-
Jamestown
America's first permanent English colony in Virginia. The settlers who founded this colony sailed the Atlantic Ocean on the Susan Constant, Godspeed, Discovery. Established by the Virginia Company of London. Charted by King James I in 1606. John Smith became the colony's leader in 1608. 105 passengers. Governed by a council of seven, one president. The main purpose of settlement was to make profit. They decided to abandon Jamestown in 1610 because of starvation and disease. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
This was the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. Established by the Virginia Company. Was part of an effort to help encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America and make conditions in the colony better for the inhabitants. Jamestown was the location of the first meeting in 1619. 22 elected representatives. After 1643, the burgesses met seperately as the lower house of the General Assembly of Virginia. Each country sent 2 burgesses. -
Mayflower Compact
Forty-one male passengers from the Mayflower signed this. The original copy has been lost. The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Written by the Separatis fleeing from religious persecution from King James in England. Was signed aboard ship. The purpose of this was to ensure the settlers who came off the Mayflower would establish a fair government ruled by majority. Bound the people to formning just laws for everyone. -
Plymouth Rock
The rock marks the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 from the Mayflower. Pilgrims inscribed the year on a rock after their landing. Most visited rock in New England. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Act of Parliament granting freedom of worship to Nonconformists. Marked a significant milestone in the struggle for religious freedom in England. The Toleration Act, it was believed, was a way of providing protection for Catholics.
It mandates religious toleration. This act allowed freedom of worship for all Christians in Maryland. Also known as the Act Concerning Religion. Was a compromise between Catholics and Protestants. -
Period: to
Bacon's Rebellion
Was a test for self government in Virginia. Led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. Known as a power struggle between two strong leaders. High taxes, low prices for tobacco, and resentment against special privileges given those close to the governor, Sir William Berkeley, provided the background for the uprising. Almost caused the destruction of Jamestown. Became a glance into America's quest for independence. 23 men were hanged. Berkeley returned to power. -
Glorious Revolution
Also called the Revolution of 1688. It was the overthrow of King James II. The Glorious Revolution established the victory of Parliament over the King. Resulted in the deposition of James II and the accession of his daughter Mary II and her husband, William III, prince of Orange and stadholder of the Netherlands. The people solved their problems before a fight broke out. Purpose- to restore an English monarch. -
English Bill of Rights
An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown. It grew out of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. During the revolution King James II fled from England. He was succeeded by his daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange. Parliament proposed a Declaration of Rights and presented it to William and Mary. Only after they accepted the declaration did Parliament proclaim them king and queen of England. Formal statement of people's rights. -
Salem With Trials
Began after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. The first convicted with was hanged that June, Bridget Bishop. 18 others followed Bishop while 150 others were accused. Series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. -
John Peter Zenger
He printed a publication called The New York Weekly Journal. It pointed out the actions of the corrupt royal governor. It accused the government of rigging elections and allowing the French enemy to explore New York harbor. It accused the governor of an assortment of crimes and basically labeled him an idiot. Although Zenger merely printed the articles, he was hauled into jail. His trial was an important step toward freedom for American colonist. Became a symbol for freedom of the press. -
Period: to
French and Indian War
The Seven Years' War with the British and French. American colonists, including George Washington, fought with the British in this war. The British won the war and the right to keep Canada and other possessions in the New World. Resulted in the Treaty of Paris, salutary neglect ending, and Revolutionary War. They were competing for land and trading rights. Saw it as an effort to increase its own power and wealth while limiting the strength of its rival. Fight for control of the continent. -
Proclamation of 1763
Issued by King George III after the French and Indian War. Forbade colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Closed the frontier to colonial expansion. The King presented it to calm the fears of the Indians, who felt that the colonists would drive them from their lands as they expanded westward. Colonists thought the British didnt care about their success because of this and saw it as an infringement of their rights. Issued because they didn't want further fighting with the Indians. -
Stamp Act
Stamp taxes were levied on documents, paper goods, and similar items. The tax was collected at purchase and a tax stamp affixed to the item showing that it had been paid. Passed because of the extreme debt the British were in after the French and Indian War. Imposed on all American colonists. Passed without debate. It was the first direct tax imposed by Britain on its American colonies. Also used to help support the cost of maintaining troops there. Lead to an uproar in the colonies. -
Quartering Act
Was an act passed by British Parliament to ensure that British soldiers would be properly housed and fed during their times of service in the North American colonies. Passed in response to concerns that British soldiers were not being properly cared for in the Colonies. Housed in American barracks and public houses. Not allowed in private homes. Summary: Provide housing, use whatever supplies they need, stay as long as they need, and provide with food. -
Declatory Act
Followed the repeal of the Stamp Act. Stated that Parliament's authority was the same in America as in Britain and asserted Parliament's authority to make laws binding on the American colonies. Its purpose was so that the British could out law all the American Colonist from making their own laws. Didnt want the American colonist to form a government. Parliament could take "whatever action they thought fit for the good of the empire." As a result, Parliament issues acts and US could do nothing. -
Boston Massacre
A crowd of Bostonians slinging snowballs gathered around a small group of British soldiers guarding the Boston Customs House. The soldiers became enraged after one of them had been hit, and they fired into the crowd, even though they were under orders not to fire. Five colonists were shot and killed. Helped spark the desire for independence and helped unite the colonies against Britain. -
Tea Act
Act that gave a monopoly on tea sales to the East India Company. In other words, American colonists could buy no tea unless it came from that company. The American colonists saw this as yet another means of "taxation without representation" because it meant that they couldn't buy tea rom anyone else. Led to the Boston Tea Party. Imposed no new taxes. Wanted to give business to the company and to reduce their massive surplus of tea. The tea was exported directly to North America. Lower prices. -
Boston Tea Party
American patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded the vessels of the East Indian Company docked in the Boston harbor and dumped all the tea that was on the three ships into the ocean. They emptied 342 chests of tea which was valued at more than 10,000 pounds. Reaction to the Tea Act. Sons of Liberty were the ones who protested and boarded the ships. -
Period: to
1st Continental Congress
Every colony but Georgia sent representatives. They met in secret because they did not want the British to know that the colonies were uniting. They signed a petition demanding the Intolerable Acts be repealed and sent it to England. They came up with a plan to boycott British goods until the Intolerable Acts were repealed. Met in Philadelphia. -
2nd Continental Congress
A convention of 65 delegates from the 13 colonies. Met in Philadelphia. The Congress was to take charge of the war effort. Organized form of government for the United States in order to make an orderly assertion of independence from Great Britain. The Congress initiated the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Met throughout the Revolutionary War and after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Made decisions in militia and elected Washington as a leader of the Continental Army -
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty. Statement adopted by the Continental Congress announcing that the 13 American colonies regarded themselves as independent and not a part of the British empire. Shares the ideas that form the American nation: All men are created free and equal and possess the same inherent, natural rights. Has 3 parts. Acknowledges human rights. -
Treaty of Paris
Ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on one side and the United States of America and its allies on the other. Agreement of peace.
