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Aug 20, 1000
Vikings land in North America
Leif Eriksson was the first European to reach North America. He named his settlement Vinland. The Vikings didn't stay because they were too far away from their homeland and the Indians were giving them to much trouble. -
Sep 28, 1066
William of Normandy Conquers England
William of Normandy overthrew England's government and became the first king of England. -
Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta gave land rights to the nobles, kept taxes reasonable, but must be voted on, and protected some rights of free people. -
Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus discovers America
Columbus was attempting to make what he thought was a 3000 mile voyage to Asia (which would actually have been closer to 10000) Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand funded Columbus' expedition. Columbus made 4 voyages to America. -
Jul 23, 1497
John Cabot explores North America
John Cabot was the first explorer to North America, which is why England claimed it. -
The Enlightenment
Emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition. Led to improved education. -
Jamestown, VA
Founded by John Smith, he trained the first settlers to farm and work which saved their lives -
House of Burgesses
Was the first colonial legislature in North America. -
Pilgrims come on the Mayflower
The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth after taking a long voyage across the ocean from England. The Pilgrims had an easier time settling than the colonists did in the town of Jamestown. -
Puritan Migration
Known as The Great Migration. 40,000 people moved to the new colonies. The Puritans did not tolerate other religions. -
Nathaniel Bacon's Rebellion
A group of indentured servants attacked Indians and burned Jamestown to the ground. -
The Great Awakening
Was a widespread Christian movement that emphasized faith in God. -
French and Indian War
A war that lasted 7 year between the French and Indians against the colonies and Britain. The British ended up winning the war. -
Salutary Neglect
The period of time when England was busy fighting in 4 different wars and did not have much time to give the colonies attention. -
Proclamation of 1763
Issued by King George when the settlers began moving west, which angered the Natives. Closed off the Western frontier to to colonial expansion -
Stamp Act
A tax imposed on all colonists forcing them to pay for all of the paper they used. Really hurt businesses. -
Townshend Acts
Taxed imported materials such as glass, lead, paint, and tea. Colonists said that the British were violating their constitutional rights. -
Boston "Massacre"
A group of colonists were picking on British soldiers and in confusion the soldiers fired on the group and killed 5 colonists. -
Boston Tea Party
The British put a tax on tea which was the thing that really put the colonists over the edge. The colonists dressed as indians climbed aboard a British tea boat and threw all of the tea into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress
included 55 delegates from 12 colonies. Discussed about their rights and wrote a list of 10 resolutions to King George. -
Second Continental Congress
The congress tried to make peace with Britain one last time by offering The Olive Branch Petition, but the king rejected it. -
Declaration of Independence
Had 3 main parts All men possess certain unalienable rights, King George had violated the rights of the colonists, and the colonies had a right to break away from Britain. Was signed by the founding fathers. -
Treaty of Paris
When the British recognized The United States of America as an independent country. The U.S. was finally a free nation.
