In this lesson, 5th graders examine the relations between Indians and the settlers in the 1600s and 1700s. Background information for teachers is included. Students will work in groups to look at three different colonies and read primary...

The settlement of the colonies in America is the focus of this article. The course of events is divided into topics and time periods, making it easier to understand. Note is made of the effects to the already present Native Americans as...

Primary resource material on the growth of British colonies on the east coast of the New World between 1690 and 1763.

Primary source documents, including text and art, provides a look at the diversity and identity of the people in the New England colonies.

Primary resource material on the economies of the New England colonies between 1690 and 1763.

Men and women with little active interest in a new life in America were often induced to make the move to the New World by the skillful persuasion of promoters. William Penn, for example, publicized the opportunities awaiting newcomers...

Text of The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies with which the Continental Congress declares independence from Britain. Original wording.

A chapter from a history text that looks at the development of the Southern Colonies. It discusses the Southern agricultural economy that relied on slave labor, tobacco as a cash crop, Southern society, indentured servitude, Bacon's...

These colonial members of the American Philosophical Society explored the southern colonies. Here you will see what they found to be of scientific importance. There are accounts of indigenous people, flora, and animal species.

The first of the British colonies to take hold in North America was Jamestown. On the basis of a charter which King James I granted to the Virginia (or London) company, a group of about 100 men set out for the Chesapeake Bay in 1607....

Overview of Colonial work structure in the Thirteen Colonies. The author describes the hierarchy of the labor force and discusses the introduction of slaves. Links to primary source material.

A multi-purpose site that provides information on history and historic artifacts from New England. There are also some interesting games that serve to enhance learning about New England. Be sure to watch video demonstrations of Early...

Discusses development of representative government especially in the New England colonies.

View the complete text of the New England Articles of Confederation 1643, an alliance of the English colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.

Quaker and son of the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn's utopian dreams for America were compiled into a large collection highlighting his views of American ideals of politics. Click on "William Penn Activities" for related resources.

These maps, historical primary materials, show the early settlements in Liberia that were created by the American Colonization Society as they resettled free black Americans in West Africa. A timeline of the history of Liberia is included.

George Washington is chosen as the leader of the colonies in their fight against the British in the American Revolution and becomes commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Evidence is supported by original documents.

By 1640 the British had solid colonies established along the New England coast and the Chesapeake Bay. In between were the Dutch and the tiny Swedish community. To the west were the original Americans, then called Indians.

After immigrating to the New England colonies, being captured by Wampanoag Indians, Puritan and author acclimates herself to the Native American culture as a form of survival and documents her time kept captive. See "Mary Rowlandson...

A timeline with key important political and military events primarily in New York in the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783.

This site examines the lives of African-Americans during colonial times in the city of Williamsburg, Virginia. Content provides background information, journal articles, diary entries, biography fact sheets, and more.

A map of the North American Colonies in 1643 at the establishment of the New England Confederation. The map is color-coded to show the territorial claims of the British, French, Dutch, and Swedish at the time, and shows the British...

American colonies

This site provides lesson plans and unit ideas for teaching about the American Revolution. Look for suggestions about specific people or the Revolutionary War in general.