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Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus Sets Sail
On this date, Christopher Columbus sets sail to Asia to where the riches of gold, pearls and spice awaited. However, he went of course and landed in the Americas; the start of European activity in the New World. -
First ship funded by the London Company lands in the New World
On this date, the first ship funded by the London Company lands in the New World on the southern end of Chesapeake Bay which the voyagers named Cape Henery. Jamestown is founded as the first official European colony in the New World. -
More colonists arrive in Jamestown
After a year of disease and death after a brutal winter, 105 settlers reduced to 32. Fortunatly, 110 new colonists arrive in Jamestown replenishing the population giving more hope for survival. -
Virginia House of Burgesses First Meeting
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in America. Held in Jamestown, this first assembly consisted of 22 burgesses representing 11 plantations. This was a large turning point in the history of American government because it was the first official assembly of democratically elected representatives where everyone had a say. -
The Mayflower Compact is signed
On this day, the Mayflower Compact is signed by 41 men. It was the first major politicle document of the New World. The Mayflower Compact established a local government in which the colonists agree to follow majority rule and to cooperate for the general good of the colony. The Mayflower Compact also set up basic laws for other colonies to be founded in the future. -
Treaty with the Wampanoag Tribe signed
In this year, the first treaty between colonists and Native Americans is signed as the Plymouth Pilgrims sign a peace pact with Wampanoag Tribe. The violence with the Wampanoag Tribe ending alows more colonists to live and focus on other problems in the colonies. -
Puritan Migration
In March of 1630, John Winthrop leads 900 Puritans Massachusetts Bay in hopes of religous freedom which they are not finding in England. In September of 1630, Boston is officially established. Winthrop estalishes a government there. -
Providence and Rhode Island founded by Roger Williams
In June of 1636, Roger Williams founds Providence and Rhode Island in hopes of making a place of religious and political freedoms and seperation of church and state. Providence became a place for other colonists fleeing religious intolerance. -
The King Philip's War
The King Philip's War starts in New England between colonists and Native Aricans because of tensions over more colonists coming into the New World. The war spreads to Massachusetts, Plymouth and Rhode Island. The war resulted in 600 colonists dead and 3,000 Native Americans including King Philip, (the colonist's nickname for Metacomet, chief of the Wampanoags). -
King James II consolidates coloies
In 1686, King James II of England begins consolidating the colonies into a single Dominion. This act deprived the colonists of their local political rights and independence when the King's representatives assume all of the judicial and legislative power. This was a large casue of the New World colonists' tension with the English rulers. -
African American Slavery
In Virginia in the year 1705, slaves recieve the status of "real estate" by the Virginia Black Code of 1705. In New York, a law declares that runaway slaves, if caught, are executed. Massachusetts declares marriage between African Americans and whites illegal. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act is passed by the English Parliament. It was the first direct tax on the American colonies. For the first time in the 150 years of British colonies in America, the Americans will pay tax not to their own local legislatures in America, but directly to England. Many people boycotted British goods because of this act. -
The Stamp Act Repealed. The Declaratory Act Passed
In March of 1766, King George III signs a bill repealing the Stamp Act in hopes of reducing the boycotts. On the same day however, the English Parliament passes the Declaratory Act stating that the British government has total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was caused by Royal Governor Hutchinson not to allowing any ships to leave the harbor until the tea taxes are paid. That night, colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians, board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the harbor. This was a famous revolutionary act leading up to the war. -
Rebellious Acts of 1775
On February 1, in Massachusetts, a congress was held allowing rebel leaders John Hancock and Joseph Warren to begin war preparation. On February 9, the English Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. On March 23, in Virginia, Patrick Henry delivers a speech against British with the famous line "Give me liberty or give me death!" These actions were some of the actons that caused tension between America and England to become greater and the Revolutionary War to start.
