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The Virginia Company is Created
James I approves the formation of the company to manage and promote British colonization -
Henry Hudson Arrives in America
After this initial trip, Henry Hudson returns and discovers the Hudson River and claims New York for the Dutch. -
Jamestown
The first permanent English colony in Virginia -
Quebec is Founded
Samuel de Champlain establishes Quebec as the foothold for New France -
Santa Fe
Santa Fe becomes the first permanent European settlement in the Southwest -
Tobacco Plantations Begin
John Rolfe plants Virginia's first tobacco crop. Tobacco began to dominate the economy of the South and incentivize further colonization -
Birth of Southern Slavery
Dutch slave ship sold 20 African slaves to Virginia Colonists -
Plymouth Colony
Pilgrims found Plymouth Colony, which is the first English settlement in New England -
New Amsterdam is Founded
Dutch establish New Amsterdam in modern-day New York -
Colonization of Massachusetts
Colonists arrive at Massachusetts Bay -
Creation of Maryland
The King granted Maryland to Lord Baltimore, who desired to create a haven for Catholics. -
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Pequot War
British victory in the Pequot War provided security and stability to New England. -
British Civil War
Parliament won the civil war. A new government under Cromwell arose and sought to consolidate its hold over the colonies. -
Legal Sanction to Slavery
New laws authorize the enslavement of Africans for life. -
New Amsterdam and Slavery
New Amsterdam obtains the largest urban slave population in the continent. -
Rhode Island Becomes a Colony
Charles II grants the populated colony a royal charter, thus establishing the colony of Rhode Island and Providence -
New Jersey Becomes a Colony
The Duke of York grants the area that eventually becomes the colony of New Jersey. -
New York Becomes a Colony
The Dutch colony of New Netherlands is handover to England and renamed New York. -
Charleston is Founded
Charleston is established and becomes the leading entry point for the slave trade. -
Period: to
King Philip's War
British victory during the war brings a decisive end to Indian power in New England. -
Period: to
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's rebellion marks a shift from indentured servants to slaves. -
Pueblo Revolt
Led by Popé, the revolt becomes the greatest act of Indian resistance in North American history. -
Pennsylvania becomes a Colony
King sings the charter of Pennsylvania, a haven for Quakers established by William Penn. -
Period: to
Glorious Revolution
The revolution unites the colonies in a Protestant empire that rejects absolutism and stands against French Catholicism. -
British Bill of Rights
Colonies rejoice in Parliament's passage of a Bill of Rights. -
Division of North and South Carolina
Lords Proprietor divides the extensive colony of Carolina and establishes the separate province of North Carolina.
