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Period: Feb 3, 1491 to Feb 3, 1557
Jacques Cartier
In 1534, Jacques Cartier was authorized by the king of France to lead a trip to the New World in order to seek gold and a new passage to Asia. Cartier's journeys down the St. Lawrence river took place over several years and allowed France to later claim the land that would become Canada. He is significant because his explorations played a big part in settling the New World. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus lands in the West Indies. This is significant to exploration because he was the first known European in the New World. -
Apr 2, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon becomes the first person recorded to land in Florida. He claims the territory for the Spanish crown and names if Florida because he landed at Easter time. He is the first person to explore the area, looking for the fabled 'fountain of youth'. This is significant because Ponce de Leon was the first person to explore present-day Florida. -
Period: Jan 3, 1580 to
John Smith
John Smith was principally responsible for the Jamestown colonies success. His military training and leadership skills brought the failing colony back to its feet, and his relations with the Indians kept the colonists from starving during hard times. Smith was a significant person because he saved the Jamestown settlement and the settlement in turn played a big part in history. -
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Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was born in England in 1591. After marrying she and her family moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. There, she began leading her own groups for worship in her home. She was disgraced for doing something that was not considered a woman's place, and moved her family to the Rhode Island colony where they could worship freely. Hutchinson is important because she was one of the earliest feminists and believed she had the right to share her faith. -
House of Burgesses
In Jamestown, Virginia the first legislative body of the colonies, the House of Burgesses, meets for the first time in the town's church. Earlier that year the London Company, who had settled Jamestown, instructed the governor to put together a 'general assembly' comprised of men elected by the colonists. This is important because it was the first legislative council in the colonies. -
Slaves Introduced to the Colonies
As plantations became larger and more common laborers were needed to do the manual work. African slaves were brought to the colonies to fill these positions. Slaves were a cheaper and life-long alternative to indentured servants. This is significant because slavery plays a big part in our nation's history, the Civil War being the biggest event. -
Mayflower Compact
The colonists sign the Mayflower Compact; an agreement everyone would do what was best for the colony as a whole. This was signed under the expectation the colonists would be doing most of their governing themselves; the first self-governing document. This was important because it was the first self-governing document and set precedents for later documents. -
Settlers Arrive in Plymouth
Plymouth was the first permanent settlement by Europeans in New England. It was absorbed into Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. This significance of this location is its status as being the first permanent settlement in New England. -
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Great Migration
After Charles I took the throne a group of Puritans formed the New England Company with the intent of moving their families to the New World. In 1630, John Winthrop led a thousand men, women, and children to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over the next 12 years nearly 20,000 Puritans made the same journey. This was significant because it played a huge role in populating the colonies. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
In 1630, a large group of Puritans arrives in Massachusetts to start a new colony. This original settlement in Massachusetts began a huge migration of Puritans to the area, playing a big part in populating the colonies, especially the New England area. This is significant because it started the Great Migration. -
First Organized Attack of the Pequot War
Early in 1637, colonists were moving further into Connecticut and the Pequot Indians were not happy about it. By spring of that year, 13 colonists had already been killed by Indians. The colonists began planning retaliation on the Indians, but the Indians attacked first. In April the Indians marched on a Connecticut settlement. This was the first in a series of small battles and massacres between the Connecticut colonists and the Pequot. Significant because so many people died in this small war. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The first constitution of the American colonies, the Fundamental Orders, is adopted by representatives from Wethersfield, Hartfield, and Windsor. This is important because it was the first colonial constitution. -
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King Philip's War
King Philip's War was a last effort by the Indians in southern New England to drive out the settlers. Some Indians fought against the English, resenting them for insisting the Indians recognize the king as their ruler. Other Indians fought on the side of the English. The 14-month war was incredibly bloody and destroyed 12 frontier towns. The war ended shortly after Metacom, or King Philip to the English, was captured and beheaded. This was a significant conflict because both sides lost so much. -
Bacon's Rebellion Ends
Bacon's Rebellion was a revolt led by Nathanial Bacon against Governor Sir William Berkeley for his high taxes and disregard against Indian attacks. The revolt ended with Bacon dying of disease in 1676. This was a significant conflict for the colonists because it showed the government they could not be ignored. The conflict lasted at least a year and included several attacks against Indians and a march on Jamestown. -
Salem Witch Trials Begin
Young girls Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Parris become sick, marking the start of the Salem Witch Trials (approximate date). The Salem Witch Trials were the trials and executions of accused witches in Salem, Massachusetts. This is a significant conflict during American history because so many people were executed for crimes they likely did not commit. -
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The Trial of Peter Zenger
Peter Zenger, publisher of the New-York Weekly Journal, was arrested and charged with libel for printing articles against the governor. The jury ruled in his favor, setting precedents for other court cases and leaving other publishers feeling less wary about printing their own articles about the government. This is significant because it was the beginning of freedom for the press and freedom of speech. -
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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war fought between the French and the English over territory in the colonies. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris and resulted in huge gains of territory for the English, but led to discontentment among the settlers and ultimately to the Revolution. This is significant because France lost its territory in North America and the discontent of the settlers eventually led to the Revolutionary War. -
Join or Die - The Albany Plan
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan suggesting the British North American colonies join together under a centralized government. In July of 1754, representatives from seven of the colonies accepted the plan. The plan was never carried out, but is important because it was the first suggestion of the colonies joining together. -
Pontiac's Rebellion Begins
Pontiac's Rebellion began when a group of Indians lay siege on a British fort in Detroit. As the French and Indian war came to a close Indians living in territory that was previously French found the British oppressive and became agitated. The Indian leader, Pontiac, enlisted help from as many tribes as possible to displace the British from French territory. This was was significant because it proved the Indians did not want to be ruled over and eventually lead to fighting between tribes.
