The American colonies were settled primarily by people from Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. They came because of the lack of freedoms in their countries. Some came with no money, and others with vast wealth. While most came of their own will - and these are the ones studied in elementary and junior high schools - there were some who arrived as indentured servants. The colonies were indeed a settling place for a wide variety of people, who often didn't work for the common good of all 13 colonies.
The Iroquois Confederacy and Council, a union of six Indian nations, witnessed the bickering among the group as they tried to make dividing lines to separate one colony from another. On July 4, 1744, Chief Canassatego, the elected speaker of the Great Council, told an assembly of Iroquois and colonial officers, "Our wise forefathers established union and friendship between our [Indian] nations. This has given us great authority with our neighbors. By observing the same methods our forefathers have used, you will gain much power; therefore, whatever befalls you, do not fall out with one another."The colonists were not interested in the prosperity of all 13 colonies, and it was apparent that each colony worked individually to become prosperous and to retain its rights given by the British king to rule itself. Even at the beginning of the French and Indian War, the lack of cooperation was obvious. Colonies were criticized openly by the Great Council leaders.
This quarreling among themselves led to such forerunners of new ideas as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. New colonies were formed by the Quakers, Dutch, believers in Judaism and others. Everyone was under suspicion. The witchcraft frenzy of this period is recorded as a grim phase in the history of the colonies. (THE WITCH OF BLACK BIRD POND, Elizabeth George.)
When the French and Indian War ended with British victory, camaraderie among the colonists finally began to take place. The "union" was formed, and work toward a government "by the people" was a next step.
A work that reflects some of these dilemmas in history is BOOK OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES (1966, Little Brown. $12.95). History in this book stretches back to the Norsemen, the first Europeans to come to America, Columbus' journey in the late 15th century and to the settling of the 13 colonies. What makes this book unique are the narratives based on source documents, dramatic readings and plays, poetry, songs, speeches and hands-on activities, such as developing a peace treaty with a friend, crafts and games that the colonists played and recipes that can be replicated.
"Book of the American Colonies" is a companion to three others in "The Brown Paper School US Kids History" series, which give insight into the formation of this country: BOOK OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS, BOOK OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and BOOK OF NEW AMERICAN NATION. Each is stuffed with ideas that are child-centered.
OTHER BOOKS : Following are a few other books for young readers that reflect the settling of America:
References:
"Christopher Columbus: How He Did It," Charlotte and David Yue.
"Roanoke: The Story of the Lost Colony," Peter I. Bosco.
"The Legend of the White Doe," William H. Hooks.
"The Wampanoag," Laurie Wein-stein-Farson.
"Four Women in a Violent Time: The Stories of Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer, Lady Deborah Moody and Penelope Stout," Deborah Craw-ford.
"The American Heritage: Volume 31, No. 5."
"The Colonial Wars," Alden R. Carter.
Art and other activities:
"Green Woodworking: Hand-craft-ing Wood from Log to Finished Product," Drew Langers.
"Historical Models of Early America and How to Make Them," C.J. Maginley.
"American Cross-Stitch," Hildy Paige Burners and Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen.
"American Christmas," Better Homes and Gardens.
"Folk-Art Weather Vanes," John A. Nelson.
"Games of the World," Frederic V. Grunfeld.
"Samplers and Samplermakers: An American Schoolgirl's Art (1700-1850)," Mary Jaene Ed-mond.
"Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework (1650-1850). Betty Ring.
"Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet," Ann W. Paul.
"Indian Art in North America: Arts and Crafts," Frederick J. Dockstader.
Books to take on trips to historical sites:
"Northern New England."
"Southern New England."
"Virginia and the Capital Region."
"The Mid-Atlantic States."
"The Carolinas and the Appalachian States."
"The Deep South."
(These are all published by Smithsonian Guide to Historic America)
Symbols of the land:
"Turkeys, Pilgrims and Indian Corn: The Story of the Thanksgiving Symbols," Edna Barth, illustrated by Ursula Arndt.
"Hiawatha: Messenger of Peace," Dennis Fradin, illustrated by Arnold Jacobs.
"George Washington's Mother," Jean Fritz, illustrated by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan.
"Giants in the Land," Diana Appelbaum, illustrated by Michael McCurdy.
"Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?" Jean Fritz, illustrated by J.B. Handelsman.
"The World of Young George Washington," Suzanne Hilton, illustrated by William Sauts Bock.
WHERE TO FIND IT: "U.S. Kids History: Book of the American Colonies" is available at the following bookstores at a 10 percent discount:
Children's Bookshelf
Children's Hour
King's English
Sam Weller Books
Waking Owl
A Woman's Place
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Colonial `note'
Take this Deseret News "Books 'n' Things" note to The Children's Museum of Utah for a half-price admission to hear more about books on the American colonies.