The Stamp Act

You can find the document shared in class at Chart. Copy and paste to a google doc to answer questions.

The reading passage for this assignment is at Stamp Act

The Southern Colonies

     Settlers in the Southern colonies came to America to seek economic prosperity they could not find in Old England. The English countryside provided a grand existence of stately manors and high living. But rural England was full, and by law those great estates could only be passed on to the eldest son. America provided more space to realize a lifestyle the new arrivals could never dream to achieve in their native land.   

     The economy of growing CASH CROPS would require a labor force that would be unknown north of Maryland. Slaves and indentured servants, although present in the North, were much more important to the South. They were the backbone of the Southern economy.

To get the questions for the Southern Colonies, click on the link:  Southern Colonies

The Middle Colonies

Of the three regions (New England, Middle, and Southern), the Middle Colonies were the most diverse.  If you had traveled through the Middle Colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, you would have found many different religious groups, and people from all over Europe.  

Today, you will research the Middle Colonies.  Again, our focus will be on why a colony was founded.  Remember to summarize what you read, and follow the examples I have given to you in class.

If you were gone from class, or lost the question sheet, click on the following link:

The Middle Colonies

This assignment will be due on Monday, November 17th.

How did the Thirteen Colonies become the Thirteen Colonies?

Today, we will begin studying the Thirteen English Colonies.  We will start with the New England Colonies.  I have a simple question sheet for your research. As you fill out the sheet, keep in mind to summarize, summarize, and summarize the information in your own words, in complete sentences.   If you are gone today, or just lost the sheet, it can be found at this link:  The Thirteen Colonies 
Print the page and fill it out.

What happened in Salem that led to the Salem witchcraft trials?

Read the following short articles:

Words about the word "witch"

Witchcraft in New England

Causes for the outbreak of witchcraft hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts

1) Construct a timeline of your person's involvement in Salem witch trials- you may need to look back at the link to important people in the Salem Court Records- use lined notebook paper, write a sentence for each event on your timeline.  Keep in mind that you are really collecting information to help you do the second part of the assignment, so attention to detail is important.

2)  Pretend that you are the person you chose- write 2 to 3 paragraphs in first person, explaining what happened to you, and why.    Try to link it to what you know about the Puritans.

You will work on this assignment today, Thursday, and Friday.  It should be turned in on Monday, at the beginning of class.

Puritans and the Salem Witch Trials

Click on the link to read  John Dane's Narrative.

Read the first five paragraphs of John Dane's Narrative, until you reach the following passage:

Then said my mother, "go where you will, God he will find you out." This word, the point of it, stuck in my breast; and afterwards God struck it home to its head.

1. What does John Dane's piece about morality tell you about Puritan life?
2. Define 'Providence' and explain John Dane's beliefs about Providence.
3. In the third paragraph of John Dane's narrative, he relates a story about his upbringing.  Write a paragraph, explaining how this story makes you feel. How is this different or similar to your own interactions with your parents?
4. Choose one paragraph in John Dane's narrative and summarize it in your own words.

3) Making it personal: Choose a person from the Salem Witch Trial historical record on the website "Important Persons in the Salem Court Records"  and write five sentences about him or her answering some of the following questions, or questions you come up with on your own.  Pay close attention to your individual's history and personality, as you will follow him or her throughout the remainder of the lesson.

Important Persons in the Salem Court Records

1. How old was the person?
2. What was the person's occupation?
3. What do we know about the person's family?
4. Why do people think this person was accused of witchcraft and/or accused others of witchcraft?
5. What is most remembered about this person in current popular culture, if anything?
6. Was this person wealthy or poor?
7. Where did this person live?                                                                                                         
When you are finished, you may go to

National Geographic's Salem Witch Trials