Beacon Learning Center

The United States didn't just happen over night.  It all started back in 1492 with the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus.  In the early 1600s, the first group of colonists sailed from England to the New World.  By the mid 1700s, 13 thriving colonies had made the New World their home.

What reasons did the colonists have for settling in the New World?
Read each choice below.  Choose the answer by clicking in the box. 
You may select more than one.

 Some colonists wanted religious freedom.

The King of England wanted more power.
Some colonists were running away from responsibilities.
Some colonists were looking for a better way of life.

Click here to check your answers.


Now we know how our country was started.  Let's move on to the events that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.