Unit 2: Independence and Growth

Unit 2: Independence and Growth

In our second unit we will be learning about the period in history when the United States became an independent nation and Maryland became a state.  Topics will include the French and Indian War, laws to collect taxes from the colonies, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, Maryland's role in the Revolutionary War, the constitution, the growth of Maryland's economy, the War of 1812, and transportation in Maryland.

Key Vocabulary

Allies	A person or group that joins with another person or group to work toward a goal.
Anthem	A song of praise or loyalty.
Atlas	A book that contains many different kinds of maps.
Blockade	The use of ships or troops to keep people and goods from entering or leaving an area.
Boycott	Type of protest in which people refuse to buy, sell, or use certain goods.
Canal	A waterway made by people for traveling and shipping.
Constitution	A written plan for government.
Encyclopedia	A set of books that have information about people, places, and events.
Frontier	The edge of a country or settled region.
Independence	Freedom from being ruled by someone else.
Index	An alphabetical listing of the topics in a book.
Loyalist	A colonist who stayed loyal to the British king.
Patriot	A colonist who opposed British rule and wanted the colonies to be free from British rule.
Privateer	A privately owned ship that attacked British ships during the Revolutionary War.
Ratify	To accept.
Representative	A person who speaks for other people in government.
Rights	Freedoms protected by the government.
Search engine	A website that finds other websites related to key words.
Surrender	To give up.
Tax	Money that people or businesses pay to their government in return for services.
Turnpike	A road on which a toll is collected from travelers.
Website	A source of information that can be found by using a computer.

The French and Indian War

The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, was a conflict between England and France and their Native American allies.  The war took place from 1754-1763.  Both England and France had claimed the land known as the Ohio River Valley. The French were defeated and forced to give up their land claims in North America east of the Mississippi.  The were able to keep two small Canadian islands and two small Caribbean islands.  The war lead to Britain taxing the American colonies to earn back the money the British spent on the war.  This was one of the causes of the American Revolution.  To learn more about the French and Indian War go to the link "French and Indian War Interactive Timeline" or read more at the link "French and Indian War."

Chestertown Tea Party

Colonists in Boston, Massachusetts dumped tea into Boston harbor to protest tea taxes.  When news of the protest found its way to Chestertown, Maryland the town passed a resolution not to buy, sell, or use tea until the tea tax was eliminated.  Chestertown then had its own "tea party" on May 23, 1774 by dumping tea into Chester River.  To learn more go to the link Chestertown Tea Party.

The Battle of Baltimore

The people of Baltimore heard that the British had won a victory in Washington, D.C. and began to prepare their city for an attack.  They piled up mounds of earth to protect the city.  On September 13, 1814, British troops saw Baltimore's preparations and U.S. soldiers and decided to turn back.  That morning the British attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor.  The British eventually retreated.  This battle was what led Francis Scott Key to write a poem that later became our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner."  To learn more about the Battle of Baltimore go to the Battle of Baltimore multimedia presentation.

Transportation in Maryland

In March 1827, the Maryland legislature passed a bill permitting the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) railroad to form.  The cornerstone for Maryland's first railroad was laid on July 4, 1828.  To learn more go to the link "All Aboard!  Trains In, Around, and Through Maryland."

In 1799, Governor Benjamin Ogle of Maryland signed legislation that gave a charter to build what would later be called the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D).  Construction began in 1824 and the canal was completed in 1829.  To learn more about the canal and to compare the canal to railroad use go to the link "Canals vs. Railroads: The Transportation Race."

Congress and President Thomas Jefferson decided the national government should pay for a road that was later called the National Road.  It would stretch from Cumberland, Maryland to St. Louis.  Baltimore merchants were pleased with this plan.  A turnpike already went from Cumberland to Baltimore, so Baltimore would be the real eastern end of the National Road.  Work on the road began in 1811 and was finished in 1852.  The road led from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois.  It was first called the Great National Pike, which later changed to the National Road, and then the Cumberland Road.  To learn more about the road and how it helped Baltimore go to the link "How Did The National Road Help Baltimore Grow?".

To Learn More About the American Revolution Watch The Videos Below

   Declaring Independence

   The Shot Heard Round the World

   To read an online book about the Constitution.

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