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Colonial America

American colonial life existed just shy of 180 years before the United States of America emerged as a nation independent of British rule. These formative years are reflected in the FREE videos below.

Columbian Era

Christopher Columbus
The story of Columbus' preparation and 1492 trip to North America is told in this fun and informative cartoon.

Spanish Empire in the New World
This documentary traces the history and influence of the Spanish Empire in North America from Christopher Columbus through the 1800s.
* (español - Spanish Language version only)

Early Colonial Times

Jamestown Archaeology
This is a segment of an episode of NASA 360 covering the recent archaelogical dig at Jamestown, Virgina - the first permanent English colony in America. The dig site is discussed along with new technologies...

Mayflower II: Building of a Replica
This is a short news reel showing the construction and launching of the Mayflower II. Built in 1955, it is still in use today.

Early Settlers of New England
A concice presentation of everyday life in Massachusetts in an early colonial settlement. It includes scenes of hunting, fishing, cooking, farming and more.

Puritan Family of Early New England
Similar to Early Settlers of Salem, this film highlights daily life in a very early new england colonial village. It includes scenes of hunting, fishing, cooking, farming and more.

The Scarlet Letter
Drama based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, this early screen version tells the story of life at the end of the 1600's. It deals with puritan culture and society and its ideas of punishment for moral failings.

The Town Crier
This is a short reenactment showing the job of a town crier in Massachusettes during colonial times

Provincetown, MA
A view into the history of Provincetown, Massaschusettes complete with town crier. This color presentation is grounded in the late 1940s and gives a view into the british and portuguese history that make Provincetown...

Last of the Mohicans
This is an early movie adaption of Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. A drama set in 1757 during the French and Indian War. A silent movie with musical soundtrack, it is quite watchable and tells the story well.

Pre-Revolutionary

Colonial Era Economy
Economic conditions of the 1700s were a contributing factor to the discontent felt by the American colonies towards Great Britain and were not easily overcome after independence.

Colonial Williamsburg: Travelogue - 1954
Williamsburg was founded in 1693 and was the capitol of the 13 colonies until the war for Independence. It was restored to its 18th century appearance in the 1930s and guests have been visiting Williamsburg ever since.

Fort Ticonderoga
This strategic fort played a role in both the French and Indian war and the American Revolutionary war. A walkthrough and history of the fort and the commanders who used it under French, British, then American rule.

Colonial Coloring Page
Sometimes it's fun to just sit down and color. Color online or download for home or classroom use.

The Boston Tea Party 1773
On a cold evening in December of 1773, a small band of patriots made history when they dumped three ships worth of valuable tea into Boston Harbor. This protest against unfair taxation was one of the final incidents...

Energy: The American Experience
Energy sources, machines and inventions that drive industry and are part of our everyday lives are chronicled from colonial times and the revolutionary war through the 1970s.