Spain, France and Great Britain sent explorers to the Americas. Later, these countries established colonies that were settled by individuals who were seeking freedom and wealth. The European governments hoped that their colonies would become sources of valuables such as gold, silver, furs, and tobacco.
There were 13 British colonies in North America. By 1775, serious tensions had developed between the British colonies and Great Britain. The main source of tension was taxation; colonists felt they were being taxed too heavily and unfairly (some things never seem to change!). They believed they shouldn't be taxed when they weren't represented in the British Parliament. Colonists, who became known as "revolutionaries", called for independence from Great Britain and fought in the Revolutionary War. In 1781, the 13 colonies won their independence and the United States of America was born.
The original 13 colonies of the United States of America were Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In 1781, the 13 colonies made up 100% of the states in United States of America. Today, there are 50 states, 13 of which bear the names of the original 13 colonies.
The 13 states comprise what percent of the states in the United States today?