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The Navigation act is passed
The Navigation act is passed by British Parliament to control colonial commerce in the New World. -
Jamestown becomes the first permanent English settlement in America
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, is established by the London Company in southeast Virginia. -
John Rolfe and Pocahontas get married
John Rolfe marriage with Pocahontas led to eight years of peace among the colonists and Indians. John Rolfe also brought tobacco over that was harvested during this year. -
Period: to
Smallpox
Smallpox epidemic wipes out 90% of the Native Americans in the Massachusetts Bay area. -
Slaves brought to Jamestown
The first African slaves are brought to Jamestown. These people were treated more like indentured servants than slaves. -
The first representative assembly of The House of Burgesses meet.
The House of Burgesses, the first representative assembly in America, meets for the first time in Virginia -
Foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony is established
The first vessels of Winthrop's eleven ship fleet, eventually totaling seven hundred aboard. Starts establishing the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
The Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is established by Pilgrims from England
Before disembarking from their ship, the Mayflower, 41 male passengers sign theMayflower Compact, an agreement that forms the basis of the colony's government. The Plymouth Colony is then formed in Massachusetts and is established by Pilgrims from England. -
The Indian Massacre of 1622
The Indian Massacre of 1622 occurs when Chief Opchanacanough and the Powhatan Confederacy tried to rid the colony of settlers. One-third of the colony at the time,300 people, were killed. -
Maryland is founded
Maryland is founded as a Catholic colony promoting religious tolerance. -
Massachusetts colony legalizes slavery
Massachusetts colony becomes the first colony to legalize slavery. -
Opchanacanough and the Powhatan Indians attack the English at Jamestown
In the last Indian rebellion in the region, Opchanacanough and the Powhatan Indians attack the English at Jamestown, but their effort is repulsed and proves unsuccessful. -
The constitution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island is drafted
The constitution of the General Assembly of Rhode Island is drafted, under the values of separating church and state, as well as permitting public referendums and initiatives in legislation. -
Slavery is legalized in Connecticut
Slavery is legalized in Connecticut and recognized in the American colonies. -
Rhode Island passes the first law restricting slavery
Rhode Island passes the first law in the American colonies restricting slavery, making it illegal for more than ten years. -
Dutch forces recapture the colony of New York
Dutch forces recapture the colony of New York (New Amsterdam) from the British, but would only be able to hold power in the area for one year. -
Indian forces attack colonial settlements
Beginning of King Philip's War in New England with Metacom Indian forces attacking colonial settlements due to encroachment on the land. Considered the costliest war for European Settlements in relation to population with Indian success during the first year halted later when their alliances fell apart. Twelve towns destroyed. -
The Indian War between the Narragansett Indians and the colonists in New England ends.
The Indian War between the Narragansett Indians and the colonists in New England ends. -
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown
Bacon's Rebellion causes the burning of Jamestown. Nathanial Bacon leads the rebellion of planters against Governor Berkeley. Bacon would perish and twenty-three others were executed. -
Period: to
Pueblo Rebellion
August 10-21, 1680 - Pueblo Rebellion of indigenous Pueblo people against Spanish colony of Santa Fe kills four hundred and forces remaining two thousand from their land. It would take twelve years before the Spanish attempted to recolonize. -
Pennsylvania is established
The colony of Pennsylvania is established when William Penn signs a treaty with the Delaware Indians and pays for Pennsylvania lands. -
The Plymouth colony joins the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
1691 - The Plymouth colony, which had remained independent since its founding in 1620, joins the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
Jamestown is abandoned
April 1699 - Jamestown is abandoned after the statehouse is burned in 1698 with the colonial government moving to Middle Plantation, renamed soon after as Williamsburg. Later this year additional French settlements would be established in Mississippi and Louisiana.