Timeline
Colonial Foundations: 1607-1750
A timeline of the early settlements, institutions, and conflicts that shaped colonial British North America.
27 events spanning 1607-1750
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown, Virginia, founded as the first permanent English settlement in North America
View event pageStarving Time at Jamestown nearly destroys the colony
Starving Time at Jamestown nearly destroys the colony
View event pageJohn Rolfe introduces tobacco cultivation
John Rolfe introduces tobacco cultivation, saving Virginia's economy
View event pageFirst enslaved Africans arrive in Virginia
First enslaved Africans arrive in Virginia
View event pageFirst representative assembly (House of Burgesses) meets in Virginia
First representative assembly (House of Burgesses) meets in Virginia
View event pageMayflower Compact establishes self-government principles
Mayflower Compact establishes self-government principles
View event pagePilgrims land at Plymouth on the Mayflower
Pilgrims land at Plymouth on the Mayflower; sign the Mayflower Compact
View event pageMassachusetts Bay Colony founded by Puritans
Massachusetts Bay Colony founded by Puritans
View event pageRoger Williams founds Providence
Roger Williams founds Providence, Rhode Island (religious freedom)
View event pageAnne Hutchinson trial highlights religious dissent
Anne Hutchinson trial highlights religious dissent
View event pageFundamental Orders of Connecticut (early written constitution)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (early written constitution)
View event pageNavigation Acts begin restricting colonial trade
Navigation Acts begin restricting colonial trade
View event pageKing Philip's War devastates New England natives and colonists
King Philip's War devastates New England natives and colonists
View event pageBacon's Rebellion in Virginia challenges colonial authority
Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia challenges colonial authority
View event pageDominion of New England formed (centralized British control)
Dominion of New England formed (centralized British control)
View event pageGlorious Revolution in England inspires colonial resistance
Glorious Revolution in England inspires colonial resistance
View event pageMassachusetts receives new charter with royal governor
Massachusetts receives new charter with royal governor
View event pageSalem Witch Trials expose social tensions
Salem Witch Trials expose social tensions
View event pageGrowth of colonial assemblies and self-governance
Growth of colonial assemblies and self-governance
View event pageMolasses Act taxes imports (early trade restriction)
Molasses Act taxes imports (early trade restriction)
View event pageJohn Peter Zenger trial advances press freedom
John Peter Zenger trial advances press freedom
View event pageGreat Awakening religious revival spreads ideas of equality
Great Awakening religious revival spreads ideas of equality
View event pageAlbany Plan of Union proposed by Benjamin Franklin (early unity idea)
Albany Plan of Union proposed by Benjamin Franklin (early unity idea)
View event pageFrench and Indian War begins (Washington at Fort Necessity)
French and Indian War begins (Washington at Fort Necessity)
View event page