Colonization Timeline

Johann Gutenberg

Sep 9, 1440

Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press, which greatly facilitated the spread of technical knowledge. This sparked a communication revolution that was far reaching and impacted many people. This allowed people to be informed of the exploration of the New World, and invited Europeans to imagine exciting opportunities.

Reconquista

Sep 8, 1492

Holy war waged by Castile and Aragon spurred by the militant faith of their monarchs. This period was the time when Christians attempted to drive Muslims out of the Iberian Peninsula. Queen Isabella of Castile married the Ferdinand of Aragon and they became the new monarchs of this land. The new monarchs were determined to use the holy war to confirm their position and justify the unification of their kingdoms. This helped spread Catholicism outward from the peninsula.

Treaty of Torsedillas

Nov 9, 1494

This treaty was negotiated by the pope to resolve competing land claims of Spain and Portugal in the New World. This treaty divided the world along a north-south line located 270 leagues west of the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This granted Spain all lands west of the line and Portugal lands east of the line.

John Cabbot

Sep 8, 1497

John Cabbot was important to the exploration of North America because he was Venetian sea captain who completed the first recorded transatlantic voyage. He completed this by English vessel, while attempting to find a northwest passage to Asia. He died during his second attempt to find a direct route to Cathay in 1498. John Cabbot

Sebastian Cabot

Sep 9, 1508

Sebastian Cabot continued his father, John Cabots, explorations in the Hudson Bay region. Although he did this, England's interest in the New World changed. After this time, for the next three-quarters of a century, the English were preoccupied with domestic and religious concerns. However, the interest in the New World returned, and Cabot's voyages established England's later claim to American territory.

Encomienda System

Nov 30, 1518

A labor system developed to acquire cheap labor supply. The system was designed by spanish rulers to reward conquistadors in the New World by granting them local villages and control over native labor by making them pay tribute from their lands. This was improtant to colonization because this united conquistadors under the Spanish crown, making colonists more dependent on slaves.

Protestant Reformation: Henry VII and Elizabeth I

Oct 10, 1527

This reformation was a religious movement to challenge the spiritual authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin were big during this time and in this reformation. Monarchs like Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I developed a strong central adminstration while England became more of a Protestant society. This started the race between whether the new world would be Catholic or Protestant.

Roanoke

Aug 11, 1584

Sir Walter Ralegh established Virginia from land granted to him from Elizabeth. Later, the colony of Roanoke was established. Even experienced navigators were fearful to venture on the dangerous currents that surrounded it. Grenville, a leader of an expedition to Roanoke left in a hurry, leaving the colonists to fend for themselves. After a peculiar series of accidents, Roanoke colonists disappeared and turned into a ghost town. Roanoke gave the Eglish an example of what not to do in the future

Richard Haklyut

Sep 9, 1589

Haklyut publicized explorers accounts of the New World. If it were not for him, the dream of American colonization might have died in England. His vision of the New World, although never visted by him, powerfully shaped English public opinion. After making a collection of interviews from captains and sailors after their return from various voyages, he edited all of the interviews to help persuade the English public that they needed American colonies.

Jamestown

Oct 5, 1607

Created by the Virginia Company (1st joint-stock company in colonies) as a source of revenue for England, Jamestown is considered to be the 1st successful English settlement.Most of this colonies success is due to John Smith. His leadership created laws that kept all colonists working. Sandys also helped by making a head-right system which gave land to colonists who paid for their own travel & brought servants. He also created a representative government called the House of Burgesses.

Quebec

Sep 8, 1608

Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. This land increased the population towards nothern regions, which were before uninhabited.

New York

Oct 5, 1613

New York was founded by the Duke or York, James, who was given a charter by his brother Charles II over a large amount of land. James was worried mainly about his own economic profit. After the English civil war, he refused to let a representative government take hold in his colony.

Plymouth

Oct 5, 1620

Created by the Pilgrims (Separatists) who believed that the Church of England was too Catholic. After leaving England, Separatists went to Holland, where they were fearful of losing their identity as a group, so they set forth to Virginia, only to end up in New England. William Bradford wrote Of Plymouth Plantation, an account of American settlement. To keep the group from anarchy after arriving in New England colonists created the Mayflower Compact.

New Hampshire

Oct 5, 1623

New Hampshire was founded by John Mason and was started as a part of the Massachusetts Bay. It became a seperate colony in 1677. The population was slow to expandgrow and the colony became economically dependant on Massachusetts and agriculture.

Massachusetts Bay

Oct 5, 1628

This area was founded by Puritans lead by John Winthrop. After being convinced God would soon punish England, many families moved to America in hope for safety. Anne Hutchinson, a very religious woman began preaching in her own way, causing people in the colony to get offended, resulting in her exile, along with others who followed her ways.

Maryland

Oct 5, 1634

This area was founded by Sir George Calvert as a place for Catholics who were in threat of being persecuted in Englandto come to. Although he was doing it for this reason, he was also looking for a commercial revenue. He also knew that Protestants would benefit the colony greatly, so they were welcomed into Maryland also.

Connecticut

Oct 5, 1635

Colonists from the Massachusetts Bay Colony moved to Connecticut and formed a new society that closely resembled their old one. In 1629 representatives came together to create the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. These orders laid out a plan for the civil government within the Connecticut colony.

Rhode Island

Oct 5, 1636

This very diverse colony began when Roger Williams established Providence in 1636.After Williams arrived Anne Hutchinson, from Massachusetts bay brought her followers as well as other small groups. A government was apparent within the colony, but was not very well known.

Slave Trade

Sep 9, 1650

Slaves came to the Americas, making the population grow with them. There were more slaves in the Americas than there were Europeans. The slaves helped with chores, which made expansion easier and more productive.

Carolinas

Oct 5, 1663

Barbados had become very populous, so wealthier familiems began to send their children to Carolina to maintain social status.The settlers from Barbados became the most powerful political group in this colony. The Carolinas are also known for how closely they resembled the Virginia and Maryland colonies.

Bacon's Rebellion

Oct 5, 1676

Nathaniel Bacon, a Virginia fronteirsman was seeking land when he disputed with Native Americans. This caused him to request help from the government. Jamestown then refused to help him, in fear of starting a war. Bacon and his men stormed the colony. After dying of illness, Bacon's rebellion fell. This led to a revision of the system for indentured servants and lead to a greater reliance on slave labor. This was due to the easy identification of African Americans.

Pennsylvania

Oct 5, 1681

Pennsylvania colony was established by Quaker William Penn to create a place for other Quakers to reside. With Quakers being a very accepting group, many people came to Pennsylvania, making it very diverse.

English Bill of Rights

Oct 5, 1689

In 1689, the King and Queen at the time agreed to use this document to guarantee certain rights to the citizens and said that their would now be elections. This created a limited monarchy allowing power to be shared with the people of England, which created a way for many governments to be created in the colonies.

Georgia

Oct 5, 1733

Although Georgia was forst established to discourage Spanish expansion restrictions on drinking and slavery made the colony unattractive to settlers, and even after the restrictions were removed, very few people settled here.

First Great Awakening

Oct 5, 1739

This event was a time of religious spread which lasted from the 1730 to the 1740s. It resulted from the Enlightenment and indifference to varying faiths. Revivals were now held throughout the English colonies in America. Jonathan Edwards's view on Calvinism brought in younger groups to his church, but he didnt have the strong personality for revivals which George Whitfield had. Benjamin Franklin helped to promote Whitfield as he went throught the colonies.

French and Indian War

Oct 5, 1756

The French and Indian war was fought by French and English over who would have control over the Ohio River Valley, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River. It was won by England in 1763. After the war England was left in debt, which they thought the colonists should have to pay off.

Sugar act

Apr 5, 1764

This act revised duties on sugar, coffee, tea, wine,etc
It was significant because it caused colonists to get upset, made the cost of sugar lowered, and it hurt smugglers.

Stamp act

Mar 22, 1765

This act was repealed on March 18 1766. This act allowed only for printed documents that were important to be issued only on special stamped paper purchased from stamp distributors. This was significant because it started the boycott of British goods and transformed this debate into an actual movement.

Quartering act

May 1, 1765

This act made a law stating colonists must supply British troops with housing and other essential items. This was significant because it created a feeling of uprising in the colonists because they felt they should not have to pay fro British soldiers.

Stamp Act congress

Oct 1, 1765

This meeting was the firsr intercolonial gathering held since the Albany Congress of 1754.Itprovided leaders from different regions with an opportunity to discuss common problems. This was significant because it allowed colonists to express ow they felt about the taxation by Britain.

Declaratory act

Mar 18, 1766

This act declared that Parliament has sovereignty over the colonies :in all cases whatsoever". This is significant because it stated that the British government wasnt going to listen to colonists.

Tea act

May 10, 1766

This act stated that Parliament gives the East India Company right to sell tea directly to Americans and some duties on tea were reduced. This was significant becaus it lowered the price of tea which lead to the Boston Tea Party.

Parliamentary Supremacy

Oct 5, 1766

This event was the enforcement of parliaments rule over all. This was significant because it showed colonists that Great Britain was not backing down, and it gave the colonists a reason to be angry.

Townshed Revenue acts

Jun 26, 1767

All acts were repealed except duty on tea in March 1770. These acts lead to new duties on glass, lead, paper, paints, and tea and also made customs collections tighten in America. These were significant beause it made more colonial unrest and more boycotting of goods.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

Started by young boys throwing rocks and snowballs at soldiers in the streets a mob grew out of control and soldiers panicked, resulting in five innocent Americans dying. This event was significant because it gave colonists a reason to get angry and it demonstrated the building tension in the colonies.

Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

A group of men disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded ships docked in the Boston Harbor and threw 340 chests of tea overboard. This was significant because it showed the british that colonists were openely speaking for their rights.

Coercive acts

Mar 1, 1774

These acts closed the Boston port, restructured the government in Massachusets, restricted town meetings,and made troops quater in Boston. They also lead to British officials being accused of crimes and being sent to England or Canada for trial. This was significant because it lead to the meeting of the First Contenintal Congress.

First Continental Congress

Aug 5, 1774

This was a gathering of 55 elected delgates from 12 colonies to discuss the situation the colonies were in. This was significant because it started the motion toward declaring independence.

Shot Heard round the World

Apr 19, 1775

This event was a pure act of confusion. A shot was fired off by a confused colonist before fighting was supposed to commence. This event is significant because it started the battles of Lexington and Concord and the entire revolution,

Lexington

Apr 19, 1775

This event was the plan of seizure of rebel supplies and a warning made by Paul Revere to colonists. This was significant because the attempt to capture the rebel goods caused them to prepare for the battle ahead.

Concord

Apr 19, 1775

This battle was fought with guerilla warfare tactics of illtrained farmers. There was no fight planned, but in a moment of confusion a shot was fired and the battle commenced. This was significant because it started the revolution.

Second Contenintal Congress

May 5, 1775

This event was the start of a new governing body for the colonies. George Washington was appointed commander by the Congress and they even bought military supplies. This was significant because it worked on the management of the current war and created the Declaration of Independence.

Olive Branch Petition

Jul 5, 1775

This was the final attempt to prevent full on war. It was significant because it affirmed American loyalty to Great Britain, but it was not effective.

Prohibitory act

Dec 22, 1775

This act declared British intention to coerce Americnas into submission. It also put an embargo on American goods and seized American ships. This was significant because it increased the drive to declare independence,.

Common Sense

Jan 9, 1776

This is an essay by writer Thomas Paine. This essay stripped kingship or historival and theological justification, This was significant becaus eit persuaded oridanry folk to disconnect from Great Britain and spread the word and gave reason to start a revolution.

Trenton

Dec 25, 1776

This battle consisted of contenintal soldiers surprise attacking Hessian mercenaries. This battle was significant becaus eit gave the colonists hope after winning and gaining ground on the British army.

Germantown / Valley Forge

Oct 4, 1777

This battle was an attempted counter attack that ended in eventual retreat. Valley Forge ended in disease overtaking the militia. The result of this battle was a loss of many soldiers and a desperate army.

Second Battle of Saratoga

Oct 7, 1777

This battle consisted of Britain being surrounded and after small conflict, surrendering. This was a turning point in the revolution, giving the colonists hope and motivation.

King's Mountain

Oct 7, 1780

This battle was backwoods fighting. It was very vicious and much blood was shed. The result of this battle was that colonists were left with the upperhnad, and Britain was very badly confused and worried.

Yorktown

Aug 30, 1781

This battle consisted of Cornwallis finally surrendering after trying to get ahead of the colonists.This battle brought somewhat of an end to the revolution.