The Discovery of America

In the 15^th century every important country in Europe wanted to find a water route to India, China and the Spice Islands. From these far places came jewels, ivory, silk and spices. Most people talked about the possibility of sailing around the Southern tip of Africa and then northward across the Indian Ocean to India. Captain Columbus was also interested in finding a new route to Indies. He believed that the world is round. So he decided to sail West to get to the East. In August of 1492 Columbus set sail. On October the 12^th 1492 Columbus went on shore and claimed the land he had found for Spain. Columbus never knew he had discovered America. He made three other voyages to a new world. He succeeded only in exploring the Eastern Coast of central America. The new continent was named after Amerigo Vespucci an Italian merchant who realized that the coast he found in a voyage in 1501 was a great continent.

The news about the discovery spread throughout Europe. Other countries became interested in the new land beyond Atlantic.

Colonization of America

First Colonists

Starting a colony was too costly for one person. So a number of people got together and formed the London Company. In 1607 Jamestown after Virginia, the first English settlement in America, was founded by the London Company. Many people wanted to come to the colony, but they were too poor to pay the fare on the ship. So they came as indentured servants. In 1611 each settler was given land. In 1619 the colonists were given the right to make their own laws and their own governments. In 1620 the Pilgrims came to America. They called their settlement Plymouth Plantation. The Pilgrims and the native Americans agreed not to hurt one another or steal from one another. They would help each other in case of attack. The Indians taught the Pilgrims how to plant corn, hunt and fish. The crops were good the/that first years. The Pilgrims decided to give thanks to God and native Americans. They celebrated together the first thanksgiving.

Original colonies

Massachusetts, Main, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island

Southern Colonies

Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

Middle colonies

Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey

War of Independence