-
Jamestown is Founded
The settlement of Jamestown, Virginia becomes the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. This settlement was named after their king, James I, and present-day Virginia is named after Elizabeth I. -
Anglo-Powhatan Wars (1609-1646)
These were a set of three wars between the settlers of the Virginia Colony and the Algonquin Indians of the Powhatan Confederacy. The first war, which was resolved with peace settlement, lasted from 1609 to 1614. The second war from 1662 to 1626. The last war lasted from 1644-1646 after the the Powhatan chief, Opchanacanough, was captured by the colonists and killed. A peace treaty with Necotowance and the General Assembly of Virginia ended the wars. -
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first English representative
government established in North America. It's purpose was to pass laws, regulate taxes, and maintain order in the colonies. -
The Mayflower Compact & Plymouth Colony
Around December 1620, the Pilgrims arrived and created the Plymouth Colony, which is known as the first permanent settlement in America. The Mayflower Compact would be signed by the settlers who were aboard the Mayflower ship that landed in Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact was a set of rules of self-governance and ensured that colonists remained loyal to the king, abided to the laws set by the people, and lived in accordance to the Christian faith. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was under the leadership of John Winthrop, and it's known as the first English chartered colony whose board of governors did not reside in England. Therefore, this independence helped settlers maintain their religious beliefs and practices without the interference of the King or the Anglican Church. -
Quakers Arrive in New England
The first Quakers arrive in Boston, Massachusetts and demand that they be allowed to live there and practice their own religion freely. The colony of Massachusetts did not allow them to live there and forced them out of their colony. Many Quakers would move to Rhode Island and Pennsylvania which allowed for religious freedom and served as safe-havens for persecuted Quakers. -
King-Phillips War (1675-1676)
This conflict was between indigenous groups and the New England inhabitants. It's believed to have started after the trial and execution of three of Metacom's men, who were found guilty of the murder of another Wampanoag. Responding to the execution, Metacom and his men destroyed and killed English settlements. More than 3000 Natives and 800-1000 English people were killed, and it brought a decisive end to the Native American power in New England. -
Bacon's Rebellion (1676-1677)
This was the first rebellion in the colonial America and an uprising of western farmers against the government of Virginia. Farmers believed that the Powhatan Indians should be removed from their treaty-protected lands. On September 19, 1676, Bacon and his fellow supporters would burn down Jamestown. -
Glorious Revolution (1688-89)
Also, known as the "bloodless revolution" because Catholic king James II would be peacefully replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange. As a result, the colonists were temporarily freed from the strict laws and anti-puritan rule over the colonies. This event would transform Britain from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. -
Salem Witch Trails (February 1692 – May 1693)
These trials would prosecute people accused of witch craft. This started after a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women of witchcraft. This event would result in many trials in which more than 200 people were accused. It resulted in the deaths of fourteen women, six men, and five other individuals who died in prison.