The Age of Enlightenment
http://www.history.com/topics/enlightenment
http://www.history.com/topics/french-and-indian-war
Background:
As the Renaissance came to an end in the late 1600’s, a new “age” came to be. It
was known as the Age of Enlightenment.
This period of history (1685-1815) saw the continuation of great accomplishments
with men such as Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Nicolaus Copernicus making
new discoveries in the fields of science that would change ideas about how the
world worked.
The countries of Europe continued to colonize new lands around the world. Many
will begin wars in Europe only to see the fighting continue in the lands taken in
places like the United States, Canada, and the West Indies.
The French, British, and Spanish began a fight in 1756 over colonization of the
new lands in present day America. France held large parts of Canada and the
Mississippi river area, where the British controlled the 13 Colonies along the
eastern seaboard and parts of Canada, and the Spanish had control of Florida,
Mexico, and parts of the west coast. The fighting would continue until a truce was
called in 1763 which saw the British (and colonists) win the war.
Men such as George Washington will come to help the British in its fight with the
French, Spanish and certain Native American tribes. This event became known as
the “French and Indian War” (here) or “7 Years War” (in Europe) and would
change the control of land and power in our country…
Isaac Newton
Nicolaus Copernicus
George Washington
http://zorlo.tripod.com/school/images/usmap1750.gif
Look at the map above of the United States in the mid 1700’s.
1. Name 2 present day states that were controlled by France in the 1750’s.
2. Name 2 present day states that were “Unorganized territories” in the
1750’s.
3. Name 2 present day states that were controlled by Spain (besides Texas,
Florida, or California )
4. In your opinion, what European country had the advantage in the 1750’s?