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Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, is established. Named after King James I, and was funded by the Virginia Company.
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The first legislative body in America convenes for the first time.
"And forasmuch as our intente is to establish one equall and uniforme kinde of government over all Virginia &c..." - John Pory -
This set the primary backdrop for slavery in America.
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The Mayflower, carrying pilgrims escaping religious persecution, landed at Plymouth, Rock Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact was signed as a form of self-governance of the passengers on the Mayflower.
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Maryland, a proprietary government, was created to be a safe haven for Catholics. This is one of the few proprietary governments in North America; thus, in return for his favor and political alliance to the king, it was entrusted to Lord Baltimore.
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The Pequot War was the first sustaining conflict against Native Americans in New England, and it created a cultural shift that changed the political aspect of New England. This affected how colonies began to see Native Americans.
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The Navigation Act was to force colonies to ship directly to England in order to bind the colonies ties to the British Empire and remain in control of any discord among the colonies.
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The English attacked the Dutch which resulted in the Dutch giving away New Netherland. The colony was later renamed New York.
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King Philip's War was an attempt by Native Americans to drive out New England colonies. This war was one of the most devastating wars in America in the 17 century. The resulting win from the English colonists shifted the power and landscape in their favor. The end result created distrust of Native Americans.
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Nathaniel Bacon defies Governor Berkeley's orders and heads an assault on Indian aggressors. This caused Berkeley to declare Bacon a rebel and led to civil war in Jamestown
