American Colonial Period

The American Colonial Period covers the history of the settlements of North America by the major European powers during the 17th and 18th centuries. The English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedish all established colonies in what is now the United States. These colonies ranged from small trading outposts to large plantation societies. The American Colonial Period was a time of great change for the Native American peoples, who were forced to adapt to the arrival of the Europeans. The Europeans brought with them new technologies, religions, and ways of life that dramatically changed the face of North America.

The American colonial period began in 1607 with the establishment of the Jamestown colony in Virginia and ended in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence. In the early years, the British colonies in North America were relatively small and isolated from each other. But as the population grew and the colonies expanded, they began to develop their own distinct identities. The colonies also became more economically and politically diverse, which led to escalating tensions with the British government. These tensions came to a head in 1775 with the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. After eight years of conflict, the colonies declared themselves independent and, in 1783, were recognized by the British as a sovereign nation. The American colonial period was a time of great change and upheaval, and its legacy can still be seen in the United States today.