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Jan 1, 1440
Johann Gutenburg
In the 1440s, Johann Gutenburg invented the printing press, sparking a communications revolution. Sea captains published their findings, and those in Europe began to be informed about exploration of the New World. The printing press is significant because Europeans became more curious about voyaging to America and eventually acted upon it. -
Jan 1, 1492
The Reconquista
In 1492, following the union of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Christians waged war on the Muslims in order to gain control of the Iberian Peninsula. After the Moors lost their last foothold in Granada, Christians finally had the Peninsula to themselves, intolerant of those who rejected Catholicism. Jews and Moors were expelled from Spain. The Reconquista allowed Spain to rise as a world power, thus beginning the age of conquest and westward expansion. -
Jan 1, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain & Portugal fought over Asia and its treasures, and eventually Pope Alexander VI intervened with a negotiation. The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, which divided the world along a line 270 leagues west of the Azores. Anything west of the line was Spain's, while everything to the east was Portugal's. The Portuguese were dissatisified, however Spain had free access to everything Columbus discovered. Other countries still tried colonizing the New World despite the treaty. -
Jan 1, 1494
Slave Trade
Following Columbus's expedition, ethnocentric Europeans attempted to "civilize" the Native Americans and rid of their customs by enslavement. After the Columbian Exchange began, thousands of Indians died due to disease. In effort to repopulate the New World, Europeans began to import African slaves for colonization, thus beginning slave trade. The slave trade led to the oppression of natives and blacks, but resulted in a more ethnically diverse America. -
Jan 1, 1497
John Cabot / Sebastian Cabot
John Cabot is known for being the first to complete a transatlantic voyage by English vessel. Cabot was likely trying to find a passage to Asia. He died during a second expedition while trying to find a route to Cathay a year later. His son, Sebastian, attempted to follow in his footsteps in 1508, however the English were less interested in the New World by then. Cabot's expedition established England's interests and claims to American territory. -
Jan 1, 1503
The Encomienda System
Beginning in the 16th century after the conquest of Mexico, the encomienda system was implemented. In essence, Indians were promised legal protection and religious guidance in exchange for their labor and tribute to the "encomenderos". The natives became virtually enslaved, however. This system allowed for greater Spanish governance in the New World and control of greedy conquistadores by the Spanish monarchy, whereas before the crown struggled to tame the aforementioned under royal authority. -
Jan 1, 1517
Protestant Reformation: Henry VII & Elizabeth I
The German Monk, Martin Luther, began to challenge Roman Catholicism in 1517, thus beginning the Reformation that divided European kingdoms so drastically. John Calvin was the next to do so. Elizabeth I rose to power and aimed to end the religious turmoil, uniting everyone under a religious institution that was Protestant in doctrine. Later, Protestantism merged with English nationalism, and England was inspired to explore the New World. -
Roanoke
In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh was granted a charter by Queen Elizabeth I to colonize North America. 117 people were sent to America where the colony of Roanoke was founded. When Roanoke's founders ventured back to England shortly after, they returned to Roanoke in 1587 to find everything gone, however "CROATOAN" was carved onto a post. The disappearance of the entire colony remains a mystery. Roanoke is significant due to the fact that it was England's first attempt to colonize North America. -
Richard Hakluyt
Richard Hakluyt published "The Principall Navigations, Voyages, and Discoveries of the English Nation", which was a compilation of first-hand accounts given by captains and sailors. The book's central theme was that England needed American colonies as the key to prosperity. Without this book, it is likely that England would've given up on the idea of American colonization. -
Jamestown (Virginia)
In 1607, Jamestown was founded in a marshy area by Sir Thomas Smith under the Virginia/London joint stock Company's funds in hopes of finding resources. It is remembered as England's first "successful" attempt to colonize the U.S. John Smith essentially saved the colony, & Edwin Sandys created the House of Burgesses & established headrights. -
Quebec
3 decades after Columbus's expedition, the French became interested in the New World. After many failed exploration attempts, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec in 1608. The founding of Quebec is very significant, as the French began trading fur with the Indians and converting them to Christianity. Later, the French settled Louisiana. -
Plymouth
The Pilgrims set foot upon the Mayflower in 1620 in search of religious freedom. They were known as Separatists, as this "Scrooby Congregation" formally disbanded from the Church of England. They established the Mayflower Compact to prevent anarchy, and associated with the indian Squanto. William Bradford was the governor. -
New York
The Duke of York founded New York. It was perhaps part of England's effort to encircle the disloyal Puritans. -
Massachusetts Bay
Wanting to purify the Church of England, the Puritans came to America in search of religious freedom and a better society. They established Congregationalism. Both Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson challenged Puritan orthodoxy & preached extreme separatism, which greatly bothered the Puritans. -
Maryland
Sir George Calvert/"Lord Baltimore" founded Maryland as a sanctuary for Catholics and some Protestants. Life in the Chesapeake colonies seemed rather primitive in nature, and Maryland oftentimes suffered under political instability. -
Connecticut
Thomas Hooker was Connecticut's most prominent minister, and in 1639, the Fundamental Orders were established. These were a blueprint for civil government. Connecticut was a product of Massachusetts' splitting into 4 new colonies. -
The Carolinas
After the Stuarts were restored to the English throne, they expected steady rewards/income. The Carolinas were extremely agricultural and heavily depended on slave labor. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Wanting to be heard and regarded as an elite, Nathaniel Bacon lashed out at the Indians he despised so deeply & was granted the military command by Governor Berkeley to attack them. However, Bacon ended up burning Jamestown to the ground. After Bacon's Rebellion, slave status in the colonies became permanent. -
Parliamentary Supremacy
Britain insisted that Parliament held ultimate control over the colonists. It became a giant reason for revolution and Americans' yearn for independence. -
English Bill of Rights
During the Glorious Revolution in the Bay Colony, King James II was overthrown, and Sir Edmund Andros took over but was quickly jailed. Mary & William took the throne, accepting an English Bill of Rights that specified Englishmen's rights. -
New Hampshire
New Hampshire was founded in 1677 as it spurred off of Massachusett's Bay Colony. It always remained slightly economically dependent. -
First Greak Awakening
The Great Awakening was a sudden, spontaneous series of Protestant revivals in which the colonies became focused on religion.George Whitefield was an English preacher of Calvinism that spread ideas of The Great Awakening. Jonathan Edwards was a Congregational minister in Massachusetts who initially began the Great Awakening. -
French & Indian War
Also known as the 7 Years War, the French & Indian War was the colonies' attempt to drive the French out of Mississippi. In the end, Florida, Canada, & everything east of the MS River was Britain's; they took all but France's Guadeloupe & Martinique. Peace of Paris of 1763 was signed to end the war. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was put into place in 1764. It revised duties on sugar, coffee, tea, and wine. The Sugar Act was implemented as Britain's effort to generate revenue from the colonists to pay off post-war debt. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act caused printed documents to be issued on a special stamped paper. Colonists were then forced to pay for specialized stamps, and it affected all Americans negatively. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act required colonists to shelter/provide for British soldiers. Colonists yearned to refuse, as they felt uncomfortable. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was an intercolonial gathering where petitions were drafted and issues were discussed. In essence, they petitioned against unwanted taxes. -
Declatory Act
Parliament essentially declares its superiority and supremacy above colonists absolutely, causing colonists to feel powerless yet motivated. -
Townshend Revenue Acts
New duties were implemented on glass, tea, lead, paper, paints, etc. Customs collections were tightened. Colonists refused to submit and began to look for ways to thwart the acts. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers were picked on and shot 5 bystanders. It inspired the colonists to further the revolution. -
Tea Act
Parliament gives the East India Company permission to sell tea in order to save itself from collapse, and the price of tea is reduced. However, some people were rendered incapable of making a suitable living. -
Boston Tea Party
Patriots dumped British Tea into the Boston Harbor, which spurred the Intolerable Acts and marked extreme rebellion against Britain. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Britain closes the Boston Port and restricts the Massachusett's government in addition to tightening control everywhere and stationing soldiers in the colonies. It was implemented to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party and ultimately led to the creation of the Continental Congress. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting held with the intention of deciding what could be done to avoid the British tyranny. They decided to halt all commerce with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed. -
Shot Heard 'Round the World
This was the battle at Lexington & Concord. People were hyped about going to war after the American victory. -
Lexington & Concord
Gage dispatched troops to take control of rebel supplies, however militia soldiers were gathered around & shots were fired as British soldiers approached Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress assembled the Continental Army under Washington. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Continental Congress petitioned for peace with Britain one last time before going to definite war. -
Prohibitory Act
The Prohibitory Act declared the British intention to coerce Americans into submission and put an embargo on American goods while seizing American ships. In essence, it declared war on American commerce and rendered them incapable of trading. -
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine, Common Sense inspired Americans everywhere to break away from Britain's rule. -
Trenton
The Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and surprise ambushed the British. The Americans won. -
Germantown/Valley Forge
The British entered Philadelphia and Americans were crushed after being forced to retreat. -
Saratoga
After being prepared, the Americans were victorious and gained the French as an ally. -
King's Mountain
Though Americans lost the first battle, they ended up winning. -
Yorktown
British chased the Americans but grew tired, leading to an American victory that won the revolution. -
Pennsylvania
Upon facing persecution in England, the Quakers moved to America in search of a better life. William Penn was the founder, and Pennsylvania was a very prosperous and agricultural colony. -
Georgia
Georgia was established to serve as a buffer state between Spanish Florida and the Carolinas. It was a debtor's colony as essentially a prison full of convicts and the insane. -
Rhode Island
Rhode Island was essentially founded as a religious safe haven. "Outcasts" and convicts of all sorts found refuge in Rhode Island, and Roger Williams & Anne Hutchinson were sent into exile there. No one was religiously persecuted in Rhode Island.
