Important events 1600 - 1876

  • The Jamestown colony is first established

    The Jamestown Colony was England's first colony in North America, in which approximately 105 colonists landed in Chesapeake Bay.
  • Henry Hudson Exploration

    Henry Hudson, a navigator, explored the North American east shore to find the rumored Northeast Passage on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.
  • African Americans are First Introduced

  • House of Burgesses

    The House of Burgesses was a representative assembly in Virginia which was formed as a form of government.
  • The Mayflower Arrives

    Pilgrims from England arrive in North America and establish the Plymouth Colony along with the Mayflower Compact.
  • Bankruptcy of Virginia Company

    The Virginia Company declared bankruptcy and Virginia was converted to a royal colony.
  • King Phillip's War

    Conflicts between Native Americans and colonial settlers rose, leading to one of the most bloody conflicts on North American soil.
  • Bacon's Rebellion

    Bacon's Rebellion took place in Virginia, in which Nathaniel Bacon lead a militia to attack the neighboring Native American tribe
  • Navigation Acts

    The Navigation Acts were a series of laws created by Great Britain to control shipping and maritime commerce.
  • Salem Witch Trials

    The Salem Witch Trials began after a group of young girls claimed they were possessed by the devil and began accusing fellow colonists.
  • Stono Rebellion

    A slave revolt southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, near the Stono river. Slaves raided a firearms shop and killed more than 20 people.
  • French and Indian War

    A war fought by proxy between France and Great Britain in North America over the division of territory. After the war, Great Britain taxed the colonists to pay off their debts.
  • Sons of Liberty

    The Sons of Liberty was a group of colonists organized by Samuel Adams to protest Great Britain's treatment of the North American colonies.
  • The Quartering Act

    The Quartering Act was enacted by Great Britain in which all homes and establishments in North American colonies were to provide British soldiers with shelter, food and whatever else they may have needed.
  • The Stamp Act

    A tax levied on the North American colonies by Great Britain, designed to tax all paper documents, cards, dice, and others.
  • Boston Massacre

    A riot between British soldiers and colonists in which five colonists died. The Brits were defended by John Adams in court.
  • Gaspee Incident

    The HMS Gaspee, a British ship, ran aground near Rhode Island and was burnt to the ground by colonists.
  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is a document declaring The thirteen colonies independence from Great Britain.
  • Treaty of Paris

    The treaty created to end the conflict between Great Britain and the United States.
  • The Constitutional Convention

    A gathering of delegates that decided on how the newly-formed nation would be run.
  • Jefferson's Presidency

    Thomas Jefferson, head of the Republican Party, is elected as the third President of the United States.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    President Jefferson bought a large majority of North America from France, who needed the money.
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition

    Lewis and Clarke head out to map the newly bought Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson told them to find the most "practicable water communication across the continent."
  • The Embargo Act

    The Embargo Act prohibited all American ships from trading with foreign nations. It was designed to protect American ships from the British and French seizure.
  • War of 1812

    Another war between the United States and Great Britain; this one was fought over British restrictions of American trade.
  • The Battle of New Orleans

    Was the final engagement between the US and Great Britain during the War of 1812.
  • Treaties of Paris

    The Treaties of Paris were designed to end the Napoleonic Wars after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
  • The Monroe Doctrine

    A foreign policy proposed by President James Monroe, the Monroe Doctrine warned European powers to not interfere (colonization, military intervention, etc) with the Western Hemisphere any more.
  • Beginning of the Civil War

    The American Civil War began when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter. The war lasted four years and brought about the dissolution of slavery in North America.
  • Completion of the Intercontinental Railroad

    The Golden Spike was driven into the ground in Utah to mark the completion of the Intercontinental Railroad, which spanned nearly the length of the US and opened up more of the west for expansion.