British Immigrants

Definition

British immigrants refer to individuals who migrated from Britain to the United States, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were among the first settlers in America and significantly influenced its culture, politics, and economy.

Analogy

Think of British immigrants like the first layer of a cake. They set up the base for what would become a multi-layered, diverse American society.

Related terms

Pilgrims: Early settlers from England who came to North America on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom in 1620.

Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. This was practiced by Britain in various parts of the world including America.

Anglo-American Culture: Refers to cultural patterns common to English-speaking Americans which have their roots in British culture due to early immigration patterns.