Colonial America

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persönlichen Lernstatistiken

Nie wieder prokastinieren mit unseren Lernerinnerungen.

Despite being known to Europeans as the "land of opportunity," colonial America was more often a land of struggle, as starvation and violent clashes with the Indigenous peoples were all too common. Upon settling, Europeans had to rely on the assistance of the Indigenous populations to survive because they did not understand the land and the food it provided. Regardless of this assistance, colonists pushed out the natives and claimed the land under the British, remaining an expansion of the Old World until 1776.

Colonial America Interview of Samoset with the Pilgrims Vaia Fig. 1 Interview of Samoset with the Pilgrims

Colonial America Definition

The American colonies, also known as the thirteen colonies or colonial America, consisted of thirteen British colonies that were established during the 17^th and early 18^th centuries. This area was located in what is now a part of the Eastern coast of the United States. By the time of the American Revolution (1775-1781), the territory owned by the colonists had spread beyond the Appalachian Mountains, stretching from Maine in the north all the way to the Altamaha River in Georgia in the south!

In Britain, continental Europe and the colonies were viewed as a land of promise and great opportunity, which heavily encouraged immigration. The colonies happily welcomed Protestants, however, many were sent to America against their will, such as convicts, political prisoners, and enslaved Africans.

Did you know?

Around the time of the Revolution, the importation, immigration, and creation of people amounted to a population of approximately 2.5 million and doubled every generation!

Colonial America Map of Colonial North America c. 1680 Vaia Fig. 2 Map of Colonial North America c. 1680

As we can see from the map above, the thirteen colonies consisted of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Colonial America Time Period

Lasting from 1492 to 1763, colonial America faced multiple religious and power struggles on its way to becoming an independent, “melting pot” nation. As multiple European nations made their way to the Americas to expand their wealth and influence across the globe, the Spanish were among the first to land and settle in the New World.

To make the development of colonial America clear, let’s take a look at a timeline!

"Melting Pot" refers to a location that consists of different people, languages, cultures, styles, theories, etc. that are mixed.

Timeline

1492 - 1588

1606 - 1692

1712 - 1783

1492 – Christopher Columbus sets out on his first voyage

1494 – The “Treaty of Tordesillas” divided the New World between the Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Portugal.

1585 – The Colony of Roanoke is founded as the first colony of America.

1588 – The English and their Dutch allies defeat the Spanish Armada.

1606 – The London and Plymouth Companies are granted charters.

1607 – The Jamestown settlement is founded (the first successful colony) but faces “The Starving Time” of 1609-1610.

1620 – The Pilgrims found the Plymouth colony.

1622 – “The Indian Massacre of 1622”, also known as the “Jamestown Massacre,” occurs in Virginia.

1637 – The Pequot War takes the lives of many Pequot people.

1644/46 – The Second Native American Massacre.

1660/73 – Three Navigation Acts are passed by the crown to regulate intercolonial trade and colonists' rebel by smuggling and avoiding ports.

1675 – King Phillips War.

1692 – The Salem Witch Trials.

1712 – The “New York Slave Revolt”.

1740 – Colonists are referred to as “Americans” for the first time.

1754 – Outbreak of The French and Indian War.

1763 – The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War.

1764 – The Parliament of Great Britain enacts the Sugar and Currency Acts, angering the colonists.

1765 – The Stamp and Quartering Acts are enacted, and protests break out in Boston.

1767 – The Townshend Acts.

1770 – The Boston Massacre and the repealing of the Townshend Acts.

1773 – The Boston Tea Party.

1775 – Parliament passes the Restraining Acts and is met with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April, beginning the American Revolution.

1776 – Adoption of the US Declaration of Independence.

1781 – The American Revolution ends, but some small battles remain over the next two years.

1783 – Britain signs the Treaty of Paris and recognizes American independence.

Colonial America North American borders proposed by the Count of Aranda 1782 Vaia Fig 3 North American borders proposed by the Count of Aranda 1782

As we can see from the timeline above, colonial America faced disputes between the French, Spanish, Dutch, English, and Indigenous peoples regarding the control of territory. Religious diversity and the scares that came with them caused events such as the Salem Witch Trials. Further, the implementation of Triangular Trade, and the enslavement of African people caused many revolts and rebellions for freedom. Finally, the War of Independence (American Revolution) for the colonies led to freedom from unfair British control.

Importance of Colonial America

Colonial America was important to the British colonies due to its supply of cotton and tobacco. Upon bringing enslaved Africans into the south to work on plantations, America had a surplus of cotton and tobacco to sell back to the Old World for manufacturing. However, the majority of profitable products were coming from central and south America, not the north.

The colonies were also important to the European settlers as they felt this was a land where they could become religiously and politically free, breaking away from Old World systems and expectations.

Today, colonial America is important for understanding the development and foundations of the United States. For example, some of the most vital documents (such as the Declaration of Independence) were written during the colonial period. Upon breaking away from Britain, colonial Americans went on to set the stage for what we see today: an independent, “melting pot” nation. This period also established the locations of many small groups that still exist today, such as the Pennsylvania Germans (Amish and Mennonites), the Vermont Quakers, and more.

Colonial America Drafting of the Declaration of Independence Vaia Fig. 4 Drafting of the Declaration of Independence

Colonial America Facts

Despite the British being the last to settle in America, they swiftly gained control over French and Spanish settlements in North America.
The colonies were divided into three sections: the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern colonies.
Many of the first settlers were indentured servants, as the passage to the New World was expensive and unattainable to many. By accepting a contract of indentured servitude, a settler could arrive in America with food, clothing, and housing but have to work for a certain number of years without pay.
Food was incredibly scarce in the colonies, not only due to the harsh winters and lack of understanding of the environment but also because of religious beliefs. Many settlers viewed food as a necessity and not an indulgence, hence eating very little, bland foods.
The first colonial settlement, Roanoke, was a complete disaster, as the entire population disappeared due to an attack, starvation, or all of the above. The only clue left about what had happened was the word “Croatoan” carved into a fencepost. On the other hand, the first successful colonial settlement was that of Jamestown, Virginia.

Colonial America Attack on the Confederate Batteries at Roanoke Island by the Federal gun-boats Vaia Fig. 5 Attack on the Confederate Batteries at Roanoke Island by the Federal gun-boats

Colonial America - Key Takeaways

Colonial America lasted from 1492 to 1763 and faced many power (between the Dutch, English, French, and Spanish) and religious (Puritans, Protestantism, Judaism, Christianity, and Native spirituality) struggles along its journey to independence.
13 British colonies made up the territory of colonial America and were separated into three sections: the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies.
Food was scarce in the colonies and starvation was a consistent enemy; the settlers had to rely on education from the native peoples to understand how to tend to the new lands.
Colonial America officially gained independence from Britain in 1783 after the end of the American Revolution (the War of Independence).

Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial America

European nations were coming to America in search of wealth and increasing their influence over world affairs. America was settled by the Spanish, English, Dutch, and French, with the English gaining the most control and settling the 13 colonies. As native people were being pushed out of their homes to make room for the Europeans, many wars started between them and made it difficult for the colonies to expand.

Due to its geographic location and size, Philadelphia was important in colonial America due to being a thriving port city. It also became a hub for major transportation in the 18^th century and had many Europeans from all over Europe, as well as the other colonies, migrating to settle there.

Colonial America is important because it shows us how America came to be as an independent country. Originally an expansion of Europe, the colonies eventually broke away in 1776.

The first colony was a complete failure; founded in 1587, the Roanoke Colony was located on Roanoke Island on the outer banks of what is now North Carolina (but was originally part of Virginia). The islands 115 colonists were poorly prepared to survive in the new land and faced disputes with the natives. Upon returning from Europe, the colony was found abandoned with clear signs of struggle and attack. One of the only clues to the colony’s disappearance was the word “Croatoan” carved into a fence post.

Due to religious and power struggles within colonial America, Triangular Trade, the Pequot War, the Pueblo revolt, the Salem Witch Trials, the Great Awakening, and the American-Indian Wars all caused major difficulties in the colonies.

Flashcards in Colonial America353 Start learning

Which of the following countries did not have an influential role in the creation of the transatlantic slave trade?

France

____________ had one of the most influential roles in pushing England to use and trade for more enslaved Africans beginning in the 1600s.

Bacon's Rebellion

Which of the following was the most influential in England’s increased use of enslaved Africans between 1600 and 1700?

European demand for agricultural products grown in the colonies

Approximately how many Africans were transported out of Africa between 1550 and 1870?

11 Million

Which of the following statements is the most influential effect of the transatlantic slave trade?

The African Diaspora created the cultural, societal, and political foundations of African American culture that would shape the creation of the United States.

_________________ was the journey from West Africa to the Americas.

The Middle Passage

Learn with 353 Colonial America flashcards in the free Vaia app

Already have an account? Log in

More about Colonial America

Save Article

How would you like to learn this content?

Creating flashcards

Studying with content from your peer

Taking a short quiz

How would you like to learn this content?

Creating flashcards

Studying with content from your peer

Taking a short quiz

Free history cheat sheet!

Everything you need to know on . A perfect summary so you can easily remember everything.

Email Address*

Find Study Materials for

Create Study Materials

Colonial America

Colonial America Definition

Colonial America Time Period

Timeline

Importance of Colonial America

Colonial America Facts

Colonial America - Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial America

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

This is still free to read, it's not a paywall.

You need to register to keep reading

This is still free to read, it's not a paywall.

You need to register to keep reading

Entdecke Lernmaterial in der StudySmarter-App

Colonial America

Colonial America Definition

Colonial America Time Period

Timeline

Importance of Colonial America

Colonial America Facts

Colonial America - Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial America

What happened in colonial America?

Why was Philadelphia important in colonial America?

Why is colonial America important?

What is a fact about colonial America?

What major events were happening during the colonial era in America?

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Join the Vaia App and learn efficiently with millions of flashcards and more!

Learn with 353 Colonial America flashcards in the free Vaia app

Learn with 353 Colonial America flashcards in the free Vaia app

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

This is still free to read, it's not a paywall.

You need to register to keep reading

This is still free to read, it's not a paywall.

You need to register to keep reading

Create a free account to save this explanation.

Entdecke Lernmaterial in der StudySmarter-App

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App