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The Colonies. US History Ms. Naghizadeh. The 13 Colonies. It all began with the settlement of Virginia in 1607. A total of 13 colonies were established by the start of the Revolutionary War. . Who Were the Colonists?.
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The Colonies US History Ms. Naghizadeh
The 13 Colonies • It all began with the settlement of Virginia in 1607. • A total of 13 colonies were established by the start of the Revolutionary War.
Who Were the Colonists? • Colonists came to America for political, economic and religious reasons. • Example: The Puritans in New England were reformers seeking religious freedom. • The colonists were quite diverse-many religions and nationalities were represented. • Many colonists were poor, indentured or escaping debt. Some, however, were wealthy and looked to capitalize on the economic promise of the New World.
New England • The great majority of colonists in New England were Puritan. • Religion and government were closely tied together. • The Mayflower Compact: a landmark of American democratic government. • Laws approved by the majority were adopted • “…for the general good of the colony…”
The Middle Colonies • Diverse Origins: Dutch, Germans, French, Scandinavians, etc. • Religious Diversity: Quakers, Catholics, Anglicans, etc. • Greater diversity led to a truly American mix of backgrounds and ideas.
The Southern Colonies • The Southern colonists were mostly of German and Scotch-Irish descent. • Protestant. • They were able to establish productive plantations and farms. Many became wealthy quickly.
The Roots of Slavery • Slavery began to take root in America when the Spanish first arrived. • Originally plantation owners relied upon indentured white servants. • Over time, the demand for slavery increased as farming became a staple of the Southern economy. • Slavery also existed in New England and the Middle colonies. • However, 1/5 of the Middle Colony population was composed of free African immigrants. Some colonists did not believe in slavery from the beginning. The Quakers tried to make slavery illegal in Pennsylvania in the 1600’s.
Where does the name “America” come from? • As with most parts of American history the origin of our country’s name is debated. • Germanic: Amerika, meaning ever-powerful • Norse: Omerika, “the farthest outland” • Italian: Named after Americo Vespucci • Ameracus: Incan word meaning “land of the serpent”