In 1638, Sweden established the colony of New Sweden on the Delaware River in what is now Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The colonists purchased land from the Native Americans to build Fort Christina, named after the Swedish queen. New Sweden was the first permanent Swedish settlement in North America and played a significant role in early colonial history. The colony was captured by the Dutch in 1655, but its legacy includes the introduction of the log cabin and Lutheran Christianity to the region.

The story of New Sweden is a lesser-known but important part of the American colonial narrative. It has been explored in historical literature and poetry that focus on the diverse European origins of American settlement. The colony's history contributes to the multicultural and multilingual fabric of early American life, which is sometimes reflected in works that examine the plurality of colonial experiences.