Quck answer
The original thirteen colonies were the British colonies that formed the foundation for the United States of America. They were established between 1607 and 1733 along the eastern coast of North America. The thirteen colonies were:
1. Virginia
2. Massachusetts
3. New Hampshire
4. Maryland
5. Connecticut
6. Rhode Island
7. Delaware
8. North Carolina
9. South Carolina
10. New Jersey
11. New York
12. Pennsylvania
13. Georgia
These colonies played a crucial role in the development of American history and ultimately became the first states of the United States after declaring independence from Britain in 1776.
When your social studies teacher asks how many states there are, do you eagerly raise your hand, hoping to be chosen to answer? If you say 50, you are correct!
While 50 is a nice round number, you may have older relatives who remember a time when there were fewer than 50 states in the United States. As we travel back in time to the birth of the United States, we will discover that this great nation began when 13 original colonies joined together and declared independence from England.
Located along the eastern seaboard, the original 13 colonies were: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Let’s take a closer look at the founding of some of these colonies.
The first of the original 13 colonies was Virginia, founded in 1607 with the establishment of Jamestown. It was founded by the London Company under a charter from King James I.
The colony of Virginia looked different from the state we know today. For example, it included what is now West Virginia.
The colonization of the New England colonies, which we now know as Massachusetts, began in 1620 when the Pilgrims established the Plymouth colony. The Massachusetts Bay Company sent more people to the area, and by 1630, the colony became known as Massachusetts.
The Pilgrims, who were Puritan separatists, formed other colonies in the area, including New Hampshire (1623), Connecticut (1635), and Rhode Island (1636). In 1632, the English king granted Lord Baltimore 12 million acres at the head of Chesapeake Bay. He named the new colony Maryland in honor of the queen.
William Penn, a Quaker who owned a large amount of land in Ireland, was given 45,000 square miles west of the Delaware River. In 1682, this land became the colony of Pennsylvania.
Colonists from Virginia settled the Carolina colony. The northern part of the Carolina territory was settled in 1653, and the southern part was settled ten years later. It was not until 1729 that the colony was divided into North Carolina and South Carolina. To separate South Carolina from the Spanish settlements in Florida, James Edward Oglethorpe established the colony of Georgia in 1732.
The original 13 colonies were diverse and grew rapidly. By the turn of the 18th century, the population of the colonies consisted of approximately 250,000 European settlers and African slaves. By the eve of the American Revolution, 75 years later, the population had grown to almost 2.5 million.
Give It a Try
Are you ready to travel back in time to the beginning of the United States? Make sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Discover the 13 Colonies on the internet using an enjoyable and interactive map. Take note of at least 13 intriguing facts that you learn about one or more of the colonies. Share your newfound knowledge with a friend or family member.
- If you need assistance in memorizing the original 13 colonies and their locations, simply go online and utilize the Make Your Own 13 Colonies Map tool. Follow the straightforward instructions and you’ll be able to create your own unique map of the 13 colonies in a short amount of time!
- For an engaging way to learn about the 13 colonies, try the entertaining online 13 Colonies Word Search. You can play by yourself or compete against a friend or family member. Can you successfully locate all 13 colonies in the word search? Best of luck!
Valuable Resources
- http://www.history.com/topics/thirteen-colonies
- http://americanhistory.about.com/od/colonialamerica/a/colonylist.htm
- http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/colonies.htm
FAQ
1. What were the original thirteen colonies?
The original thirteen colonies were the British colonies on the east coast of North America that later became the United States. They were established by English settlers in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The thirteen colonies were: Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
2. How did the original thirteen colonies come into existence?
The original thirteen colonies were established through various means. Some colonies were founded as business ventures, such as Virginia and Massachusetts, while others were established as havens for religious groups, like Maryland and Rhode Island. The British government granted charters to individuals or groups of people, giving them permission to establish colonies in North America. Over time, these colonies grew and developed their own unique economies and political systems.
3. Why were the original thirteen colonies important?
The original thirteen colonies played a crucial role in the formation of the United States. They were the foundation upon which the country was built. The colonies established the first English settlements in North America and served as an economic and political base for the American Revolution. The ideals of freedom and self-governance that emerged in the colonies eventually led to the creation of the United States as an independent nation.
4. How did the original thirteen colonies differ from one another?
The original thirteen colonies differed from one another in terms of geography, climate, economy, and culture. The northern colonies, such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire, had colder climates and relied heavily on industries like fishing and shipbuilding. The southern colonies, like Virginia and South Carolina, had warmer climates and relied on agricultural crops like tobacco and rice. The middle colonies, such as New York and Pennsylvania, were more diverse and had a mix of industries and agricultural activities.
5. What happened to the original thirteen colonies?
The original thirteen colonies eventually declared their independence from Britain and formed the United States of America. This process began with the American Revolution in 1775 and culminated in the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. After gaining independence, the former colonies became sovereign states, and over time, more states were added to the Union. Today, the original thirteen colonies are part of the fifty states that make up the United States.
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