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.

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!