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Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent English colony to be established. It was far enough inland to hide from the Spanish,
the deep water served as anchor for the ships, the swamps and rivers offers protection from local Native Americans. -
House of Burgesses
Established so the colonists could make their own laws. This becomes the first representative government ini America. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact helps establish America's ideas on self-government and majority. -
Bacon's Rebellion
High taxes, low prices for tobacco, and resentment led up to Bacon's Rebellion. When Sir WIlliam Berkely wouldnt retaliate against the Indians, Nathaniel Bacon and a group of farmers took it upon themselves. -
Salem Witch Trials
Several young Puritan girls began to seem bewitched
Over 100 people (mostly women) were arrested and tried for witchcraft. 20 of them were executed for witchcraft, most by hanging. Examination of a witch usually included the court looking for birthmarks. Many of the women accused were single, independent women who went against the Patriarchal Puritan Society. (Rigid structured society) -
Trial of John Peter Zenger
Zenger was a publisher of a newspaper who began writing about his disagreement with the acts of the colonial governor. He was put into prison for charges of libel. His defendants won his case for him by successfully arguing that truth is a good defense against the charges. -
The French and Indian War
The war began when the French and Indians attacked Fort Necessity. They were fighting as allies against Britain for control over most of North America. -
Proclamation of 1763
At the end of the of the Seven Years' War this proclamation was enforced by King George III. It forbade all settlers from settling past an imgainary line drawn alon the Appalachian Mountains. -
Stamp Act
The initial idea was to raise money to support British troops in America. The taxes were raised incredibely high, high enough to cause a revolt. -
Quartering Act
This act was passed allowing British soldiers to find room and board in the American colonies. It allowed the soldiers the right to invade colonists houses and use them as seen fit. The colonists were supposed to build barracks to house the soldiers. -
Declaratory Act
It stated that the British Parliament’s taxing authority was the same in America as in Great Britain. Parliament had directly taxed the colonies for revenue in the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act. -
Boston Massacre
A squad of British soldiers had came to support a sentry that was being heckled by colonists. Five of these colonists were shot and killed. This event being referred to as a massacre suggested extreme acts of retaliation. -
Boston Tea Party
A group called the Sons of Liberty dressed themselves as "savages" and attacked merchant ships in the Boston Harbor. Dumping tea and other products over the ships. -
Tea Act
The main onjective of this act was to reduce the mass surplus of tea held by the British East India Company. This was the straw that broke the camel's back. The last act passed before the begin of the Revolution -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress was the first official congress of the new colonies. The Congress met at Carpenter's Hall in Philidelphia. Each colony sent delegates to meet (excluding Georgia) on September 5th. -
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1st Continental Congress
Every colony (excluding Georgia) sent delegates to Carpenter's Hall. This was the first actual gathering of a group of Congress. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress met at the State House in Pennsylvania. The New England militia were still encamped outside of Boston trying to drive the British out of Boston. The Second Continental Congress established the militia as the Continental Army to represent the thirteen states. They also elected George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. -
Declaration of Independence
Document declaring America's independence from Great Britain. Making the separation official, by having important people sign.
