US History Unit 1: Pre-Colonial

We are studying the history of the United States of America this year. We began with a way too brief look at North America in the pre-colonial times. We watched the first five Crash Course US Histories, and read the textbook sections on reasons people came to North America. We finished with the first installment of America: The Story of US (Rebels). At the end of this unit, my son had to answer the following questions:

1. Describe ways the leaders of Jamestown and other settlements worked to ensure the success of their settlements.  Include interactions with Indians, meeting economic needs, increasing their populations and providing for the basics of survival.
2. Who had the most power in making decision during the colonial times?  How were other groups marginalized?  Did these other groups have any rights or influence at all?
3. Describe one of the religious groups who settled in the colonies. Include why they came, how they treated the natives, and the long term success of their settlements.
4. Describe how the economy contributed to the Seven Years War (French and Indian War).  What were the results?  How did those results help or change the economic balance in the entire new world?

These questions were expounding on the history threads for this year: how social reform, economic pressures, politics and technological advances influenced history. This entire unit took two weeks, but we could have easily spent a month.