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Jamestown
The first permanent settlement in America. It was established by the London Company in southeast Virginia. -
Introduction to Tobacco
Tobacco saved the Jamestown colony and opened the door to future British settlement. The struggling colony had been unable to find a means of wealth by which to support themselves. Tobacco was planted by John Rolfe in the colony, and soon became a large-scale export to European countries. The wealth of tobacco also brought more colonists to the area and replenished the population. -
Eight Years of Peace
John Rolfe marries Pocahontas, who was an Indian chief's daughter. The marriage lead to eight years of peace between Colonists and Indians. -
House of Burgesses
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first democratically-elected legislative body in British North America. This group of representatives met from 1619 until 1776. The members, or burgesses, were elected from each county in Virginia with each county sending two burgesses. It governed the colony in partnership with a royal governor appointed by the king of England. -
First Slaves to come to America
As a result of the continued labor shortage in Jamestown, specifically regarding tobacco farming, Dutch traders offered slaves to the colonists. The colonists accepted the sale and paid the Dutch for 20 slaves. This was the introduction of slavery to the British colonies and the root of later American slavery. -
Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact, document signed on the English ship Mayflower in November 1620 prior to its landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was the first framework of government written and enacted in the territory that is now the United States of America. -
Puritan Establishments
The Puritans begin to establish settlement in Plymouth. They form the Mayflower Compact, which established a government and legal structure. During the next winter, half of the colonists would perish. Site of the settlement had previously been the location of an Indian village that had been wiped out in 1617 by a plague. -
Pequot War
Pequot War begins between Pequot tribe and their alliance against the Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies. War ended on September 21, 1638 with the Treaty of Hartford. Only two hundred Pequot tribe members remained. -
King Philip's War
Beginning of King Philip's War in New England with Metacom Indian forces attacking colonial settlements due to encroachment on the land. Considered the costliest war for European Settlements in relation to population with Indian success during first year halted later when their alliances fell apart. Twelve towns destroyed. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown. Nathanial Bacon leads the rebellion of planters against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would perish and twenty-three others were executed. -
Salem Witch Trails
The Salem witch hunts, spurred by preaching, results in the arrest of one hundred and fifty people and the death of nineteen. These trials were held in Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties. Ended in September of May 1693
