American Literature Timeline 1

  • Sep 6, 1492

    Columbus

    Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a faster route to India. He stumbled onto the Americas thinking it was India.
  • Jamestown, Virginia

    The first permanent colony in North America
  • Slaves

    The first enslaved African Americans arive in North America at Jamestown
  • Puritans

    A group of english protestants that fled from england because of persecution. They wanted to return to the simpler ways of worshiping God.
  • John Winthrop

    A puritan settler that wrote " We must consider that we shall be a city upon a hill, The eyes of all people are upon us. " In other words , The should model the behavior that would keep them in God's good graces.
  • Salem Witch Trials

    A witch hunt, ending with more than 20 people dead by execution. This caused a widespread hysteria All over.
  • Enlightenment

    Intellectual energry. Most thinkers had begun to question preciously accepted truths about who should hold the power in the government.
  • Great Awakening

    A reliogious revival begins
  • French and Indian War

    France allied with a number of natives to drive the British out of North America. After suffering many defeats, England made its own alliance with the Natives
  • Common Sense

    Thomas Paine published a pamphlet that passionately argues the case for independence from Great Britain
  • Tea / Stamp Acts

    British parliament imposed the Stamp Act and The Tea Act to gain revenue ( income ) From the colonies. Instead these acts led to many revolts. Such as the boston tea party.
  • Boston Tea Party

    A voilent rejection of Britians taxation policies, In which the Sons of Liberty dressed up as native americans, and dumped Thousands of tons of tea into Bostons Harbor.
  • Second Virginia Convention

    Patrick Henry gave his famous speach. He thundered to the delegates, " but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! "
  • Independence

    The colonies fought and defeated the British. Becoming an independent nation.
  • Constitution

    United States constitution was approved and the USA was born.