The English Colonies Were Different
From The Other European Colonies

The year was 1664 and the powerful English took over the former Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. The English easily took over the Dutch colony, by threat of force, without firing a single shot. The English had no need of firing a shot because there were few Dutch in the colony of New Amsterdam. The Dutch thought Holland was comfortable and did not want to gamble their lives in the Indian War that was going on. Also, the high price of land in New Amsterdam wasn't a plus either.

Since New Amsterdam was now controlled by the British, it was renamed New York after the Duke of York. Things were different in other European colonies compared to New York. In the other European colonies people had few rights. For instance, only privileged people could own land and they were required to worship the same religion as their ruler. But in the English colonies, they had charters that gave rights to the people living there including the right to worship.

The people gained rights, such as the right to worship. In 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta which limited his rights. King John was a stupid, greedy king who overtaxed his subjects and when they refused to pay, he threw them in the dungeon. The people were unhappy about this and they revolted forcing King John into signing the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta also created Parliament where representatives of the people would have a say in making the laws. The thirteen English colonies modeled their assembly after the Parliament because they like the idea of representative government.

The thirteen English colonies were the places where freedoms for the people were reborn. People could own land, worship their own religion, and they were guaranteed basic human rights. Colonists now had a place where they had liberty and happiness.
  

Written by Greg Fleizach, Seventh Grade

Illustrations
"Europeans Coming To Eastchester" by Emily Colasacco, Seventh Grade
"The British Flag" by Meghan O'Loughlin, Seventh Grade