US History 1492-1877, Unit 2: Colonial America: Colonial America

In this lesson from Unit 2: Colonial America, students explore the development of the English colonies in North America and the major reasons people migrated to the New World. Students examine how geography, politics, economics, religion, and social opportunity shaped the growth of Colonial America and laid the foundation for the future United States.The lesson begins with the geography of the eastern coast of North America, focusing on the importance of the Atlantic Ocean for trade and communication and the Appalachian Mountains as a barrier to westward expansion. Students are introduced to the concept of Colonial America as the era in which England established thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast.Students then analyze the political and economic motivations behind colonization, including European competition for land and power, the role of charters and companies, and the economic system of mercantilism. The lesson explains how colonies provided raw materials and markets that benefited England while also offering colonists opportunities for land ownership and economic advancement.A major focus of the lesson is religion in England and its connection to colonial migration. Students learn about King Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church, the creation of the Anglican Church, the role of the monarch as head of the church, the persecution of religious groups under Bloody Mary, and Queen Elizabeth I’s restoration of Protestantism. The lesson examines how religious conflict and persecution encouraged many groups to seek religious freedom in the American colonies.Finally, students explore the social motivations for migration, including adventure, social mobility, land ownership, and second chances in colonies such as Georgia.By the end of the lesson, students will understand how a combination of political competition, economic opportunity, religious conflict, and social change drove the development of Colonial America and shaped the foundations of American society.