Colonial Classification
The 5 Original Colonies
Jamestown
The year 1607(when Jamestown was founded) is significant as it marks the First Permanent North American British Colony.
The 2nd Anglo-Powhatan War
The second Anglo-Powhatan War from 1644 to 1646 is significant as it resulted in a formal separation of Indians and settlers and a removal of Indians from their original land. Similar removals of Indians will follow in the future.
The Seal of the Virginia Company of London.
This company was the founder of Jamestown and hoped to profit from it in the form of gold. Without this joint-stock company, Jamestown would cease to exist.
John Rolfe
John Rolfe is credited with successfully cultivating Tobacco and through this keeping the colony alive. Tobacco later became the cash crop of this colony and was economically beneficial.
John Smith
Captain John Smith organized the colony of Jamestown by training colonists to farm and work. His leadership helped settlers overcome Indians and starvation.
1624
In 1624 James I revoked the charter for the join-stock company, which resulted in Virginia becoming a royal colony under the King's authority.
Establishment of The House of Burgesses
The establishment of the House of The House of Burgesses was significant because it was the first elected legislative body in North America and began to assume the role of the House of Commons in England.
The Starving Times
The Starving Times occurred during the winter of 1609 as colonists ran out of food and is significant because almost all the colonists perished and it marks one of the few times of cannibalism in North America.
Tobacco, a life source.
Thanks to John Rolfe Tobacco was cultivated, but there were many other significances with the emergence of this cash crop. For one, it encouraged the use of the plantation system as it required labor and a lot of it. And second it saved the colony of Jamestown from extinction.
1614
- Pocahontas marries John Rolfe and this leads to a temporary peace between Indians and colonists.
Massachusetts Bay
Pequot War of 1634-38
- Resulted in the loss of Pequot land and slavery for the remaining people.
- Driven off their land.
Seal of the Massachusetts Bay Company
- Founded colony in 1628
King Phillip's War
- Greatest brawl to occur in the 17th Century New England.
- Sparked a greater American Identity, different from the Crown.
A strong Puritan Population
- Government was influenced by Puritan leaders.
- Intolerance for other religious views.
Pilgrims Settlement in 1620(Seperate from Massachusetts Colony)
- Friendly with the native(SQUANTO) and encouraged good fervor.
- Establish Plymouth Colony
Established the first code of laws: Massachusetts Body of Liberty
- Established laws for colonies(civil and uncivil)
- First to have laws advocating equal protection and double jeopardy.
In 1643, Massachusetts Bay Colony joined New England Confederation.
- Temporary military coordination of Puritans.
- Fought together in Phillip's War.
Supported by heavy investements from Europe in early years.
- Industries such as shipbuilding, fisheries, and lumber trades got started.
- Estimated over 200 ships that traded frequently.
The Colony was dominated by rivers and coastlines.
- Used by colonists for trade and travel ,led to prosperity, transporting furs and timbers.
- Provided harbors for fishermen
- Led to shipbuilding
Colony had mandatory education.
- Led to educated population
- Establishment of univeristies ex: Harvard
Maryland
Lord Baltimore
- Served as an absentee proprietor in a feudal relationship.
- Founder of the colony, was issued a charter.
Toleration Act of 1649
- Granted toleration to all Christians.
- However, denied freedom for non-believers(death)
Economy revolved around Tobacco and Farming
- Need for labor so need for indentured servants and slaves.
- Similar to Virginia,clustered around rivers.
Marlyand was a Proprietary Colony.
- Lord Baltimore had absolute power.
- Colonists were to swear allegiane to Lord Baltimore.
- No control by the crown.
Creation of political institution: Maryland General Assembly.
- Provides same function of House of Commons.
- Still used today
- Better version of Parliament
Plundering Times
- Led to Act of Toleration,which provided freedom for all Christian religions
Charles I granted charter to Lord Baltimore.
- Gave colonists more privileges.
- Gave them equality and religious freedom.
- Consent had to be given for taxation
William Clayborne
- Started rebellion by refusing authority
- Later overthrew the government
Cecil Calvert
- Son of Lord Baltimore
- Gave Maryland its name after the King's wife.
- Was a similar ruler like his father, a good one
Pennsylvania
William Penn
- Founder of Pennsylvania
- Received a royal land grant for Pennsylvania
Charter of Privileges
- Most Liberal charter
- Granted freedom to all monotheistic's and any denomination of Christianity.
- Fair dealings with Natives.
Frame of Government
- Served as a constitution
- An important step to modern day society and democracy.
- Religious toleration and political freedom
Creation of the Pennslyvania Provincial Assembly
- Largest and most representative branch of government.
- Framework for modern General Assembly
- Produced constitution of 1776
1751
- First Hospital in Britsh-American Colonies
- College of Philadelphia opened.
Pennslvania Dutch Country inhabited by large religious sects.
- Mennonites founded Germantown in 1683.
- Amish established Northkill Settlement in 1840.
Walking Treaty between Penn Family and Lenape.
- Penn family gained 1,200,000 acres
- Forced Lenape off lands.
Benjamin Franklin
- Founded College of Philidelphia.
- Created militia.
- Most famous citizen.
High population full of Quakers.
- Did not recognize all social ranks
- Refuse to pay taxes for wars
Had a Colonial Government
- Had governor, Will Penn, 7 member council, and general assembly.
- Framework for the future government
Georgia
James Oglethorpe
- Founded the colony in 1732.
- Disagreed with slavery
- Banned alcohol.
City of Savannah
- Almost all Christians had freedom of religion.
- Full of debtors and missionaries.
Ideal Climate for all year round growing.
- Perfect set up for plantation system.
- Use of slaves
- Tobacco a crop.
Purpose was to be a buffer state
- Help defend South British Colonies from Florida.
1755
- Georgia becomes a crown colony instead of a trustee colony.
Laws were bent by James O after colonists disapproval.
- Citizens were unhappy about liquor law and after change, colony grew faster.
Last of the 13 colonies chartered by Great Britain
- Made it for the sole purpose of buffer state and debtor haven.
1749
- Slavery allowed in colony.
- Plantation system starts up.
King George II
- Georgia was named after him.
- Signed charter for Georgia colony
Trustees did not want to allow slavery.
- Needed labor.
- Citizens rebelled and soon slavery was allowed and grew.