Ap Us History Unit One Outline

1. Europeans in North America

a. Northern Europeans wanted America for resources, not colonies at first.

i. In 1570s were 350 fishing ships on coast of Newfoundland

b. Euro’s traded their tools for beaver pelts with the Indians and then made permanent outposts in Amer. for trading.

c. Demand for fur was so high that NA tribes changed lifestyles and beavers wiped out in some areas

i. Abenakis of Maine became partially dependent on food from neighbors

d. In mid 1500s English sea dogs started to raid and steal Spanish treasure ship’s cargo.

i. Caused friction between two countries which caused war in 1588 (Spn. Armada)

ii. Jealous of Spain’s benefits from Colonies

e. To contest with Spain, Eng. started to colonize Americas b/c wanted resources and stopped Spain from controlling the Americas.

i. Planned on using Spn. colonies as an example for their colonies. and using the natives to help them just like Spain did

f. In 1570’s Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Walter Raleigh (step bro) made idea to make outposts in Amer. to trade w/ NA’s and Queen Liz I approved of it

i. Gilbert failed to colonize in Newfoundland b/c died

g. In 1587 Raleigh founded VA after Virgin Queen and est. settlement on Roanoke Island

i. 1590 resupply ship arrived (late b/c Spn. War) but no find them

ii. Croatan (nearby island) carved into tree was only thing left

iii. Drought prob happened or hostile Indians so Eng. 1st attempt failed

h. Thomas Harriot’s A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia(1588) showed why Roanoke failed

i. Said that sttm. relied on neighbors for food but killed some of them for unjust reasons

ii. Advised future colonies to treat NA’s with respect

i. Harriot stressed three points in his book to survive in Amer.

i. availability of European familiar commodities

ii. potential for profitiable American goods

iii. ease to manipulate the natives...