C H A P T E R 6
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
The Start of a
NewNation
W
ith this chapter,we start to study
how the colony of Pennsylvania
became the center for the
beginning of a new country— the United
States of America. Remember, we are still in
the1700swithour story. From its founding
in 1681, Pennsylvania was to remain a
colony for 95 years!
Formost of the 1700s, Pennsylvaniawas
a colonyof England’s
empire
. Back then, a
country became an empire by claiming
land and starting colonies in other parts of
the world. At this time in history, there
were two main world powers setting up
empires around the world. These world
powers were England and France.
Pennsylvania’s wilderness and the Ohio
River Valley around Pittsburgh were
claimed by the English and the French.
Neither side wanted to give up this land.
They both wanted the fur trade with the
Native Americans. Because the fur trade
was so important to both countries, a war
was fought for this land.
This chapter will describe the fight that
occurred between England and France for
control of Pennsylvania’s wilderness. You
will explorehow theAmerican colonies got
angry over England’s taxes against the
colonies. You will deal with the important
events that took place in Philadelphia. You
will read about the colonies’ fight for
freedom from England. Finally, you will
learn how the new nation of the United
States of Americawas formed.
86
●
Chapter 6
French and English forts inwestern Pennsylvania.
