Jamestown (1607): First permanent English settlement (Virginia)
Plymouth (1620): Pilgrims seeking religious freedom
Massachusetts Bay (1630): Puritans establishing a "city on a hill"
Pennsylvania (1681): William Penn - Quaker religious freedom
Faith Foundation
Many colonies were founded by people seeking to worship Yahuah freely. The Pilgrims and Puritans wanted to practice their faith without government interference.
"Where the Spirit of Yahuah is, there is liberty." - 2 Corinthians 3:17
Think About It
Why did the Pilgrims risk a dangerous ocean voyage to come to America?
Family Discussion
2The Road to Revolution
Why Colonists Wanted Independence
Key Events
Stamp Act (1765): Tax on paper goods - "Taxation without representation!"
Boston Tea Party (1773): Colonists dump tea to protest taxes
The colonists believed government should have the consent of the governed. They could not vote in British Parliament, yet they were being taxed.
Key idea: Rights come from Yahuah, not from government!
Patrick Henry
"Give me liberty, or give me death!"
Patrick Henry was a Christian patriot who spoke boldly for freedom.
Complete the Sentence
"No taxation without __________________."
Family Discussion
3The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
The Fight for Independence
Key Battles
Lexington & Concord (1775): "The shot heard round the world"
Bunker Hill (1775): British win but suffer heavy losses
Valley Forge (1777-78): Washington's army endures terrible winter
Yorktown (1781): Final major battle - British surrender
George Washington
Commander of the Continental Army. He faced incredible challenges but trusted in Yahuah. After the war, he gave up power instead of becoming a king.
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
Yahuah's Providence
Many times during the war, unexpected events saved the American army. Washington saw Yahuah's hand protecting the cause of liberty.
Timeline
Put these events in order (number 1-4):
___ Yorktown ___ Valley Forge ___ Lexington ___ Declaration signed
Family Discussion
4Founding Documents
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
Key Ideas
"All men are created equal"
Rights come from our Creator
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Government gets power from the people
Important Truth
The Declaration says our rights come from our Creator - not from government! This means government cannot take away what Yahuah gave us.
The Constitution (1787)
How It Works
Three branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Checks and balances: No branch too powerful
Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments protect freedoms
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." - Proverbs 29:2
Match the Branch
Draw lines to match:
Legislative President
Executive Supreme Court
Judicial Congress
Family Discussion
5Westward Expansion
America Grows
Key Events
Louisiana Purchase (1803): Jefferson doubles the size of America
Lewis and Clark (1804-06): Explore the West
Oregon Trail (1840s): Families travel west in wagon trains
Gold Rush (1849): California attracts thousands
Sacagawea
A Shoshone woman who helped Lewis and Clark on their journey. She served as interpreter and guide.
Consider Both Sides
Westward expansion brought opportunity for many Americans. However, it also caused great suffering for Native American peoples who lost their lands. We must acknowledge both truths.
Map Activity
What two bodies of water were connected by the Louisiana Purchase?
Family Discussion
6Slavery & Abolition
America's Great Sin
The Truth About Slavery
Millions of Africans were kidnapped and forced into slavery
Families were torn apart; people were treated as property
This was a terrible sin against Yahuah and His image-bearers
Slavery contradicted the Declaration's claim that "all men are created equal"
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free... for you are all one in Messiah Yahusha." - Galatians 3:28
Abolitionists
Christians who fought against slavery:
Frederick Douglass: Escaped slave who became a powerful speaker
Harriet Tubman: Led slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad
William Lloyd Garrison: Published anti-slavery newspaper
Faith and Justice
Many abolitionists were motivated by their faith. They knew that all people are made in Yahuah's image and deserve freedom.
Reflection
Why was slavery wrong according to Scripture?
Family Discussion
7The Civil War (1861-1865)
A Nation Divided
Key Facts
Cause: Slavery and states' rights
North (Union): Fought to preserve the Union and end slavery
South (Confederacy): Fought for states' rights and slavery
Deaths: Over 600,000 soldiers died - more than any other American war
Abraham Lincoln
16th President. He led the nation through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate states.
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
Key Battles
Gettysburg (1863): Turning point of the war
Appomattox (1865): Lee surrenders; war ends
13th Amendment
After the war, the 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in America. Freedom came at a great cost.
Think About It
Why did Lincoln say he was "driven to his knees"?
Family Discussion
8Review
What We Learned
America was founded by people seeking religious freedom
The Founders believed rights come from our Creator
The Constitution created a government with limited power
Slavery was a terrible sin that contradicted American ideals
The Civil War ended slavery but at great cost
Many American heroes trusted in Yahuah
"Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." - Proverbs 14:34
Timeline Challenge
Put these events in order (1-6):
___ Civil War begins
___ Declaration of Independence
___ Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth
___ Constitution written
___ Louisiana Purchase
___ Revolutionary War ends
Most Important Lesson
What is the most important thing you learned about American history?
