One of the first English attempts at a permanent
settlement—a colony called Roanoke—was
established in 1587, but its residents disappeared
under mysterious circumstances. In 1607, British
colonists settled in Jamestown and faced the harsh,
unforgiving reality of Colonial America. The colonists
were deeply unprepared for the challenges ahead.
Unwillingness to do labor necessary to grow food
coupled with outbreaks of dysentery brought on by
poor hygiene led to the loss of many lives in the first
several years of the colony’s existence. Relations with
Native American groups, which started off poor and
worsened over time, led to much bloodshed and death
for both groups. All 13 of the North American colonies established by the British in the decades
that followed faced similar obstacles. Still, conditions improved when the English colonies were
allowed to elect representatives to create colonial laws rather than having to wait for answers
from Britain. This freedom and independence was short-lived. An influx of taxes and restrictions
imposed by the British government, without any representation or input from the colonists,
sparked unrest. Colonial response to these taxes, which included taxes on popular items such
as sugar, tea, and legal documents, ultimately led to the Revolutionary War. During the First
Continental Congress in 1774, representatives from every colony except Georgia met to discuss
how they should respond. The following year, war broke out between British troops and the
Massachusetts militia. Soon after, British troops and the militia fought again at the Battle of
Bunker Hill. Though the Americans ultimately lost that battle, they held their own longer than
expected, proving they stood a fighting chance. A few weeks later, General George Washington
arrived and took command of the new Continental Army.
At the Second Continental Congress, delegates from every colony debated and ultimately
voted to declare independence in 1776. They appointed a committee to write the Declaration
of Independence—a document that inspired and invigorated American forces throughout
the war. The surrender of British troops at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 represented a major
turning point in the war. Within months, France officially announced its alliance with the
colonies and supplied them with money, weapons, ships, and soldiers. The final battle of the
war took place in 1781 at Yorktown, Virginia where French and American forces surrounded the
British, cut off their supply routes, and left them with no other option but surrender. Two years
later, in the Treaty of Paris, Britain formally recognized America’s independence.
• Peruse the articles about Colonial America provided by the HISTORY website.
• Explore the Historic Jamestown website to learn about excavation and research efforts.
• Watch this video for an overview of events surrounding the Revolutionary War.
• Read about the “Intolerable Acts” imposed on colonists from Constitution Facts.
• Check out this transcription of the Declaration of Independence from National Archives.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credit: ©Niday Picture Library/Alamy
Colonial America and the
Revolutionary War