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Jamestown is founded
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, was founded in 1607 in what is now Virginia. It was established by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors, with the primary goal of establishing a profitable colony. Despite numerous challenges, including disease, famine, and conflicts with Native American tribes, Jamestown eventually grew and laid the foundation for the future colonization of the United States. -
John Rolfe introduces tobacco to Virginia
John Rolfe is credited with introducing tobacco cultivation to Virginia in 1612. Rolfe's successful experiments with the cultivation of a sweeter, milder strain of tobacco, known as "Orinoco," proved immensely profitable for the struggling Jamestown colony. His efforts not only saved the colony from financial ruin but also played a pivotal role in the development of Virginia's tobacco industry, which would become a major economic driver for the American colonies. -
House of Burgesses begins to meet
The House of Burgesses, established in 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia, was the first elected legislative assembly in colonial America. It marked a significant step towards representative government as it allowed Virginia's settlers to participate in making their own laws and decisions. The House of Burgesses met for the first time on July 30, 1619, and it laid the foundation for the democratic traditions that would later influence the development of the United States. -
Plymouth is founded
Plymouth, a historic settlement in Massachusetts, was founded by a group of English Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. Seeking religious freedom, these Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony as the second permanent English colony in North America. Their perseverance, cooperation with local indigenous peoples, and the signing of the Mayflower Compact laid the groundwork for early American self-governance. -
Virginia becomes a royal colony
Virginia became a royal colony in 1624 when King James I revoked the charter of the Virginia Company of London, which had originally established the Jamestown settlement. This transition placed Virginia under the direct control of the English Crown, giving the King and later the monarchs more authority over the colony's governance, land distribution, and administration. -
John Winthrop leads Puritan settlers to Massachusetts's Bay
In 1630, John Winthrop, a prominent Puritan leader, led a group of Puritan settlers to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. This migration, known as the "Great Migration," aimed to establish a Puritan society where religious freedom and self-governance were central. Winthrop famously described their mission as creating a "City upon a Hill," setting a vision of a morally upright and tightly-knit community that would serve as an example to others. -
Slave labor systems emerges in Carolina & Chesapeake colonies
In the Carolina and Chesapeake colonies during the late 17th century, the emergence of slave labor systems played a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social structure of these regions. The cultivation of cash crops, particularly rice and tobacco, drove a growing demand for labor, leading to an increasing reliance on enslaved African laborers. This shift marked the transition from indentured servitude to a racially based system of slavery that would persist. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War, which occurred in 1636-1638 in the New England region of North America, was a conflict between the Pequot tribe and English settlers and their Native American allies. The war resulted from territorial disputes and competition over the fur trade. It ended with a devastating Pequot defeat and marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the region, leading to the expansion of English colonial influence. -
Rhode Island is founded
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a religious dissenter who sought freedom of conscience and separation of church and state. Williams and his followers established the colony with a strong commitment to religious tolerance and the rights of individuals. Rhode Island's founding principles of religious freedom and political liberty would later influence the development of democratic ideals in the United States. -
English seize Dutch colony & rename to New York
In 1664, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the English seized the Dutch colony of New Netherland, which included parts of present-day New York. The colony was renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England. This change in ownership marked a significant shift in the colonial landscape of North America and resulted in the English consolidation of their holdings in the region. -
King Phillip's War
King Philip's War, New England, was a devastating conflict between Native American tribes, led by Metacom (also known as King Philip), and English colonists. The war was sparked by tensions over land, resources, and cultural differences, and it resulted in significant destruction and loss of life on both sides. King Philip's War is considered one of the bloodiest and most destructive conflicts in early American history. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was a violent uprising in 1676 in the Virginia Colony led by Nathaniel Bacon. The rebellion was sparked by grievances against the colonial government, particularly regarding Native American relations and the lack of political representation. While the rebellion was ultimately suppressed, it highlighted the discontent among poor settlers and use of indentured servitude and slavery, which contributed to the development of race-based social and labor systems in the colonies. -
William Penn receives charter for Colony of Pennsylvania
In 1681, King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn, a Quaker and a prominent English Quaker, to establish the Colony of Pennsylvania in North America. Penn envisioned Pennsylvania as a haven for religious freedom and a model of liberal governance, promoting tolerance and cooperation with Native Americans. His colony became a refuge for religious dissenters and immigrants seeking opportunities in the New World, and it played a significant role in the early history of the United States. -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of witchcraft trials and executions that took place in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. The trials were characterized by mass hysteria and accusations of witchcraft, leading to the imprisonment and execution of numerous individuals, mostly women. The trials were later recognized as a tragic example of social and religious paranoia, and they have since become a cautionary tale about the dangers of intolerance and the abuse of power. -
Georgia is founded
Georgia, the last of the original 13 American colonies, was founded in 1732 by James Oglethorpe. It was established as a haven for debtors and a buffer colony between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida. Oglethorpe envisioned Georgia as a place where impoverished individuals could make a fresh start, and the colony played a unique role in the early history of the United States. -
Jonathan Edwards promotes Great Awakening
Jonathan Edwards was a prominent preacher and theologian who played a key role in promoting the Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in colonial America. His famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is known for its vivid descriptions of damnation and the need for spiritual awakening. Edwards' passionate sermons and writings inspired a fervent religious revival that swept through the American colonies, leading to increased religious fervor and a sense of personal salvation. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion, which occurred in 1739 in South Carolina, was one of the earliest and largest slave uprisings in colonial America. Enslaved Africans, led by a man named Jemmy, rebelled against their masters and attempted to escape to Spanish Florida, where they believed they would find freedom. The rebellion was violently suppressed, and its aftermath led to stricter slave codes and increased control over enslaved individuals in the South. -
George Whitefield preaches religious revival
George Whitefield was a prominent 18th-century evangelist known for his powerful and charismatic preaching style. He played a significant role in the religious revival movement known as the Great Awakening, which swept through the American colonies. Whitefield's sermons drew massive crowds and had a profound impact on inspiring religious conversions and renewed spiritual fervor among his listeners. -
French & Indian War ( 7 Year War) begins
The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War, began in 1754 as a conflict between British and French forces in North America. The war was primarily fought over territorial disputes in the Ohio River Valley and other regions of the American frontier. It eventually escalated into a global conflict involving several European powers and had a significant impact on the course of American history, setting the stage for the American Revolution. -
Citations
McBride, K. (2022, September 5). Pequot War. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pequot-War
Warren, J. W. (2023, July 14). King Philip’s War. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/King-Philips-War
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, August 18). Seven Years’ War. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Seven-Years-War