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Roanoke
Settlers from England, lead by John White, settled in present day North Carolina. Eventually John needed to return to England for more supplies. When he returned three years later, the colony he created was gone and all that was left was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree. He never had time to search for the settlers and returned to England soon after. He never returned due to funding and what happened to the colony remains unknown.
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Jamestown
A colony was settled along the coast of Virginia, but it was nearly destroyed during its first three winters due to poor organization and harsh winters. John Smith eventually took over and placed them under martial law. Eventually, they began to grow a profitable cash crop of tobacco and grew the colony. Many indentured servants made the journey and in 1619, the first slaves from Africa arrived.
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House Of Burgesses
In Jamestown, the first governing body made of elected representatives was created in America. Only property owners could partake but it foreshadowed the modern American government. In 1624, it disintegrated when the colony came under royal control.
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Mayflower Compact/Plymouth
The Pilgrims sought to gain religious freedom from the English church so they boarded the Mayflower and landed in Massachusetts. Before leaving the boat they created a self government, laying the foundation for the Constitution called the Mayflower Compact. The befriended the Wampanoag who helped them to survive the winters and celebrated their first harvest with them in a thanksgiving.
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Great Puritan Migration
Puritans in England were persecuted by the Anglican King at the time, King Charles I. They sought religious freedoms. The first of the settlers were wealthy upper-middle class puritans leaving behind a prosperous life in England. After their settlement succeeded, more, less devout Puritans made the journey and colonies grew. Eventually, the end came when many went home to fight the war in England.
http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-great-migration-of-picky-puritans-1620-40/ -
New York
The Dutch were the first to settle here. It was called New Amsterdam up until 1664 when the Duke of York sent ships to seize the area. It was given up to the English without a fight and was renamed New York.
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Massachuesetts Bay Colony
The Puritan people settled with a charter and 1,000 people. Managed by John Winthrop, they created a society based on puritan beliefs and values. Dissenters were punished and exiled, leaving some to form new colonies. Eventually the Puritan Migration occurred increasing their numbers. Their laws were kept until 1691 when the colony became a royal colony.
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Maryland
Lord Baltimore settled here with permission from the king to create a settlement for Catholic people in contrast with the other settlements which were Protestant. When he died a rule was put in place, giving 100 acres to all married couples who settled there, eventually Protestants became the main population there and the idea for a Catholic haven was discarded.
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Rhode Island
In 1635, Roger Williams was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for disagreeing with the leaders. They punished all those who disagreed with banishment due to religious ties. He thought it was bad to take native land and was outspoken about this thus, he was considered a dissenter. He created Rhode Island, a place where Christians no longer suffered persecution.
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Conneticut
Connecticut was founded by Thomas Hooker in 1636. The Fundamentals of Connecticut were created here which are considered to be the first written constitution in the America. The basis of influence in this society was based on land ownership over religious affiliation.
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Maryland Toleration Act
This is commonly referred to as "An Act Concerning Religion". Many of the Christian people in the colonies came seeking religious freedom and they sought a change to be free from persecution. Although it wasn't in effect for long, it set the groundwork for addendums to the Constitution concerning religion. This meant all Christians could practice their faith without punishment.
https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/868/maryland-toleration-act-of-1649 -
Carolina
8 supporters of King Charles II were given this land. It became common to grow cash crops such as tobacco here and soon plantations became common. Because of the labor need to farm these crops slavery became rampant here with slaves soon out numbering white settlers here 2 to 1. Eventually, it was separated into two colonies.
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Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon and a group of angry settlers attacked a group of Native Americans. In response, Gov. William Berkley formed an army to stop them. It is unknown whether he had ulterior motives to remove Berkley from power, but Jamestown was destroyed in the process. He later died of disease and his men were hung. This set the groundwork for other colonial rebellions and Laws were passed making Africans hereditary slaves.
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Pennsylvania
William Penn, a Quaker, settled here with the plan for a holy experiment. He sought a place with no ruling royal family and a simple Quaker life. Many German and Quaker people settled and males received 50 acres and the right to vote. Slavery never caught on here because Quakers didn't believe in it.
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Salem Witch Trials
In the spring, two girls accused women in the village of Salem of witchcraft. This resulted in a mass hysteria with trials and punishment of those accused of being witches. This continued until September 1692 when those accused were released and an end was put to this witch-hunt.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials -
Salutory Neglect
When Robert Walpole became the Prime Minister of England, the tight grasp on the business of the colonies was released and colonies formed sparks of self government. Legislature in the colony made decisions and had greater authority than before. Eventually this period of power ended when the French and Indian War began and English control and presence increased.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/salutary-neglect -
Great Awakening/ Enlightment
At this time, many people abandoned their beliefs for enlightment's scientific ideas. In response, many radicals began to preach a new founding of a more personal and close relationship with God. This resulted in the formation of new churches and new feelings of strength within which lead to revolutionary ideas.
https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/great-awakening -
French and Indian War
French claims to land west of English settlement angered the English. French gained support from native peoples that helped them to win victories early on. English leaders employed Prussia and won the war in 1758. The Treaty of Paris was eventually signed and the Mississippi was opened to England free of other Europeans. This resulted in debt for England and a new frontier in America.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/french-and-indian-war -
Albany Plan
The Albany Plan was an idea to place the colonies of North America under a central government (7 total colonies wanted to adopt this.) It planted an idea of unification and solidarity in people's minds which was a step towards revolution. Although it never happened, it is known as the first step to a federal government.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/albany-plan -
Proclaimation of 1763
After the French and Indian war, English government created an imaginary settlement border called the Proclamation Line which barred people from settling west to prevent attacks from native peoples. Many were unhappy with this and still continued to settle, and English government refused. Upset with the controlling from the English sparks of revolution grew.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/1763-proclamation-of
