Exploring the 13 Colonies Worksheet for Students

Introduction to the 13 Colonies

The 13 Colonies were a group of British settlements that were established on the eastern coast of North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. These colonies were the foundation of what would eventually become the United States of America. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of the 13 Colonies and provide a comprehensive worksheet for students to learn about this fascinating period in American history.

The 13 Colonies: A Brief Overview

The 13 Colonies were divided into three main regions: the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Each region had its unique characteristics, economy, and culture.

• New England Colonies: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. These colonies were primarily established for religious freedom and were known for their strong maritime trade and shipbuilding industries.
• Middle Colonies: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. These colonies were characterized by their diverse economies, which included trade, agriculture, and manufacturing.
• Southern Colonies: Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. These colonies were primarily established for economic purposes, such as tobacco and rice plantations, and were known for their rich natural resources.

The Colonies' Governments and Economies

Each of the 13 Colonies had its own system of government and economy. Some colonies, such as Massachusetts, had a strong centralized government, while others, such as Pennsylvania, had a more decentralized system.

• Government: The colonies were governed by a combination of royal governors, colonial assemblies, and town meetings. The royal governors were appointed by the British monarch, while the colonial assemblies and town meetings were elected by the colonists.
• Economy: The colonies’ economies were primarily based on agriculture, trade, and manufacturing. The Southern Colonies were known for their tobacco and rice plantations, while the New England Colonies were known for their maritime trade and shipbuilding industries.

Causes of the American Revolution

The 13 Colonies played a significant role in the American Revolution, which began in 1775 and ended in 1783. The colonists were dissatisfied with the British government’s policies, including taxation without representation, and eventually declared independence.

• Taxation without Representation: The British government imposed various taxes on the colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, without giving them representation in Parliament.
• Protest and Resistance: The colonists protested and resisted these taxes, which eventually led to the outbreak of the American Revolution.

Key Figures of the American Revolution

Several key figures played important roles in the American Revolution, including:

• George Washington: The commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States.
• Thomas Jefferson: The author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States.
• John Adams: A leader in the Continental Congress and the second president of the United States.

Conclusion

The 13 Colonies played a significant role in American history, shaping the country’s government, economy, and culture. Understanding the history of the 13 Colonies is essential for understanding the American Revolution and the birth of the United States.

Worksheet for Students

1. What were the three main regions of the 13 Colonies?
2. Which colonies were part of the New England Colonies?
3. What were the primary industries of the New England Colonies?
4. Which colonies were part of the Southern Colonies?
5. What were the primary crops of the Southern Colonies?
6. What was the system of government in the colonies?
7. What were the main causes of the American Revolution?
8. Who was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army?
9. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
10. Who was the second president of the United States?

Answer Key

1. The three main regions of the 13 Colonies were the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies.
2. The New England Colonies were Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
3. The primary industries of the New England Colonies were maritime trade and shipbuilding.
4. The Southern Colonies were Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
5. The primary crops of the Southern Colonies were tobacco and rice.
6. The system of government in the colonies was a combination of royal governors, colonial assemblies, and town meetings.
7. The main causes of the American Revolution were taxation without representation and restrictions on trade and commerce.
8. George Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
9. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
10. John Adams was the second president of the United States.

Related Terms:

• New England Colonies
• Middle Colonies
• southern colonies
• Jamestown, Virginia
• Chesapeake Colonies
• Tobacco colonies