After the British first colonization attempt in 1585, and the latter successfull attempt in 1620, the colonists felt as if they were starting anew in the new world. By 1750 there were 13 colonies and estimates of some 5 million people. With this many people in the colonies, King George III of England saw the need for thier protection from enemy invaders. He decided to keep an army of 10,000 men in the new world at all times for the protection of the colonists.