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Jamestown
The colony of Jamestown was created in present-day Virginia by British settlers. -
The First Slaves
A Dutch ship sold 20 slaves to Jamestown and thus began the existence of slavery in the colonies. -
House of Burgesses
In Jamestown, the first form of government in the New World was created, the House of Bergesses. -
The Mayflower Lands
The Mayflower ship carrying Pilgrims and "strangers" landed in Plymouth. Together, they created the Mayflower compact. -
Havard
Harvard University was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Navigation Act of 1651
The English created an act that made it to where only they could trade with their colonies in America. It was made to hurt the Dutch. -
King Philip's War
Metacom (King Philip), a Native American chief, declared war on the colonists in Plymouth. Several back and forth battles occurred. Ended in 1676 with the colonists beheading King Philip. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against William Berkeley because he wanted all the land the Native Americans were using. Bacon, other landowners, and indentured servants contributed and eventually burned down Jamestown. -
Dominion of New England
Britain united the northern colonies to all be directly under their rule because the King felt like they were getting out of control. It lasted till 1689. -
Salem Witch Trials
In Massachusetts, two girls, Betty and Abigail, began accusing people of being witches. About 20 people were executed because of the accusations. -
Comprehensive Slave Codes
In Virginia, four laws were created by the House of Bergesses regarding slaves. They were as follows: Slaves are property, slave owners must pay a tithe for their slaves, slave marriage is not recognized, and a child born to a slave is a slave. -
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The Great Awakening
People gathered in large groups and stayed for sometimes weeks to listen to sermons. It was a period of religious revival. Lasted between the 1730's to 1770's. -
Stono Rebellion
A group of slaves escaped to a general store and stole weapons. They used the supplies to make their way to Florida where Spaniards were promising freedom. -
French and Indian War
A war fought between France and Great Britain over ownership of land in North America. Ended in 1763, and it led to a huge sum of debt for Britain. -
Stamp Act
The first direct tax on the colonies. All printed materials in the colonies required a stamp indicating they paid a tax for the item. -
Boston Massacre
The colonists in Boston were shouted and throwing snowballs, some with rocks in them, at the British soldiers. The soldiers fired on the colonists resulted in five dead. -
Boston Tea Party
In response to the Tea Act, Bostonians dressed as Native Americans, boarded a British ship full of tea, removed the soldiers, and threw all the tea overboard. -
First Continental Congress
Was made up of 56 members who made the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" to try and avoid war with Britain. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution. The first shots were fired at Lexington. After Lexington, the colonists went to Concord where British soldiers were waiting. The British retreated and the colonists claimed victory. -
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American Revolution
A series of battles between the colonists and Great Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
The document formally announced the colonies independence from Great Britain. -
First Presidency
George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States of America. -
Louisiana Purchase
A purchase between France and America that gave America all the French territory located west of the Mississippi River. It doubled the size of the United States. -
The War of 1812
America declared war on Britain due to their interference with American trade. It ended with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 which restored any territories captured back to their original ownership. -
The Missouri Compromise
Declared Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was a document created by the U.S. that stated they would no longer accept colonization in the Western Hemisphere by Great Britain. -
Trail of Tears
The forced relocation of Native Americans in the southeastern region by the United States to present-day Oklahoma. Lasted until 1850. -
The Mexican-American War
The annexation of Texas resulted in Mexico declaring war on America because they felt Texas was still owned by them. Ended in 1848. -
California Gold Rush
James W. Marshall found gold in California. It resulted in hoards of people heading west in search of gold. It lasted until 1855. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Congress passed a law stating any runaway slaves had to be returned to their owners. -
The American Civil War
A war fought between the United States and the states who had succeeded following the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The war ended in 1865 with the surrendering of Robert E. Lee. -
Abraham Lincoln Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was shot in a theater by John Wilkes Booth, a confederate sympathizer.