-
Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation
Protestant dissenters split from the dominant Catholic church. This gives rise to many religious sects, such as Lutheranism in Germanic countries, and Anglicanism and later Puritans in England. -
Period: 1550 to
Triangle Trade
Exchange of goods between the New World, Africa, and Europe that involved Europe's supply of manufactured goods, Africa's supply of slaves, and America's supply of raw materials -
Virginia becomes a colony
Founded by the Virginia company with a royal charter, who established Jamestown as the capitol of the new colony. -
Period: to
Salutary Neglect
Method of colonial government in which the British Government attempted to not be too strict or harsh in order to maintain the colonies' loyalty. -
House of Burgesses
Formed by the General Assembly of Virginia to create half of the first democratically elected bicameral legislature in America. It joined with a royally-appointed governor (who had veto power) to govern Virginia. -
Plymouth colony established
Founded by the Pilgrims who landed at what they called Plymouth. Joined with Massachusetts in 1691. -
Massachusetts becomes a colony
Founded by the Massachusetts Bay Company with a royal charter, funded by private investors. Quickly grew in population. They also decided to claim part of what would be Michigan. -
Carolina becomes a colony
Initially given to Sir Robert Heath, but taken by the King after the restoration of the monarchy. Later governed by "Lords Proprietors" appointed by the King. -
Maryland becomes a colony
Land was given to Lord Baltimore, a friend of the King. Was meant to be a haven for Catholics, but tolerated most religion. -
Connecticut becomes a colony
Founded to avoid overbearing Boston government by John Haynes. Made a Charter colony and had Fundamental Orders of Connecticut written -
Rhode Island becomes a colony
Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts for his dissenting religious views, so he founded a tolerant colony on Narraganset Bay. Become a charter colony. -
New Hampshire becomes a colony
Charles II's dislike for Massachusetts led him to provide a colonial charter for New Hampshire to become a colony. Claimed lots of modern day Vermont to New York's dismay. -
Pequot War
Conflict that occurred between New England Pequot Tribe and MA Bay settlers. Led to realization that Europeans would totally annihilate tribes. -
Period: to
New England Confederation
A short lived military alliance of New England colonies to defend against Native Americans or other attackers. -
Navigation Acts
Mercantile acts instituted by Oliver Cromwell's regime but later by the reinstated monarchs that limited the Colonies' trading capacity to put England at the highest priority. -
New Jersey becomes English colony
After being taken from the Dutch, the Duke of York granted this colony to Sir George Carteret. The colony was named after the island of Jersey. -
New York becomes English colony
Given to the Duke of York by King Charles II after taking the Dutch colonies of New Netherlands. Was extremely diverse and relatively tolerant. -
King Philip's War
A period of all-out warfare between New England colonies (mainly Massachusetts) and Native Americans. Great losses on both sides, and lowered stability in the colonies. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Caused by a rich/poor social divide, Nathaniel Bacon created a militia to massacre Native Americans. Bacon marched on Jamestown and tried to force the Virginia Governor to resign. Made colonists distrust indentured servitude. -
Pennsylvania becomes colony
Land given to William Penn, who decided to use it to establish a safe haven for Quakers. The colony had Religious freedom for all monotheists and Philadelphia became a successful city. -
Dominion of New England
3 Year union of the New England colonies under Charles II when he decided there were just too many dang colonies. Ended by the Co-monarchs of the Glorious Revolution. -
Salem Witch Trials
A period in colonial Massachusetts where religious fervor and suspicion led to the execution of women and men suspected of witchcraft. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
Century of new ideas and revived intellectualism -
Delaware becomes an English colony
Taken by the English from Dutch and Swedish settlers in 1664, and granted by the Duke of York to William Penn 20 years later. Eventually, William Penn agreed to an independent colony in 1701. -
North and South Carolina Split
Differences between the areas of Carolina colony led to the splitting of the colony. The rice-based south and Charleston became South Carolina and the farming north became North Carolina. -
Period: to
First Great Awakening
Series of Christian Revivals in Britain and the colonies. Churches and new schools set up, and new denominations created. -
Georgia becomes colony
A Charter was granted to James Oglethorpe by George II, the namesake of the colony. Oglethorpe intended to make the colony a place for those imprisoned for debt. -
Poor Richard's Almanack
Almanac made by Benjamin Franklin under the epithet Poor Richard. The book contained knowledge over a vast array of topics. -
Trial of Peter Zenger
When Peter Zenger criticized the new governor of New York's actions in the local paper, he was sued for libel. However, the jury found him not guilty, foreshadowing freedom of the press in America.
