How did the 13 Colonies Start?
Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas in the late 15th century sparked a race to acquire the new-
found land among European empires. Among the first to explore and claim North American land were Britain,
Spain, and France. Spain was the first to set up a permanent colony in Florida.
Soon, the French and the British followed suit.
How did the 13 Colonies Start?
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Who Owned What?Britain, France and Spain had conquered much of North America by the 18th century
Britain held much of the Eastern Seaboard (better known as New England)
France held the Midwest, Louisiana and eastern Canada
Spain conquered Mexico, the southwestern region of present-day USA, as well as Florida.
Native Indian tribes still lived in large groups together
Who Owned What?The formation of the 13
British Colonies started with the colonization of
Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. The Colonies
were eventually divided into three areas
The Northern New England Colonies
The Middle Colonies
The Southern Colonies
More About the 13 Colonies Colonists living in America in the 1700’s brought
British laws and customs to America – but they were developing their own way of life as well.
Colonists valued their freedom highly. They thought their society was superior to the corrupt societies of Europe.
The government in Britain did not have much time to devote to the colonies. In addition, the colonies were a long distance away. Communication between the colonies & Britain was slow because news had to travel by ship.
More About the 13 ColoniesBefore the American colonies became independent, the colonists were subjects of the British monarchy. The colonists enjoyed the rights of Englishmen.
The rights of Englishmen were certain basic rights that all British subjects were believed to have. They included:
The right to trial by jury Security from unlawful
entry into one’s home No taxation without
consent
How did this lead to the French & Indian War?The British Parliament (or government) began
to enforce rules/laws that had once been ignored in the American colonies. Colonists who had once been left to govern themselves were now being strictly forced to obey British laws.
At the same time …Tensions mounted as the settlers of New France wanted to increase their land holdings in the Ohio River Valley and the
Great Lakes. Meanwhile, the British also started moving into the Ohio River Valley.
How/Why did the French & Indian War Start
1754-1763The French and Indian War was a war that was fought because the
French and the British both wanted supreme power over the
lands of North America. Both wanted to profit from the trade
routes that lay unclaimed. The war lasted nine years.
How did the War effect the 13
English Colonies?
By the 1750’s the 13 English Colonies had lived peacefully in
America without British interference for almost
200 years. Now the colonists felt they were being overly
governed. However, the prospect
of expanding their lands encouraged the colonies to fight along
side the British.
Here is where we will start our journey through
American history!