Colonial Expansion

Starting later than most other European countries, England began settling along the east coast of North America. Some people arrived searching for religious freedom, some for profit, some because they had no where else to go. Quickly, the population grew and the English colonies expanded into thirteen self-sufficient colonies.

Over time these colonies developed their own democratic governments that passed laws, collected taxes, and provided for the common defense. Colonies established thriving economies based largely on farming but also on trade, shipbuilding, fishing, and business. Unlike people in Europe, colonists had opportunities to improve their financial position and move from the lower to upper classes. There was much to like in the British colonies in America.

Media

Slideshow

The Colonies is a slideshow with information about the life in the thirteen British colonies in North America.

• The Colonies

Worksheets

Click on any link below to bring up the .pdf file of a needed worksheet or information sheet.

Notebook Worksheets

These are worksheets used for all U.S. History classes. Since most of these activities are cut out and pasted into the notebook, print using only one side of the paper.

• American Indians: Eastern Woodlands.pdf
• Colonial Government.pdf
• Map of the Colonies.pdf
• People to Know.pdf
• The Colonies I.pdf
• The Colonies II.pdf
• Vocabulary.pdf
• English Democracy.pdf
• Farms Versus Cities.pdf
• The Great Awakening.pdf

Worksheets

These are worksheets used outside of the textbook for various activities. One copy of each sheet will be provided to the student at the appropriate time.

• Documents: Franklin
• In Depth: Enlightenment 1
• In Depth: Enlightenment 2

Information Sheets

These are sheets that contain information for students to use to complete specific assignments.

• People to Know Biographies.pdf