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The House of Burgesses First Meet
In 1619, The House of Burgesses first met. In order to Attract more Settlers, The Virginia Colony gave Colonists the right to elect Burgesses, or Representatives. The Elected Burgesses formed the First House of Burgesses, modeled on England’s Parliament. The House of Burgesses set an example of Representative Government and soon other Colonies set up their own Legislatures. -
A Group of Puritans Leave For America
In 1620, a Groups of Puritans known as Pilgrims left Britain for America so they could Worship Freely. They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in a ship called The Mayflower and landed in what is today the State of Massachusetts. Their settlement was called Plymouth. -
About 1,000 of Puritans come to America and Form the Massachusetts Bay Colony
In 1630, about 1,000 Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Other soon Followed. By the mid-1640s, more than 20,000 Puritans had settled in America. -
English had 13 Colonies along the Atlantic Coast
By the early 1700s, the English had Thirteen Colonies along the Atlantic coast of North America. Settlers in Northern Colonies found a cool or moderate climate and Rocky Soil. The land was more suitable for smaller farms than the warmer, more fertile land in the Southern Colonies. -
England Unites With Scotland to Form Britain
In 1707, England United with Scotland to form Britain. The term British came to mean both English and Scots. Meanwhile, the Colonies came to Depend on Britain for both Trade and Defense. -
France and Britain Fought a War
Between 1756 and 1763, France and Britain fight a war for Control of America. When Britain won, it Gained nearly all of France’s North American Empire. The conflict, However, left Britain deeply in Debt. Desperate for money Britain Planned to tax American Colonist and tighten Trade Rules -
Parliament Passed the Stamp Act
In 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which taxed Newspapers and other Printed Material. These items had to bear a Stamp Showing That the Tax was Paid. The Colonists were Outraged. They responded by Boycotting British goods. -
Parliament Places Taxes on Glass, Lead, Paper, Paint, and Tea
In 1776, Parliament placed taxes on Glass, Lead, Paper, Paint, and Tea. In order to receive money, the British continued to heavily control and tax the colonist. The American Colonist hated the new taxes. -
Boston Massacre
In March 1770, British Troops and American Colonist clashed. The British had sent troops to Boston, Massachusetts, where the strongest protests for Taxes had taken place. A Boston crowd threw Snowballs at the Soldiers. The soldiers fired their weapons. Five People were killed. The event became known as the Boston Massacre. In Response, Parliament canceled all the taxes except the one on tea. -
Delegates from Twelve Colonies Met in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress
In September 1774, delegates from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia at the first Continental Congress. They demanded that the intolerable acts be repealed. Colonial leaders, However, could not Decide what to do. Some, such as George Washington of Virginia, hoped to settle the dispute with Britain. Others, like Samuel Adams of Massachusetts and Patrick Henry of Virginia, Wanted the Colonies to Declare Independence. -
First Battle of The American Revolution
On April 19, 1775, British soldiers met armed colonists at Lexington and fought the first battle of the American Revolution. British soldiers had originally set out to destroy Colonial Weapons being Stored in the Town of Concord. -
The Declaration of Independence was issued
On July 4, 1776, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence. Written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, the Declaration Stated that the Colonies were Separating from Britain and forming a New Nation - The United States of America.
