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Jamestown
America’s first permanent English colony. The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations of these early Virginians are all part of the United States’ heritage today. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
Separated Spain and France from England. Spain and France had absolute monarchies, but Britain had a limited monarchy. -
The Mayflower Compact
The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by separatist Congregationalists who called themselves "Saints" or Pilgrims. The Pilgrims had obtained permission from English authorities to settle in Virginia, whose northern border at the time extended up to what is now New York. The original Mayflower Compact has been lost. -
Plymouth Rock
It is the Traditional site of disembarkation of William Bradford and the Pilgrims who founded the Plymouth Colony. -
Toleration Act
The Maryland Toleration Act did not bring complete religious freedom. -
Bacon's Rebellion
An armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. About a thousand Virginians of all classes rose up in arms against Berkeley, attacking Native Americans. -
Glorious Revoulution
Was the overthrow of King James the ll of England -
English Bill of Rights
Lays down limits on powers of the crown and sets out rights of Parliament and rules for freedom of speech. Could elect without fear of retribution. -
Salem Witch Trials
A series of hangings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts -
John Peter Zinger
Was a defendant of a landmark legal case in American Jurisprudence. The trial was called the "Peter Zinger Trial" -
French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years’ War, this New World conflict marked another chapter in the long imperial struggle between Britain and France. -
Proclamation of 1763
At the end of the French and Indian War, the British issued a proclamation,mainly intended to conciliate the Indians by checking the encroachment of settlers on their lands. -
Stamp Act
A new act tax that taxed every American colonist for every peice of paper used. -
Quartering Act
Act required people to have homes open for British soldiers. -
Declatory Act
Was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, which accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act 1765. Helped prevent boycotts that hurt the british trade. -
Boston Massacre
Three persons were killed immediately and two died later of their wounds; among the victims was Crispus Attucks, a man of black or Indian parentage. The British officer in charge, Capt. Thomas Preston, was arrested for manslaughter, -
Tea Act
The British put a tax on tea. -
Boston Tea Party
the arrival of three tea ships ignited a furious reaction. The crisis came to a head on December 16, 1773 when as many as 7,000 agitated locals milled about the wharf where the ships were docked. Then early evening and a group of about 200 men, some disguised as Indians, assembled on a near-by hill. Whopping war chants, the crowd marched two-by-two to the wharf, descended upon the three ships and dumped their offending cargos of tea into the harbor waters. -
1st Continental Congress
A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met on September 5 to October 26, 1774 at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -
2nd Continental Congress
A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting in the summer of 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The second Congress managed the colonial war effort, and moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists’ motivations for seeking their independence. By declaring themselves an independent nation
