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Roanoke
The governor of the new colony of Roanoke sailed back to England to gather fresh supplies. As he arrived, England needed all available ships to help fight the Spanish Armada, delaying his return 3 years. In August of 1590, when he finally returned, he found no trace of the colony or its inhabitants. https://www.history.com/news/what-happened-to-the-lost-colony-of-roanoke -
Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America, and was located in Virginia. The colony was financed by the Virginia Company of London. The colony had difficulty starting off, but eventually helped play a role in English involvement in the New World. https://www.britannica.com/place/Jamestown-Colony -
Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect was policy of the British government from the early to mid-18th century regarding its North American colonies under which trade regulations for the colonies were leniently enforced and supervision of internal colonial affairs was loose as long as the colonies remained loyal to the British government. This led to the increase of self-government which eventually led to the American Independence. https://www.britannica.com/topic/salutary-neglect -
The House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly in America. The first assembly met at the church in Jamestown on July 30, 1619. Its first order of business was establishing a minimum price for the sale of tobacco. Members of the house would meet at least once a year to determine local laws and taxation. http://www.ushistory.org/us/2f.asp -
Great Puritan Migration
When the Pilgrims landed in Plimoth in 1620, they started the Great Migration. They came to America seeking religious freedom, not riches. Most of the Puritans were from the middle-class and were more educated then the previous immigrants. The Puritans were picky with who they let settle with them, and because of this had a successful society.
http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-great-migration-of-picky-puritans-1620-40/ -
Mayflower/Plymouth/Mayflower Compact
In September 1620 around 100 English pilgrims set sail for the New World aboard the Mayflower, They seeked religious freedom in the New World and seperated themselves from the Church of England. They founded the Plymouth colony which grew self-sufficient within 5 years of being founded. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims shared a feast with the Pokanokets, which is the basis for modern day Thanksgiving. https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/plymouth -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by the Massachusetts Bay Company, which was mostly Puritans, during the Great Puritan Migration. It was a British settlement in Massachusetts and was the most successful colony in New England. In 1629 they were granted a charter by King Charles I to partake in trade in New England. http://historyofmassachusetts.org/history-of-the-massachusetts-bay-colony/ -
Maryland
In 1632, Lord Baltimore was granted a charter to found Maryland. It was created as a refuge for English Catholics. He died before the charter was granted and his son took over his position. It's warm temperatures allowed for good conditions for crops to grow and cash crops like tobacco. -
Connecticut
Connecticut was one of the first 13 colonies and was originally an agricultural community. It is the third smallest state in area and has a size of 5,544 square miles. It began as three distinct settlements of Puritans from Massachusetts and England who later combined under a single royal charter in 1663. https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/connecticut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Connecticut -
Rhode Island
Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams in 1636, who had been banished from the Massachusetts colony for his advocacy of religious tolerance and the separation of church and state. It is the smallest US state and was a major hub for shipping and trade. It became a state in 1790. https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/rhode-island -
Maryland Toleration Act
The Maryland Toleration Act was a law establishing religious tolerance for Trinitarian Christians. It was passed by the assembly of the Maryland colony. It helped grant freedom of conscience to all Christians and helped influence the modern US' religious freedom rights. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Toleration_Act -
Carolina
A charter for the Carolinas was issued to a group of 8 English nobleman by Charles II, in return for their financial and political assistance in restoring him to the throne. The Carolinas became huge producers of cash crops like tobacco, and by 1720, African slaves outnumbered European settlers 2:1. In 1729, Carolina was split into North and South Carolina. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Carolina -
New York
New York was one of the original 13 colonies and was originally settled by the dutch. It was founded for trade and profits. The Dutch surrendered New York to the British in 1664, after The British sent a naval fleet to seize it. https://www.landofthebrave.info/new-york-colony.htm -
Bacon's Rebellion
During the 1670s, Virginian governor Sir William Berkeley became unpopular with many settlers because of his restrictions on the right to vote, higher taxes, and his lack of protection from Native American attacks. Nathaniel Bacon, a popular figure on the House of Burgesses, recruited a small armed force to fix the problem. Bacon and his army held out in Jamestown,but opted to torch the village instead. The rebellion died out after Bacon passed away. https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h521.html -
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania colony was founded by William Penn and became a very influential colony during Colonial America. William Penn allowed for religious freedom, fair treatment of Indians, low taxes, and no debt, which created consistent growth. It was also created as a place without land owning aristocracy where every male settler received 50 acres and the right to vote. http://thehistoryjunkie.com/pennsylvania-colony-facts/ -
Salem Witch Trials
During the spring of 1692, the first Salem witch trials began when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil. They claimed there were others as well and a wave of hysteria spread throughout Massachusetts. 19 people were killed and 150 were accused in the upcoming months. In September, public opinion later turned against the trials. https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials -
Great Awakening/Enlightenment
In the 1730s, a religious revival swept through the British American colonies. Jonathan Edwards, a minister who refused to convert to the Church of England, became concerned that New Englanders were more focused on wealth then religion. He spoke with such passion that many people gathered to hear him speak and he helped start the Great Awakening. http://www.ushistory.org/us/7b.asp -
Albany Plan
In June 1754, many delegates from the northern colonies and six representatives for the Iroquois met in Albany, New York. They adopted a plan of union that was drafted by Benjamin Franklin. It made it so each colonial legislature would elect delegates to an assembly presided over by a royal governor. The plan helped keep the US stable after it obtained independence. https://www.constitution.org/bcp/albany.htm -
French-Indian War
The French and Indian War began over the specific issue of whether the upper Ohio River valley was a part of the British Empire or part of the French Empire, but was also caused by national pride. In 1763, the French and British signed the treaty of Paris, which ended the war and allowed England to keep the land that France had wanted. https://www.britannica.com/event/French-and-Indian-War -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was created by the British crown at the end of the French and Indian War in North America, mainly intended to appease the Native Americans. It forbade settlement on Indian territory, ordered those settlers already there to withdraw, and strictly limited future settlement. https://www.britannica.com/event/Proclamation-of-1763
