Rudyard Kipling's (1865-1936 CE) caustic impressions of American life are reproduced here by the University of Virginia Library.

The Routes of English is a series of four six-week features on the development of English as a language, presented on BBC Channel 4 by host Melvyn Bragg. In addition, there are three special programs which deal with the language of the...

This site is a selection of grammar exercises designed for intermediate-to-advanced English language learners. Quizzes test understanding of verb tenses, articles, conjunctions, prepositions, relative clauses, and more. [Site uses...

Men and women with little active interest in a new life in America were often induced to make the move to the New World by the skillful persuasion of promoters. William Penn, for example, publicized the opportunities awaiting newcomers...

This elementary-friendly site from the Department of Humanities Computing at the University of Groningen provides information on the French and Indian War. The print is large and the vocabulary is manageable. Contains some awkward...

In 1793, the King of England sent a mission under Lord Macartney to China to open regular diplomatic and commercial relations with China. The King instructed Macartney to deliver a letter tothe Emperor requesting, among other things,...

Most well-educated American colonists (including early American leaders like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin) were familiar with the writings andideas of European scholars, so it makes sense that Americans came to...

Explore both the British and state influences on the U.S. Bill of Rights. Understand the origins of each amendment to the Constitution.

The religious and civil conflict in England in the mid-17th century limited immigration, as well as the attention the mother country paid the fledgling American colonies. In part to provide for the defense measures England was...

10-question multiple choice quiz is scored immediately and covers the relationship between the American colonies and the British Empire.

Article illustrating the connection between America and the British Empire. The author points out that much of early American history is part of British history. Outlines British history since 1066.

This sample task contains a set of primary and authentic sources about indentured servitude and slavery in the British North American colonies.

Daniel Dulany of Annapolis, Maryland, had studied law in England at the Middle Temple, and was considered, at least by one fellow Marylander, Charles Carrol, to be "indisputably the best lawyer on this continent." He wrote this pamphlet,...

Portraits of early New Englanders as well as four buildings from seventeenth-century New England that accompany accounts in those British colonies of struggles, Indian hostilities, and economic success.

Explore this collection of digitized historical newspapers and broadsides from the 1760s about pre-Revolutionary topics. Requires Adobe Reader.

Choose from among a number of exercises designed for advanced English language learners. The menu of exercises, which appears on the right, covers a complete range of topics geared toward building vocabulary used in business-related...

This site has interactive quizzes for advanced English language learners that tests knowledge of multiword verb expressions such as "Acting up," and "Airing out." [Site uses British versus American English.]

This site is from a British project that has collected recordings of traditional Northumbrian folk music. In addition to the the music itself, you'll find plenty of information on instruments, types of folk music, composers and...

BBC Skillswise offers many ways to help students understand adjectives. There is a factsheet, a game which involves using adjectives in an ad, three quizzes, and a worksheet. Since this is a British resource, it also provides an...

The Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson is the largest museum in the state, and has the largest collection of art by and about Mississippians. The collection is also notably strong in 19th and 20th century American landscape paintings,...

"Sound Experiments" drive this lesson plan. Sonnet analysis is accompanied by readings based on specific emotions. At this website, there are several links full-text sonnets by such authors as Shakespeare, Lord Byron, Longfellow, and...

An overview of the Puritans who established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the New Haven Colony and Rhode Island. The internal and external struggles with these colonies is discussed including the Salem Witch Trials, King Philip's War,...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the composition of the thirteen original colonies and asks students to identify the colonies on a map.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about a girl named Claire who had to learn some new words when she went to visit her British cousins. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.