Lesson 6: What Were the British Colonies? What Government Did They Have?

Terms

British colonies  At one time not long before our country began, Great Britain was the most powerful nation in the world. The British wanted to get grain, lumber for building homes and ships, tobacco, spices, and many other things from different parts of the world. So, they sent people from Great Britain to establish commu- nities in other parts of the world that would trade with them. These communities were called British colonies. They often also included people from other nations. And many had captured or bought people from Africa. They treated them as slaves and forced them to work for them. Starting in 1607, the British began to put colonies in what is now the United States. The first thirteen states in our country are on the east coast. They were British colonies ruled by Great Britain. During this time, there were also colonies all over the world that belonged to other nations. For example, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands all had colonies in different places of the world.

colony  A number of people from a country or several countries living in another country.

England  One of three countries on a large island close to the west coast of Europe. The other countries on the island are Scotland and Wales. By 1707, all three countries were united and became Great Britain.

France, French  France is a country on the western side of Europe. The word French is used to refer to anything related to France. For example, the people in France and their language are called French. There is French food, French music, and French fried potatoes!

governor  A person elected by the people of a state to be the leader of the executive branch of their state government.

Great Britain  The large island close to the west coast of Europe. Three countries are on this island: England, Scotland, and Wales. By 1707, these countries united to form Great Britain. Today, all three countries plus Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom. People from the United Kingdom and Great Britain are called British.

king or queen of England  The man or woman with the power to rule England.

Native Americans  The people who lived in America at the time of the first European settlement and their descendants.

North America  The large area of land that includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the countries of Central America.

thirteen colonies  The thirteen British colonies in America that became the first thirteen states of the United States.