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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers the New World
Christopher Columbus was a skilled Italian seafarer who led three tiny Spanish ships westward from Europe in search of a new water route to the Indies. After 6 months of sailing, on October 12th, 1492 Columbus and his crew sighted an island in the Bahamas. From then on, Columbus was accredited with the discovery of the New World. The New World consisted of North America and South America along with the many islands surrounding the continents. His discovery led to the emergence of an interdepende -
Jul 29, 1558
The Spanish Armada is Defeated By the British
Queen Elizabeth’s influence on English buccaneers to promote the goals of Protestantism lead to the raiding of Spanish treasure ships and settlements. Although England and Spain were at peace during the time, Queen Elizabeth knighted Francis Drake aboard his ship that was ballasted down with Spanish treasure in 1580. England’s many failed attempts at colonizing the new world contrasted with the success of the Spanish Empire that was now fabulously wealthy. With this Wealth, Phillip II of Spain u -
Salutary Neglect of the Colonist
The strict Salutary Neglect policy arose from Great Britain’s attempt to promote prosperity within the colonies. The policy was indorsed in an attempt to limit English control over the Colonies by allowing more freedoms to the pilgrims. Salutary Neglect by Great Britain led to the formation of legislative bodies in the colonies due to the lack of outside governing influence. The English colonist formed legislative assemblies eventually leading to the establishment of their own government. The c -
The House of Burgesses is Formed
The House of Burgesses was an assembly of elected officials from Virginia that met from 1643 to 1776. The House of Burgesses was the first democratically elected legislative body in North America and played a vital role in the colonist’s demands for freedom in the future. From 1619 to 1643 the House of Burgesses elected officials met in a unicameral session with the governor and royally appointed governors council but after 1643, the burgesses met separately as the lower house of the General Ass -
The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony settled in New England by the Separationists fleeing from religious persecution by King James of Great Britain. The Mayflower Compact was a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the compacts rules and regulations for the sake of survival and established that the government’s authority derives from the consent of the governed. The Mayflower Compact also resulted in the Plymouth colony becoming the mo -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was implemented by Prime Minister George Greenville and is arguably on of the leading causes of the Revolutionary War. The Stamp Act was put in tact to raise revenue for Great Britain’s new military force, after the French and Indian War left the mother country in major debt. It required any paper documents including licenses, wills, diplomas, contracts, newspapers, letters and even playing cards be printed on paper that was taxed. The Stamp Act left the colonist furious and they r -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord is known as the first encounter between the American Militia and British Troops that resulted in bloodshed and as the first battle in the American fight for independence. The British commander in Boston sent a detachment of troops to nearby Lexington and concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder and also “bag” the rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At Lexington, the colonial minute men refused to allow the British access to the town and the Briti -
The Declaration of Independence is Adopted By American Congress
The Declaration of Independence announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britian, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. The thirteen colonies formed a union that would become the United States of America. The Declaration ultimately served as a formal explanation as to why the Congress had decided to declare independence. The Declaration of Independence established the rights, freedoms and independent nationality of the -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown serves a significant purpose in the development of the United States as it is recognized as the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. When the combined force of the American Continental Army led by George Washington and French Army Troops led by Comte de Rochambeau forced the British General Cornwallis to surrender his army, the British government were prompted to negotiate an end to the conflict. Ultimately, the Patriot navy had won the war. The outcome of -
The Proclamation of 1763
As the results of the French and Indian war settled in North America, the Indians realized that they had lost their most powerful diplomatic weapon – the ability to feed off of rival European powers. The Ottawa chief Pontiac feared his fellow Indians uncertain future in North America and led a violent campaign to drive the British out of the Ohio Country. Resulting in the takeover of all but three British posts west of the Appalachians and the death of some two thousand soldiers and settlers, Br
