Overview
This lesson covers the original 13 American colonies, their regional differences, and how they became states after gaining independence from Great Britain.
The 13 Original Colonies
- The United States started with only 13 colonies, not 50 states.
- Each original colony is represented by a star on the early American flag.
- The 13 colonies were: New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
- Virginia was the first colony, founded in 1607, and Georgia was the last, founded in 1732.
- Colonies were founded by settlers from England and other countries like Sweden and France.
Colonial Regions and Differences
- The 13 colonies were divided into New England, Middle, and Southern regions.
- New England Colonies: Focused on fishing and fur trading; had little farmland.
- Middle Colonies: Better for growing crops and raising farm animals.
- Southern Colonies: Produced cash crops like rice and cotton to sell for profit.
From Colonies to States
- After the Revolutionary War, colonies became independent states.
- Becoming states gave them independence from Great Britain and allowed them to form a new government.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Colony — A territory settled and governed by people from another country.
- Cash Crop — Crops grown primarily to be sold for profit rather than for personal use.
- Revolutionary War — The conflict in which American colonies fought for independence from Great Britain.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the names and characteristics of the 13 original colonies.
- Understand the differences between New England, Middle, and Southern colonial regions.