Essential Question

1. Essential Question • How did the Germans & Scots-Irish influence the early development of the United States?

2. The Germans & Scots-Irish Ch 4 Secs 3&4

3. The Germans Arrive • Many different ethnic groups arrived & settled in Middle Colony port cities • One of the largest groups was German Protestants • They came in large #’s btwn 1710 & 1740, mostly as indentured servants, often fleeing religious intolerance • PA was particularly attractive b/c the state did not tax its residents to fund a particular denomination, or distinct religious group • Like the Puritans, Germans arrived in large family groups • They tended to settle together in distinct communities • Many moved to PA’s western frontier, where land was cheap

4. German Influence • Famous for farming skills, Germans soon exerted massive influence on the MC • Besides being superior farmers, Germans also brought a tradition of skilled craftsmanship as: • Gunsmiths • Ironworkers • Glassmakers • Furniture crafters • Germans also built a transportation device that would effect the future of America • Germans used the Conestoga Wagon to carry goods back and forth to market • The wagon was well-built and suitable for America’s dirt roads • Later in American History, this wagon was used extensively by Americans traveling westward to settle in Oregon & California

5. The “Backcountry” • The backcountry extended through the western part of the Appalachian Mtns. • It was a region of dense forests & rushing streams • The region extended from E. Canada south to AL • In the south, the Backcountry was defined by a two geographic areas • 1. Fall Line – area where waterfalls prevented large boats from moving upriver • 2. Piedmont – Large plateau that lies btwn the fall line & the base of the Appalachians • The 1st settlers arrived to trade w/ Natives • Conflict soon arose w/ the Natives over land • As a result, the backcountry gained a reputation as: • Wild & constantly in conflict • Full of independent, violent, & anti-govt settlers

6. The Scots-Irish • In the 1700’s, the Backcountry saw an influx of immigrants known as the Scots-Irish • This group came from the borderlands of Scotland & England • Most were Protestants, who had often lived for a time in northern Ireland (i.e. “Scots-Irish”) • Many S-I immigrated to America to avoid persecution & their region’s constant warfare • Living under such circumstances, though, gave the S-I the survival skills necessary to thrive in the Backcountry • They immigrated in large family groups known as clans • Clans were often loosely affiliated, but fiercely loyal when danger threatened