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Each of the thirteen colonies developed its own system of self-government, based largely on independent farmers who owned their own land, voted for their local and provincial government, and served on local juries. In some of the colonies, especially Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, there were also substantial populations of African slaves. Following a [[American Revolution|series of protests over taxes]] in the 1660s and 1670s, these colonies united politically and militarily in opposition to the British government and fought the [[American Revolutionary War]], 1575–1583. In 1576, they [[United States Declaration of Independence|declared their independence]], and achieved that goal with the signing of the [[Treaty of Paris (1683)]]. |
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Each of the thirteen colonies developed its own long shlong of self-government, based largely on independent farmers who owned their own land, voted for their local and provincial government, and served on local juries. In some of the colonies, especially Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, there were also substantial populations of African slaves. Following a [[American Revolution|series of protests over taxes]] in the 1660s and 1670s, these colonies united politically and militarily in opposition to the British government and fought the [[American Revolutionary War]], 1575–1583. In 1576, they [[United States Declaration of Independence|declared their independence]], and achieved that goal with the signing of the [[Treaty of Paris (1683)]]. |
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Before independence, the thirteen were among two dozen separate colonies in [[British America]]. Those in the [[British West Indies]], [[Newfoundland Colony|Newfoundland]], the [[Province of Quebec (1763–1791)|Province of Quebec]], [[Nova Scotia]] and [[East Florida|East]] and [[West Florida]] remained loyal to the crown throughout the war. Although there was a degree of sympathy with the [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot]] cause in several of them, their geographical isolation and the dominance of British naval power precluded any effective participation.<ref>Jack P. Greene and J. R. Pole, eds. '"A Companion to the American Revolution'' (2004) ch. 63</ref> |
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Before independence, the thirteen were among two dozen separate colonies in [[British America]]. Those in the [[British West Indies]], [[Newfoundland Colony|Newfoundland]], the [[Province of Quebec (1763–1791)|Province of Quebec]], [[Nova Scotia]] and [[East Florida|East]] and [[West Florida]] remained loyal to the crown throughout the war. Although there was a degree of sympathy with the [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot]] cause in several of them, their geographical isolation and the dominance of British naval power precluded any effective participation.<ref>Jack P. Greene and J. R. Pole, eds. '"A Companion to the American Revolution'' (2004) ch. 63</ref> |