U. S. HISTORY (w) RAP Get it? It’s a rap that wraps up the entire year!

1. U. S. HISTORY (w) RAP Get it? It’s a rap that wraps up the entire year!

2. COLONIAL Britain was the parent country. I’m a good son, my Daddy’s name was Britain. He made a livin’ robbin’ and killin. In 1607 he started a colony, And sent his son to live across the sea. I tried to help Pop cuz I was with’im, Even took part in his mercantilism. I tried to be good and do my share, But soon found out that life ain’t fair. 1607-Jamestown, VA – 1st successful settlement. 1620 – Plymouth , MA – Pilgrim colony, Mayflower Compact Colonies supplied raw materials and cash crops to the parent country. Colonists felt like they should be equal British citizens because of all they did for Britain. This included fighting the French and Indian War.

3. REVOLUTION Proclamation of 1763 stopped colonists from moving across the Appalachians. We got new land, I tried to make it mine. But Big Daddy Britain said, “NOT THIS TIME.” You want the land, you’ll do it my way. Pay your taxes, you’ll have no say. I tried to talk it out, to be a good son. But I had to show he’s not the only man with a gun. In ‘76 I declared I was free, Fought the next 7 for my liberty. “No Taxation Without Representation” Stamp, Sugar, Tea, Townshend, Quartering Acts. Protests – Boycott, tar & feather, Sons of Liberty, petitioned and negotiated, Stamp Act Congress. Lexington and Concord – 1st battle. July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence 1783 – Treaty of Paris ends the war.

4. Articles of Confederation – WEAK! This was our first government. Now I was on my own and I needed a plan, Had to figure out how to run my land. In ‘87 I wrote it line by line. Three branches balanced out and it works just fine. Added ten amendments to protect our rights. Individual freedom had reached new heights. My country began with a start real rough. Money and friends – there was never enough. My people started arguin’ among themselves, George warned against it when he said Farewell. 1787 – Constitution was written (J. Madison) Executive, Legislative, Judicial – Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances keeps them in line. Bill of Rights – ex. Speech, press, religion, petition, assembly, bear arms, speedy trial… Large war debt. Torn between Britain and France. Impressment of sailors, XYZ Affair with France. Start of political parties (Fed & Dem Rep). Farewell Address – avoid political parties, foreign alliances, and sectionalism. NEW REPUBLIC

5. WESTWARD EXPANSION 1803 – Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon of France for $15 million. Things got better in 1803, When I took my first steps toward my destiny. Uncle France sold me Louis-i-anne This purchase doubled the size of my land. Bigger and badder and growing west. To the Pacific Ocean it was manifest. Manifest Destiny is the westward expansion of the USA. Stretch from Atlantic to Pacific. Americans began exploring and claiming new territory. Lewis & Clark. Spanish Cession, Mexican Cession, Texas, Oregon Territory, Gadsden Purchase. Gold Rush, Mormon Trail.

6. SECTIONALISM Tariffs began making the north wealthy. This angered the South because they felt punished by the tax. Getting richer – yeah life was great, But I had another relative filled with hate. Little brother, his name was the South, Real hot temper and a big ol’ mouth. Made his millions off of the land, Making his money off enslaved man. Tried to teach him new business – to make a change. But I knew eventually I’d blow out his brains. John C. Calhoun–spokesman for south Plantation economy – large farms, cash crops (cotton), slave labor. Industrial Revolution was changing the North with factories and new inventions. The south was either unable or unwilling to change. Cotton gin, reaper, steel plow, interchangeable parts, telegraph, steamboat, railroad.

7. CIVIL WAR 1861-65: Civil War was fought. It came to a boil in ’61, That’s when Lil Brother picked up his gun. He fired on Sumter and the war was on, Neither side knew it would last so long. I had to win to keep the family together, To free the slaves and end it forever. Four years later the deed was done. South gave up and the war was won. South fired first shots at Fort Sumter. First goal of the war was to preserve the Union. Later the goal became the abolition of slavery. Emancipation Proclamation. South (Lee) surrendered to the North (Grant) at Appomattox Courthouse.

8. After war was a time to rebuild, Had to make sure lil bro got healed. New hospitals, new farms, new laws, new rules New churches, new homes, new leaders, new schools. And to deal with those who were newly free, I made amendments numbering three. Amendments number 13, 14, 15 I wrote. Also known as FREE CITIZENS VOTE! So this is my story as far as you know. In high school you’ll learn how the rest goes. South was destroyed by the war and needed to be rebuilt. Freedmen’s Bureaus – groups to help the former slaves. Reconstruction Amendments: 13- ended slavery 14- equal citizens 15- allowed voting rights RECONSTRUCTION