Final answer:
The 13 British colonies in North America were characterized by an encouraging environment for emigration, a strong identity as British subjects, increasing tensions and a desire for self-governance, and diverse economic pursuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 13 British colonies in North America had distinct characteristics. Initially, they encouraged emigration significantly, outstripping their Spanish, French, and Dutch rivals. Many of the individuals who arrived, such as those who worked in the tobacco fields of the Chesapeake Bay colonies of Virginia and Maryland as well as those in the religious communities of Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, were escaping overcrowding and poverty in England. Moreover, they nurtured a robust sense of identity as loyal British subjects.
However, tensions rose as the colonists developed the belief that their English liberties were being threatened due to numerous incidents, including the imposition of taxes without their consent and perceived attempts to interfere with self-governance in the colonies. This resulted in the Second Continental Congress declaring American independence from Great Britain in 1776.
In terms of economic policy, a series of Navigation Acts were passed to ensure maximum profits for England, which put a strain on North American economic development. These colonies varied in nature, with some more commercially focused, like Barbados and Virginia, while others were religiously oriented, like the Puritan colonies of New England.
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