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Jamestown
First permanent english settlement in North America. It was founded by the Virginia Company, who obtained a charter from King James I. The settlement suffered greatly for the first few years, but then grew to prosper as more settlers came and more settlements were established. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The first legislature in the English colonies made up of 22 members and a governor that were elected by Virginia. The members met once a year in order to make laws. They continued making laws until 1624, when Virginia was made a royal colony. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first form of representative government in the colonies, and motivated other colonies to form their own governments. -
Mayflower Compact
Before going on land, 41 English men aboard the Mayflower signed a set of rules for self government. The document stated that the settlers would remain loyal to King James, keep their christianity, and work together in order to assure that their colony prospers. This was a very significant document, as it was the first written form of self government in the colonies -
Bacon's Rebellion
Revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon and his fellow backcountry followers. They did not agree with Governor Berkeley's friendly approach to natives who they viewed as dangerous. -
Salem Witch Trials
A series of trials against people accused of witchcraft. Began when two girls who disliked their caretaker made claims that she was a witch. Women found guilty of witchcraft were burned at the stake. -
French and Indian War
War fought by the British against the French and Indians. In Europe, it was referred to as the Seven Years' War. The war ended in the year of 1763. The British prevailed as victorious, the French were pushed out of North America, and the colonists gained great confidence that aided them in their revolution down the road. -
Proclamation of 1763
Act passed by British parliament at the end of the French and Indian War. It legally prohibited the american colonists from settling anywhere west of the Appalachian mountains. The British intended for this to be beneficial, as it would help maintain peace with the natives, but the colonists only saw it as the motherland oppressing their rights. -
Stamp Act
A tax placed on the colonists that required a stamp be put on all written documents. Put in place to help pay off the war debts acquired in the French and Indian War. It was met with great resistance from the colonies, as they did not like that they were being taxed without a say. -
Sugar Act
Another act passed by Parliament in order to pay off war debts. The Sugar Act replaced the Molasses Act, dropping the tax from 6 cent per gallon to three cent per gallon. -
Quartering Act
Act passed by parliament that required local governments in the colonies to provide British troops with both shelter and food. -
Townshend Acts
A series of acts passed by British Parliament to regulate trade and bring in revenue from the colonies. Named after Charles Townshend, who came up with the idea. The acts placed strict taxes and trade regulations on the colonists, much to their dismay. The colonists resisted the acts, as their resentment for the British grew. -
Boston Massacre
The first real, physical conflict between colonists and redcoats. British soldiers killed five people who were apart of a group attacking a British soldier. The massacre was exaggerated and used to motivate the colonists to finally take a stand against the British. -
Committees of Correspondence
Shadow governments formed by American patriots before the war broke out. They created a large communication network for leaders throughout the colonies during the war. -
Tea Act
The most unpopular of taxes passed by Britain on the colonies. Placed a tax on tea, one of the most commonly used products in the colonies. This act prompted the colonists to take action against the unfair taxes and Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
Protest by the Sons of Liberty, who were against "taxation without representation". They dumped 342 chests of British Tea into the harbor, that would amount to nearly 4 million dollars today. This was the first true act of rebellion on the colonists part. -
Intolerable Acts
Series of laws passed to punish colonists for their rebellion after the Boston Tea Party. It closed the Boston port until they paid for the tea that was dumped. It gave more power to the British-appointed Governor of Massachusetts, taking power away from colonists. Introduced more capital trials for people going against Britain. Lastly, it expanded British territory south. These laws angered the colonists, because they felt that their most basic rights were stripped. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates from twelve out of thirteen colonies met in philadelphia to discuss the unfair taxes and laws passed by Britain. The only colony not present was Georgia. -
Lexington and Concord
First military conflicts of the Revolutionary War. British troops marched towards from Boston to Concord, prompting Paul Revere and others to warn the colonists. The Americans intercepted the troops at Lexington, and forced them to retreat after receiving heavy fire. -
Olive Branch Petition
The final attempt by the colonists to avoid conflict with the British. It was a document that stated their loyalty to the crown and their rights as British citizens. -
Declaration of Independence
The majority of the Declaration was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. The Second Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House in order to sign the Declaration of Independence. With the signing of it, the colonists officially became independent from Britain. The document marked the true beginning of the American nation.
