North America in the 18th century. The founding of the United States
English colonies in North America began with Jamestown in 1607; by the 18th century there were thirteen. The settlers created small family farms and the first manufactories, while in the south plantations based on the labour of slaves brought from Africa persisted; the native Indian peoples were pushed off their lands. Great Britain imposed taxes and trade restrictions on the colonies, which fed discontent. In 1774 the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, in 1775 war began and George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief. On 4 July 1776 the Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted, proclaiming popular sovereignty and natural rights. France helped the Americans; in 1781 a British army surrendered at Yorktown, and by the Treaty of Paris in 1783 Britain recognised US independence. On 17 September 1787 the Federal Convention adopted the US Constitution: a republic, a president elected for four years, a federal structure. In 1789 George Washington became the first president.
“Proclamation”: the class reads aloud two or three provisions of the Declaration in their own words as a “public announcement”.