Detail of map
of the 13 original colonies, made in 1755 (Library of Congress)
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American
Colonies
by
Alan Taylor
In
this book Taylor examines the complex mix of peoples, events,
and influences in the diverse American colonies
Other
books on the American Revolution |
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British
citizens settled the colonies in North America for the most
part. The first colony, at Roanoke, was a mysterious failure.
The first successful colony was at Jamestown,
Virginia. By 1700 there were the thirteen colonies which became
The United States and British possessions in Canada. The 13
colonies were inhabited by 250,000 people who considered themselves
English. The free men considered themselves entitled to an
Englishman's rights. Women of course had diminished rights,
and slaves none at all.
Values
of independence and self-reliance were there almost from the
beginning. The colonies were sparsely populated compared to
Europe and were made up mostly of small farmers (with a few
large planters) and merchants who prided themselves on their
independent spirit. Each colony considered itself independent
of the other colonies, and preferred a loose tie to Britain.
There
was peace between the American Colonies and the mother country
as long as Great Britain left them alone.
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