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Jamestown, the first permanent settlement in America, is established in Virginia by the London Company.
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The first tobacco crop was planted in Jamestown by John Rolfe. The crop saved the colony and brought more settlers in from England.
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The first slaves in America arrived in Jamestown on a Dutch trading ship.
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The House of Burgesses, the first representative assembly in America, met for the first time.
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Pilgrims from England established Plymouth colony in Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact was signed by forty-one male pilgrims before disembarking from their ship, which formed the basis of their government.
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The colony of Maryland was founded by King Charles I. It was intended to be a haven for Catholics.
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King Charles I was executed, which caused the first tensions regarding British rule in the colonies. Some colonists wished to stay neutral in the conflict, while others declared loyalty to Britain.
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The first law regarding slavery in the colonies was passed in Virginia. It decreed that slaves' children would also be considered as slaves.
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A Native American named Metacom led the Wampanoags to attack the British in Swansea. British retaliated, and this escalated to a war between several colonies and the natives
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Several Doeg Native Americans and a Virginian settler had an argument, which resulted in violence that escalated the disagreement to a violent conflict. Nathanial Bacon led a group of colonists to openly attack natives, claiming it was self-defense.
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Unrest in Britain brought about another change in monarchs. William II and Mary took the throne in this virtually bloodless revolution.