2. How did the 13 Colonies Start? Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas in the late 15th century sparked a race to acquire the new-found land among European empires. Among the first to explore and claim North American land were Britain, Spain, and France. Spain was the first to set up a permanent colony in Florida. Soon, the French and the British followed suit.

3. How did the 13 Colonies Start?  Lets view the video below to see…  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiMCXW MvRJc&list=PL82450BCD3EF8A71D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiMCXW MvRJc&list=PL82450BCD3EF8A71D

4. Who Owned What? Britain, France and Spain had conquered much of North America by the 18th century  Britain held much of the Eastern Seaboard (better known as New England)  France held the Midwest, Louisiana and eastern Canada  Spain conquered Mexico, the southwestern region of present-day USA, as well as Florida.  Native Indian tribes still lived in large groups together

6. Who Owned What? The formation of the 13 British Colonies started with the colonization of Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. The Colonies were eventually divided into three areas  The Northern New England Colonies  The Middle Colonies  The Southern Colonies

7. More About the 13 Colonies  Colonists living in America in the 1700’s brought British laws and customs to America – but they were developing their own way of life as well.  Colonists valued their freedom highly. They thought their society was superior to the corrupt societies of Europe.  The government in Britain did not have much time to devote to the colonies. In addition, the colonies were a long distance away. Communication between the colonies & Britain was slow because news had to travel by ship.

8. More About the 13 Colonies  Before the American colonies became independent, the colonists were subjects of the British monarchy. The colonists enjoyed the rights of Englishmen.  The rights of Englishmen were certain basic rights that all British subjects were believed to have. They included: The right to trial by jury Security from unlawful entry into one’s home No taxation without consent

9. How did this lead to the French & Indian War? The British Parliament (or government) began to enforce rules/laws that had once been ignored in the American colonies. Colonists who had once been left to govern themselves were now being strictly forced to obey British laws. At the same time …Tensions mounted as the settlers of New France wanted to increase their land holdings in the Ohio River Valley and the Great Lakes. Meanwhile, the British also started moving into the Ohio River Valley.

11. How/Why did the French & Indian War Start 1754-1763 The French and Indian War was a war that was fought because the French and the British both wanted supreme power over the lands of North America. Both wanted to profit from the trade routes that lay unclaimed. The war lasted nine years.

12. How did the War effect the 13 English Colonies? By the 1750’s the 13 English Colonies had lived peacefully in America without British interference for almost 200 years. Now the colonists felt they were being overly governed. However, the prospect of expanding their lands encouraged the colonies to fight along side the British. Here is where we will start our journey through American history!