The British Colony

During the critical era between the years 1450-1750, North America not only endured numerous changes but also a few continuities. The Columbian Exchange affected North America by exchanging foods, diseases, and people. There was also the introduction of new animals, guns, steel, and even new colonies. Despite these changes, the presence of slaves and the occupations Americans had remained the same.

At the beginning of this era, North America had their own culture isolated from the other regions involved in the global pattern of exchange. This didn't last long though. In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas and was soon followed by other Western European nations.

The British Colony settled its first permanent colony in the Americas at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. This was just the first of the 13 colonies founded in North America during 1607-1750. The colonies were divided into three groups; The New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. In 1620 Massachusetts was founded by a group of Puritans, later called Pilgrims. Puritans who did not think Massachusetts was religious enough, created Connecticut. Puritans who thought Massachusetts was too restrictive created Rhode Island. To the north of Massachusettes was New Hampshire. These all composed the New England colonies.

In 1664, King Charles II gave the territory between New England and Virginia to his brother, the Duke of York who renamed it New York. New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania were the other colonies in the Middle Colonies. Finally, there was Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in the Southern Colonies. Southern Colonies grew their own food along with the major cash crops such as sugar and tobacco. The system of plantations was essential.