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.

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...

The first of the British colonies to take hold in North America was Jamestown. On the basis of a charter which King James I granted to the Virginia (or London) company, a group of about 100 men set out for the Chesapeake Bay in 1607....

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...

History of slavery and sugar cultivation practices on the island colony. Archived.

The American colonies in the British empire were exploited in the name of mercantilism. The following excerpt explains the idea behind mercantilism and how it was put into practice.

An overview of New France, from the time the French first began to explore the area until they ceded Canada to the British (Treaty of Paris, signed in 1763). Includes a discussion of the founding of Quebec City and early maps of the...

Whatever early colonial prosperity there was resulted from trapping and trading in furs. In addition, the fishing industry was a primary source of wealth in Massachusetts. But throughout the colonies, people relied primarily on small...

Read this history of Fiji to find out about its early history, colonization by Britain, and its many governmental problems since the 1990s. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.

Read about the early history of Nigeria and the kingdoms that existed there. However, the majority of the article focuses on the problems Nigeria has faced since independence in establishing a democratic government. Information is from...

By 1640 the British had solid colonies established along the New England coast and the Chesapeake Bay. In between were the Dutch and the tiny Swedish community. To the west were the original Americans, then called Indians.

By 1640 the British had solid colonies established along the New England coast and the Chesapeake Bay. In between were the Dutch and the tiny Swedish community. To the west were the original Americans, the Indians.