English Colonies
During the early periods of Spanish exploration of the New World，England was still a relatively backward country.It lacked resources to establish overseas colonies，and the English were generally not interested in the New World apart from fishing in Newfoundland.But by the end of the 16th century，things had changed.Population growth and rising prices were making life in England miserable for common people.At the same time，businessmen were looking for new markets because of increased woolen textile production.In addition，England’s position as a strong sea power after defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588 roused intense nationalism and a strong desire for overseas expansion.
The first English colony in North America was set up in 1607.By 1732，there were 13 colonies divided roughly into three groups：the Chesapeake colonies，the New England colonies，and the Restoration colonies.
The Chesapeake colonies refer to Virginia and Maryland which are around the Chesapeake Bay.Virginia was the first English colony in America，named in honor of the virgin queen，Elizabeth I.Its first settlement was James Town named after the reigning English king，James I.The colony was started by the Virginia Company of London in 1607，and the first settlers were employees of the company.They wanted to find quick wealth in the New World as the Spanish had done，but they failed because the Atlantic region of North America did not have significant gold deposits.Tobacco was the most important product that sustained the colony’s economy.Administratively，Virginia was governed by a governor and a legislature known as the General Assembly.The General Assembly contained two chambers：the Council of State，whose members were appointed by the London Company，and the House of Burgesses，whose members were elected by the colonists.This arrangement set an example for other colonial governments and thereby laid the foundation for representative government in the future.
Maryland was next to Virginia geographically.It was given to Lord Baltimore in 1632.Lord Baltimore was a Catholic and wanted to develop the colony into a refuge for Catholics who were persecuted in England.But more Protestants than Catholics ultimately settled there，and Maryland became a Protestant colony by law in 1692.
Unlike Virginia，which was set up mainly for economic purposes，the New England colonies were established by Puritans for religious reasons.The Puritans were Protestant reformers in England who were dissatisfied with the Church of England and tried to purify church institutions.They were also critical of social conditions in England at that time.When it became clear that the Stuart Kings were not interested in reforms，the Puritans lost hope for England.In 1620，a number of them sailed to America in a ship called the Mayflower.These settlers are known in American history as the Pilgrim Fathers.They originally had a charter from the Virginia Company of London to set up a colony in Virginia，but strong winds brought them north to Plymouth instead.Before they landed，they drew up the Mayflower Compact，in which they agreed to govern themselves by the will of the majority.This was the first document of self⁃government in the western Hemisphere，and governed Plymouth until 1691 when it became part of the Massachusetts colony.More Puritans left England in 1629 to join the Pilgrim Fathers in the New World，where they hoped to build a“New England”.Today New England includes six states：Massachusetts，Rhode Island，Connecticut，Maine，New Hampshire，and Vermont.
The early settlers in New England were helped by the local Indians in their struggle for survival in the new land.The Indians taught them how to grow corn and other essential skills.In 1621，the Pilgrims had their first harvest in the New World，and the governor proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving to celebrate the occasion.Thanksgiving Day has become a day of celebration for all Americans since 1863 when President Lincoln made it a national holiday.The Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
The Restoration colonies were set up after 1660 when the monarchy was restored in England.The Carolinas were granted to eight nobles in 1663 by King CharlesⅡ.It was initially run as one colony，but later was divided into two separate colonies：North Carolina and South Carolina.Most settlers in North Carolina were small farmers growing tobacco，while those in South Carolina generally grew rice on large plantations.Later，indigo became another important commercial product.Slave labor was essential in the cultivation of rice and indigo，and by 1708，blacks outnumbered whites in South Carolina.
New York was not originally established by the English，but was taken from the Dutch in 1664.The Dutch had established the colony in 1624 and named it New Netherlands.The first permanent settlement was named New Amsterdam，which is today’s New York City.New Amsterdam attracted settlers and merchants from all across Europe and most major European languages were used there.English troops seized the colony from the Dutch in the Second Anglo⁃Dutch War（1664—1667）.King CharlesⅡgranted the colony to his brother James，the Duke of York，hence the name New York.The English did not expel the earlier settlers，who later all became English subjects.As a result，New York was a cosmopolitan center from its beginning.In 1665，James gave part of New York to his friends，and that part became a colony called New Jersey.
Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn Jr.in 1681 to repay a debt King CharlesⅡowed to Penn’s father.The name Pennsylvania means Penn’s Woodland.Penn was a member of the Society of Friends，commonly known as the Quakers.He named the capital Philadelphia，which means the city of brotherly love，and advocated religious toleration and political participation.He set up an elected council and an elected assembly.Pennsylvania had a mixed economy.The vast area of rich land allowed people to grow various kinds of crops，and became known as the Breadbasket of America in the 18th century.It also served as the banking capital of the British colonies in America.
Delaware was also started by the Dutch and was captured together with New Netherlands by the English.It was originally made part of the colony of New York.In 1682，Penn leased control of Delaware because his colony needed a direct route to the sea.However，the people in Delaware resented being ruled by the Quakers.It was separated from Pennsylvania in 1704 and became an independent colony.
Georgia was the last of the 13 British colonies.It was set up in 1732 by James Edward Oglethorpe as an experiment.Oglethorpe was interested in prison reform and wanted to help the poor people in England，especially debtors in prison，by providing a refuge for them in America.The king also wanted it to serve as a buffer zone to protect the English colonies from the Spanish in Florida and the French in Louisiana.