U.S. History - Colonial Print

Topic :Colonial

Tip: Press ctrl and F (or apple and F on a Mac) to perform a keyword search of this page. To keyword search all Best of History Web Sites pages use the search engine located on the home page.

The Plymouth Colony Archive Web Site
This site focuses on Plymoth from 1620 -1691 and has been selected as one of the best humanities sites on the web by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Fully searchable texts of early laws, court records, wills, and probates; analyses of the colony legal structure, domestic relations, early settlement, criminal records, and interactions of the Wampanoag people and the colonists; biographical and social network profiles of members of the colony; a study of social and legal relationships between indentured servants and masters; archaeological analysis of house plans and material culture; and fully searchable seventeenth century texts.

Early America Archives
A worthwhile commercial site for links to historical documents, biographies, and even on-line books, on 18th century America. Offers an e-mail discussion group.

Colonial North America, 1492-1763
Developed by the University of Calgary Department of History, this site explores the interaction between Europeans, Africans, and native Americans in colonial North America. (Under maintenance August 2003)

Divining America: Religion and the National Culture - 17th and 18th Centuries
TeacherServe®, is an interactive curriculum enrichment service offering teachers practical help in planning courses and presenting rigorous subject matter to students. Divining America: Religion and the National Culture is designed to help teachers of American history bring their students to a greater understanding of the role religion has played in the development of the United States.

America as a Religious Refuge: the 17th Century (Library of Congress)
Part of a special exhibit by the Library of Congress, this site provides an interesting mix of images, primary text, and background information on the role of religion in the European settlement of America

Religion in 18th-Century America (Library of Congress Exhibition)
Contains access to over 200 primary source documents. Provides brief overviews and some pictures

The American Colonist's Library
A collection of historical works which contributed to the formation of American politics, culture, and ideals

Virtual Jamestown
The Virtual Jamestown Archive is an on-going digital research, teaching and learning project that explores the legacies of the Jamestown settlement and "the Virginia experiment." There are first-hand accounts and letters, interpretive essays, and more.

Africans in America; The Terrible Transformation, 1450-1750
Part of PBS's African-American Journey site, here you'll find part one of a rich collection of resources --images, documents, stories, biographies, commentaries-- on the experience of slavery in America. There is also a useful teacher's guide and activities for students. There are three other parts to explore: Revolution: 1750-1805, Brotherly Love:1791-1831, an Judgment Day: 1831-1865.

Salem Witch Trials
This site is a documentary archive of the Salem Witch Trials and features court records, personal letters, maps of the area and a Salem Witch Trials game.

Famous American Trials: Salem Witch Trials
This site include transcripts of trial records and examinations of six accused witches and other relevant primary source documents.

MayflowerHistory.com
A worthwhile site for researching the history of the Mayflower. Contains important primary source documents related to the ship’s voyage, a history of the Mayflower, representations of the ship, and more

Plimoth-on-Web
This Plimoth Plantation site tells ofWampanoags and Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony from 1620 to 1692.

Pilgrim Hall Museum
The museum features an online tour of artifacts owned by Pilgrims

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
A tourist-oriented site, but one with useful links to resources for students and teachers. Sections include: Teacher Resources, Electronic Field Trips, History Explorer, Clothing, Gardens, Archaeology, and more. There are lesson plans, pictures, and information about daily life. Check out the "almanack".

The American Thanksgiving Tradition
This site on Thanksgiving, prepared by Plimoth Plantation museum staff, responds to the most frequently asked questions about the First Thanksgiving and attempts to re-create the original 17th-Century event.

Ben Franklin: Glimpses of the Man
This site explores Franklin's roles as a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist.

Jamestown Rediscovery
The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities' Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological project provides a history of Jamestown and resources

Salem (National Geographic)
A flashy and interactive introduction to the Salem Witch trials where the visitor "experiences" the trials

Virginia Colonial Records Collection
The Library of Virginia provides a fully-searchable index to nearly 15,000 reports that survey and describe documents relating to colonial Virginia history that are housed in repositories in Great Britain and other European countries. The survey report images are available online, and there are references to microfilm reels for the original documents.

The Coins of Colonial and Early America
A well organized and informative project developed at Notre Dame University.

The Real Pocahontas
Compares and contrasts the real Pocahontas with her portrayal in the Disney movie

The First Great Awakening
Historian Christine Leigh Heryman of the University of Delaware offers a concise explanation of the scope and impact of the First Greta Awakening.

Puritanism and Predestination
Historian Christine Leigh Heryman of the University of Delaware offers a concise explanation of Puritan beliefs

1755: French and Indian War Homepage
Plenty of information and links on soldiers, battles, documents, and references

Chronicling Black Lives in Colonial America
Concise, Christian Science Monitor feature

Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides, Activities and more

Do History: Martha Ballard
DoHistory invites you to explore the process of piecing together the lives of ordinary people in the past. It is an experimental, interactive case study based on the research that went into the book and film A Midwife's Tale, which were both based upon the remarkable 200 year old diary of midwife/healer Martha Ballard.

Life in Early America
This 3-5 grade lesson plan was written by Kimberly Cox Burkett and Brenda Morton. The lessons are primarily "hands on". For instance, among the included activities are Map-making and the construction of an Indian humming toy.

CEC: Colonial Government
This brief mini-lesson for grades 10-12 introduces students to colonial government. Students research and compare three types of colonial government.

State of Affairs Between the Native Americans and the European Settlers
Students will be able to analyze multiple resources to explain the contacts between the American Indians and the European settlers in early colonial Virginia during the Age of Discovery.

The American People: Colonizing a Continent in the Seventeenth Century
PowerPoint Presentation on Colonial America as part of the online companion to The American People. Click Chapter 3.

Interpreting Primary Sources
Digital History provides brief excerpts from primary sources and statistics and questions to think about on: Motivations for English Colonization, Peopling of America, The Puritan Mind, and Witchcraft in Salem.

The American People: The Maturing of Colonial Society
PowerPoint Presentation on Colonial America as part of the online companion to The American People. Click Chapter 4.

American Society in the Making: Multiple Choice Quiz, Fill-in-the-Blank, Flashcards, American History Glossary, American History Appendix
The Student Resources section of The American Nation companion web site features introductions to chapters, interactive quizzes, flashcards, web links, an American History Glossary, and an American History Appendix

Digital History Lesson Plan: Salem Witch Trials
Students gather research about the Salem Witchcraft Trials and participate in a mock trial. High School.

Death at Jamestown
In 1607 one hundred four men landed in Virginia to form Jamestown, a settlement that was the birthplace of the United States. But by the end of the first year, all but thirty-eight of the one hundred settlers had died. Why did this happen? Acting as historians and scientists, students read primary and secondary source materials, evaluate climatology data, and analyze artifacts to learn about the mystery surrounding the Jamestown deaths. Students will also take a critical look at information and evaluate the motives, interests and biases expressed in primary and secondary sources. The lesson concludes by having students consider a new theory about a possible conspiracy responsible for the Jamestown deaths, form an opinion about it, and defend their position.

American Religious History
The Currents in American Scholarship series offers updates on the status of theory and practice in disciplines relevant to the study of the society, culture and institutions of the United States. American Religious History, an essay by Catherine L. Albanese of The University of California Santa Barbara is available free of charge at the site.

Digital History Resource Guides
The Digital Resource Guides provides links to American history web sites by period and provide historical overviews, readings (online textbook chapter, Reader's Companion) primary source documents (documents, maps, cartoons), teaching resources (chronologies, maps, quizzes), audio-visual resources, and additional resources. It is an excellent and comprehensive teaching resource.

HistoryTeacher.net: AP United States History Quizzes
A New York teacher has produced a great general site for history teachers that offers AP-level United States history quizzes on many different periods and topics.

The American People: The Strains of Empire
PowerPoint Presentation on the road to the War of Independence as part of the online companion to The American People. Click Chapter 5.

The Colonial Challenge
Answer a range of easy to difficult questions and test your knowledge of early US history

Thanksgiving (Library of Congress)
Investigate the American tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, beginning in colonial times, through this Learning Page activity

The Electric Franklin: Fun With Franklin
Experiments, Games, and Puzzles

Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?
In this middle school or high school lesson plan, students will research and debate Benjamin Franklin's most significant role and contribution to the history of the United States. Which was most important to American History - Benjamin Franklin's work as a printer, a writer, a statesman or an inventor? After completing their research, students will have to prepare 10-minute oral and visual presentations to support their position. After presenting their work, they will also be expected to answer questions and ask them of the other groups.

Thirteen Colonies: Blank Map
The companion web site to The American People offers blank maps related to various topics in American history. The maps can be printed or placed in a PowerPoint presentation

English Colonies in 1700: Blank Map
The companion web site to The American People offers blank maps related to various topics in American history. The maps can be printed or placed in a PowerPoint presentation

Jamestown Historic Briefs
Concise handouts on Jamestown history are made available by the National Park Service

Library Guide for American Colonial History
Emory University: General Libraries

The American Nation: Internet Activities
Prentice Hall's phschool.com offers internet activities based on their The American Nation textbook chapters. Middle School grades.

A History of the United States: Internet Activities and Student Self Test Questions
Prentice Hall's phschool.com offers internet activities and interactive quizzes based on A History of the United States textbook chapters. High School.

Rare Map Collection - Colonial America