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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
Year 1492 - 1776
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Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus Sails the Ocean Blue
In 1492 Christopher Columbus Recieved a charter from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He set sail with three ships and landed in the new world, mistaking it for the West Indies. This event is significant because it opened up new territory which led to the colonialization of the western world by European countries. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was led by Nathaniel Bacon against Govenor Berkeley for his lenient policies against Native Americans. Bacon's Rebellion was the first time colonist revolted against any British Crowns policy. They caused Berkeley to flee and burned Jamestown down. This led to future colonial revolts. -
The First Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a period of time between 1730 and 1760 where colonists began to realize that religious freedom as well as politcal freedom should be up to them as citizens. This was significant because it gave Americans the mindset of independence and prepared them for the war they would face against Britain. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's Rebellion was when Chief Pontiac and his tribe waged war on British Patrol for the policies put into play in the Ohio country after Britain settlement of the region. The significance of this event in history is that it was the one of the first events that made Britain aware of the Natives rights to their land. This led to future events regarding respect to Indians such as the Proclamation of 1763. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III which prohibited colonial settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountain Range. This order was issued in hopes to keep conflict between settlers and natives to a minimum. The significance of this event is that it created resentment between the colonists and their mother country. Settlers were in the new world for opportunity and they felt it was being taken away from them. This was a factor leading to the American Revolution. -
Sugar and Stamp Acts
The Sugar and Stamp acts were imposed by Parliament between 1764 and 1765. They were a series of taxes required for colonist to pay on any paper product and sugar, in hopes that Britain could pay off the debt caused by the Seven Year's War. Colonists were outraged by the taxes because they felt they were not properly represented in British Government. This event sparked the colonies to join together to question British power. If they were represented fairly they may have never revolted. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was issued one year later and repealed the Stamp Act. Colonists were unhappy about the taxes forced upon them and began boycotting British goods. The Crown's economy was badly injured, so they agreed to repeal the tax. This gave the colonists the notion that they could protest Britain successfully, and they were their own people. Colonists began to have more voice in decisions made by Britain. This led to further revolts such as the Boston Tea Party. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend acts were a series of five laws created to generate revenue within Britains economy in order to pay judges, impose trade regulation, and establish that Britain has the right to tax the colonies. In return, colonists angrily protested for repeal of the taxes. The significance of this is that it led to the Boston Massacre causing an uprising in the colonies putting them on the brink of war for independence. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was led by Samuel Adams in an attempt to boycott British tax on tea and band the colonies together in preparation for war. Colonists dressed up as Natives and boarded a British Ship in the Boston Harbor. They dumped all of the tea imports into the water as a statement to Britain. The significance is that the colonists openly rebelled to the Crown, and it served as a rally point for rebellion in the near future. -
The Declaration of Independence was Written
On July Fourth, the continental congress declared that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Crown. The document stated the grievences they faced with Britain and their rights. This was significant in the fact that it marked the day the United States were finally independent from British rule, and would become a new union after the war ended with the British.
