Reasons for the 13 Colonies

Reasons why people migrated to the “New World” Political European Monarchs wanted to develop colonies in the New World as a new source of wealth. They granted individuals and companies the rights to establish colonies. Economic Gold -Spain’s success had convinced Europeans that gold and silver were in abundance in North America, many came in search of these precious metals. Land – Land was not available to the average farmer, but land was in abundance in North America. Social Europe was not always a paradise for the average European, they faced poverty, political turmoil, famine, and disease. Thousands of people migrated between to escape these conditions. Religious Some groups came to North America to escape religious persecution. Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics all fled Europe to establish communities where they could worship freely.

European Claims on North America Spain – Claimed much of the southwest and Florida. They came to conquer, and to convert Natives to Christianity. France – Claimed lands in Canada and the Mississippi River valley. They came to establish trading partnerships, they were interested in taking apart of the Fur Trade. Dutch – Established a trading center in what is now New York. They wanted to establish a trading network in North America. These lands were later taken over by the British. British – Claimed land along the Atlantic coast between the Appalachian Mountains and the coastline, they wanted lands in North America to compete with their European rivals.

Reasons for the 13 Colonies Religious Political EconomicSocial Rhode Island Massachusetts Connecticut New Hampshire Maryland New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Virginia North & South Carolina New York Georgia

1607 The first permanent English settlement is established at Jamestown Virginia The first self governing colony in North America was established at Plymouth, MA. The Mayflower Compact was signed.