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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus found a New World
In 1492 a European explorer by the name of Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered a New World while on his way to Asia. This event is significant because if Columbus wouldn’t have discovered this New World who knows what could have been changed in the future America. -
Salutary Neglect
(1600s-1700s) Salutary neglect refers to the long period of time where Britain ignored the colonies. This is significant because while England ignored the colonies they were set up their own governments. Then later on when England decided to take that freedom away from the colonies a spark of revolution ignited. -
The Great Migration
(1620-1643) The great migration describes the period in which Europeans (mostly Puritans/Separatists) left their homeland of England and migrated over to the New World. This is a significant event because when the Europeans came over they colonized the New World and took the first steps towards forming a new country away from Britain. -
The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange played a huge role in the early years of the colonies in establishing a steady economy. It got them on their feet and showed them that they have the ability to make it in the New World. -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a document that the Pilgrims created on their way to the New World. It is extremely significant because it was the first actual step towards self-government in the colonies. -
The French and Indian War
(1754–1763) The French and Indian War was fought between the French and Britain. The Indians helped France and the colonists helped Britain. Britain and the colonists came out victors, but it left England in debt. Britain then thought it would be a good idea to tax the colonists who just helped them win a war. The French and Indian War is significant because it gave the colonists a sense of confidence and it initiated the causes of the American Revolution which ended with the Constitution. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763’s purpose was to keep the relations between the colonists and the Indians peaceful after the French and Indian War. Basically it told the colonists they could not settle out West. This is significant because some colonists ignored the proclamation and settled out west anyways. This was the first act of rebellion from the colonists against Britain. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a long series of taxes placed upon the colonists by Britain after the French and Indian War. They were significant because they were the tipping point for the colonists and lit the full on fire of the revolution. -
American Revolution
(1775–1783) The American Revolution was the 8 year battle between the Colonists and Great Britain. This is significant because this war told Britain that the colonists want their freedom and they no longer want anything to do with Britain. -
An unexpected victory
The reason the colonist’s win is so important because no one really expected them to actually defeat England. They were definitely the underdogs of the war and really earned their rights and their freedom. Once they had their rights back they sat down and wrote the United States Constitution.
