Colonial America Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)
This Colonial America word search helps students explore the vocabulary of life in the thirteen colonies before the American Revolution. It includes key terms like Plantation, Taxation, and Loyalist, with a free printable worksheet and answer key included.
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Word List
COLONY
A territory settled and governed by a distant nation. The thirteen British colonies in North America were ruled by Britain until they declared independence in 1776.
CHARTER
A written document granting rights or establishing a colony. Many American colonies were founded under royal charters that defined their boundaries and government.
LOYALIST
A colonist who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. Loyalists opposed independence and often faced persecution from Patriots.
MERCHANT
A person who buys and sells goods for profit. Colonial merchants traded goods like tobacco, lumber, and furs with Britain and other colonies.
GOVERNOR
The appointed or elected leader of a colony or state. Colonial governors were often appointed by the British king and held significant power.
TAXATION
The practice of collecting money from citizens to fund government. Taxation without representation was a major grievance of the colonists against British rule.
SETTLEMENT
A community established by settlers in a new area. Early American settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth were among the first permanent English communities in North America.
PURITAN
A member of a Protestant religious group that sought to purify the Church of England. Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony seeking religious freedom.
INDENTURED
Bound by a contract to work for a set number of years. Many indentured servants came to the colonies agreeing to work for several years in exchange for passage to America.
PLANTATION
A large farm, especially in the South, that grew cash crops like tobacco, rice, or cotton using enslaved or indentured labor.
About Colonial America
Colonial America refers to the period from the early 1600s to 1776 when European settlers established thirteen colonies along the eastern coast of North America under British rule. Life in the colonies varied widely by region, from the tobacco plantations of Virginia to the fishing villages of New England.
Colonial America Vocabulary
This puzzle features vocabulary from colonial life including SETTLEMENT, PLANTATION, GOVERNOR, CHARTER, and MERCHANT. Students will also encounter terms for the growing tensions with Britain like TAXATION and LOYALIST that eventually sparked revolution.
How to Use This Word Search in Class
Use this word search before introducing the causes of the American Revolution. Understanding colonial life gives students context for why colonists felt increasingly frustrated with British rule. Pair it with a map activity showing where each colony was located.
Printable Colonial America Word Search Worksheet
Click the print button to print this colonial america word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.