Mexican Civilization

Major geographical features of United States (the current contiguous region of North America includes 48 of the 50 states of the United States)

Terrain and Climate:

Eastern states all have a piedmont area that rises to the Appalachian mountain range. This range served as the first barrier to westward settlement. In the south, the mountainous areas extended further west.

Humid continental: Warm or hot summers, cold winters.
In Northeast, winters are very cold. In Southeast, winters are mild. In both regions, there is precipitation year-round.

The eastern region is suitable for a wide range of crops, including maize and wheat, fruits, vegetables. Further south the region supports the cultivation of tobacco, cotton and also citrus fruit.
Water transportation readily available along Eastern seaboard. Navigable rivers included the Charles, Hudson, Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac. Settlement, especially in the South, followed river routes.

Mid-West: Flat region beyond the Appalachian range. Also humid continental. The region is suitable for many crops, though it is best suited for grain crops such as corn and wheat. In the south, this area specialized in cotton. Ohio River system and Mississippi River system served as major transportation links for this region.

Plains: The terrain here became much flatter. Harsher winters, hotter summers. Less precipitation. This region specializes in grain, especially wheat.

Rocky Mountains: Extend from Canada to New Mexico. Major barrier to westward movement. Much higher than Appalachian range. Provides rain shadow for parts of the plains. Snow possible year-round, with heavy snowfall in winter. Limited agriculture.

Southwest: Arid. Most water available from river systems.

Northwast: Mountainous terrain broken by broad valleys. Heavy precipitation, year round. Milder winters nearer Pacific.

Southwestern coast (most of California): Sierra Nevada and lower mountain ranges parallel to coast, give way to coastal plain. Mediterranean climate. Mild winters, war to hot summers. Central Valley and other areas highly productive in many areas of agriculture, from cotton to rice, plus most types of fruits and vegetables.

The Context of English Settlement

Indigenous people had established settlements in most regions of North America. Some of these included leagues of tribal peoples in formidable organizations. Huron, Iroquois, Powhatan. Indigenous people in the regions settled by the English were generally semi-nomadic, with maize agriculture during part of the year. Used slash and burn techniques that left many areas in coastal areas and Piedmont cleared for crops. Competition over these areas would quickly become a problem for English and Indigenous.

Spanish and French were in competition with the English in Europe as well as in the New World.
Spanish settlement of New World began in 1492, more than 100 years before English settlement.
Highly developed colonies in New Spain (Mexico) and Peru after the conquest of indigenous civilizations.
Spanish controlled a vast area, from Patagonia to much of North America. Spanish resources not capable of subduing and controlling these entire areas, let alone settling the regions with Spanish-born colonists.
Highly urban, hierarchical culture among the European colonists. Rapid growth of mestizo population. Well developed ecclesiastical institutions for conversion of indigenous and development of Catholic Christianity.

French settlement from late 1500s.
Outside of the West Indies, the French were concentrated in the region of Canada known as Quebec.
Highly successful trade network with Indigenous people.
French missions spread Catholic Christianity among the Indigenous

English
First permanent settlement in 1607, followed by others in 1620, 1630, and later.
High mortality in first settlement from disease, Indian hostilities.
Rapid growth from about 1620, with cultivation of tobacco and the beginnings of settlement from religious dissenters.

The major regions of colonial English North America
New England
Middle Colonies
Chesapeake region
Lower South

By 1750s, English settlement still fairly contained. Towns extended only about 200 kilometers inland, with outposts further inland.

The English victory in Seven Years War (1756 to 1763) gave much of North America to British control. The United States, upon achieving independence in at the end of the American Revolution (1776 to1783), extended from Atlantic to Mississippi River.

American growth would continue quickly from the time of the American Revolution.

Population
in 1800 = 3 million
1850 = 30 million

Territorial acquisition:
Louisiana Purchase 1803
Transcontinental Treat 1819
Northwest treaty with Great Britain 1846
War with Mexico 1846 to 1848
Purchase of Alaska 1867
Annexation of Hawaii and Puerto Rico 1898

Geography and History
Many people, especially in the early history of the U.S., believed that America would be more influenced by geography than history.

Thomas Jefferson: Expanding territory would always offer yeomen farmers enough land for competence, and so eliminate the problems of urban life.

Manifest Destiny: Anglo-American civilization would extend coast to coast.

Slavery (various views)
Inevitable because of the climate in Southern states
Would be solved by expansion
Would be preserved by expansion

Conflict over slavery after 1848 was over the disposition of territory that would be slave or free.

Abraham Lincoln: “We cannot escape history,” that is, we cannot ignore the decisions and actions of groups and individuals.

Turner Thesis: Most of what is distinct about American history and character is a result of the ever expanding frontier.