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Founding of Jamestown
100 English settlers arrive in Virginia and establish Jamestown as the first permanent colonial settlement in North America. This settlement was dispatched by Englands London Company. Jamestown survived by the introduction of Tobacco by John Rolffe. Without tobacco, Jamestown may have failed as a colony. From 1609-1610, this time was considered the "starving time". The colonists suffered with extreme cold and hunger. Many colonist died from this, and disease also played a part in the early death -
Period: to
Colonial Era
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Founding of The Virginia House of Burgesses
Was the first form of self government in the New World. Founded in 1619. The House supported resistance to the crown. The first assemblies had 22 members in their meetings. Could also be known as the first form of legislative branch. Voting for the Burgess members was limited to landowning males, 17 years of age or older. In 1624, Virginia became a royal colony. The House still met, but its influence was severely restricted. -
Massachusetts Bay's Founding
Founded by John Winthrop(Governor of Mass. for 12 years) and other Puritans. King Charles I issued a charter to found Massachusetts Bay. He wanted Mass. to be a complete Puritan colony. John Winthrops "City Upon a Hill" speach explains how he wanted life in Massachusetts to be. There was no religious tolerance in this colony. Meaning, if you were not Puritan, you had to leave. Such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. After Williams left Mass., he founded Rhode Island, who excepted all people. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Known as the first type of constitution written in the Americas. It was a constitution for the colonial govt. of Hartford, and was similar to the government in Massachussets. The orders had more male-dominant laws. -
Maryland Act of Toleration
This was a law mandating religious tolerance against all Christians.Passed in 1649 by the local representative government of Maryland. The Protestants were opposed to this and they threatened to overpower the Catholics and place severe restrictions on them. Because of this, the Catholics of Maryland threw their support behind this act. Was a precursor to the first ammendment (Religious freedom) -
The Halfway Covenant
Provided a partial church membership for the children and grandchildren of church members in New England. Puritan preachers believed this would help boost attendance in the church, and help improve the churches' say in society. This more than likey lead to The First Great Awakening in the 1730's. -
King Philip's War
Marked the last major effort by the Indians of southern New England to drive out the English settlers. Led by Metacom. Hostility eventually developed over the steady succession of land sales forced on the Native Americans by their growing dependence on English goods. Note that this war showed that Indians and Whites couldnt live peacefully together. Showed colonists that they needed the British to survive. (at the time) -
Bacon's Rebellion
Led by Nathaniel Bacon, who was a member of the House of Burgessess. Bacon did not like how indetured servants were freed and got 50 acres of land after 7 years of work. so he attacked indians outside of Virginia, and then went to find Berkeley(who established these laws) back at Jamestown. When Bacon and his men saw that William wasnt there, they burned Jamestown to the ground. This rebellion led to the need of slaves instead of indentured servants. -
Leislers Rebellion
happened in New York City. It was between landholders and merchants. Jacob Leisler led this rebellion and gained control of lower colonial New York. This rebellion was very significant because it established resentment against British domination and increased tension between colonists and the British. It was a revolt against The Elites and how they pushed around the farmers. Hence why Leisler took control of the lower class in NY. -
Salem Witchcraft Trials
A time in Salem Massachussets where over 200 people were accused of participating in witchcraft, and 19 of which, were carted to Gallows Hill to be hung for their "participation". After the trials were over with, the colony admitted to it being a mistake for accusing all of those people. A reason it started is because of all the disease and difficulties within the colony. The church leaders believed the troubles were because of a direct relation of the people with Satan. -
First Great Awakening
Christian revivalation movement. The "awakened" preachers preached with enthusiasm and it gave listeners a want for salvation from Jesus Christ. This was very different from the ceremonial, ritualistic, and practically boring sermons from puritan preachers. George Whitfield and Johnathan Edwards were the most powerful preachers during this era. The ministers who used the new form of preaching were called "New Lights" while the ones who stuck to tradition were referred too as "Old Lights"1730-40s -
John Peter Zenger Trial
Zenger, a German immigrant, printed a paper called The New York Weekly Journal. This publication pointed out the actions of the corrupt royal governor, William S. Cosby. He basically called Gov. Cosby an idiot. In 1733, Zenger was accused of libel, which was when one published information opposing the government. But after the trial, defended by Andrew Hamilton, the jury aqquited him of the charges. This trial was important step toward a needed freedom of Americans, Freedom of speach and press. -
Stonos Rebellion
On an early morning, 20 black slaves met near the Stono river in South Carolina to plan their escape to freedom. Minutes later, they burst into a store, killing 2 people, and steal guns and powder that were inside. The group added in size throughout the rebellion, and is possibly the largest slave rebellion prior to the American Revolution. -
Period: to
Revolutionary Era
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The French and Indian War
AKA The Seven Years War. 1756-1763. Americas part in the war was the English battling the French for North America domination. The French "teamed up" the French because they felt they would be safer if they won this war, but ultimately, this proved to no avail after the English soon dominated the rest of the war. But in turn, costed the English in a highly financial way. England was in major debt after the war ended. Resulting in England taxing the colonists so they could pay off their debt. -
Proclamation of 1763
The King and his Council made this proclamation as a measure to calm the fighting between colonists and Indians. The proclamation provided that all lands west of the heads of all rivers which flowed into the Atlantic Ocean from the west were off limits to the colonists. The colonists felt strong resentment. Feeling as if their prize was stripped away from them. Colonists still settled west of line. Created tension between colonist and British. -
March of Paxton Boys
The Paxton Boys led a march on Philadelphia in 1764, protesting the tolerance of Indians by the Quakers. About 57 Paxton Boys attacked and killed 20 Indians in protest to these Quakers. They played a role in the early struggle over the role of the government in defending citizens of the nation, Meaning there was no one in the government that could stop this protest. -
Stamp Act
This tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, and even playing cards were taxed. This tax was imposed to help pay for the French and Indian war. The colonists response to this was the Stamp Act Congress. Crying "No taxation without representation". Meaning that they dont believe they should be taxed if they have no representation in Parliament. -
Boston Massacre
The presence of British troops in Boston was already annoying and unwelcomed. But one day, about 50citizens attacked A British officer, Captain Thomas Preston, who called in additional soldiers, who were also attacked, so the soldiers fired into the mob, killing 3 on the spot. One of whom, was Crispus Attucks, a free black man. They wounded 8 others, and 2 others died later on. A town meeting was called, discussing that the British and the men for murder. Only 2 were convicted. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston against the tax policy (tea tax) of the British. After officials in Boston refused to return three shiploads of taxed tea to Britain, a group of colonists boarded the ships and destroyed the tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. England's response was the intolerable/coercive acts. Which reinstated the quartering act, prohibited town meetings, and wouldnt allow Americans to use The Boston Harbor until all of the tea was paid for. -
Lexington and Concord
Britains General Gage would send out regiments of British soldiers quartered in Boston to Lexington, where they would capture Colonial leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock, then Concord, where they would seize gunpowder. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott would warn of the British attacking by sea by hanging 2 lanterns from Bostons north church. "The shot heard around the world", known as the beginning of Rev. war. First military battle between English and Colonists. -
Olive Branch Petition
John Dickinson drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5 and submitted to King George on July 8, 1775. It was an attempt to assert the rights of the colonists while maintaining their loyalty to the British crown. King George refused to read the petition and on August 23 proclaimed that the colonists had "proceeded to open and avowed rebellion." Which allowed British to attack any colonial citizen that is rebelling against English rule. -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine. This document challenged British rule and the government of monarchies. This was the first document to openly ask for independence from Britain. Many people agreed with this document and supported the want for independence from England. Gave the revolution a voice. This phamphlet altogether changed how the colonists viewed the king of England and his monarchy. -
Declaration of Independence
A Declaration of Independence from the country of England. certain Acts such as stamp, tea, and sugar acts helped in the want for independence. Also, the British treated the colonists very poorly in the colonies. This Declaration led to the War of Independence with Britain. America had help from the French during this war. With no British rule, their was a need for government, which led to the writing of the Articles of Confederation. Which was very unlike British rule, and eventually failed. -
Writing of the AOC
Written by John Dickinson. After the ratification of the Constitution, The Second Continental Congress worked on drawing up a document that would provide a legal framework for the Union, and of which would be enforced as an acceptable government. Unlike Britain, The articles set up a weak central government over the 13 states. It was weak because they feared a strong central government after their experience with Britain. The articles eventually failed. Thus, the writing of the Constitution. -
Writing of the Constitution
After the Writing of the Articles of Confederation, the country soon came to realize that it was a poor form of government. America needed a new type of governent, thus, leading to the writting of the constitution, written by James Madison. It provided all the rules of government. Eventually, the Bill of Rights was amended into The Constitution, giving the people their basic and needed freedoms, such as freedom of press, speach, religion, right to bear arms, etc.
