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Colonial America

Latest Feature Articles


 		Colonial Families in Puritan New England
The foundation of the New England Commonwealth was the family, an expression of stability and social order inspired by strict religious community applications.
The Stamp Act as a Cause of Revolution
Although the purpose of the 1765 Stamp Act was to raise revenue, the focus on the act was on shipping and trade and not revenues collected from other printed matter.
Colonial American Crime and Punishment
Punishment for minor petty crimes were severe in the early days of American colonialism in order to protect fragile communities and establish necessary law and order.
Revolutionary North Carolina
The British southern campaign was built upon erroneous assumptions based on supposed loyalist strength which was clearly demonstrated at Guilford Courthouse.
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson's emphasis on the covenant of grace threatened the leadership of the Massachusetts Commonwealth as it attempted to organize the colony.
Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening
The revivalist message of the 18th century Great Awakening was more about individual awareness of spiritual unworthiness and sin than about an angry God bent on hellfire.
Colonial Sabbath Day Practices
Although colonial America exhibited a diversity of religious beliefs, Sabbath day expectations were universal and formed traditional practices still evident today.
Deism and the Founding Fathers
Many of the Founding Fathers accepted the tenets of Deism, rejecting a state church, religious fanaticism, intolerance, and the intervention of God in human affairs.
Early American Recreation
Dog fighting, cockfighting, and a wide variety of sporting and gambling activities created escapes from the drudgery of daily living for American colonists.
Causes of Bacon's Rebellion in 1676
Bacon's Rebellion came in response to conflicts over frontier Indian policies between settlers and the colonial government as well as unjust taxes and favoritism.
Colonial Religion and Intolerance
Several American colonies were founded by religious groups fleeing persecution in Europe, yet many of these same groups became intolerant of other faith traditions.
Birth of the American Free Press
Freedom of the press in the U.S. can be traced back to the post Seven Years' War period as colonial opposition to British revenue policies caused widespread anger.
The Sugar Act of 1764 and Colonial Resistance
The 1764 Sugar Act was more than a revenue producing measure in that its various provisions attempted to reorganize colonial commercial and trade practices.
Witchcraft in the American Colonies
Persecution of witches was most apparent in Colonial New England where strict Calvinist views formed the basis of a theocratic, Old Testament model that accepted witches.
Colonial American Foods and Diets
Although there was no turkey at the first Thanksgiving, early settlers learned to cultivate new crops, hunt deer and fowl, and create diverse, healthy diets.
Colonial Occupations in Early American History
Colonial Era occupations were interesting and unique, focusing on skilled trades necessary in the creation of a society that worked toward prosperity and consumerism.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Common Sense argued the absurdity of monarchy and the natural response of separation from Britain as well as outlining a representative form of government.
The Battle of Saratoga 1777
A turning point for the Americans, Saratoga represented everything that was wrong in the British command structure during the American Revolutionary War.
Why Britain Lost the Revolutionary War
An underestimation of colonial strength and resolve as well as an internal lack of command coordination resulted in British failures to end the colonial revolt.
Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson's efforts owed much to other writings of the colonial period yet his precise and beautiful prose resulted in a strong argument for American independence.
Charleston and the Southern Campaign in 1780
Miscalculations of strong Loyalist support and subsequent atrocities committed by the British and local Tories undermined efforts to secure the Southern colonies.
Cornwallis Trapped at Yorktown
The actions of Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Sir Thomas Graves ensured that Lord Cornwallis would not receive expected relief as Washington marched south to Yorktown.
Effects of the French and Indian War
The interactions between colonial militias and British regulars in the French and Indian War began the process of deteriorating relations with the home country.
Comparing Spanish and English American Colonies
While Spanish motivations at New World colonization have often been described as "God, Gold, and Glory," English goals centered on profitable enterprises such as tobacco.
Why the US Pioneered Modern Constitutionalism
Both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution came out of an English tradition of limited representative government mirrored in colonial governments.