Early American History English Edition (Colonial Period-Civil War Period)

American history can be divided into three periods: the early period (1492 years ago-1776 years ago); Modern (1776 ——1898); And modern times (1898 to present). The landmark events that distinguish the three periods are 1776 American independence and 1898 Spanish-American War.

1. Early American Development History (A.D. 1492 years ago-A.D. 1776 years ago)

The development of this stage is characterized by the development from primitive clan society to capitalist mode of production, accompanied by the leap of pre-capitalist form. During this period, the development of social forms did not transition in turn, nor did it go through the development stage dominated by slavery and feudal social system. As far as the dominant form of production relations is concerned, it is the period when pre-capitalism and capitalist mode of production began to develop. As far as social and political life is concerned, it was a 13 colonial period in British North America, dominated by indigenous Indians and mainly by English. The fundamental reason lies in the influence of the British who have been in the advanced stage of capitalist development coming to the United States.

Early America can be divided into three stages of development.

1) The period when Indians explored North America (former 1492-)

Indians are the earliest primitive inhabitants of the North American continent. They have long been the main force in developing North America. Before the establishment of British North America 13 colony, their activities constituted the mainstream of ancient North American history. But the Indians developed North America very slowly. If it weren't for the exploration and colonization of white Europeans in North America since the end of15th century, North American Indians would still have influenced the evolution of the history of the North American continent.

2) European powers' exploration, development and colonization in North America (1492-1early 7th century).

At this time, Indians are still the main residents of the North American continent, but it is the European whites who dominate the fate of this continent. European powers, mainly Spain, Holland, France and Britain, successively invaded the North American continent and established their own colonies. Generally speaking, the colonization of Spain and France in North America has a strong color of feudal plunder. The colonization of the British and Dutch in North America is mainly related to the capitalist mode of production.

3) 13 British colonial period in North America (1607-1775).

During this period, Britain established 13 colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America, from Jamestown, Virginia to 1733, Georgia, which lasted 126 years. Before and after this, the French had huge colonies on the Mississippi River, while the Spanish controlled Florida and Mexico, and the Dutch controlled new york. 1756- 1763 after the seven-year war, the British controlled Canada and the vast area west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River, and became the hegemon in the area east of the Appalachian Mountains in North America.

It should be pointed out that, firstly, the mainstream of immigrants in this period was WASP, mainly English, that is, Puritans among Anglo-Saxon whites in Europe; There are white, black immigrants and native Indians among the residents; Free immigrants and indentured servants are different in nature.

Second, the British model in the colonial period was different from the Spanish model. The former is basically capitalist colonization, while the latter is basically feudal commercial plunder.

Third, the social nature of the colonial period was a capitalist society, with dependency and pre-capitalist remnants. Generally speaking, it is basically the transplantation of British capitalism in North America under special conditions, which can be said to have North American characteristics.