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Jamestown is established.
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, is established. Named after King James I, and was funded by the Virginia Company. -
Virginia House of Burgesses meets for the first time
The first legislative body in America convenes for the first time.
"And forasmuch as our intente is to establish one equall and uniforme kinde of government over all Virginia &c..." - John Pory -
Slaves are introduced to Jamestown.
This set the primary backdrop for slavery in America. -
The Mayflower lands at Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower Compact is signed.
The Mayflower, carrying pilgrims escaping religious persecution, landed at Plymouth, Rock Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact was signed as a form of self-governance of the passengers on the Mayflower. -
Maryland is founded
Maryland, a proprietary government, was created to be a safe haven for Catholics. This is one of the few proprietary governments in North America; thus, in return for his favor and political alliance to the king, it was entrusted to Lord Baltimore. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War was the first sustaining conflict against Native Americans in New England, and it created a cultural shift that changed the political aspect of New England. This affected how colonies began to see Native Americans. -
Navigation Act of 1651
The Navigation Act was to force colonies to ship directly to England in order to bind the colonies ties to the British Empire and remain in control of any discord among the colonies. -
New Netherland handed over to the English
The English attacked the Dutch which resulted in the Dutch giving away New Netherland. The colony was later renamed New York. -
King Philip's War
King Philip's War was an attempt by Native Americans to drive out New England colonies. This war was one of the most devastating wars in America in the 17 century. The resulting win from the English colonists shifted the power and landscape in their favor. The end result created distrust of Native Americans. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon defies Governor Berkeley's orders and heads an assault on Indian aggressors. This caused Berkeley to declare Bacon a rebel and led to civil war in Jamestown
