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Death of Queen Elizabeth
The death of Queen Elizabeth of England in 1603 allowed for her cousin James VI of Scotland to assume the power over England. This conversion of power created the joined Great Britain, Scotland and England. The now King James I governed by "Divine right" instead of the previous constitutional authority that Queen Elizabeth used. -
Virginia Company
The Virginia company was a joint-stock enterprise that King James I approved of. The company was owned by many merchants seeking profit off of gold and silver in the Americas. King James however, told the company to bring the Christian religion to the Indians. -
James Town Established by British colonizers
Originally named James Fort, James Town is credited as the first permanent English colony in America. A three walled colony of men and boys who were mostly unfamiliar with the idea of manual labor and farming struggled to make and get food here. Indians within the Powhatan Confederacy however, helped the colonist in exchange for swords and muskets. -
Tobacco for export
John Rolfe began growing tobacco within the colony of Virginia after acquiring seeds from South America. Tobacco thrived within the colonies as a source of profit for slaves, taxes (to Britain), and as an inhalant. -
Headright Policy
A prominent member of the British Parliament and at the time new head of the Virginia Company, Sir Edwin Sandys. Sandys created the headright policy which was a land grant, stating that for anyone who bought a share of the company and could pay for the passage to the colonies would be granted fifty acres upon arrival and fifty more per every servant they brought with them. -
Plymouth and the May flower compact
Established by the Plymouth company, Plymouth was founded by Puritan separatist who were forced to leave England. 102 men, women, and children were aboard the Mayflower which took them to America. Before officially setting foot on land the people aboard created the Mayflower Compact, which created civil laws and policies that the new colonist shall follow. -
Charles I
King James I was succeeded by his son Charles the I who ruled with extreme stubbornness and abused absolute power. Under Charles the I England's taxes were raised, Puritans harassed, and even the of the Parliament from 1629-1640. A revolt arose in his presence after forcing the worship of Presbyterian Scotland in 1640. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was predominantly Anglican Puritans. The Anglicans wanted to purify the Church of England and a model Christian community. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War began when Puritan colonists in Virginia accused a Pequot Indian of killing one of the colonists. The Colonist and Indians already had high tension and this accusation set in motion a mass killing of Indian Pequot's. The colonist burned the Pequot village and killed all that they could find. The Govenor of the Indians then decided to set in motion a counterattack for the colonist. Hundreds of Pequot's were killed in this war that lasted from 1636 to 1637. -
English Civil war
The First English civil war was a combination of multiple wars fought within three Kingdoms. The primary reason for civil war was dispute and disagreement between the British Parliment and Royalist or the Crown. The fight for power caused wars from 1642 to 1651. -
Tolerance Act
The Tolerance act in Maryland was the first law passed that ensured religious freedom within the colonies. The idea of this act was to make Massachusetts a more preferable place to settle by allowing all Christians regardless of their denomination freedom from persecution. -
First Navigation Act
The First Navigational Act was form the British Parliament and was focused on making the British more self sufficient, including the colonies. Parliament made it to where only English ships would bring good into England and the colonies could only export goods to England. Effectively forcing the colonies to rely on England and in turn England got bountiful goods from the Act. -
King Philips War
The persistent want for Indians to be converted to Christianity led to high tensions after the Pequot war. Eventually the death of John Sassamon caused the colonist to find guilty 3 Indians and hang all 3 of them. this led to a series of attacks from both parties being called the King Phillips, The name given to Metacomet an Indian chief, war. This war lasted from 1675 to 1678 when Metacomet tried to flee and was captured by colonists and beheaded to be put on a pole for 20 years in Plymouth. -
Bacon's Rebelion
The cause of the rebellion was the over population of white landless men in Virginia and the unnecessary amount of land used for tobacco production. A dispute between Indians on the Potomac River and a White planter led to a murder of the Planters herdsmen. Bacon Blamed Governor Berkeley for this happening and provoked a series of attacks against Virginia's wealthiest planters and political leaders. -
Pueblo Revolt
The Pueblo Revolt was the most significant victory the Native Americans had over European powers, Spain, effort to conquer the New World. The Revolt was led by an Indian named Pope. Pope got together warriors from 19 villages to burn Catholic Churches, mutilate, torture, and execute catholic priest and Spaniards. The Indians were able to drive the Spanish out of New Mexico for 12 years before they regained control. -
Pennsylvania and Quakers
William Penn and a group of Quakers founded the Pennsylvania colony in hopes of leaving intense persecution in England and Europe. The Quakers rejected all form of religious and political authority and rather worshiped Christ in a more primitive manor. Penn encouraged all people and faiths to migrate to Pennsylvania for freedom of persecution and to create a land of harmony for all. In the beggining years Pennsylvania struggled with self government but eventually thrived. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution got its name from the little bloodshed that it caused. The Revolution was rooted in religious and political disputes between the British crown, King James II and his Catholic absolute rulings, and the constitutional monarchy of Parliament. The "Revolution" resulted in the exile of King James II and the established shift from absolute authority to a constitutional monarchy. 1688-1689 -
South Carolina Passes slave codes
As the South grew in numbers, both with white men and African slaves, whites became fearful of possible rebellion because the number of slaves on plantations began to out grow the number of whites there. These codes restricted slaves form leaving their plantations, bearing arms, and standing up against white people. -
Salem Witch Trials
1692-1693 -
Period: to
1700-1800
A NEW ERA. The 18th Century -
Period: to
The Great Awakening
Known as the first popular movement within all thirteen colonies, the Great awakening sparked new found meanings of emotion within religion. This awakening birthed many new Christian denominations. The Awakening helped bring the colonies together and spark wants for the American Revolution -
Georgia is Founded
Georgia was solely created for British profit. It was thought at the time that Georgia would be suitable for raw goods to be excavated and grown for export to the mother land, Britain. As well as a means for profit Georgia was used as a natural buffer zone between the Spanish South and Colonial/British North. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was the largest revolt of the colonial period. A gathering of slaves that lead to a raid of firearms and then killing of 20 white colonist brought to light the high tensions between slaves and freed men, as well as an even harsher life for slaves until their eventual "freeing". -
Albany Plan of Union
The largest gathering of colonial delegates in order for joint action. The colonies were worried about the French and their aiding Indians starting war against the colonies. The hope was that the Albany Plan would have eleven states send as many as seven delegates to meet and have legislative power and jurisdiction over Indian affairs. It would later be deemed too radical but set fourth ideals for the later form of governance known as the Articles if Confederation created by America. -
Seven Year's War
Started by dispute over land in Ohio and around the Ohio river the Seven Year's war was fought primarily in North America but was labeled as the First World War. The war was fought in a series of battles on land and ocean. The result of the War humiliated the previously feared French Nation and left them bankrupt while aiding the American colonist in finding nationality within the colonies which helped set forth revolutionary ideas. The war lasted from 1756 to 1763. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Following the Seven Year's war and Treaty of Paris Indian land that had once been "gifted" to the Indian by the French had now fallen under British control. Colonist in America had eagerly tried to take the land and colonize the area around the Great Lakes. This colonization led to revolt amung the Indian tribes that already lived there and began a series of attacks on British forts in the area. There was try for peaceful negotiation between the Indians and colonist but citizens did not agree. -
Treaty Of Paris
A treaty that then labeled Britain the greatest empire of the World, the Treaty of Paris was signed as a means to the end of the Seven Years war between France and Britain> The treaty gave Britain all French owned territories East of the Mississippi River and several sugar island in the West indies. The treaty also benefited Spain by receiving vast Louisiana territory. -
Proclamation Act
For the First time in colonial expansion royal officials were restricting westward expansion by issuing the Proclamation act of 1763. This act drew an imaginary line from Appalachian Mountains up to Canada and down to Georgia, kicking out any Indians that settled within the area. Colonist however, did not like the act because there were land hungry and wanted to expand as much as possible. -
Boston Massacre
The presence of soldiers within the colonies had irritated the colonists. One night event escalated and ended in 5 dead colonists and 8 more wounded. New spread like wild fire and the killing was labeled a massacre. This event gave fuel to the flames of revolution within the Americans and forced the British Parliament to withdraw many of its acts and taxes on the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
With a necessity to sell tea the British Parliament passed the tea act which allowed it to be sold directly to America with out having to pay tax. In Boston citizens decided that liberty was more important than tea and dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded a British ship, and threw 46 tons of tea into the water. This act gave the British monarchy the idea that force was needed to combat this. But the attempt was in the end useless and helped fuel rebellion in the colonies even more. -
First meeting of Continental Congress
A meeting of 55 delegates from 12 states to discuss the joint resentment of British policies. The meeting is where the colonies began to feel more like a nation than as 13 individual states. -
The American Revolution Officially Begins
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Continental Congress declares independance
The Decoration of Independence was sighed and America had officially viewed itself free from British control. Though, war began between America and Britain on the American soil and coast. -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine published his "Common Sense" pamphlet that highlighted the need for Americans to fight for their independence from Britain. Paine questioned why a island nation should be able to govern an entire continent and how God can appoint absolute power on to one man. This pamphlet gave American colonist the edge for banding together for the American Revolution. -
American and French defeat British at Yorktown
Nearing victory the American forces needed to avoid any massive defeats in battle. As British forces pushed North into Virginia as a place of base George Washington and the French allies caved the British forces in and surrounded them for some 3 weeks with no food or supplies. The British fleet was forced to surrendered and 2 days after 7000 British soldiers gave up their weapons. This is when "The World Turned upside down" a massive turning point in the war. -
President George Washington is inaugurated
Following his incredible military feats, George Washington was elected as the First President of America. Having all parties on his side Washington was in office for two terms and was wanted for a third but declined because he did not want a monarchical rule in America. -
Bill of Rights is ratified
The Bill of Rights was created and ratified as guarantees for civil rights and liberties for American citizens. The Bill included the first 10 amendments and set rules for the governing of the Nation. -
John Adams becomes President
John Adams followed George Washington in office by being the First president to reside in the White House. Adams played a key role in building up the American army and navy in fear of possible war in the future. -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes President
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United states. Jefferson was able to cut the national debt down by a third but slashed army and naval expenses. Jefferson removed tax on whiskey which gave him favor in the West. -
Period: to
A NEW ERA 1800-1876
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Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of American soil but was controversial as is was out of Jefferson's jurisdiction to make a purchase without the senate. The 15 million dollar purchase form France, which was weak at the time, began the drive for westward expansion. -
Steamship Transportation on Hudson River
The Hudson river is a massive river that leaves from New York up state. Which the creation of steamship transportation people were able to flow along the river and leave the metropolitan New York City as well as cargo and goods that help manufacturing. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise allowed the Missouri territory to officially become part of the Union and become a state instead of a territory. With this addition into the Union balance remained between freed man states and slave states. -
Indian Removal Act
Sighed by President Andrew Jackson the Indian removal act allowed the President to exchange land within the American territory owned by Indians land west of the Mississippi. -
John Deere invents Steel Plow
The steel plow was an innovative tool for farmers. The plow allowed for farmers to cultivate land for efficiently and effectively which gave more profit and yield of foods for citizens. -
Trail of Tears
The Trails of Tears was a forced migration of all Indians within Southern states to reside in Oklahoma. -
Independent Treasury Act
IN efforts to manage all government funds the Independant Treasury act was passed. The act allowed for a separate deposit of money to fund all state and private banks in America. -
Irish Potato Famine
A disease the ran through Ireland wiped out potato production and cause mass famine within the island. This famine brought millions of migrants to North America not only booming the population but allowing for jobs to be held by migrants boosting the economy. -
California Gold Rush begins
With word of gold found in California thousands of Americans and even Asians from Asia rushed to the West coast in hopes of riches. Although there was in fact not much gold to be found, this played a major role in westward expansion and the populating of western America.