Preview

Colonial history of the United States

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
331 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Colonial history of the United States
Colonial history of the United States:

The colonial history of the United States covers the history of European settlements from the start of colonization of America until their incorporation into the United States. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major colonization programs in eastern North America.[1] Small early attempts—such as the English Lost Colony of Roanoke—often disappeared; everywhere the death rate of the first arrivals was very high. Nevertheless successful colonies were established. European settlers came from a variety of social and religious groups. No aristocrats settled permanently, but a number of adventurers, soldiers, farmers, and tradesmen arrived. Diversity was an American characteristic as the Dutch of New Netherland, the Swedes and Finns of New Sweden, the English Quakers of Pennsylvania, the English Puritans of New England, the English settlers of Jamestown, and the "worthy poor" of Georgia, came to the new continent and built colonies with distinctive social, religious, political and economic styles. Occasionally one colony took control of another (during wars between their European parents). Only in Nova Scotia (now part of Canada) did the conquerors expel the previous colonists. Instead they all lived side by side in peace. There were no major civil wars among the 13 colonies, and the two chief armed rebellions (in Virginia in 1676 and in New York in 1689–91) were short-lived failures. Wars between the French and the British—the French and Indian Wars and Father Rale's War—were recurrent, and involved French support for Wabanaki Confederacy attacks on the frontiers. By 1760 France was defeated and the British seized its colonies.

The four distinct regions were: New England, the Middle Colonies, the Chesapeake Bay Colonies (Upper South) and the Lower South. Some historians add a fifth region, the Frontier, which was never separately organized.[1] By the time European settlers arrived

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    * The three geographic regions of the 13 Colonies were the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies.…

    • 1600 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    APUSH DBQ Essay

    • 615 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The three colonial regions of British North America had differences economically and socially. Massachusetts Bay in New England struggled with farming due to the rocky land. However Virginia, a southern colony, and middle colonies had fertile land and had warmer weather. Despite the fact that all three regions were settled by English Colonists, all regions had different religious points of view. Farming and religion are differences economically and socially that separated the three colonial regions.…

    • 615 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the seventh century, Europeans established colonies in North America. The English colonies were originally established because proprietors from England were granted charters to settle and govern lands. Other European colonies were established around trading posts. Over time, the English gained control of the thirteen colonies through force or purchase; eventually, by regions were known as the Southern, Middle and New England colonies. Although the colonies were under the control of the English and had many commonalities, each region created a distinct culture. These similarities and differences can be evidenced when comparing the role of African Americans, a role of women, and types of settlers of the Middle colonies and The Southern…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In short, the American colonies sole purpose was to supply England with the resources they were able to obtain from the North America. The colonies were viewed as second citizens under the British rule, but the lifestyle and custom between the two were obvious different. As you stated in your discussion, while the colonists and those living in England shared history and a frame of reference regarding aristocratic versus monarchic rule, over the course of two centuries, their daily life experiences grew more and more separate. In my discussion, I stated, “the colonists had control of their local affairs, but England believed they had control over the colonial affairs” (Reich, 2011). For the most part, there was obvious an misunderstanding of…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the 17th century, there were two colonies in North America of the East Coast. The colonies were known as the New England colonies and the Chesapeake colonies. The New England colonies included of Connecticut, Colony of Rhode Island, Providence Plantations, Massachusetts and Province of New Hampshire. The Chesapeake colonies consisted of Virginia and Maryland. These colonies were settled in by Englishmen with similar resolutions and ethnicities and faced similar obstacles. But these colonies became two distinct colonies with different purposes and different outcomes.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    American Colonies Dbq

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages

    During the late 1600’s and early 1700’s things like migration of many immigrants to the colonies in search of economic, religious and political burgeoning and freedom. When they arrived some came to the south, some in the middle and some in the north. When the people landed in the north near MA colony they were out of the charters jurisdiction so they created a temporary gov. like agreement called the Mayflower Compact which in a way was like an attempt to break from the mother country and sort of make their own identity. They colonist started to develop a sense of their identity and unity as Americans as the revolution neared because of British imposed stuff. Along with that each section of colonies, south, middle, and north, all developed…

    • 1165 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Colonial America Dbq

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Thirteen Colonels of America have been working on this new idea of Democracy, while still under the British rule. The colonists in Maryland created the Assembly of Maryland, "Where in document 1, they created a law to protect ever form of Christianity and allow them to practice it," as well, "it prevents people of one form of Christianity from going out and attacking another person, who is practicing a different form of Christianity," (Citizen Legislators and Toleration). That was one of the first things that this new Democracy in America has achieved in their way to a better world. This law stopped people from attacking other religions and allowed the freedom of practicing any form of Christianity in Colonial America without fear of being beaten for it. But another democratic feature, which happened in Colonial America was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The English colonies in the Americas consisted of four regional colonies: Chesapeake, Southern, New England, and Middle Colonies. Each of these colonies not only differed, in…

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know.”(Truman) America derives from relationships, events, and ideas that shaped all that it is today. The topics that most shaped America include the environment, government, and employment.…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Original 13 Colonies - The original 13 British colonies settled in America, they were founded in the 17th and 18th century. These colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776 and soon later formed the United States of America. The colonies all had similar political, constitutional, and legal systems, all the while being dominated by Protestant English- speakers. In the 18th century Britain held America in tight grasp of mercantilism. This is significant to the expansion of the U.S because it helped give us an idea of how we wanted are government to be based. With the colonies gaining independence from one of the strongest powers in the world, it shook the world. This was a turning point in not only American history, but World History.…

    • 1092 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The 13 Colonies Essay

    • 1413 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Although British colonists in North America came from similar european descent, by the end of the colonial period, each territory became distinct as a result of environmental, social, religious, and political factors, with different areas being affected by different factors more than others. The thirteen colonies can be divided into three distinct regional sections: New England, Middle, and Southern. Each section had its own distinct economic and cultural framework which emerged from the geographical elements of the land and the religious beliefs of the settlers. Although founded by people of similar European origin, the regions became unique. This allowed all thirteen colonies to prosper and generate money in the way best suited for them.…

    • 1413 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Revolution, was a political upheaval that occurred from 1765 to 1783. During this event, the Thirteen American Colonies resisted the ruling of Great Britain therefore attempting and later succeeding at their independence and the founding of their unification as the United States. In the summer of 1776, the Colonies declared their independence, developed a rough idea for a democratic government and the British suppressed any rebellions and the idea of the Colonies’ independence. The decisions that were made on the front lines of the military conflict influenced the creation of the United State’s government by showing the need for a secretary of war, a government and the Declaration of Independence as well as the bottom up approach and the restrictions needed in a republic government .…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While many of his comrades perished from malnutrition and the elements Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca used his skills at bartering to gain respect among the native peoples who inhabited the island off the coast of Texas. (de Vaca, p 14) He often thought of rescuing others (Oviedo) who were worse off than himself even though they would end up rejecting his offers. (de Vaco, p 15) When he became separated from his companions he ingeniously found ways to build fires and locate straw in which to cover his naked body for warmth, though he did come close to burning himself up when his straw caught fire with him in it. (de Vaca, p 18) He also had a strong belief that God controlled his actions and would see him through all kinds of adversities. (de Vaca, p 16) He mentions that some of his Christian companions perish when their boat capsizes, yet he manages to live by the grace of God. (de Vaca, p 11) It is through God’s intervention that he uses his gift of healing to build trust and instill confidence in the local natives after years of misfortune. “No one whom we treated, but told us he was left well; and so great was the confidence that they would become healed if we administered to them, they even believed that whilst we remained none of them could die.” (de Vaca, p 20). De Vaca shows concern for the natives and his courage and fearlessness enacted change in how they interacted. He displayed a sense of equality in helping to save the lives of others. He did not allow his feelings of past experiences to prevent him from doing the noble thing. He worked through his past and made a better future for the people and for himself.…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Fashion is an essential part of life and this is especially true for Colonial America. The reason fashion played an important role in colonial life is because it depicts status, connects the colonists to Europe, and helps them express themselves. Clothing also helps explain a great deal about the colonists in America. Colonial America’s fashion was influenced by Europe, but ultimately became American through creating clothing styles specifically for colonists’ daily needs (Loren, 4).…

    • 1368 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Enlightment and the Great Awakening were both huge impacts on the colonial regions of North America. During the Enlightment, the thinkers were arguing that the universe was governed by natural laws that people could understand and apply to their own advantage. The writers were emphasizing rationality, harmony, and order. Sons were being sent to college during this time and many people were reading and writing. However the Enlightment did cause a decline in religious devotion. The Great Awakening was a response to the Enlightment because it challenged the rationalist approach to religion by having ministers preach more emotionally than rationally, by having people find relief in religious enthusiasm, and by having like-minded men be trained for the ministry.…

    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics