The Colonies, 1492-1750

"The Colonies, 1492-1750" by Reuben Gold Thwaites, is a late 19th-century book that gives a overview of the origins of the American colonies, looking at how European settlers came to be, grew, and interacted with the native people between 1492 and 1750. Its purpose is to give readers a simple but full understanding of the important happenings and things that impacted colonial America. Starting off, the book paints a picture of the colonies by showing the important land features and the native tribes living there when the Europeans first showed up. It questions different ideas about where Native Americans came from and points out the land features of North America that affected how the colonies grew. The connection between the native people and the European settlers is also brought out, focusing on moments of curiosity and distrust that would become complex relationships including trade, fighting, and the sharing of culture during the colonial times.