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King James makes peace with Spain
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Virginia Company Established
The Virginia Company was established to compete with the Spanish conquests of the New World. It hoped to find wealth and goods in North America. -
Jamestown Established
The three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, carrying 103 settlers land and the English establish first colony in the United States. -
Quebec Established
France establishes Quebec, enterprises in fur-trading, sets in motion Indian wars. These conflicts reduced the Iroquois population. -
First Tobacco exported
The colony sent its first cargo of tobacco back to England. The weed, a native of the New World, fetched a high price in Europe and the tobacco boom began in Virginia and then later spread to Maryland. Within fifteen years American colonists were exporting over five hundred thousand pounds of tobacco per year. Within forty years, they were exporting fifteen million pounds. -
First Slaves arrived
1619 first slaves were imported by Dutch. -
House of Burgesses established
The Virginia Colony established the House of Burgesses as a representative body of the colonists in Jamestown. -
Plymouth Rock
Puritans land at Plymouth Rock. Establish colony, form Mayflower Compact, and establish government and legal structure. -
Massacre of Colonists
Opechancanough, the new chief of Powhatan Indians launched an attack on the colonists in effort to drive them out. 350 colonists were killed. The result was a war between the colonists and the Indians, which destroyed most of the remnants of the tribe. -
New Amsterdam Founded
Dutch found New Amsterdam, which was built with slave labor. -
Massachusetts Bay colony roots established
Winthrop and other Puritans reinforce already established Puritan colony in Salem. This would later become the Massachusetts Bay colony. -
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Pequot War
War between the Pequot tribe and the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Saybrook. Ended in the Treaty of Hartford. -
Harvard College Established
Harvard College founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts. -
Massachusetts first colony to legalize slavery
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Puritan Revolution
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Slavery legalized in Conneticut
Slavery is legalized in Connecticut and recognized throughout colonies -
Rhode Island restricts slavery
Rhode Island becomes first colony to restrict slavery and makes it illegal for over 10 years. -
First Jewish settlers
23 Jews arrive to New Amsterdam marking the beginning of the Jewish settlement of North America. -
Peach Tree War
Susquehannock Indians and their allies attack New Amsterdam and Pavonia as retaliation for the Dutch conquest of New Sweden. This Native American victory forced many settlers to flee back to New Amsterdam. -
Navigation Act
The Navigation Act is passed by Parliament to control the trade of the colonies. -
British take over New Netherlands
300 British troops took over New Netherlands from the Dutch without a fight. Some of this territory was given to the King's brother, the Duke of York, and was named New York. -
John Lederer Expedition West
John Lederer leads an expedition west to find Indian Ocean. First Europeans to ascend Blue Ridge Mountains and see the Shenandoah Valley. -
King Phillip's War
Metacom Indians attack colonies. Twelve colonies destroyed. Ends when Indian alliances disintegrate. -
Pueblo Rebellion
Pueblos rebel against Spanish colony of Santa Fe, forcing many to flee and prevents recolonization for 12 years. -
France claims Louisiana
Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle explores Louisiana and claims it for France. -
Pennsylvania colony established
William Penn signs treaty with Delaware Indians and pay for lands which become Pennsylvania. -
Monmouth's Rebellion
Attempt to overthrow James II, who had recently ascended to the throne of England. -
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Glorious Revolution
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Plymouth colony becomes part of Massachusetts Bay colony
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Salem Witch Hunts
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Jamestown Abandoned
State house is burned in 1698, Jamestown is abandoned and colonial government set up in Middle Plantation, now Williamsburg.