United States Colonial Records

Spanish Colonization (1490s-1898)
In the late 15th century to early 16th century, Spain established colonies in America that were called New Spain. Throughout the years, New Spain consisted of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Puerto Rico, and most areas west of the Mississippi River in the United States. In 1763, as part of the Treaty of Paris, Florida became a British territory, and in 1800, Louisiana was transferred to France under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso. From the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the Adams–Onís Treaty (1819), the Mexican–American War (1846–1848), and the Spanish–American War (1898), the United States acquired lands that had constituted New Spain.

British Colonization (1607-1776)
Beginning in the 17th century, Britain established colonies in America. The first successful colony was Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. The British established colonies in the Chesapeake Bay area, New England, Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida (Spain ceded it in 1763). Some of the colonies were established by private financiers, royal charters, or religious groups. The colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776.

French Colonization (17th c.-1803)
During the mid-17th century, France began trading in the North West. They established colonies along the Saint Lawrence river, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River. During the French and Indian Wars, England and Spain acquired most of New France, although Louisiana reverted back to France in 1800. Most of the territory that had been New France was acquired by the United States in 1783 during the Treaty of Paris and with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Lands not obtained by the United States, with the exception of the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, became part of Canada.

Dutch Colonization (1614-1664)
In 1614, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands charted a colony, New Netherlands, in what now consists of New York, New Jersey, and surrounding states. In 1664, the colony was captured by the British and was renamed New York in 1674.

Swedish Colonization (1638-1655)
A Swedish colony, known as New Sweden, was established along the Delaware River Valley about 1638. It consisted of lands that are now Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. The Dutch captured the colony in 1655 and it was merged with New Netherlands.

Russian Colonization (1784-1867)
Russia first established a colony in Alaska in 1784. Trading posts were later established in Aleutian Islands, Hawaii, and Northern California. In 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States.