Colonization game

Colonization is a computer game released by Microprose in 1994. It's a turn-based strategy game themed on the early European colonization of the New World in 1492 and lasts until the age of independence in 1800. You can choose from one of four European powers, each having advantages that reflect the nation's historical proclivities, e.g. the French are good at profitably trading with the natives, while the Spanish are better at conquering them.

The game revolves around managing a large number of colonist units that represent various colonial professions (carpenters, sugar planters, etc.) which the player must put to effective use to grow crops and generate income selling goods back in Europe. Relationships must be carefully maintained with Indians and other colonial powers, including waging war. All the while, the player must put a priority on political development and recruiting Founding Fathers, to ensure a succesful independence revolution, which is the climax of the game, and only path to victory.
The mechanics of the game are fairly unique in the turn-based strategy genre.