Find out about the development of self-government in the English colonies and the responsibilities of the colonial legislatures.

The ideas of the Enlightenment began in Europe, but they were acted upon in the American colonies. See how the philosophies of John Locke and Rousseau influenced the thoughts and actions of Puritan clergy and political figures like...

A brief look at the founding of the English colonies. This site is provided for by the University of Groningen.

A brief discussion of the colonial period in the United States. Includes information on New England, the middle colonies, and the southern colonies. Also, find out about the early government, and the French and Indian War.

This resource gives the text to this Ordinance and Constitution of the Virginia Company which set up a council and assembly for the first colony of Virginia. Be sure to click on "Context" to see how this fit in with the House of Burgesses.

This section of a chapter on "Early Globalization" identifies regions where the English, French, and Dutch explored and established settlements, describes the differences among the early colonies, and explains the role of the American...

Comprehensive overview of the development of money in the American colonies. Topics covered include colonial coins and paper money, national coinage, copper, silver, and gold coins, and Liberty and the eagle.

The early settlers to the New World began to map strategy for their own system of government. This site details that strategy and what kinds of events spawned the idea of representative government.

An outline of the important information to study on the establishment of the New England Colonies by the Puritans, first in the Massachusetts Bay area, and their evolution and expansion beyond that.

The year 1767 brought another series of measures that stirred anew all the elements of discord. Charles Townshend, British chancellor of the exchequer, was called upon to draft a new fiscal program. Intent upon reducing British taxes by...

From the time Columbus first set foot in the New World, Europeans were fascinated with this new land. In this lesson plan, students learn about the Three Gs that drove them here- gold, God, and glory- and find out how these settlers gave...

Study works of American art from the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. Works in a variety of media, including the decorative arts, are represented as are pieces by some of America's best-known artists: Copley, Church, Homer, and...

The Library of Congress profiles Massachusetts in this fact-filled article about the "Old Colony State."

Overview of the development of a strengthening identity within the colonies and the number of Acts imposed by the British Parliament intended to exercise central control over the colonies.

The success of the Revolution gave Americans the opportunity to give legal form to their ideals as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and to remedy some of their grievances through state constitutions. As early as May 10,...

This site from the National Archives and Records Administration, describes the colonization of the United States by the Spanish. Learn about Don Diego de Vargas, read his will, and view a photo of the area he colonized.

Reasons for the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act are briefly described. The article also describes the colonial assemblies' reasons for fearing and speaking out against these taxes. The biggest question, Parliament's right to tax the...

In 1773, however, Britain furnished Adams and his allies with an incendiary issue. The powerful East India Company, finding itself in critical financial straits, appealed to the British government, which granted it a monopoly on all tea...

Essay on the fight between Dutch and British colonial powers over New Amsterdam which eventually resulted in British dominance and the renaming of New Netherland to New York.

Overview of the contentious struggle about taxation without representation between colonists and the British leading King George III and Parliament to overthrow the Stamp Act, but impose the Declaratory Act, asserting Parliament...

Essay on the plight of New Netherland Dutch colonists in the one hundred years after the British took control of Dutch colonies in America.

A six-page discussion of the mix of cultures that converged in the colony of Jamestown and the challenges this presented. These cultures were the English settlers, the indigenous Powhatan people, and the African slaves. Despite many...

This site features an online facsimile of the letter written by the Spanish Ambassador to the United States in which he criticized American President William McKinley. Its publication generated public support for a war with Spain over...

Beginning with a discussion on how people adapt to or relocate to environments, this lesson encourages young scholars to explore why the Colonists settled in specific regions. In groups, students examine primary documents, analyzing...