Voices from America's Past

The Beginnings of America, 1607-1763

The seventeenth century in America was the seedtime of colonization. For 115 years after Columbus discovered America, explorers sailed the western waters, and the nations of Europe staked out vast empires. England launched several successful attempts to plant colonies in what is now the United States. In the years following the landing at Jamestown in 1607, England laid the foundation for her extensive colonial system in North America. From these scattered colonies a nation grew, but a long time passed before the colonies became states and the states became a nation. The English colonization of North America did not suffer for want of reporters to describe it. The people who took part in the enterprise wrote a great deal about their experiences. Governor Bradford of Plymouth wrote a history to preserve a record of the colonys early days. Captain John Smith of Virginia wrote pamphlets to satisfy the curiosity of folks back home who might want to come to the New World. Many of these works were printed immediately; others remained in manuscript until our day. Not only the leaders of the colonies wrote of their deeds. Ordinary people also sent letters home to England and kept diaries for their personal satisfaction. All in all, the United States had her beginnings amid ample publicity. We are grateful to these people for preserving records of the early days, for through their efforts we can get a first-hand idea of colonial times. We dont have to guess about the events that took place in America three hundred years ago. Of course, we dont have nearly as many documents as we could wish for, but we do have plenty of records to draw upon. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 66701
Author: Morris, Richard B. (Richard Brandon)
Release Date: Nov 10, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Morris, Richard B. (Richard Brandon), 1904-1989 , Woodress, James Leslie, 1916-2011