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Jamestown, Virginia Founded
Jamestown was the first permanent British settlement in North America. Fishing outposts had existed up and down the east coast for several years, and settlers tried to found an early colony at Roanoke Island off the Virginia Coast. But Jamestown was the first colony to last. -
First slaves arrive in North America
a ship headed for the West Indies is blown off course, and lands in Virginia, where the captain trades its cargo of slaves for food and supplies. These first slaves were treated much like indentured servants. -
Mayflower lands at Plimouth--Massachusetts founded
After a long journey across the Atlantic, the Mayflower, carrying 102 passengers, arrived from Britain. These settlers were Puritans, who had left Europe because of religious persecution. They hoped to set up a new colony where they would be free to follow their religious beliefs. -
Massachusetts Legalizes Racial Slavery
Massachusetts becomes the first nation in the country to legalize racial herediatary slavery. -
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King Philip's War
Metacom known as King Philip to the American colonists), a leader of the Wampanoag Confederacy, leads his warriors against the British settlers. Over the course of the war, more than half of New England settlements are attacked, and thousands of Native American Warriors die. Metacom is killed in 1676, but his legacy -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon leads a group of poor whites, freed blacks, and slaves in revolt against the power of the Virginia planters. Bacon and his followers felt there was not enough space for them to live, and wanted the Virginia legislature to push Native Americans off their land so there would be more space. The rebellion ended in September, after hundreds-Native Americans, whites, and blacks--had been killed. The uprising led the wealthy to harden racial lines to prevent future rebellions. -
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French and Indian War
The French and the British fought for control of North America. Both sides were helped by different Native American tribes, who were hoping to secure their land and rights. The American colonists fought with the British, but it was the beginning of tensions between the two sides. -
Stamp Act
In order to help pay for the French and Indian War, the British decided to tax the Americans. The Stamp Act put a tax on all legal documents as well as other paper products. The colonists objected, claiming they were not represented in the Parliament and so were not being fairly treated. Protests were so strong that the Crown repealed the tax in 1766. -
Quartering Act
This law required that if there were not enough beds in "official" army housing, that British soldiers be allowed to stay on private property, and that the colonies were responsbile for the cost of feeding and housing the troops. -
Boston Massacre
An angry mob in Boston throws rocks and snow at British troops. Thinking they were under attack, the troops fired back, killing 5 Bostonians. These men were remembered as martyrs to the cause of liberty, and their deaths pulled public opinion even further towards revolution. -
Continental Association
An agreement among the colonies to boycott British goods, in hopes of proving to the British that they could not tax the Americans without their consent. Also known as the non-importation agreements -
Contiental Congress
Colonists, frustrated with the lack of response from the British, send representatives to Philadelphia to disccuss their options. It is this group that decides, after the battles of Lexington and Concord, to write the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British troops tried to take an ammunition storehouse in Concord, MA. On their way, they ran into a colonial militia, and the battle on Lexington green is now known as "the shot heard round the world." It was the first battle of the Revolutionary War, and the Americans hadn't even declared independence yet. -
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Revolutionary War
American and British forces battle for control of North America. The Americans eventually win, after receiving help from the French. -
Declaration of Independence
The official American statement of freedom from the British. It gave the colonists something to fight for, rather than just fighting against taxes. It was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, with help from Ben Franklin and John Adams. -
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Articles of Confederation
The first attempt at a national government for the new United States of America. The Articles left very little power to the central government, and did not allow it to settle disputes between the states. Over time, it was clear they did not work, and it was decided in 1787 to rewrite them--the Constitutional convention. -
Ratification of the US Constitution
The new US Constitution went into effect, with 3 branches of government, dividing power and also sharing with the states. The new law attempted to allow both flexibility for the states and power for the central government.
