Exploration and settlement of Appalachia has been interesting and challenging.
Appalachia was touched by the Age of Exploration. One of the earliest European explorers in the US was Hernando De Soto who started his journey from present-day Florida. His expedition took him into NC, TN and even further.
Check out this map showing the distribution of immigrants in Colonial America. Note where the concentration of Scots-Irish are located. Why do you think the Scots-Irish settled in Appalachia? Is the landscape of the areas in the British Isles similar to the Southern Highlands of Appalachia?
Source: http://jb-hdnp.org/Sarver/Maps/us_history_maps.htm
ACTIVITY EXTENSION IDEAS:
Younger students investigate some songs, ballads, or poems that each region shares.
Older students can explore patterns of social thought (clan, values, etc) that are important in each area. Also, explore who the Scots-Irish are. Check out this link to a map of the US depicting American Ethnicity and note the clustering of those describing themselves as "American" -- what are your thoughts, theories about why?
Find the Proclamation Line of 1763 on the map. It is important to note and understand. Many settlers were expanding into the Western lands of East TN before 1763. The Watauga Settlement/Association occurred in 1769. Frontiersman Davy Crockett's Grandfather, David Crockett, Sr., signed the Watauga Petition.
Where we live today is past the Proclamation Line. Do some investigating on your own of the early settlements of East TN and Daniel Boone's crossing through the Cumberland Gap. Historic Martin's Station at the Wilderness Road State Park (VA) will be hosting a Fall Encampment October 10-12. It is well-worth the trip to see history come to life!
ACTIVITY EXTENSION IDEAS:
Younger students investigate some songs, ballads, or poems that each region shares.
Older students can explore patterns of social thought (clan, values, etc) that are important in each area. Also, explore who the Scots-Irish are. Check out this link to a map of the US depicting American Ethnicity and note the clustering of those describing themselves as "American" -- what are your thoughts, theories about why?
Find the Proclamation Line of 1763 on the map. It is important to note and understand. Many settlers were expanding into the Western lands of East TN before 1763. The Watauga Settlement/Association occurred in 1769. Frontiersman Davy Crockett's Grandfather, David Crockett, Sr., signed the Watauga Petition.
Where we live today is past the Proclamation Line. Do some investigating on your own of the early settlements of East TN and Daniel Boone's crossing through the Cumberland Gap. Historic Martin's Station at the Wilderness Road State Park (VA) will be hosting a Fall Encampment October 10-12. It is well-worth the trip to see history come to life!
The Southern Highlands of Appalachia are the homeland of the Cherokee. Native Americans across the land of what was to become the United States had rich cultures and languages at the time of colonization which is still cultivated today. Several Cherokee of this time period are interesting to study, including Nancy Ward, Attakullakulla
Dragging Canoe and Sequoyah. (Nancy Ward and Dragging Canoe by Pat Alderman is available online to preview through Google Books.) Sequoyah, a talented and gifted man, was able to create an alphabet of the Cherokee language.
The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, TN, is another wonderful place to visit. Coming up this weekend is the Great Island Festival which includes activities at Fort Loudoun State Historic Area and Sequoyah Birthplace. It is another opportunity to experience some living history!
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