13 Colonies

Overview of the Thirteen Colonies

  • The Thirteen American Colonies were established along the Atlantic coast of North America under varying motivations, primarily categorized into economic profit and religious freedom, each guided by specific founders or leadership entities.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Colony

  • Virginia

    • Key Founder / Figure: John Smith
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • Massachusetts

    • Key Founder / Figure: John Winthrop
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Religious

  • New Hampshire

    • Key Founder / Figure: John Mason
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • Maryland

    • Key Founder / Figure: George Calvert
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Religious

  • Connecticut

    • Key Founder / Figure: Thomas Hooker
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Religious

  • Rhode Island

    • Key Founder / Figure: Roger Williams
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Religious

  • North Carolina

    • Key Founder / Figure: Lords Proprietors
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • South Carolina

    • Key Founder / Figure: Lords Proprietors
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • New York

    • Key Founder / Figure: Peter Minuit
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • New Jersey

    • Key Founder / Figure: Berkeley & Carteret
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • Pennsylvania

    • Key Founder / Figure: William Penn
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Religious

  • Delaware

    • Key Founder / Figure: Peter Minuit
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

  • Georgia

    • Key Founder / Figure: James Oglethorpe
    • Primary Founding Motivation: Economic

Categorization by Founding Motive

  • Colonies Established for Religious Motives (5 Total):

    • Massachusetts: Key Figure — John Winthrop
    • Maryland: Key Figure — George Calvert
    • Connecticut: Key Figure — Thomas Hooker
    • Rhode Island: Key Figure — Roger Williams
    • Pennsylvania: Key Figure — William Penn

  • Colonies Established for Economic Motives (8 Total):

    • Virginia: Key Figure — John Smith
    • New Hampshire: Key Figure — John Mason
    • North Carolina: Key Figures — Lords Proprietors
    • South Carolina: Key Figures — Lords Proprietors
    • New York: Key Figure — Peter Minuit
    • New Jersey: Key Figures — Berkeley & Carteret
    • Delaware: Key Figure — Peter Minuit
    • Georgia: Key Figure — James Oglethorpe