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Roanoke Settled
As one of Britain’s first colonial settlements, a group of almost 150 people made up of men, women, and children arrived on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now the state of North Carolina. John White, who was the governor for the colony at the time, decided to sail back to England to obtain supplies. Unfortunately White would not be able to return to Roanoke due to the attacking Spanish Armada. Finally, White made a voyage back, but to everyone’s dismay, there was no trace of the... -
Roanoke Disappears
the colony or its people, and very few clues were left to determine what had occured. The word “Croatoan” was carved into a tree nearby the deserted colony. This was the name of a local Native American tribe. To this day many people have theorized what had happened to the inhabitants, but no real answer has been reached. Roanoke is important because it showed the harsh reality of “The New World” and the risks with it. https://www.history.com/news/what-happened-to-the-lost-colony-of-roanoke -
Jamestown Settled
A group of about 100 people founded the first permanent British settlement in “The New World”, along the banks of the James River. The first few years of the new colonies history were very rough. Disease, food shortages, and attacks from Native Americans almost brought the young colony to a end. Eventually however, more and more people left Europe for new opportunities. Thanks to John Smith, who took over leader position for the colony, Smith restored order in a time of need... -
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Salutary Neglect
Salutary Neglect was a unofficial, but widely adopted British Policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, which were in place to keep the colonies loyal and obedient to Britain. British officials hoped this would allow the colonies to flourish economically, but unintentionally it allowed the colonies to gain their own identity and act freely from Britain trading with whoever they wished. https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/salutary_neglect -
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was one of the first colonial governments where the people could vote for elected officials, who would then debate and solve issues involving the colony. Like a real government, the House granted supplies and dictated laws. The House is significant since it gave the colonists a glimpse of what self-government and freedom felt like. https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Burgesses -
Mayflower Compact
Signed on the iconic colonial ship the “Mayflower”, many of the passengers were from different backgrounds such as pilgrims and puritans, fearing unrest, leaders on the ship devised a compact before landing. The compact states that there will be a local government formed among the inhabitants, and that laws will be made ‘For the general good of the colony’, this was important since it established a calming force for a disorganized situation. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mayflower-Compact -
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Great Migration
Between the years 1620-1640, Large numbers of puritans fled from England, due to religious persecution and other reasons such as economic suppression. Puritans were their own group of religious dissidents, they helped start many of “The New World” colonies we know and think of today. https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/great-migration-of-picky-puritans-1620-40/ -
Jamestown Growth
Arguably, one of the most iconic accomplishments of colonial history was the truce between the settlers and the Native Americans for a time being, specifically Squanto, who taught the settlers where to fish, how to plant crops properly, and other life saving tips. Though the relationship wasn’t perfect throughout the years, it gave way to the holiday ,Thanksgiving, and Jamestown itself was a starting blueprint for other aspiring colonies. https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/jamestown -
New York Settled
Explorer Henry Hudson, explored the Hudson River/Bay area for the Dutch East India Company, which gave the Netherlands rights to the colony, the Netherlands began moving citizens to the new colony in hopes of eventually expanding ,unfortunately, Britain was made aware of this new colony and sent a large naval fleet. The Netherlands, outgunned and out-willed, gave up the colony with no fight to the hands of Britain. https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state/Sports-and-recreation#ref78270 -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Seeking religious freedom, a large group of Puritans would flee from Europe to settle the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Winthrop, the first governor, would use the motto “city upon a hill,” to often describe the colony. Despite having violent interactions with the Native people which would eventually lead to war, the Massachusetts Bay Colony would become one of the biggest and most influential of all New England Colonies. https://www.britannica.com/place/Massachusetts-Bay-Colony -
Maryland Settled
Lord Baltimore convinced King Charles I to lend him over 100 million acres for persecuted Catholics to seek refuge, this meant the owner of the colony was Lord Baltimore himself. Unfortunately Lord Baltimore passed away before even getting the land, so his son Cecil Calvert inherited the land. Every married couple who moved to Maryland received 100 acres of land! Many dissenters took advantage of this, seeking safety. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-settlement-of-maryland -
Rhode Island Settled
Banished from Massachusetts for beliefs such as separate church and state, Roger Williams and his supporters settled Rhode Island. Through the main idea that government is only involved in civil matters, Rhode Island attracted a healthy population of dissenters. Which sought a area for settlement, where they could practice their values in peace. https://www.britannica.com/place/Rhode-Island-state/History#ref78140 -
Connecticut Settled
Thomas Hooker, displeased with other puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, left and settled on Connecticut with his supporters. Despite believing in non-separate church and state, Hooker is known as “the father of American democracy,” Unlike Massachusetts, citizenships was based on land ownership, not religion. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was also the first written constitution in the “New World.” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Hooker -
Maryland Toleration Act
The Maryland Toleration Act was a important step in governments protecting individuals personal religious rights, the act granted religious freedom to ALL Christians who lived in Maryland. Though deniers of Jesus Christ could face the death penalty, this gave way down the line for more religious tolerance and freedom. https://www.britannica.com/place/Maryland-state/The-colony -
Bacon’s Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon, a young 29-year-old farmer, was opposed to Governor William Berkeleys stance on not wanting to fight and drive out Native Americans from farm land. This resulted in Bacon leading other farmers in a armed uprising, which took many months to suppress. The militia was able to overpower the local government, burning Jamestown to the ground. Bacons rebellion was the first rebellion in the Colonies, showing the power of the people. https://www.landofthebrave.info/bacons-rebellion.htm -
Pennsylvania Settled
William Penn, a outspoken and devout Quaker, obtained land from the King of England. As a Quaker, Penn believed and promised religious freedom to all who came, which attracted many settlers. Interactions with Natives were also mostly peaceful, due to Penn’s vision of a peaceful colony. Quakers themselves had to avoid persecution from other groups due to vastly different beliefs. https://www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/Penn.html -
Salem Witch Trails
In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, young girls claimed to have been possessed by the devil, which lead to hysteria amongst the colony, many people from all social classes were falsely accused of being witches. This mass event of terror tore apart families and loved ones, and 27 people in total died in some way related to the Witch Trails. Eventually, Governor Phipps intervened, pardoning the accused while public opinion was turning against the trials. https://www.britannica.com/topic/witch-trial -
Carolina Settled
A southern and royal colony, Carolina was split into two, North and South Carolina. The Carolina’s quickly developed into prosperous colonies that made large profits from cash crops, such as tobacco, rice and indigo dye. Unfortunately, due to the nature of cash crops and how labor intensive they are, high populations of slaves would be forced to work on plantations, Which one day would lead to the main cause of the civil war. http://www.smplanet.com/teaching/colonialamerica/colonies/carolinas -
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Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious movement that affected many colonial communities who emphasized religion. Many new leaders arose during this time, such as writers or pastors, who spread the word of God through different Methods and interpretations. Today, some beliefs can be attributed to have stemmed from the Great Awakening. https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/great-awakening -
Albany Plan
The Albany Plan, although never adopted was the first important step towards all the colonies being under one centralized government. Even though only seven colonies sent delegates for the commission, the Albany Plan “got the ball rolling” for ideas about independence and eventually banding together as one nation. https://www.britannica.com/event/Albany-Congress -
French-Indian War
Also known as the “Seven Years War”, as France started rapidly expanding in North America, conflicts arose as disputes over land between new French territories and British colonies became frequent. The war was back and forth, with both sides winning and losing major battles. Eventually Britain pushes France (and most Native allies) all the way back into Quebec, when then a peace treaty is signed, effectively ending the war. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/french-indian-war -
Proclamation of 1763
After Britain achieved a major victory in the French and Indian War, the king issued a proclamation that would appease the Native Americans and prevent attacks on any colonial establishments. The Proclamation created a divide between the colonies of the East and the Native lands of the West. This made lands West of the divide “off-limits”,although having good intentions, the proclamation stifled colonies economies preventing expansion for the time being. https://www.ushistory.org/us/9a.asp
