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Roanoke
When 115 settlers came to Roanoke Island under the leadership of John White, it was decided he needed to return to England to gather new supplies. Because of the Spanish Armada going on, it took White 3 years to return back to Roanoke. When he finally returned, the colony he once knew was gone, with no trace to its disappearance.
https://www.history.com/news/what-happened-to-the-lost-colony-of-roanoke -
Jamestown
It was the first successful permanent English settlement and thrived for 100 years. After Roanoke failed, Jamestown was founded under the blessing of England's King James I. Within a few weeks, a force of several hundred Powhatan Indians attacked the settlement. It took the working together of John Smith and Pocahontas to help solve the problems between the Indians and the settlers. https://www.livescience.com/38595-jamestown-history.html -
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first popularly elected legislature in the world, modeled after the English Parliament. It was formed when the people wanted more of a say in their government. They laid claims to traditional rights and were able to become a constitutional monarchy. They would meet around once a year to decide laws and determine taxation. http://www.ushistory.org/us/2f.asp -
Great Migration
The Great Puritan Migration started when a group of Pilgrims came to Plymouth aboard the Mayflower. The started the "Old Planter" colonies in New England. They had troubles with hostility toward them when King Charles I took the throne. Other Puritan Migrations took place after, like those who established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Massachusetts Bay became the largest colony and was very successful. http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-great-puritan-migration/ -
Mayflower/Plymouth/Mayflower Compact.
In 1620, the Plymouth Colony was settled by the Pilgrims. The ship they took was known as the Mayflower and carried about 100 passengers. Once there, they needed to establish a government: the Mayflower Compact. It established that the majority of the colony's men would make the decisions. The colony met the Wampanog people and had help from Squanto to grow crops and establish a treaty with the Indians. 160 people lived in Plymouth by 1627. notes on the Plymouth colony -
New York
The Dutch first settled along the Hudson River in 1624; two years later they established the colony of New Amsterdam. Settlement was promoted by the "Patroon" System. Land was rented out to tenants, and were even allowed to keep it when the British took over. The Dutch surrendered the land to the British attacked in 1664. Then, in 1673, the Dutch recaptured the land, but returned it to British control. https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/new-york -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Puritans settled here in 1630 under a charter from King Charles I. Their laws stated that they were tied to the beliefs of the Puritan Church. Dissenters who didn't follow the rules were many times exiled and went on to form other colonies. English settlers joined them 1643, but the Puritans remained in control; they were the only ones who could vote. This colony became the largest and most influential New England colony, and in 1691, became a royal colony. notes on Massachusetts Bay Colony -
Maryland
Maryland was a southern colony founded by a Catholic named Lord Baltimore. He wished to turn Maryland into a safe haven for persecuted Catholics. Unfortunately, before he could do anything with his land, Baltimore died, leaving it to his son Cecil, who took over management. However, many Protestants took advantage of his offer and settled there. But, the Toleration Act of 1649 was passed granting everyone religious freedom. notes on Maryland -
Rhode Island
The colony of Rhode Island was founded in 1635 under the leadership of Roger Williams. He was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for speaking out against taking land from Native Americans, so he went on to found Rhode Island. There, he decreed there to be no religious persecution of Christians. notes on Rhode Island -
Connecticut
Connecticut was originally settled by Dutch fur traders in 1614, who built a fort near Hartford. The first English settlers arrived in Connecticut in 1633 under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Hooker, who officially settled the colony in 1636. Many more colonies were formed afterward. Soon, violence erupted with the Indians when they didn't want to give up their land. The Fundamental orders of Connecticut was formed and solved the problem. https://www.mrnussbaum.com/history-2-2/conncolony/ -
Maryland Toleration Act
After protestants became prominent in Lord Baltimore's Catholic safe haven, the Toleration Act was passed to give religious freedom to all Christians living in Maryland -
Carolina
8 supporters of King Charles II were granted land in the Carolinas. They chose to settle here because of its easy access to trade, allowing them to grow crops like tobacco and indigo. African slaves outnumbered the colonists in the Carolinas 2:1 by 1720. And in 1729, Carolina was split into North and South when it became a royal colony. notes on Carolina -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon emigrated from England and set up a small plantation on the James river. He became the governor's council. Bacon conducted two forays to attack the enemy. He became a hero, but not to everyone. When Bacon was appointed to the House of Burgesses, he was arrested by the governor's agents. Once released, Bacon led a small army to take down Jamestown. They succeeded, but the rebellion collapsed soon after when Bacon died of dysentery https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h521.html -
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania was a middle colony founded by William Penn, who was given a charter for the colony. The colony was established as a "holy experiment," a place without landowning aristocracy; men received the right to vote along with 50 acres of land. Penn became a Quaker in the 1660s and his colony became a safe haven for other Quakers. notes on Pennsylvania -
Salem Witch Trials
In the spring of 1692, a wave of hysteria spread, causing widespread panic and belief in the practice of witchcraft. Bridget Bishop was the first witch to be convicted and was hanged that June. Several months later, 150 more men, women, and children were accused. Tituba, a convicted witch, and helped spread the hysteria by claiming there to be other witches in an attempt to save herself. Many more people were convicted after. https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials -
Great Awakening/Enlightenment
It was a religious revival that impacted the English colonies in America during the 1730s and 1740s. The idea of secular rationalism was being emphasized, and passion for religion had grown stale. Many historians believe the Great Awakening had a lasting impact on various Christian denominations and American culture at large. They emphasized a scientific and logical view of the world, while downplaying religion. https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/great-awakening -
Albany Plan
It was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a centralized government. 7 representatives of the British North American Colonies adopted it. It was adopted during a larger meeting called the Albany Congress. The colonial governments of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire all sent commissioners to the Congress. It was used to regulate colonial-Indian relations. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/albany-plan -
French-indian War
A group of soldiers led by twenty-two year old George Washington attacked a French stronghold named Fort Duquesne. Soon Washington's troops were forced to surrender, and shortly after, another British force was also met with defeat. When news of this reached London, war was declared, and the French-Indian War began. The turning point in the war came when William Pitt took over the wartime operations. The crucial stronghold was transferred to British hands. http://www.ushistory.org/us/8b.asp -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation was mainly intended to conciliate the Indians by checking the encroachment of settlers on their lands. This royal proclamation, was the first measure to affect all thirteen colonies. King George III then declared all lands west of the Appalachian Divide off-limits to colonial settlers. His response forbade private citizens and colonial governments to buy land from or make any agreements with natives. https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/1763-proclamation-of -
Salutary Neglect
It was an unofficial British policy in the colonies that greatly affected Massachusetts in the 18th century. The British government intentionally did not enforce British trade laws in the American colonies. It was stated in a speech given by Edmund Burke at the House of Commons. This then changed when the Navigation Act was passed. http://historyofmassachusetts.org/what-was-the-british-policy-of-salutary-neglect/
