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England - Gunpowder Plot
Attempt to blow up British Parliament in attempt to restore Catholic reign of country. -
Colonies - James Town founded
In Virginia permanent establishment of Jamestown established. -
Colonies - Mayflower arrives
Mayflower arrives in Connecticut with Puritan Pilgrims in hope of establishing permanent colony. -
England - King Charles I
King Charles I made king. -
England - Peace between England and France
Peace treaty signed between England and France -
Colonies - Boston Founded
The city of Boston is founded lead by John Winthrop and his 900 Puritans. -
England - British Civil War
From 1640-1659 Civil War in Engald leads to the fall of King Charles and he is beheaded -
Colonies - Dutch Settle in Delware River area
Butch settlers seeking refuge from persecution settle in Delaware river basin -
Colonies - Virginia Emborgo
England with the help of her navy embargoes the Colony of Virginia for alliance with House of Stuart -
England - War with Spain
England and Spain are in war. Last until 1659 -
England - Navigation Law
British Parliament passes law making all ships with cargo to England must have 3/4 English team. English Monopoly of sea trade! -
Colonies - Carlolina religious freedom law
The Carolinian's pass a law allowing for religious acceptance. -
England - Treaty between England and Spain
Treaty respecting both countries right to land in the America's -
Colonies - French seize middle america
French Explores seize middle america for France. -
Colonies - William Penn founds Pennslyvania
William Penn a Quaker receives large land grant from King Charles II -
England - Glorious Revolution
William III "saves" England from Catholic reign and James II flees for France. Anglo rule reestablished. -
Colonies - Salem Witch Trails
In May, hysteria grips the village of Salem, Massachusetts, as witchcraft suspects are arrested and imprisoned. A special court is then set up by the governor of Massachusetts. Between June and September, 150 persons are accused, with 20 persons, including 14 women, being executed. By October, the hysteria subsides, remaining prisoners are released and the special court is dissolved. -
England - Wool Act
The English Parliament passes the Wool Act, protecting its own wool industry by limiting wool production in Ireland and forbidding the export of wool from the American colonies. -
Colonies - NC and SC Split
In May, the Carolina colony is officially divided into North Carolina and South Carolina. In June, the Pennsylvania assembly bans the import of slaves into that colony. In Massachusetts, the first sperm whale is captured at sea by an American from Nantucket. -
England - Queen Anne and War with France
In March, Queen Anne ascends the English throne. In May, England declares war on France after the death of the King of Spain, Charles II, to stop the union of France and Spain. This War of the Spanish Succession is called Queen Anne's War in the colonies, where the English and American colonists will battle the French, their Native American allies, and the Spanish for the next eleven years. -
England - London stock crash
London stock market and trading marjket crashes. Leaving many broken. -
Colonies - Ben Franklin Publishes newspaper
Benjamin Franklin begins publishing The Pennsylvania Gazette, which eventually becomes the most popular colonial newspaper. -
Colonies - First Public Library
The first American public library is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin. -
England - Molasse Act
The Molasses Act, passed by the English Parliament, imposes heavy duties on molasses, rum and sugar imported from non-British islands in the Caribbean to protect the English planters there from French and Dutch competition. -
England - Record cold
Record cold spell in England during months of Jan-Feb. -
Colonies - Ohio Land grant
The Ohio Company is at first granted 200,000 acres of land between the Ohio and Great Kanawha Rivers and the Allegheny Mountains. An additional 500,000 acres is added later in the year. -
England - Iron Act
The Iron Act is passed by parliament putting a halt to the growth of the iron-finishing business in the colonies to help protect the English iron industry. -
Colonies - The French and Indian War erupts
The French and Indian War erupts as a result of disputes over land in the Ohio River Valley. In May, George Washington leads a small group of American colonists to victory over the French, then builds Fort Necessity in the Ohio territory. -
England - Peace with France and Louisianan Purchase
The French and Indian War, known in Europe as the Seven Year's War, ends with the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba. -
Colonies - Stamp Act passed on Colonies
In March, the Stamp Act is passed by the English Parliament imposing the first direct tax on the American colonies, to offset the high costs of the British military organization in America. Thus for the first time in the 150 year old history of the British colonies in America, the Americans will pay tax not to their own local legislatures in America, but directly to England. -
Colonies - Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurs as a mob harasses British soldiers who then fire their muskets pointblank into the crowd, killing three instantly, mortally wounding two others and injuring six. After the incident, the new Royal Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, at the insistence of Sam Adams, withdraws British troops out of Boston to nearby harbor islands. The captain of the British soldiers, Thomas Preston, is then arrested along with eight of his men and charged with murder. -
England - Intolerable Act
In March, an angry English Parliament passes the first of a series of Coercive Acts (called Intolerable Acts by Americans) in response to the rebellion in Massachusetts. The Boston Port Bill effectively shuts down all commercial shipping in Boston harbor until Massachusetts pays the taxes owed on the tea dumped in the harbor and also reimburses the East India Company for the loss of the tea. -
Colonies - Shoot hear round the world
At dawn on April 19 about 70 armed Massachusetts militiamen stand face to face on Lexington Green with the British advance guard. An un - ordered 'shot heard around the world' begins the American Revolution. A volley of British rifle fire followed by a charge with bayonets leaves eight Americans dead and ten wounded. The British regroup and head for the depot in Concord, destroying the colonists' weapons and supplies.
