Beginnings of an American Identity 133

RESEARCH LINKSCLASSZONE.COM

Visit the Chapter 5 links for more informationabout early-American identity.

Interact with History

1727George II becomesking of Great Britain.

1756Seven Years’ War

between France andBritain is declared.

1735Decision in

the Zenger trial supportsfreedom of the press.

1759Quebec falls

to the British.

1763French and

Indian War ends.

1738MinisterGeorgeWhitefieldarrives inGeorgia.

1754French and Indian

War begins.

1763

You are outraged by the attacks on British

traders and settlers. You wonder whether it is

wise to join with other colonies, though. Will

it mean that Virginians or New Englanders

will be able to make laws for Pennsylvania?

What do youhave in commonwith otherBritish colonists?What Do You Think?• What are some good reasons to join with the

other British colonies?

• How great are the differences between theBritish colonies?

• What separates British and French colonists?

Finding Main IdeasTo recognize a main idea, you must notice how smaller details are connected. In your notebook,copy a web like the one shown here. Write brief notes about the main things people in theBritish colonies had in common—the beliefs and experiences that formed an American identity. • Read and remember the Main Idea at the beginning of each section.• At the end of each group of paragraphs under a heading, ask yourself, “Have I learned about

something that united the colonists?”

See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R5.

What Do You know?What beliefs do you consider American? How do you think people inBritain’s American colonies saw themselves?

Think About• your own beliefs as an American• what you know about the regions where the colonieswere established

• what you know about the backgrounds and beliefs ofcolonists in different regions

• your responses to the Interact with History about what youhave in common with other British colonists (see page 133)

What Do You Want to Know?What questions do you have about colonial America in the early and middle 1700s? Write them down in your

notebook before you read this chapter.

Reading Strategy: Finding Main Ideas5

134 CHAPTER 5

Colonists expect “rights ofEnglishmen”; Enlightenment—people can improve or changetheir government

AmericanIdentity

PublishingPolitical Ideas

War

ReligionEducation

Economy

Better economic opportuni-ties; more chance of owningland

Colonists publish own news-papers and books

French and Indian Warunites colonists against common enemies

Religion important; GreatAwakening spreads religiousfeeling across colonies

High reading rate; children educated to read Bible

CHAPTER

This cartoon was published byBenjamin Franklin in 1754. It urgedthe colonies to unite.

Taking Notes

CALIFORNIA STANDARDS

Reading 2.7 Evaluate theunity, coherence, logic,internal consistency, andstructural patterns of text.