Impact and details of essential documents in the establishment of colonial governments, including the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact.
  • The role of the House of Burgesses and New England town meetings in the development of early American colonies.
  • The impact of the Great Awakening on early American colonial society.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Compare and contrast regional differences among early New England, Middle, and Southern colonies
  • Locate the appropriate colonies in each region on a map.
  • Analyze the effect of geography and weather on the development of regional colonies.
  • Analyze primary documents.
  • Describe the impact of the Great Awakening on colonial society.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were regional differences in the early American colonies and the roles of essential documents and events in the development of these colonies.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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