Unit 4

The Thirteen Colonies

Unit 4 brings us to the next step of the American experience...the early English colonies. We will learn key characteristics of each of these colonies, including how and why they were started. Additionally, we will compare and contrast these settlements and discover their similarities and differences. Since the number one rule of social studies is "Geography always affects history!" we will examine how environment and climate influenced the economic and social development of these regions. Also in this unit, we will analyze the origins of the colonial slave system, and learn about the daily life of enslaved people.

Guiding Questions for Unit 4

- How did the Southern, Middle, and Northern colonies develop politically, religiously, and economically?
- How did the growth of the Thirteen British Colonies affect the relationships between colonial citizens and Native Americans over time?
- What was daily life like in the colonies for women and children?
- What was the daily life and living conditions of enslaved people like in Colonial America?
- What were the rules and laws that were put in place to regulate the practice of slavery during the colonial era?