The Thirteen Colonies: social, economic and political characteristics; divisions and rivalries within the colonies
By 1760, Britain ruled thirteen separate colonies along North America's eastern coast. Each colony had its own economy, society, and government — and they often distrusted one another as much as they distrusted Britain.
Real World
The contrast between slave-economy South Carolina and Puritan Massachusetts in 1760 was as stark as the difference between modern Texas and Vermont — same country on paper, profoundly different societies, economies, and political cultures in practice.
Exam Focus
Avoid treating the colonies as a single unit; examiners reward answers that show regional variation and use it to explain why unity against Britain was so difficult to achieve.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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