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V’s History of the World Part II (or, I ran out of slides on the other power point!) With the decline of Rome, there was no one to stop the advancement of the warring Germanic tribes. These tribes traveled in search of food, wealth, and shelter, and often left devastation behind them. The result was that civilized life saw a long period of decline. Building slowed down, bridges and roads fell into serious decline and disuse. The lack of good roads and bridges, and the danger caused by the roaming Germanic tribes, and bandits made it difficult to send goods from one place to another. The lack of trade seriously hurt the local economies of Europe. Additionally, during this time period there was a general decline in education. Overall, the lives of the people were harder, they had less food, poorer educations, and lower living conditions than earlier generations. This time period has come to be known as the Dark Ages, or Medieval times. Medieval means “Middle Age” and refers to the fact that these difficult times bridged the ancient world with the modern world. In the A.D. 800s the Viking homeland of Scandinavia had become over crowded. Many of these Scandinavian warriors left their homes in search of wealth and adventure. They traveled in medium-sized sailing ships that were large enough to sail in the open sea, but small enough to navigate through the rivers of Europe. In addition to attacking and raiding Western Europe, the Vikings also established colonies throughout the world, reaching as far as the new world. They settled in Greenland, Iceland, parts of France, and Great Britain, North America, Ukraine, and Russia. The Vikings were expert warriors. They used their lightweight ships to sneak up on their victims, and then retreat before their enemies could retaliate. Whatever they did not steal, they would burn to the ground. They were brutal, and showed no mercy to their victims, often torturing and killing them. With fearsome names, like “Eric The Blood Axe”, the Vikings struck fear in the hearts of Western Europeans everywhere. No one was safe from their attacks. A refurbished Viking ship still seaworthy after all these years. The Vikings, or should I say the fear of the Vikings helped create the military mentality of Western Europe. Most European countries, especially the coastal ones lived in a state of constant fear of Viking invasion. Much time was spent in creating weapons, strategies, and defenses. This background and training served Western Europe well when it began exploring the New World. Feudalism began as monarchs started giving control of local territories to lords. These lords controlled almost all aspects of life within their estates. Along with their lands, these lords also owned the peasants who lived on their land, as well as all of their possessions. The peasants were obligated to work for the Lords, farming their lands, and filling other necessary duties. In exchange for this sovereignty, the lords pledged their loyalty to the king, and promised to supply him with knights for his armies. Often a lord would have lesser lords who he controlled, and greater lords who he was loyal to. Because there was no strong central government, feudal lords often went to war against one another. In order to protect themselves, these lords began building large beautiful castles. These castles consisted of a central building known as the ‘keep’ where the nobles lived, and where prisoners were kept in dungeons. The keep was usually the most secure part of the castle, and the hardest part to enter during battles. Surrounding the keep was a large area known as the bailey. The bailey contained a number of buildings including food stores, soldiers quarters, workshops, and even a chapel. Finally, the castle was usually surrounded by a high outside wall, and a large deep mote which made it difficult for outsiders to attack. Knights were guided in their conduct by a code of ethics known as chivalry. Chivalry promoted honesty, fairness in battle, and proper treatment of noble women. The concepts of chivalry gradually blended with the expectations of proper manners for gentleman in western culture. Saving the fair damsel in distress The lands of a lord were referred to as a manor. A manor might be small and only include a few hundred acres, or it might be huge, encompassing several hundred thousand acres. A manor consisted of the lords estate or castle, farm lands, forests for hunting, and a village where the peasants lived. Because war was rampant, trade was nearly impossible. This meant that a manor had to be self-sufficient. They had to produce everything they needed to survive within their own manor. The lord directed these efforts and protected his peasants. In exchange, the peasants worked on road repairs, built bridges, farmed the lords lands, and built buildings. They also paid tribute to the lord in the form of grain, food, clothing, and other goods. Medieval peasants had a difficult, and often short life. They lived in one room huts, with dirt floors. These huts had no chimneys, which made them very cold in the winter. They had little or no furniture, and had huddle together to keep warm. These peasants ate mostly grain, and occasional vegetables from small gardens. Meat was scarce and rarely available. When meat was available, they often hung it from the rafters of their homes to show off. The term ‘bringing home the bacon’ comes from this time period. When men were successful enough to bring meat or bacon home to their families, they would brag that their husband brought home the bacon. Disease was common, and most peasants did not live beyond the age of 40. Under the feudal system, the Catholic Church grew in power and prestige. The bishop of Rome, known as the Pope claimed authority over all Christians in Western Europe. The Pope often became involved in political affairs, and even anointed kings and rulers of various nations. Some Roman Popes were more powerful than the local monarchs. It was illegal to teach the common man to read, so religion was shrouded in mystery and intrigue Local religious leaders also grew in power, influence, and wealth. Because the leaders of the Church were almost always nobles, they received lands and wealth from the king, and in turn from the peasants who served them. Other nobles often paid them tributes in hopes of obtaining the grace of God. Because only religious leaders could read, they often interpreted scripture in ways that were beneficial only to the church itself. This practice paved the way for the Protestant Reformation that followed in later years. Over time, these religious leaders became the wealthiest and most powerful leaders in Western Europe. As this happened, they became more concerned about the affairs of their estates, and less concerned about fulfilling their religious responsibilities. One of those responsibilities included rooting out those guilty of witchcraft and heresy. The art of torture was elevated to a fine art during the heinous time period known as “The Inquisition,” a murderous campaign that lasted over 1,200 years, killing 75 million people. In the A.D. 800s the island of Great Britain was divided among several small kingdoms. Like the rest of Western Europe, these small kingdoms faced significant threats from the Vikings in the North. These kingdoms were made up of the Anglo-Saxons. They shared a common language and culture. In A.D. 886 an Anglo-Saxon leader by the name of Alfred The Great was able to unite these kingdoms into one nation, which he called Angleland. This would later be changed to England. Alfred The Great created a strong central government, and was able to use his strength to defeat the Vikings, as well as other threats in the area. Alfred sought to bring about cultural reform in his kingdom. To do this he established schools, and had a number of literary works translated into the language of the Anglo-Saxons. The Anglo-Saxon kings would rule England for the next 200 years. In A.D. 1066 the last Anglo-Saxon king of England died childless. His name was Edward The Confessor. After his death, three different individuals claimed the right to rule the nation. A series of rulers had come to power in Western Europe following the rule of Charlemagne, amidst constant bickering of who was the rightful ruler…Some were Norsemen, some were Anglo-Saxon, depending on the strength of their army at the time. There was no real line of succession. After the death of Edward, in 1066, Duke William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) defeated the Anglo Saxons at the battle of Hastings and once again brought unification to Western Europe. William brought unification to a large part of Western Europe, partially unifying Anglo Saxon, Danish, French, and Germanic cultures. This is one of the major reasons why English spelling rules are so confusing. It was during this period of unification that the Feudal knights began to go on their holy crusades against the Muslims attempting to secure the holy land for the Christians. The land around Palestine was considered precious by both the Muslims and the Christians, and (like today) it became the scene of violence and bloodshed…A little ironic, don’t you think? From about 600A.D. to the late 1000’s, the land around Palestine was under Muslim control. Western European knights fought at least 4 bloody “Crusades” in an attempt to take the area back from the Muslims. These battles had much to do with the continuing animosity between Christians, Jews, and Muslims today The city of Jerusalem was the center of faith for three major world religions. For the Jews it was their homeland. It had been promised to them by Jehovah, who they believed had covenanted with Abraham to give him the land of Israel. To the Muslims, Jerusalem was the location where the Prophet Muhammad had ascended into heaven. After Makkah, and Medinah, Jerusalem was Islam’s third most holy city. To the Christians Jerusalem was both the location of Christ’s birth, and the location of his death. It is also the location of much of the New Testament. Ancient Jerusalem This Holy Land was conquered by Islam in the A.D. 600s, and would remain in their control for many centuries to come. In A.D. 1095 Pope Urban II called for volunteers to travel to Jerusalem and fight to take it back from the Muslims. He called their mission a crusade. The word “crusade” comes from the word Crux, which means “cross” in Latin. Those who volunteered for the crusade would be called crusaders, meaning that they took the cross of Jesus upon them. One of the famous Renaissance paintings depicting a weary old crusader returning home from the Crusades on his weary steed. So, what have we learned about the Middle Ages? 1. Western Europe fell into chaos and despair after the fall of Rome. (Side Note : Byzantium) 2. Constantinople survived the Dark Ages by virtue of its excellent and defensible location. 3. Emperor Justinian planted the seeds of Feudalism by creating an army of knights to help defend the area from barbarians. 4. Western Europe separated into tiny kingdoms each with its own laws, cultures, and languages. 5. Because of ecological problems, Norsemen (Vikings) began invading the Southern areas for food. 6. The small kingdoms built castles for defense against the Northern raiders, creating a manor system where each 7. Kings put lords in charge of running the day-to-day life of the kingdom – collecting taxes, organizing the farming of the areas around the kingdom, and creating and organizing the system of knights and pages. 8. The Catholic Church was the power behind the King – The people did what the King said because the church told them that the King was appointed by God. (Divine Right of Kings) 9. Charlemagne was a great king who promoted growth in art, science, and education. 10.The Catholic Church embarked on a mission to wipe out heresy, and the Inquisition was born. It was a period of incredible brutality where over 75 million people were executed for crimes against the church. 11. The Muslim religion was born with the prophecies of a man named Muhammad. 12. As the Muslim faith exploded in size, inevitably it came into contact with the Christian faith. Both religions claimed the holy lands around Palestine as their own. 13. A series of wars known as the Crusades began as Christians and Muslims fought for control of the area around Palestine. POTENTIAL QUIZ QUESTIONS 1. After Rome split into two parts, what was the Southern Empire called? 2. What major European city survived the Dark Ages? 3. What is the name of the type of civilization ruled by a King under a Pope’s direction utilizing Knights and Nobles to control the peasant population? 4. Why did the Vikings leave their homes to start pillaging around in Western Europe? 5. What was the unwritten law that forced the peasants to follow and obey the king? The Black Death – Perhaps the most cataclysmic event to ever strike Western Europe. The Bubonic Plague which was spread by fleas carried on the backs of small rodents swept through Europe killing over 75 million people. Marcello’ s famous drawing Ring around the rosy Pockets full of posies Ashes, ashes We all fall down The spreading marks and bruising beneath the skin on plague victims were called “Buboes”. This is why when a child gets a bruise or a bump it is called a booboo. The Shang Dynasty – One of the earliest known Chinese dynasties. One of the first to spin silk using the thread from a silkworm. Demand for this amazing material literally changed the world as silk, information, and culture began moving between the East and the West. Mandate of Heaven – Early Chinese people believed that the emperor symbolized a direct link between the people and heaven. Because of this, the emperor had great power and was obeyed immediately and without question. Sound familiar to “The Divine Right of Kings”? The Qin Dynasty – came to power in 221 B.C. by using cavalry armed with bows and arrows. They unified China under a strong central government and started the building of the Great Wall of China. This dynasty and their methods were a precursor to the later Mongolian hordes that swept Asia under the command of Genghis Khan The Great Wall of China – This massive structure helped guard China against invasion from the North. It is 1400 miles long and 25 feet high. It is 4.5 meters wide with a road running along the top for rapid troop movement to threatened parts of the frontier. The Han Dynasty – overthrew the Qin Dynasty and ruled until 220 A.D. In this time period, the Silk Roads became widely used and merchandise and information began to flow back and forth between China and the Mediterranean. The Silk Roads – Large trading routes out of Asia which opened the door to trade and communication between the East and the West. Silk, opium, spice, and information traveled along these roads. Confucius – A religious leader who taught about the importance of family, respect for one’s elders, and reverence for one’s ancestors. His basic rule was “What you do not like when done unto yourself, do not do unto others.” CONFUCIANISMS If you want to get somewhere, you must let yourself go. Have no friends not equal to yourself. The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. Gunpowder and Paper – two of the major contributions made by the Chinese. Gunpowder is a combination of Sulfur, Charcoal, and Potassium Nitrate. (also called saltpeter). Few things have changed the world in so dramatic a fashion. The Mongol Huns – a warrior nation that created the largest empire the world has ever known under Genghis Khan. In the early 1200’s, the Mongols conquered China, Korea, and huge sections of Europe. They were also responsible for the building of the great canal. Marco Polo – A Venetian trader who traveled from Western Europe to China during the 1200’s. He brought back goods and information that inspired later interaction between China and Europe. Shinto – early religion followed by the Japanese civilization. This religion taught that spirits existed in ordinary objects like trees, clouds, and mountains. Later, Buddhism became the primary Japanese religion. Symbol of Shinto Religion Buddhism – created by Prince Gautama, this religion basically taught that life is basically sorrowful, and that greed for material possessions causes suffering. Devout Buddhists follow the “8-fold path” searching for inner peace or “Nirvana.” Apparently Kurt Cobain couldn’t find Nirvana! Shogun – chief officers of the Japanese emperor. They were responsible for the control of large areas of land. Samurai – specially trained soldiers used by the shogun to keep order in his area. Daimyo- heads of the Samurai units Bushido – the strict code followed by the Samurai that stressed bravery, loyalty, and honor. Beringia – the land bridge between Asia and North America that appeared during the ice-age. Nomadic travelers crossed this bridge from Asia and settled on the North-American continent. Johann Gutenburg – created a printing press that allowed the Bible to be mass-produced, allowing it into the hands of the masses. One of the most influential inventions in history. The Malleus Maleficarum ( Witch’s Hammer) was published in 1487 by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger. It allegedly gave full papal approval for the Inquisition to prosecute witchcraft in general and for Kramer and Sprenger specifically. The book became the handbook for witch-hunters and Inquisitors throughout Medieval Europe. Between the years 1487 and 1520, the work was published thirteen times. It was again published between the years of 1574 to 1669 a total of sixteen times. The Renaissance – a period of light and learning in which people made great advances in art, science, and medicine. Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are associated with this interesting time period. Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo The Mona Lisa The Pieta By Michelangelo DaVinci’s famous “Last Supper” The Major Powers of the 1400’s – England, France, Spain, Holland, and Portugal were the main power-brokers on the world stage at this critical point in history. The Northwest Passage – A hoped for but never found sea route to Asia that would have eliminated the long and dangerous land trip to the Orient. Many explorers found new lands while searching for the Northwest Passage. Why was the Renaissance important? 1. The printing press allowed The Bible to be printed more rapidly. 2. More people became literate and able to interpret The Bible for themselves. 3. People began to increase their knowledge in science, mathematics, geography, and religion. 4. Artists began to express themselves in new and exciting ways – often with disastrous results. 5. People began to question long-accepted beliefs and routines. 6. Information began to flood in from different parts of the world 7. Countries began searching for a safer route to China and India 8. Spain financed Columbus’s trip to the New World to search for wealth, land, and a Northwest passage. 9. The Spanish conquistadors that followed Columbus found gold, and easily conquered civilizations. 10.Other European nations followed Spain’s lead and began to travel to the New World in search of wealth, land, and fame. Direct Result: The people already living in the New World were essentially invaded, exploited, devastated, invalidated, decimated, violated, and destroyed! Christopher Columbus – An Italian ship captain that convinced Queen Isabella of Spain to give him three ships so he could find a Western route to China and India. He landed in the Americas in 1492, and thought he had reached India which is why he called the natives, “Indians”. Conquistadors – Spanish soldiers who came to the new world to find fame and fortune. They are responsible for decimating the Aztecs, the Incas, and the Mayans. The Aztec Empire grew rapidly from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. By 1519, the Aztec population was estimated to be well over 4 million! The capital city was full of great palaces, beautiful gardens, sparkling water fountains and a marketplace filled with foods and goods. The Aztec Empire Montezuma – Aztec leader that had the misfortune to be in charge at the time of the Spanish invasion. Montezuma was imprisoned, held for ransom, then murdered after the ransom was delivered. Hernan Cortes – Spanish conquistador that landed on the east coast of modern-day Mexico in 1519. He was met with hospitality but he responded with violence. He killed the Aztec leader, Montezuma, and pillaged their cities before returning to Spain. Francisco Pizarro – Spanish conquistador who discovered the Inca empire in what is present-day Peru and viciously killed more than 10,000 Incas in a bloody two-week period. The Inca Empire The Mayan Empire Anasazi Cliff Dwellings in American Southwest Reasons for Spanish success - Guns, germs, steel, and horses Effects of Spanish invasion of New World – Spanish violence and disease cut the native population by over two-thirds in a 50 year period. Their monetary success also sparked other countries to search for new lands and wealth. Martin Luther– in 1517, Luther nailed a list of grievances against the Catholic Church on the door of a local cathedral. He was especially upset about grievances. Many people agreed with him, and within a few years, thousands of followers broke away to form their own churches. (The Printing Press was largely responsible for this rebellion) The Protestant Reformation – The movement of thousands of followers away from the Catholic Church following Martin Luther’s list of grievances. This movement caused religious chaos in Europe, and caused both persecuted Protestants as well as Catholics to flee to the New World. The Protestant Reformation caused the church to divide into many different sects, causing persecution and argument, and setting in motion pilgrim flight to the New World Henry VIII – English King famous for having had six wives. He broke away from the Catholic Church when it wouldn’t grant him a divorce and made himself the leader of The Church of England which was Protestant. Catherine of Aragon m. 1509 1533 Divorced Anne Boleyn m. 1533 1536 Executed Jane Seymour m. 1536 1537 Died Anne of Cleves m. 1540 Jan. - July Divorced Kathryn Howard m. 1540 1542 Executed Katherine Parr m. 1543 1547 Widowed The Defeat of the Spanish Armada – The unlikely victory by the English Navy over the mighty Spanish Armada. This victory gave England brief control of the seas and an advantage in colonizing the New World’s eastern coast. British ships were smaller and more maneuverable, helping them in high seas and poor weather. The British also set adrift, “Fire Ships” from upwind of the Spanish fleet causing chaos and devastation. Walter Raleigh – Close friend of Queen Elizabeth who was given the right to claim for England any lands not already claimed by a Christian monarch. He started the first English colony on Roanoke. Walter found favor with the queen when he laid his cloak down in the mud so she would not get her shoes dirty. Okay young Jedi… I want you to think about the domino effect of history that started with the widespread use of Gutenburg’s printing press. How did the Western European world change? What major events did it trigger? I would like you to explain, (using a concept map) how the Pilgrims (Separatists, etc.) ended up in North America because of the printing press. Possible terms you might use: Gutenburg, persecution, Martin Luther, Columbus, Cortes, Pizarro, Bible, Catholic Church, Henry VIII, Protestant, Church of England, indulgences, 95 theses, Reformation, Walter Raleigh, Queen Isabella, Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, literacy, illiteracy, Separatist, Virginia Company, Jamestown, James River, Roanoke, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower compact Roanoke – Small island off the coast of North Carolina where Raleigh started the first English colony. The first attempt failed, so John White was sent to lead a second attempt. The colony mysteriously vanished when White sailed back to England for more supplies and was detained for three years because of a war with Spain. All that was left of the colony was a mysterious post with the word “Croatoan” carved into it. The Virginia Company – a group of British investors that were given a charter to start a colony in the New World with the hopes that the colony would provide a profit for the shareholders while giving England a foothold in the New World. This type of company is known as a joint-stock company. Jamestown – The Virginia Company chose a site along the James River to start the first official colony in the New World. The ground was swampy, mosquitoes were everywhere, and Native Americans were very close. It was probably not a very good location for America’s first colony. Problems with the Jamestown Colony – Most of the early arrivals were spoiled noblemen looking for easy fortunes. They were not good hunters, fishermen, or farmers. The colony probably would have perished if not for Captain John Smith who forced the men to work before they were given food. Smith was a violent, powerful man often involved in fights, knifings, and shootings…A perfect choice for bringing order to a difficult situation. P.S. He wasn’t involved with Pocahontas! John Rolfe – Jamestown colonist that developed a less bitter form of tobacco that was in great demand in England. This crop saved the Jamestown Colony economically. He later married Pocahontas, daughter of the Powhatan chief. The addiction begins! Mercantilism – Colonization for profit through increased trade and acquisition of raw materials Separatists or Puritans – Protestants that arrived in the New World trying to escape the religious persecution they were facing in Europe after the Protestant Reformation. The Mayflower – In 1620, the Mayflower carried 35 Separatists and 67 others to Plymouth Rock in Cape Cod Bay to start a new colony in the New World. The Mayflower Compact – The first official constitution in the New World. In this document, the Pilgrims promised to form a political body to create and preserve order, and the signers promised to obey the laws passed for the general good of the colony. Squanto and Samoset – two native Americans that showed the Pilgrims how to fish, hunt, and farm. Without their help, the small colony might not have survived. The Massachusetts Bay Colony – A second group of Puritans formed this colony north of Plymouth near Massachusetts Bay. They intended to create a colony based on the Bible and Puritanical beliefs. John Winthrop – the first leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Winthrop believed in equality within the community, between men and women and between differing religious groups. This “freethinking” belief made many Puritan elders angry with him which is why he started his own colony. The Great Migration – In the 1630’s, more than 15,000 Puritans journeyed to Massachusetts to escape persecution, famine, and debtor’s prison in England. Roger Williams – Religious leader who believed people should be allowed to worship any way they chose. He was banished from Massachusetts, but he started a new colony for people who thought as he did in Rhode Island. Williams exemplified the belief in freedom that eventually led to what America would become Anne Hutchinson – One of the first women’s rights activists. She questioned the authority of Massachusetts officials and religious leaders and was put on trial for heresy. She was also banished from Massachusetts, and she followed Roger Williams to Rhode Island. Anne Hutchinson was America’s first “Feminist!” Native American Problems – For the Native Americans, contact with the colonists was deadly. In 1600, 100,000 Native Americans occupied New England, but by 1675, only 10,000 remained. Chicken Pox, Small Pox, and Measles proved fatal to most Native Americans who had no natural resistance to the diseases. Metacomet – Indian chief known to the colonists as King Philip. He was the chief of the Wampanoag tribe, and he and his men killed several thousand settlers over a three-year period. He was finally ambushed and killed by colonists, thus ending what was known as King Philip’s War. Manhattan – The Dutch originally purchased the island of Manhattan for a small amount of beads and other goods. It had a natural port, and it became an important center for shipping and trade. The English liked it so much that they took it and renamed the colony New York. It quickly became the fastest growing colony in the New World. William Penn – America’s first town planner. In 1680, he was given a huge plot of land along the Delaware River which he named Pennsylvania. He belonged to a religious group known as the Shakers. The Shakers were pacifists, and believed that all people should experience God directly without influence by church services and officials. Penn signing treaty with the Delaware Indians. Philadelphia – William Penn supervised the building of Philadelphia himself. He considered the city a “Holy Experiment,” and called it “The City of Brotherly Love.” Sir George Calvert Lord Baltimore – A Catholic leader who wanted to establish a safe place in the New World for himself and his fellow Catholics. In 1632, King Charles I gave him a colony north of Virginia. The colony was named Maryland in honor of the Queen. Every colonist that planted tobacco was required to also plant two acres of corn. The town of Baltimore grew and prospered. Sir William Berkely – The governor of Virginia in 1644 worked out an arrangement with the Native Americans to keep settlers from pushing any further west to prevent any more uprisings. The settlers rebelled against this and soon began to settle in the forbidden lands. Many Indian attacks followed. Nathaniel Bacon – In 1676, Bacon led several bloody attacks against the Native Americans. Berkely declared Bacon a rebel and called for his arrest. Instead, Bacon’s army marched into Jamestown and set fire to the capital. Only Bacon’s sudden illness and death kept him from taking over Jamestown. This act became known as “Bacon’s Rebellion.” The Carolinas – Two more huge colonies were opened up in what is present-day North and South Carolina. This area had excellent farmland, and the farmers grew tobacco, indigo, rice, and other cash crops. As the farms grew and prospered, more and more African slaves were brought in to handle the labor. Georgia – This final British colony was created in 1733 as a place where English debtors could make a fresh start. It was primarily developed as a buffer zone between Spanish-owned Florida and the other wealthier British colonies. The English making a deal with the Cherokee… The first in a long line of broken promises and betrayals. The French in the New World – French traders began coming into the New World from the far north, and did well because their traders got along with and lived among the Native Americans. Also, the French colonies grew very slowly so Native Americans weren’t brutally shoved off their lands. The Spanish in the New World – Along with Florida, the Spanish also began colonizing the New World along the Pacific Coast using the Mission System. Red dots indicate Spanish missions. Yellow dots indicate French missions. Typical Spanish Mission Father Junipero Serra – A Spanish monk that developed a string of missions along the Pacific Coast, each one only a days walk from the next. Eventually, these missions would become cities like Los Angeles and Monterey. Missionaries worked to convert Native Americans to Christianity, but many were mistreated and forced into slave labor in the missions. Colonial Growth – Between 1607 and 1790, almost a million people came to live in the colonies. 300,000 of these new immigrants were African slaves. Because of the need for laborers and the healthy living conditions, colonial women tended to have very large families. The New England Colonies – The soil tended to be thin and quite rocky, and the climate was cooler. For these reasons, colonists in New England focused more on shipping and trade than the other colonies. Even though the Southern colonies used the slaves, the Northern colonies were largely responsible for shipping them. The New Englanders also became quite proficient at whaling Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut The Middle Colonies – These colonies enjoyed slightly better soil than the New England Colonies, and a slightly milder climate. These colonies grew wheat and other cash crops and were also involved in lumber and mining. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware The Southern Colonies – With their rich soil and warm climate, the Southern Colonies were especially suited to certain types of farming. At first, tobacco and rice were the primary crops, but as Northern factories began to appear and operate, cotton took over as the most important export. Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina The Iron Industry – because of the readily available coal, and the necessary ingredients, the colonial iron industry grew rapidly, employing thousands of workers and producing the iron that helped the colonies grow and prosper. Tony Stark is thankful for the iron industry! How Iron is created The more advanced way to smelt iron is in a blast furnace. A blast furnace is charged with iron ore, charcoal or coke (coke is charcoal made from coal) and limestone (CaCO3). Huge quantities of air blast in at the bottom of the furnace, and the calcium in the limestone combines with the silicates to form slag. Liquid iron collects at the bottom of the blast furnace, underneath a layer of slag. The blacksmith periodically lets the liquid iron flow out and cool. Iron Advantage Between the 15th and 20th centuries, some countries had an industrial leg up on the competition due to the availability of iron ore deposits. For example, China, India, England, the United States, France, Germany, Spain and Russia all have substantial iron ore deposits. When you think of the historical importance of all of these countries, you can see the correlation!