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Jamestown
The first surviving settlement in the Americas. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. It was established by the Virginia Company. -
Mayflower Compact
The first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. The pilgrims were seeking religious freedom and boarded the Mayflower in 1620. -
Bacon's Rebellion
An armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers against the rule of governor William Berkley. Berkley had failed to address the demands of the colonists regaurding their saftey. -
Salem Witch Trials
A time where hysteria was spreading because a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil. They accused several local women of witchcraft. 19 people were hanged because of the accusations and over 150 others were accused of witchcraft. -
Trial of John Peter Zenger
Zenger was accused of libel which, back then, meant writing anything that opposed the government. Ended up being found not guilty after the jury only discussed it for 10 minutes. -
French and Indian war
War fought between British colonists and French colonists. Both sides were supported by military units from both of their parent countries of Britain and France, and by Native American allies. -
Proclamation of 1763
Issued after Britain's acquisition of French territory in America after the French and Indian War. Forbade all settlers from going past a line drawn along the Appalachain Mountains. -
Stamp Act
An act passed by the British Parliament that imposed a tax on printed goods and required that many printed materials be printed on stamped paper produced in London. -
Quartering Act
Outlines the location and conditions in which British soldiers were to find room and board in the homes of the American colonists. -
Declaratory Act
Act of the British Parliament that justified and declared the repeal of the stamp act. The stamp act was repealed because boycotting was hurting British trade. -
Boston Massacre
When British soldiers killed 5 male civillians and injured 6 others. Highly propagandized to fuel animosity towards British authorities. -
Tea Act
A tax put on tea by Britain. Main objective was to reduce the massive surplus of tea held by the British East India Company and to help the company survive. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. They destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company in defiance of the Tea Acts. -
1st Continental Congress
Meeting in Philidelphia, PA during the early American Revolution. Called in response to the intolerable acts placed by Britain. -
2nd Continental Congress
Started meeting in the summer of 1775 in Philidelphia, PA. Started meeting soon after warfare in the American Revolution had begun. -
Declaration of Independence
A document that offically stated the United States of America was free from Britain's power.
