United States History: Colonial and Early National Periods

United States History: Colonial and Early National Periods

1. Describe the structure and events surrounding the establishment of the three types of English colonies founded in North America (southern, New England and middle colonies).

Somewhere during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Southern colonies were established in North America by the Europeans. These colonies originally consisted of settlements such as North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia. Initially, the purpose of forming these colonies was more like a race to power by the rulers of that time and later on, these colonies evolved and became much more prosperous. They started growing tobacco, rice and other crops. With the increase in production of goods, the demand for workers increased and soon the colonies became famous for their high level of slave population.

What started initially as a composition of the Thirteen Colonies belonging to the British Empire became independent states in 1776 during the American Revolution. The states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware were formed.

The Middle Colonies were rich in soil and soon became major exporters of wheat and other such grains. They also started to grow in the fields of ship-building and lumber work. These colonies came to be known as the most ethnically diverse colonies of that time. The middle colonies stayed under British rule until the King of England and the Duke of York granted them independence (Mark & Garraty, 2005).

New England is known as one of the earliest settlements in North America. The Plymouth colony was the first one to get formed, followed by the Puritan colony that was formed ten years later. The next colony to get formed was the 'Massachusetts Bay Colony'. The colony of New England fought in French and Indian Wars for more than 130 years. Later during the 18th century, the colony resisted to new taxes imposed by the British Parliament.

Other important events of this colony include the 'Boston Tea Party' protest against heavy taxes, the 'Intolerable Acts' movement which was aimed towards the hostile attitude of Great Britain, open warfare in 1775, British expulsion from New England in 1776 and Declaration of Independence in the year 1776.

2. Both France and English sought hegemony in North America. Discuss the circumstances leading to and the events of the French and Indian war (the seven years war) as well as Chief Pontiac's reaction.

Fought mainly between New France and the colonies of Great Britain, the French and Indian war began in 1754 and lasted in the year 1763. The main eruption of the war was in 1756. The war is also known as the Seven Years War or the 'War of Conquest'. The British colonies were faced by two main enemies: The Native American forces and the Royal French forces.

Under the command of George Washington, the military in Virginia attacked a French patrol and started a dispute that led to the Battle of Jumonville (May 1754). After this, the British caused further riots by their hostile ...