Early American History
Native Americans were the first people to live in America. Looking at the map you can see they lived all across America. Back then there was no state or federal government. Each tribe had their own government for the area they lived in.
Spanish Colonization of America - 1498 to 1848 |
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Spain was ruled by a king. In Spain the language is Spanish.
The Spanish explorers arrived during the mid 1490s. They sailed looking for new lands. The Spanish crossed the Atlantic Ocean, during a time, when people didn't know directions like north, south, east or west. Yet, they found America. French Colonization of America - 1524 to 1804 |
The Spanish first arrived in South Florida. Once in Florida they traveled across American lands looking for a way to Mexico. They found Mexico in 1519. It was very difficult. They were 4,000 miles away from Spain and had to find food and water. They raided and fought many native american people for their food and animals. They also searched for gold. They never found gold. But, they stayed and fought to own American land for 300 years.
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The Spanish occupied the red area on the map above.They occupied Mexico plus Florida. The Spanish stayed in America for 300 years. |
France was ruled by a King. Their language is French. France was adventuresome and wanted to explore outside of their home country.
The French explorers arrived during the early 1500's. They sailed across the Atlantic. Their first goal was to find passage to the Pacific. So, they would have to find a way from the Atlantic Ocean on the East coast of North America and the Pacific Ocean on the West coast of North America. During the 1500's people guessed at how to find their way. They didn't know east or west in North America. They didn't know North America. Other Countries Colonizing America
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Once they landed in North America they set up settlements, places to live like communities. After arriving in North America they learned how to hunt and fish. Then, they built forts to export animal furs, fish and sugar to the Native Americans. The French wanted to own North America. They began to call North America New France. But, They found the winter's in New France were much colder than their home country of France. This made it very difficult for them to survive. They didn't have the know how on how to stay warm and save food to live during the winters. |
You can see, looking at the color green, that the French settled mainly on the north eastern coast of North America. Look at how far inland they migrated. The problems they faced were:
1) French women did not want to leave France to marry men living in New France or America. So, french men married Native American women. 2) The many people living in New France died from the cold winters, disease and wars with the Spanish and Native Americans. The French were here almost 240 years with the Spanish and Native Americans. |
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During the years, Spain, France and Britain moved into North America while other countries were competing for land. Each of these countries wanted North America for themselves. The Native Americans wanted to hold on to their land. So, there were wars with the Native Americans, plus each country was fighting for the land they owned.
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British Colonization - 1607 to 1775
Great Britain was ruled by a King. Today Britain is also called England. Their language is English.
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The British explorers arrived during the 1600's. They, too, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to reach North America. They came to North America to take control of the land from Spain and France.
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You can see {pink) that Britain also called England setup colonies all along the east coast.The English people came to live in the colonies and became the strongest. After several years, Great Britain had taken land from Spain and France
As you look at the pink, on the map, these are the original 13 colonies. Through the Revolutionary War the colonies became the United States of America. 
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The Thirteen (13) Colonies
New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Jersey
Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia
New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Jersey
Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia