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Founding of Jamestown
The first permanent English colony founded by the Virginia Company and chartered by King James I. First led by John Smith, for 5 years the colony suffered of hunger. After Smith, John Rolfe and Pocahontas started tobacco farms that supported the colony. -
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Mayflower Compact and Virginia House of Burgesses
Mayflower Compact signed aboard the Mayflower, by the pilgrims. Declared that all decisions would be made by majority. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first representative assembly in America. Both of these political occasions are early examples of democracy in America. -
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The Institution of Slavery
Started by the increase demand for a stable work force after the increased wages in Britain led to reduced migration. Massachusetts was the first to declare that enslavement was "lawful" captivity, Virginia enacted a legislation declaring that children of slaves were also slaves, and Maryland declared that white woman could not marry African American Men. The triangular trade would allow the slave trade to flourish, it's middle passage would be where many slaves died. -
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The Navigation Acts
Enacted by the European Government to control the trade between the Colonies and Britain. The Navigation acts would increase the profitability of shipbuilding and they also allowed a tobacco monopoly in Chesapeake. Negatively affected the colonies, because farmers would be forced to accept low prices from Britain and they were forced to pay high prices to Britain. -
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The Great Awakening
Idea idea that god was angry at sinners, but sinners could be saved, though those who didn't seek salvation would suffer eternally. proposed by Reverend Johnathan Edwards. The idea was spread and caught the colonies off guard since they originally believed that God was benign and the world was in order. -
The Zenger Case
John Peter Zenger was brought on trial for libelously criticizing New York's Governor. Andrew Hamilton argued that Zenger wrote the truth, Zenger was acquitted after English Law was ignored. This Event helped to encourage the press to take risk and shed light onto the truth.