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Jamestown
The very first permanent English colony was established to provide profit for the mother country. It was only after tobacco, an import cash crop was established that Jamestown became a success. -
House of Burgesses
This colonial governing body allowed the colonists their first taste of self-government. Representatives from each burgess or district would meet and establish taxes and laws for their area. This had to meet with royal governer's approval, but colonists still felt that they had power. -
Mayflower Compact
The Puritans from Plymouth colony (Mass.) decided to create their own laws, which established the important self-government principle of majority rule. -
Mercantilism
Economic system that was beneficial to the home/mother country because of favorable trade balance (more exports than imports), accumulation of wealth (especially gold and silver), and colonies that provide raw materials and markets for goods. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
First written constitiution by a colony; limited the power of government; majority rule, constant of the government (the people), protected minority rights. -
Triangular Trade
New England merchants traded basic supplies with the West Indies in return for sugar and molasses, (which could be made into rum). Later Africa was added to the route and the leg that transported slaves from the West Coast of Africa to the New England colonies became known as the "Middle Passage." This trade was often done without the involvment of the English government. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Law granting religious freedom to all Christians (Protestants and Catholics) living in the Maryland colony. -
Navigation Act
England felt that the American colonies were gaining great profit through oversea trade and wanted a greater share of the profit. These acts strictly enforced polocies that established Brititan as the middleman in colonial trade. Any ship had to pass through English ports and have a majority English or colonial crew on board. English authorities also had approval over which countries could trade with the colonies; this provision seriously lassened colonial profits. -
John Peter Zenger
Zenger was accused of sedition and libel by a royal official who took offence to the newspaper man's criticism of limits on free expression. Zenger was put on trial in front of a colonial jury who found him innocent because what he printed was the truth. This decision is the basis for the fundamental American freedom of post. -
Great Awakening
Many colonists began expressing their religious ideas through new churchs other than the Church of England or Anglican Church. This direct break with the official religious authority in England shows that colonists began thinking for themselves and choosing to differ from the mother country. -
The French and Indian War
England and France have been warring on and off for one hundred years. This time around, the American colonists want to expand into the Ohio Valley and Canada. The skimish gets its name because England and her colonies were fighting against the combined forces of the French and her Native American allies. The Natives liked the French a lot more than English because the French were not heavaly settled in the area and tended to be trading partners. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjiman Franklin's attempt to unite volunteers from all the colonies to establsih a common defence. The plan didn't work but it was the first time the colonists planned to unite to defend themselves without the help of England. -
Proclamation of 1763
In an attempt to settle the Natives along the frontier, England banned all colonist settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains. This policy enraged the colonists who fought in the French and Indian War for more land. -
Stamp Act
England's latest attempt to get money from the colonies comes in the form of a direct tax on a variety of goods. Things ranging from legal documents to decks of cards. The colonies protested by going after custom agents and later organized a more effective boycott of Englsh goods. -
Boston Massacre
Tension between colonists and the standing army left over from the French and Indian War has been high. Many citizens feel that the soldiers were spying on them, others resent the compitition they present for local jobs. When soldiers begin fighting colonists for jobs someone shoots the crowd. When violence ends, five colonists were dead. To drum up support, Samuel Adams and other patriots dub the skirmish a "massacre." -
Intolerable Acts
In an effort to ease tensions with their American colonists and save their lagging East India Company, the British government passes this act which gives all colonial tea business to the India Company but at a much lower price to the consumer. Rather than being grateful, being cut out of their own business outrages the colonists. This is what led Samuel Adams and many others to dress up as Natives and act out the Boston Tea Party. -
Quartering Act
This part of the intolerable Acts was especially infuriating to the colonists who felt that they should not have to shoulder the responsibility of housing the British army when they don’t want them around in the first place. Few colonists actually had to have their privacy compromised but the idea of possible doing so outraged many. -
Tea Act
In an effort to ease tension with their American colonists and save their lagging East india Company, the British government passes this act which gives all colonial tea business to the East Indian Company but at a much lower price to the customer. Rather then being grateful, being cut out of their own business outraged the colonists. This is what led Samuel Adams and many others to dress up as Native Americans and act out the Boston Tea Party. -
Lexington and Corncord
Fighting between colonial militias (minutemen) and British soldiers occur when General Gage finds out the colonists are stockpiling weapons. When he tries to confiscate the arms he is met with armed resistance. The first shot between the two sides was fired in a crowd and no one is sure who shot first. Colonists officially became the enemy of the British and Boston was now held captive by the British Army. -
Oliver Branch Petition
A committee of colonists draft letter to the king of England asking for an end to fighting and vow obedience if certain demands are met. King George III refuses to even read the letter. -
Common Sence
A popular pamphlet written by Thomas Paine states that it is obvious that England and her American colonies should not remain united. The two are so vastly different that they can't have common goals and the rule of the monarchy is so oppressive that the colonies will never prosper under British rule. The only "common sense" is to declare independence. This helps to persuade some colonists who had been against such actions. -
Decleration of Independance
Thomas Jefferson drafts a document that is a list of complaints against Britain. This list was designed to serve two purposes: one, to notify England and the rest of the world of America’s intent and reasons for it, and secondly, it was to rally the colonists behind a great cause by inspiring them to throw off the shackles of oppression.
