Activity Overview
The American colonies provided the British Empire with goods and resources that couldn't easily be obtained on home soil. Because of the varying geographies and locations, each colony was built out of different economies. Having students compare and contrast the different regions is a great way for them to understand how the colonies contributed to Britian's economy as well as why certain areas were more valuable (and thus worth fighting to preserve).
For this activity, students must create a grid explaining and analyzing the development and differences of British colonies in North America. Dividing their grid into three regions (New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Colonies), students will research and define the means of production for each colony, and what defined each regional economy. The second half of their grid will define what was produced, and therefore, how each colony served the British Empire economically. This will serve as both a visual and comparative chart for students when reviewing the differences between regional British colonies, as well as how Britain utilized and profited off each region.
Extended Activity
Student may research their own contemporary regional economies and make a similar chart.
- What defines your regional economy in the 21st century?
- What are the major factors of production, and how do they serve the greater nation as a whole?
- If you live in one of the regions in the US that was a colony, has the regional economy changed?
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard detailing the development of the British colonies in North America.
- Click "Start Assignment"
- In the title boxes, note the different British colonies.
- In the top row, describe the economy of the colony.
- In the bottom row, describe the means of production for the colony.
- Illustrate each description with appropriate characters, scenes, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How To Facilitate a Discussion on the “13 Colonies”
Start Basic Discussion
Tell the students briefly how and why the colonies were established. Mention other factors, such as economic opportunities (e.g., Jamestown, Virginia), religious freedom (e.g., Plymouth, Massachusetts), and others. Point out the locations of the 13 colonies on a map. Students can better grasp their geographic dispersion thanks to this visual tool.
Make Distinctions and Categories
The New England Colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire), the Middle Colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware), and the Southern Colonies (Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) are the three territories that make up the American colonies. Explain to the students how and why these categories were made. Students can also compare the different aspects of these categories.
Examine Culture and Religions
Describe how the cultures and religious practices varied according to area. For instance, the Middle Colonies had a greater religious variety whereas New England had a strong Puritan influence. Encourage the students to perform more research on the cultures such as clothing, traditions, festivities and jewellery.
Investigate the Impact of Revolution
Encourage the students to investigate the impact of the revolution on the colonies. Students can observe points such as changes in laws, culture, and mindset after the revolution. Ask the students to create charts of the colonies where they can visually represent these changes.
Summarize and Reflect
There are many other aspects that students can focus on in this discussion such as economic contributions, geographical relevance, and external relationships. Students can cover all these aspects independently in the form of engaging and interesting activities. Guide the students to share their insights on the topics and organize the information to share with their class fellows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historical Analysis of the Development of the 13 Colonies
What were the 13 Colonies, and how can students analyze their significance in the American Revolution?
The thirteen colonies, which were British colonies in North America, were very important to the growth of the United States. The early American culture and economy were built upon them. These colonies fought for freedom against the British Empire. Students can analyze the multiple aspects of these economies and study the causes of the revolution to understand the history.
What were the main economic pursuits in each of the 13 Colonies' three regions?
New England concentrated on trade, fishing, and shipbuilding. The Southern Colonies mainly relied on large-scale farming, particularly on cash crops, whereas the Middle Colonies participated in both agriculture and trade.
What were the 13 Colonies' main governmental and social structures?
Each colony was self-governed in its own way, often through a colonial assembly. This had an impact on the growth of democratic institutions and ideologies.
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