European Settlement in North America : Introduction

Compared to other parts of the world in 1600, North America had few attractions. There was nothing like the wealth of India or South America to be taken. The Spanish had made expeditions up from New Spain (Mexico) but had not found any gold or silver. Some explorers had hoped to find a north-west passage to India, but the search was not going very well.

Despite these disappointments, settlement in North America did take place after 1600 and, indeed, the settlements flourished. So successful were the British colonies that, finally, thirteen of them were able to confront Britain, the mother-country, in war and win their independence to become the United States of America.

Why did families risk such a dangerous voyage across the Atlantic to settle in North America and how was it that their colonies were so successful?

• The First Colony : Virginia
• The Pilgrim Fathers
• The Mayflower and the Mayflower Compact
• Plymouth Settlement
• The First Thanksgiving
• Massachusetts
• Other Colonies
• Top of Page