British colonization of the Americas

The settlement and colonization of the Americas by the Kingdom of England, and afterwards Kingdom of Great Britain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and finally United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland began at the end of the 16th century, reached its climax when all across America colonies, and in Hawaii a protectorate had been built. The British were one of the main colonizers of America and the Spanish colonization of the Americas rivaled its American empire.

The British conquest caused dramatic upheavals in the Indian civilizations of America: directly by British military forces, indirectly caused by introduced European diseases and the " Columbian Exchange ," the exchange of plants and animals between the Eastern and Western Hemisphere. Although many Native American societies had developed a warrior class and had a long history of warfare, they were not able to withstand the superior British forces and ultimately subject. Many of the conquered peoples disappeared or were incorporated into the colonial system.

After the Revolutionary War the British dominions in America more autonomy was granted until they were ready for independence. In this way, two countries were in North America, ten in the Caribbean and one in South America its independence from Britain. Today in America, eight British Overseas Territories with varying degrees of self-government. In addition, nine former British possessions in America today are Commonwealth realms, connected independently of, but in personal union with the United Kingdom.

At the height of the power of the British Empire existed three types of colonies; Tenements (English: " charter colony" ), property settlement areas (English: "proprietary colony" ) and Crown colonies (English: " royal colonies " or "crown colonies ").

North America

English colonies in North America

The Kingdom of England founded colonies along the east coast of North America from Newfoundland in the north to Florida in the south. Initially was the name " Virginia " (after the title of " The Virgin Queen " ( German: " The Virgin Queen " ) of Queen Elizabeth I ) for the entire coast, including the Maritime provinces. One of the first colonies were St. John's ( Newfoundland), which was taken in 1583 by Sir Humphrey Gilbert in possession (but there was a permanent settlement until two decades later ); the colony was founded in 1585-1587 and in 1590 under mysterious circumstances devastated Roanoke and " Jamestown Settlement ", which was founded, in 1607 first successful settlement of England. The Popham Colony, which was also founded in 1607 in what is now Maine, was abandoned after a year. The settlement Cuper 's Cove ( Newfoundland and Labrador ) was founded in 1610 in Newfoundland. The Plymouth Colony was founded in 1620 and by the 1620s produced a whole string of colonies along the northeast coast of North America, including the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was founded in 1630. The early colonies consisted of English farmers and gentlemen, and hired foreigners.

Some English colonies were founded after the system of property governors who trade under charters of English joint stock companies (then English: " Joint Stock Company " ) were authorized to establish settlements and to operate.

England took over in 1664, some Dutch colonies, such as New Netherland ( Nieuw Amsterdam including ), which was subsequently renamed the Province of New York. With New Netherlands, the British gained control of the former New Sweden, which had previously conquered the Dutch. It became part of Pennsylvania.

Scottish colonies in North America

There were also early unsuccessful attempts by the Kingdom of Scotland to establish a colony in Darien and a short-lived Scottish settlement in Nova Scotia from 1629 to 1632. Thousands of Scots took part in the English colonization, even before the two countries were united in 1707.

British colonies in North America

The Kingdom of Great Britain took over the French colony of Acadia in 1713 and 1763 the northern part of New France and the Spanish colony of Florida. From the most densely populated region of New France were " The Canadian " Upper Canada and Lower Canada.

In the north, the Hudson's Bay Company traded furs with the Indians in competition with French fur traders. The Company gained control of the entire catchment area of Hudson Bay called Rupert's land. The small part of the watershed of Hudson Bay, which lies south of the 49th parallel, in 1818 went to the United States.

As of 1775, the Thirteen Colonies rebelled, primarily because of participation rights, local laws and tax matters, and founded the United States of America.

Great Britain colonized the west coast of North America, especially Oregon Country from 1818 to 1848 along with the United States. The colonies of Vancouver Iceland founded in 1849 and New Caledonia (Canada), founded in 1846 were later merged and called British Columbia.

1867, the colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada were (the southern part of present-day Ontario and Quebec ) are combined to form a self -governing Dominion called Canada within the British Empire. Québec ( including the southern part of present-day Ontario ) and Nova Scotia ( including present day New Brunswick and Prince Edward Iceland ) Great Britain was left by the French. The colonies Prince Edward Iceland and British Columbia joined during next six years, and Newfoundland was added in 1949. Rupert's land and the " North - Western Territory " were left Canada in 1870. This area now consists of the provinces of Manitoba ( In 1870, after negotiations between Canada and the Provisional Government of the Métis ), Saskatchewan and Alberta (both in 1905 formed ), and the Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory (formed in 1898 after the gold rush of the Klondike ) and Nunavut (formed 1999).

List of British colonies in North America

Roanoke Colony, founded in 1586, abandoned in the following year. In a second experiment in 1587 the inhabitants disappeared (also called the Lost Colony ).
Virginia Company founded in 1606; was in 1624 to the colony and Dominion of Virginia London Company Jamestown Settlement founded in 1607.
The Bermuda Islands in the North Atlantic were first settled in 1609 by the London Virginia Company; the management was taken over by "The Somers Isles Company," which had been formed by the same shareholders in 1615. Also officially known as "The Somers Isles ", they still belong to the British overseas territories.
Citie of Henricus (also: " Henricopolis " or " Henrico Town" ), was founded in 1611 as an alternative to the swampy site of Jamestown and the Indian massacre of 1622 (also: " Jamestown Massacre" ) are destroyed.

Popham Colony (also: " Sagadahoc Colony" ), founded in 1607, abandoned in 1608

Cuper 's Cove founded in 1610, abandoned in the 1620s
Bristol 's Hope, founded in 1618, abandoned in the 1630s

Renews founded, 1615 Jamestown Settlement founded in 1607.

Plymouth Colony founded in 1620, in 1691 merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Divided into West Jersey and East Jersey to 1674, each run by its own Proprietary Company

Province of North Carolina, first settled in 1586 at Roanoke, 1730 became an independent colony
Province of South Carolina, the first permanent settlement in 1670, 1730 became an independent colony

British colonies in the Caribbean

In order of settlement or foundation:

St. Kitts - The island was settled in 1623 by Sir Thomas Warner. The following year, the French also populated parts of St. Kitts. After they had massacred the Caribs, the British and French turned against each other and St Kitts changed between the two back and forth until, with the Treaty of Paris (1783 ), the island fell to the British. It was in 1983 independently as St. Kitts and Nevis.
Barbados - The island was settled in 1625. It was independence in 1966.
Nevis - The island was permanently settled in 1628. They became independent as Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983.
Antigua - The island was settled in 1632. They became independent as Antigua and Barbuda in 1981.
Barbuda - The island was settled in 1632. They became independent as Antigua and Barbuda in 1981.
Montserrat - The island was settled in 1632. 1664-1668 and 1782-1784, it was occupied by the French. She is still British territory.
Bahamas - The islands were settled from 1647 on. In 1971 she became independent.
Anguilla - The island was settled in 1650. His reign was from 1882 united with that of St. Christopher to 1967 they declared their separation. In 1969 she was brought back under British administration. She is still British territory.
Jamaica - The island was conquered in 1655 by Spain. It was in 1962 independently.
British Virgin Islands - The islands were settled by 1666. They are still British territory.
Cayman Islands - The islands were first permanently settled in the 1750s. They are still British territory.

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