Unit 1 Image Gallery
Indigenous North America Before 1500 The following images are either: These images may be used for educational purposes by school and homeschool teachers and students. Commercial use of copyrighted images is strictly prohibited.
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The Articles of Confederation
(and Why They Failed) After winning independence from Great Britain, the newly formed United States needed a government. The first attempt was called the Articles of Confederation, a system that gave most of the power to the states rather than a strong national government. While this system helped unify the states during the early years, … Read more
Foreign Allies: How France Helped Win the War
The battlefield was quiet for a moment. Across a wide stretch of land in Virginia, American and French soldiers stood side by side, their uniforms different but their purpose the same. Cannons were lined up. Flags fluttered in the breeze. In the distance, British troops waited, surrounded and running out of options. It was 1781, … Read more
The Declaration of Independence: Ideas and Impact
On a warm summer day in July 1776, a group of men gathered in a large room in Philadelphia. The windows were shut tight, even though the heat was rising. Outside, the streets buzzed with uncertainty. Inside, something extraordinary was about to happen. These men were leaders from the thirteen American colonies. They had argued, … Read more
George Washington and the Continental Army
The wind whipped across the open fields as a tall man on horseback rode slowly along a line of soldiers. His blue coat stood out against the gray sky, and his face was calm but serious. He paused, looking at the men before him—farmers, laborers, and young boys who had never expected to become soldiers. … Read more
The First Continental Congress: A Step Toward Independence
Imagine thirteen separate groups of people, each with its own government, traditions, and concerns. They live along the eastern edge of North America, and although they share some similarities, they do not always agree with one another. Now imagine these groups coming together for the first time to solve a major problem that affects them … Read more
The Intolerable Acts and Colonial Unity
Imagine that your entire town is being punished for something a group of people did—your harbor is closed, your government is limited, and soldiers are given more power over your daily life. You didn’t personally dump tea into the harbor, but you are still affected by the consequences. This is exactly what happened to the … Read more
British Taxes and Colonial Reactions (Stamp Act → Tea Act)
Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that you now have to pay extra money for things you use every day—paper, newspapers, cards, even tea. Now imagine that the people making these rules live far away, and you have no say in their decisions. That’s exactly how many American colonists felt in the years after … Read more
The French and Indian War: The Turning Point
Imagine living in the American colonies in the early 1700s. You are British, proud of your connection to a powerful empire, and surrounded by land that seems full of opportunity. But beyond the edge of your settlement lies a world of competing claims, powerful Native American nations, and rival European empires—all struggling for control of … Read more