An Outline of Colonial American History

Year Major Events
1607 John Smith and 150 settlers arrives at Chesapeake Bay, where they founded Jamestown.
1620 The Pilgrim Fathers begin their journey towards the American colonies aboard the Mayflower. They  left England to escape religious persecution. Their settlement was based on political and religious freedom, notions that became very important in the development of the United States.
1765 The Stamp Act is passed by the British Parliament to levy taxes on commercial and legal documents, diplomas, pamphlets, etc. This caused many protests from the American colonies. The main reason for this wasn't economical, but rather political. If the British were to tax the colonies, the colonies should have the right to be represented at the Parliament.
1773 The Boston Tea Party, where colonists dressed as Indians threw a shipment of tea into the Boston harbour. As a result the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, which closed the port of Boston, curtailed local elections and town meetings, and greatly increased the powers of the Royal Governor.
1774 (Sept.) The First Continental Congress gathers in Philadelphia. The more radical participants argues succesfully against concessions to the Crown. The British Parliament also rejects compromise. 
1775 (April) Fighting between British troops and American rebels begin in Lexington and Concord, both in Massachusetts. The American war of Independance begins.
1775 British Parliament passed Prohibitory Act, declaring a war on American commerce.
1776 Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense.
1776
(4th of July)
The Second Continental Congress adopts The Declaration of Independance.
1776-1777 Washington won victories at Treton and Princeton.
1783 The Treaty of Paris is signed by Great Britain, thereby recognizing the independance of it's former colonies.
1787 (Summer) The Constitutional Convention gathers in Philadelphia. This convention sees the birth of the United States Constitution and the concept of a national republic.

 


|Home|Glossary|Timeline|Crossword Puzzle|Table|Outline|Web Resources|Multiple Choice|Matching|
|Fill in Blanks|True/False|Map|Visual Quiz I|Visual Quiz II|Feedback|Bulletin Board|