Oklahoma Academic Standard 2. The student will compare the developments of the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. 

Objective 5.2.1  Explain the contributions of important citizens and groups to the foundation of the colonies including the Puritans and Quakers, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson, William Penn, Lord Baltimore, and James Oglethorpe.

In a Nutshell

The contributions of important people and groups to the founding of the colonies were often prompted by a desire for religious tolerance, including the separation of religion from government. This objective challenges students to examine the motives and contributions of specific colonial leaders, as well as the lasting impact of their efforts toward the development of the colonies.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students in explaining how culture, political, and economic actions influenced individuals who contributed to the foundation of the American colonies.

• Assist students in comparing perspectives of immigrants seeking religious freedom and those seeking economic opportunities. 

• Provide opportunities and support for students to compose informative essays and written products by introducing and developing a topic, incorporating evidence (e.g. facts, examples, details) and maintaining an organized structure.. 

• Gather, compare, and analyze information between primary and secondary sources about the past. 

• Describe the specific contributions of individuals and groups who have shaped significant historical changes in regional and national events.

• Identify democratic principles in historic documents and describe examples of civic virtues and democratic principles at work in the early foundation of the American colonies. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• cause-effect relationships between individual decisions and impact on the community and region

• characteristics of a leader, "founder"

• comparison of the theocracy established by the Puritans and the more tolerant society encouraged by the Quakers

• spirit of individualism and freedom of conscience represented in the lives and actions of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson

• comparison of motivations and impact of immigration supported by Lord Baltimore and James Oglethorpe 

• Many students view individual historical figures as isolated figures who impacted a specific region as opposed to realizing the similarities of leadership qualities and the impact of individual decisions on an entire region or across time. 

Instructional Resources