Did you know that: - the thirteen colonies which became the USA were not the most valuable British possessions in America? - Georgia was not the thirteenth but the fourteenth British colony in North America? - despite the claims in the Declaration of Independence, George III was not a tyrant? Information on these facts, and many many more, can be found in this fascinating and helpful A-Z guide. Colonial America's key events and personalities - from the first expedition to Roanoke Island in 1584 to the conclusion of the War of Independence - are readily accessible in this invaluable dictionary. Mary K. Geiter and W. A. Speck set the thirteen colonies which became the United States in an Atlantic context, dealing not only with the thirteen but also with Britain's other colonies in North America and the West Indies. The imperial connection is stressed too with entries on British monarchs and politicians, admirals and generals, Acts of Parliament and European wars which impacted on the American colonies. Also featuring a Select Bibliography and full Chronology to aid learning, this wide-ranging, clear and authoritative text is an essential reference for students, scholars and anyone with an interest in British America.

Colonial America deals with the development of the American colonies from the first permanent settlement at Jamestown to the independence of the 13 which became the US. Instead of anticipating the birth of a nation, Mary K. Geiter and W. A. Speck treat the history of the colonies as part of the wider history of the British Empire, including colonies in the Americas which did not rebel against British rule, such as the islands in the West Indies. In this way, Geiter and Speck demonstrate how Britain and America shared a common history for nearly 200 years.