n a period of almost 150 years during the 17th and 18th centuries, the British
established 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast that provided a profitable trade
and a home to a diverse group of people.
Overview From the establishment of the first permanent English settlement
in North America to the start of a decisive war for European control of the
continent, the colonies evolved. At first, they struggled for survival, but they
became a society of permanent farms, plantations, towns, and cities. European
settlers brought various cultures, economic plans, and ideas for governing
to the Americas. In particular, with varying approaches, they all sought to
dominate the native inhabitants. The British took pride in their tradition of free
farmers working the land. The various colonies developed regional or sectional
differences based on many influences including topography, natural resources,
climate, and the background of their settlers. They largely viewed the American
Indian as an obstacle to colonial growth. With their emphasis on agriculture
came a demand for labor, and this led to a growing dependence on slavery and
the Atlantic slave trade to power the economy. The start of the Seven Years’
War signified the maturity of the British colonies and the influence of European
conflicts in the power struggle for control in North America.
Alternate View Historians disagree on what date best marks the end of
the colonial era. Some identify the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War in 1763
or the start of the American Revolution in 1775 or the signing of a peace treaty
in 1783. Historians who focus on cultural rather than political and military
events might choose other dates for both the start and end of the period that
emphasize the role of non-English residents, such as the Scotch-Irish, Germans,
and enslaved Africans, in the colonies
