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1492
Christopher Columbus makes his first voyage and discovers America
Christopher Columbus proved the world was not flat. He took the risk of falling out of the world and he made a good choice because he is still remembered to this day. He wanted to find a faster route to India. But instead he was in the Americas. There he found new crops to grow and he found Native Americans. However, he did not discover the Americas as the Indians were there first. Following this many colonies were made including Plymouth, Roanoke, and Jamestown. -
Period: 1492 to
13 Colonies Timespan
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The Roanoke Colony is found with no people.
The Roanoke Colony is called "The Lost Colony" because explorers went out to get supplies and they came back and nobody was there. There was a carving in a tree of the word "Croatoan," which was a local tribe. No one knows what happened to the people. -
The Jamestown Settlement is established.
The Jamestown colony was the first successful colony. There were three ships that were used to get to the Americas. The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery. The leader was John Smith. They were friendly with the Indians at first but then disagreement and war started. -
John Rolfe marries Pocahontas
Pocahontas is Native American and the daughter of the Chief of the Powhatan. She helped native and colonist people get along better. She went on to marry a colonist named John Rolfe. Later they moved back to England, but she died there. -
The first African slaves arrive in Jamestown
Slaves were brought over from Africa to work in the plantations, and grow crops. The slaves were treated badly. Many people did not like them because they had dark colored skin. -
The House of Burgesses Was Formed
The house of Burgesses was started to make laws in the colony of Jamestown. People called representatives met together and spoke for the colonist. This was a new form of government for them. -
Plymouth Colony is founded by the Pilgrims.
The Plymouth Colony was the first colonial settlement in New England. They sailed over on the Mayflower ship. Then they settled on what is now Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was laws written to govern the Plymouth Colony. It gave order to the people, as they agreed to follow rules to keep people safe in the colony. -
The First Thanksgiving
The pilgrims were friends with the Native Americans and invited them for a celebration. It lasted three days. There was lots and lots of food. They were happy to be friends and be together. -
Poor Richard's Almanac
Poor Richard's Almanac was Ben Franklin's first book. He wrote it for regular people who lived in the American colonies. He wrote it so that people who did not have money for books could learn things.
