Introduction to the Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies existed from approximately 1607 until 1783. During this time, the Eastern United States was under British control. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed and the Thirteen Colonies gained their independence from the British.
The Thirteen Colonies were separated into three distinct regions: the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. The New England Colonies consisted of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The Middle Colonies included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The Southern Colonies included Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.