Timeline: 1600-1700 By: Anavya Jernigan

By ANavyaJernigan@letu.edu
  • Period: to

    Period: 1600-1700

  • English Settlers arrive in America

    Three ships arrived on the coast of Virginia. These ships came in search of gold and other materials.

  • Jamestown is founded

    Jamestown is founded on Virginia's coast. It is the first English settlement to be in North America.

  • Samuel Champlain finds territory for France

    Samuel Champlain found Lake Champlain earlier that month and claimed land in North America for France.

  • Henry Hudson discovers new routes

    Henry Hudson was a Dutch sailor who sailed into the New York harbor. This harbor is now named after him.

  • Netherlands Takes Control of the fur trade

    The Dutch soon took control of the profitable fur trade in North America. This reign would only last for three years.

  • John Rolfe and Pocahontas marry

    The marriage between John Rolfe and Pocahontas led to a peaceful relationship between the colonists and Native Americans.

  • The first slaves

    The Dutch bring the first slaves from Africa into North America. Only twelve slaves were brought.

  • The House of Burgesses is established

    The House of Burgesses is established in Jamestown, and is the first example of democracy and representative government in the new colonies.

  • The Puritans arrive in America

    The Puritans arrived to America, but did not immediately meet solid ground. They spend a month on the ship looking for a place to settle.

  • Puritans arrive at Plymouth Rock

    After a month of searching, the Puritans finally found solid ground. The land they had discovered is known as Plymouth Rock.

  • Puritans develop a colony

    The Puritans started up a settlement on Plymouth Rock. There, they made their own constitution, known as the Mayflower Compact, to govern them. They would soon find out that surviving in that harsh environment is difficult.

  • The first Thanksgiving

    The first Thanksgiving showed the colonists' gratitude for the natives' help in their survival. This was a month long celebration.

  • Indian Massacre of 1622

    The Indian Massacre of 1622 targeted the English settlers who lived in Jamestown. This massacre killed over 300 settlers, nearly killing all residents and wiping out the colony.

  • More Puritans leave England

    John Winthrop and seven hundred other Puritans leave England to help build up the population in New England and gain the right to practice their religion.

  • Maryland is founded

    Maryland is founded to be a Catholic colony with religious tolerance. It is named after Queen Henrietta Maria.

  • Rhode Island is founded

    Rhode Island is founded by Roger Williams, after he was exiled from Massachusetts.

  • The Beginning of Harvard College

    Harvard College is the oldest and one of the most prestigious colleges in North America.

  • The Bay Psalm book

    The Bay Psalm book was the first book to be published in North America.

  • Witchcraft in the colonies

    In Massachusetts, it becomes a capital charge to participate in witchcraft. A very popular result of this law is the Salem Witch trials.

  • Slavery in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts is the first colony to legalize slavery.

  • A Key into Language of Americas

    This book, "The Key into Language of Americas", is published by Roger William.

  • The Last Indian Rebellion

    The last Native American rebellion in the New England region took place with the Powhatan Indians attacking Jamestown again. This rebellion was unsuccessful.

  • The constitution General Assembly of Rhode Island

    The constitution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island is formed. This document separated church and state and let the public have a opinion in governmental matters.

  • Slavery in the Colonies

    Slavery in legalized in Connecticut and is recognized in the colonies.

  • Slavery in Rhode Island

    Slavery is made illegal in Rhode Island for over ten years.

  • Peach Tree War

    The Peach Tree War was between Susquehannock Indians and the Dutch. The Susquehannock Indians attacked the Dutch, and forced the Dutch to move back to Fort Amsterdam.

  • The Navigation Act

    Parliament passed the Navigation Act to control the amount of commerce in the colonies.

  • The Carolinas are founded

    Eight Englishmen are allowed to start the Carolinas with the permission of King Charles II.

  • New Amsterdam is given to England

    British soldiers peacefully take over New Netherlands.

  • New Amsterdam returns to the Dutch

    Dutch forces retake New Amsterdam, but only keep power for a year.

  • King Philip's War begins

    Metacom Indians attack New England colonies. This was the costliest war in New England.

  • King Philip's War ends

    The New England colonists and Indians stop fighting.

  • Bacon's Rebellion

    Nathaniel Bacon led Virginia farmers in a rebellion against Governor Berkeley.

  • France claims big part of North America

    France claims everything in the lower Mississippi valley region. They claim this because their explorer, Robert LaSalle, discovered it.

  • Pennsylvania is founded

    William Penn created the colony of Pennsylvania by paying the natives for the lands.

  • The First Newspaper in the colonies

    The first newspaper published in the colonies was published in Boston. It was called the Boston Occurrence and did not have another publication until 1704.

  • Jamestown's Abandonment

    Jamestown is abandoned after the state house burned down. The colonial government moved to, what is now known as, Williamsburg.