Colonial America

Colonial America began with the establishment of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. This marked the start of European colonization in what would become the United States. The period ended with the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), culminating in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the formal recognition of the United States as an independent nation with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

• European exploration of the Americas began in the late 15th century, with Spanish and Portuguese expeditions. The English arrived later, with failed attempts like the Roanoke Colony (1585–1590).
• In 1607, the Virginia Company established Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, primarily for economic reasons (e.g., finding gold and cultivating tobacco).

• The Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, founded Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of New England colonization.

• Over the 17th and 18th centuries, the British established 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Georgia. Other European powers, like the Dutch and Swedes, also established settlements, but these were eventually absorbed by the British.

• After the French and Indian War (1754–1763), Britain imposed taxes (e.g., the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts) to pay for war debts, leading to colonial resentment.

• Events like the Boston Massacre (1770) and the Boston Tea Party (1773) escalated tensions. The colonies formed the Continental Congress to coordinate resistance.

• The war began in 1775 with battles at Lexington and Concord. On July 4, 1776, the colonies declared independence with the Declaration of Independence.

• The war ended with the Treaty of Paris, where Britain recognized American independence, marking the official end of Colonial America and the beginning of the United States.

• Start: 1607 with the founding of Jamestown.
• End: 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, formally recognized in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris.
• Colonial America laid the foundation for the United States, shaping its culture, politics, and society.