Question

Many colonists called the 13 colonies the "13 countries." Why do you think colonists gave them this nickname? What does this tell you about how different the groups were in terms of culture (the types of people), landscape (the land and location), and reasons for settlement? What does it tell you about how united they were before the Revolutionary War?

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

I think colonists gave the nickname of 13 colonies because they considered themselves different colonies with special characteristics, customs, cultures, and forms of government. They were in the same North American territory but lived under different rules.

That is why we considered them as different groups in terms of culture (the types of people), landscape (the land and location), and reasons for settlement. Those cultural differences and belief systems created their own identities. Some English colonists arrived in the North American territory after being persecuted by the Church of England. Others arrived in America to get rich, as was the case of the Jamestown, Virginia colony. Some settled in poor soil lands and had to developed fishing and navigating skills such as the Massachusetts colonies. some others settled in fertile soil lands as was the case of the "bread and basket colonies."

The colonies were not as united as they should be, However, as being part of the English monarchy, they suffered from the same issues and problems such as the heavy taxation imposed by the English government. The colonies had to pay high taxes and they did not have any voice or representation in the British Parliament. That is why they decided to join forces in the Continental Congress and fight against the English troops in the Revolutionary War to get their independence.