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Roanoke
This colony was located in present day North Carolina and it was governed by John White, but founded by Sir Walter Raleigh. It soon became known as the "Lost Colony," for all the settlers had disappeared. The only clue they left behind was the word "CROATOAN" that was engraved into a tree. This led historians to believe that they joined another Indian tribe, the croatans, due to severe famine and violence within their own colony https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/roanoke-colony-deserted -
Jamestown
Founded May 14, 1607 by members of Virginia Company on banks of James River. Jamestown failed the first couple of years due to famine, diseases, and conflict, but a new group of settlers arrived in 1610 and became known for profitable export of tobacco, and expanded into New Town https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/jamestown -
Salutary Neglect
The Salutary Neglect was a policy of the British government in which trade regulations were enforced in the North American colonies in the mid-18th century. Also, this contributed to the "increasing autonomy" of several institutions which ultimately led to American independence https://www.britannica.com/topic/salutary-neglect -
House of Burgesses
First legislative assembly in the American colonies. It consisted of 22 members that met at a church in Jamestown. This group granted supplies and originated laws and did not change until the American Revolution https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Burgesses -
Great Migration
A period in which English puritans migrated to New England, West Indies, and the Chesapeake. They left England due to religious persecution and economic issues. The puritans split into two groups and and traveled to the New World on the Mayflower. They landed in Massachusetts, which was the first colony in New England http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-great-puritan-migration/ -
Mayflower/Plymouth/Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower was a ship that set sail from England in July, 1620. During this journey, they established the Mayflower Compact which was a set of rules and guidelines created by the English settlers who traveled to the New World together. These voyagers intended to land on the coast of Virginia, but instead, violent storms drove them into Massachusetts https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/mayflower-compact -
New York
Founded in 1626 by Duke of York and other colonists on Manhattan Island. They moved in hopes of more opportunities of trade and profit. It was one of the first colonies to achieve independence and they worked with other colonies in the founding of United States https://www.landofthebrave.info/new-york-colony.htm -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
This colony was settled by 1,000 Puritan refugees from England under the rule of John Winthrop near 1630. They migrated in hopes of changes in the Church of England. They instantly became successful in their trades with England and the West Indies causing them to become know economically https://www.britannica.com/place/Massachusetts-Bay-Colony -
Maryland
Maryland was founded in 1633 by George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, and other colonists. It established to be a safe haven for all persecuted Catholics.This colony worked to promote religious toleration and ensure financial stability http://www.smplanet.com/teaching/colonialamerica/colonies/maryland -
Connecticut
This colony was located on the Atlantic coast in North America and was founded in 1636 by Thomas Hooker. This was the first settlement by Europeans (puritan noblemen), which migrated from Massachusetts. Soon after, violence broke out between settlers and Pequots, which led to war https://www.landofthebrave.info/connecticut-colony.htm -
Rhode Island
This colony was founded by Roger Williams in 1636 in hopes of establishing religious and economic freedom. Many settlers from Massachusetts Bay came to Rhode Island due to it's liberal reputation. It was home to the first Baptist Church and Jewish synagogue and became first state to declare independence from Great Britain http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usaweb/snapshot/Rhode_Island.htm -
Maryland Toleration Act
This law was passed on April 21, 1649 by the Maryland Assembly. It ensured religious freedom for Christian settlers living in the colony, in which blasphemy became a crime through this law https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/868/maryland-toleration-act-of-1649 -
Carolina
This land was given to eight noblemen under the rule of King Charles ll in 1663. The growth of the colony was slow, but once the "Fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas" was established, they were granted independent parliament. The northern part of the colony became known for growing tobacco whereas the south was known for production of rice, causing them to separate into North and South Carolina https://www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/Carolinas.html -
Bacon's rebellion
Armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers, led by Nathaniel Bacon against William Berkeley. This was the first rebellion in American colonies where Indians began attacking the colonists due to trading issues. Bacon defeated the Indians and as a result, the colony set up a militia, changed laws, and granted people the right to vote http://www.thehistorykids.net/archives/cebrdk.htm -
Pennsylvania
This colony was founded under William Penn in 1681. It became known as the "royal colony" because the land was exchanged for paying the King's debt. It was considered to be the melting pot, home to many different backgrounds and cultures, in which people were free to worship https://www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/PA.html -
Salem Witch Trials
Began in 1692 by a group of girls from Salem Village, Massachusetts. They claimed to be possessed by the devil and performed witchcraft in front of large crowds. They had the power to harm others in return for loyalty. As a result, they were accused and hung in public https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials -
Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a "religious revival" that affected the English colonists in America in the mid 1700's. This came at a time when secular rationalism was being promoted and religious passion weakened. As a result, Christian leaders traveled around the country preaching the gospel in hopes of renewing the faith. Historians believe this had a lasting effect on various Christians and their culture https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/great-awakening -
French-Indian War
The war between France and Great Britain that lasted nine years between 1754-1763. This battle determined the ruler of the colonial territory of North America. It all began with the Ohio River, deciding whether or not it belonged to the British, and if it was open for trade https://www.britannica.com/event/French-and-Indian-War -
Albany Plan
A plan to create unified government for all thirteen colonies in 1754. It was introduced by Benjamin Franklin and it was the first attempt to develop cooperation between colonies and address “shared colonial interests.” Colonies thought this idea was unnecessary and rejected it in fear of losing their autonomy https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/albany-plan-of-union/ -
Proclamation of 1763
After the conclusion of the French-Indian War in 1763, the British issued the proclamation. It closed down westward expansion and tightened control over autonomous colonies. This instantly became the "cornerstone" of Native American law in both the United States and Canada https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/1763-proclamation-of
