Early American Settlers
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6th Grade Informational and Literature Reading Texts
In the early days of our nation (before it was a nation), the states were colonies of Britain. Being a colony had its advantages and disadvantages. Most colonists were loyal to Britain and were happy to be under British rule, as members of colonies. Over time though, the relationship with Britain changed.
Early colonists had no sense of "America." There was no American nation, and the colonists did not feel united as a country. Their loyalties were to their own colony and to Britain. The colonists thought of themselves as Virginians or New Yorkers, not as Americans.
Early on, the colonists were very loyal to Britain. For many of them, Britain was home. They depended on Britain for many things. One reason they were loyal was because the British army defended them. Settlers were worried about attacks by Native American Indians and French settlers. The British troops protected them.
The colonists also traded with the British. They sold tobacco, rice, lumber, and furs to Britain. In exchange, they bought things they couldn't make or grow in the colonies, like coffee, tea, and manufactured goods. Trade with Britain was very important to the success of the colonies.
Most colonies had their own government, and the British let them make their own rules. In the early days, the colonists did not even have to pay taxes to the British. Prior to 1763, the British pretty much let the colonists do what they wanted. This was called salutary neglect. This means that they did not pay much attention to the colonies.
The British did have some rules, like the Navigation Acts, which said that some goods could be shipped only to Britain or its colonies. The Molasses Act put a tax on Molasses bought from anyone other than the British. These taxes were not strongly enforced though. Most colonists remained loyal to British rule.
Britain was not the only European country that settled in America. Spain, France, and the Dutch also had settlements. While the English primarily colonized the eastern coast of North America, the French explored the interior, including the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi Valley down through the Louisiana Territory.
There were also many groups of Native Americans who had lived throughout North America for hundreds of years. One of the most important groups in the northeast were the Iroquois. In the late 1500s, five different Iroquois tribes, the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca, decided to join together to form a peaceful confederacy. Other important Native American groups in the north were the Delaware and the Shawnee. In the south, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, and Chickasaw all had strong tribes.
As the Europeans settled North America, their relationships with the Native Americans varied. In the north, the Hurons and Algonquins allied with the French and traded furs with them. the Iroquois allied with the Dutch and the English.
As battles for land began among the different European groups, the Native Americans they were allied with got involved as well.
Early colonists had no sense of "America." There was no American nation, and the colonists did not feel united as a country. Their loyalties were to their own colony and to Britain. The colonists thought of themselves as Virginians or New Yorkers, not as Americans.
Early on, the colonists were very loyal to Britain. For many of them, Britain was home. They depended on Britain for many things. One reason they were loyal was because the British army defended them. Settlers were worried about attacks by Native American Indians and French settlers. The British troops protected them.
The colonists also traded with the British. They sold tobacco, rice, lumber, and furs to Britain. In exchange, they bought things they couldn't make or grow in the colonies, like coffee, tea, and manufactured goods. Trade with Britain was very important to the success of the colonies.
Most colonies had their own government, and the British let them make their own rules. In the early days, the colonists did not even have to pay taxes to the British. Prior to 1763, the British pretty much let the colonists do what they wanted. This was called salutary neglect. This means that they did not pay much attention to the colonies.
The British did have some rules, like the Navigation Acts, which said that some goods could be shipped only to Britain or its colonies. The Molasses Act put a tax on Molasses bought from anyone other than the British. These taxes were not strongly enforced though. Most colonists remained loyal to British rule.
Britain was not the only European country that settled in America. Spain, France, and the Dutch also had settlements. While the English primarily colonized the eastern coast of North America, the French explored the interior, including the Great Lakes region and the Mississippi Valley down through the Louisiana Territory.
There were also many groups of Native Americans who had lived throughout North America for hundreds of years. One of the most important groups in the northeast were the Iroquois. In the late 1500s, five different Iroquois tribes, the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca, decided to join together to form a peaceful confederacy. Other important Native American groups in the north were the Delaware and the Shawnee. In the south, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, and Chickasaw all had strong tribes.
As the Europeans settled North America, their relationships with the Native Americans varied. In the north, the Hurons and Algonquins allied with the French and traded furs with them. the Iroquois allied with the Dutch and the English.
As battles for land began among the different European groups, the Native Americans they were allied with got involved as well.