Colonial America Timeline
1607
Jamestown, Virginia, is founded by the English as the first permanent English settlement in North America.
1619
The first representative legislative assembly,
the House of Burgesses, convenes in Virginia.
1620
The Pilgrims land at Provincetown Harbor and sign the Mayflower Compact, establishing self-government.
The Anglo-Powhatan Wars take place between English settlers and Native Americans in Virginia.
1622
-1632
1624
The Virginia Company charter is revoked by King James I, making Virginia a royal colony.
1630
The Puritans establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony, seeking religious freedom.
The Pequot War occurs in New England between English settlers and the Pequot tribe.
1636
-1638
1636
Roger Williams founds Providence, Rhode Island, promoting religious tolerance.
1649
The Maryland Toleration Act is passed, granting religious freedom to all Christians.
King Philip’s War erupts between New England settlers and Native American tribes.
1675
-1676
1681
William Penn receives a royal charter to establish Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers.
King William’s War, the North American extension of the War of the Grand Alliance, pits English colonists against French and Native forces.
1689
-1697
1692
The Salem witch trials occur in Massachusetts, resulting in mass hysteria and executions.
1701
The Frame of Government is established in Pennsylvania, emphasizing democratic principles.
Queen Anne’s War, part of the War of Spanish Succession, brings conflict between British, French, and Spanish colonies.
1702
-1713
Dummer’s War (also known as Father Rale’s War) occurs between New England colonists and the Wabanaki Confederacy.
1722
-1725
1718
New Orleans is founded by the French, becoming a major colonial port city.
1733
James Oglethorpe founds Georgia as a colony for debtors and the worthy poor.
King George’s War, the American phase of the War of Austrian Succession, involves battles between British and French forces in North America.
1744
-1748
1754
The French and Indian War begins as part of a larger struggle between Britain and France for North American dominance.
1763
The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War; Britain gains vast territorial claims.
1765
The Stamp Act is passed, taxing printed materials and sparking colonial protest.
1770
The Boston Massacre occurs, heightening tensions between colonists and British soldiers.
1773
The Boston Tea Party protests British taxation without representation.
1775
The Battles of Lexington and Concord mark the beginning of the American Revolution.