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Christopher Columbus began his voyage in search for the East Indies, but would discover the Americas. Columbus' voyages inspired other Europeans to travel to this 'New World'. -
The transatlantic slave trade was the forced transportation of Africans to the Americas. Slaves were in high demand as Europeans began to settle in the New World as they were in need of laborers. This was a brutal part of American history and lasted into the 19th century. -
The first permanent English settlement in the Americas was Jamestown, in modern day Virginia. The establishment of Jamestown has a huge role in early American history and lead to establishment of the rest of the 13 colonies New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. -
The House of Burgesses was created by the Virginia company of London; its goal was to encourage colonization through a sense of self-governance. While King James I took over control of Virginia, the House of Burgesses continued to meet and inspired representative government in other colonies. It plays a significant role in creating the democratic government in America today. -
Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth on the Mayflower in 1620. They came to the New World in search for religious freedom, and they settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They had to work closely with Native Americans to learn how to survive in the New World and had the first Thanksgiving with them in 1621. The arrival of Pilgrims marked the beginning of colonization for New England. -
The printing press was a transformative moment in history for communication and knowledge dissemination. Printing presses allowed people to spread their opinions as well as get word out about politics and religion, such as Martin Luther's 95 Theses. This invention also impacted the economy, the spread of literature, and the preservation of knowledge. -
The Great Awakening impacted the religious culture that continues through America today. It brought many denominations of Christianity together and brought forth many societal and political implications, encouraging critical thinking and questioning authority. -
The French and Indian War lasted until 1763 and was a conflict between the British and the French due to imperial and territorial conflicts. This led to consequences such as disrupting the lives of Native Americans and leaving Britain in debt. -
The Tea Act of 1773 was viewed as a way for Britain to exert its authority over colonial trade and this angered American colonists. This lead to colonists dressing as Indians and destroying an entire shipment of tea. This lead to the Intolerable Acts, used to punish Boston colonists. -
The Declaration was adopted July 4, 1776, formally announcing the American Colonies breaking away from British rule.