Political
Category: History
Updated: 15 Aug 2024
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Created byValentina Felix
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Events
1608 John Smith Becomes
Leader of Jamestown:
Takes control of the
struggling colony, adds
strict rules to ensure
survival. Beginning of more
organized governance
in the first permanent
English colony in America.1619 First Virginia
General Assembly:
The Virginia House of
Burgesses, the first representative
legislative assembly in America,
is in Jamestown. Beginning of
self-government in the colonies,
laying the foundation
for democratic practices.1620 Mayflower Compact
Signed: The Pilgrims aboard
and sign the Mayflower Compact,
establishing a form of
self-government based on majority
rule. This document is the
development of democratic
governance.1624 Virginia Becomes
a Royal Colony: Virginia's
It becomes a royal colony.
This change places the
colony under direct order
of the Crown, marking a
shift in the governance
of Virginia.1634 Maryland Founded:
The Maryland colony is
founded by Lord Baltimore
as a haven for Catholics facing
persecution in England. The
Maryland Toleration Act of 1649,
which gave religious freedom
to all Christians, would become
an important political precedent1636 Rhode Island
Founded by Roger
Williams: he was expelled
from Massachusetts for
his religious beliefs,
founds Rhode Island.
The colony becomes known
for its religious freedom
and separation of church
and state, setting a political
example for future colonies.1639 Fundamental
Orders of Connecticut:
Connecticut adopts the
Fundamental Orders,
often considered the first
written constitution in
America. It establishes
a framework for government
based on the consent of
the governed.1641 Massachusetts
Body of Liberties:
Massachusetts Bay
Colony adopts the
Massachusetts Body
of Liberties, one of
the first legal codes
in the colonies.
giving individual rights
and legal procedures.1643 New England
Confederation Formed:
The colonies of
Massachusetts Bay,
Plymouth, Connecticut,
and New Haven form
the New England
Confederation,
a military alliance and
early attempt at regional
cooperation among the
colonies.1681 Charter of Pennsylvania
Granted: King Charles II grants
William Penn a charter for
Pennsylvania, allowing for the
establishment of a colony based
on religious tolerance and
representative government.
Pennsylvania becomes a model
of democratic governance and
religious freedom.1688-1689 Glorious
Revolution and Colonial
Reactions: The Glorious
Revolution in England
results in the overthrow
of King James II and the
rise of William and
Mary to the throne. In
America, the Dominion
of New England is dissolved,
and the colonies reinstate
their previous forms of
government, giving
local control.1691 Massachusetts
Receives New Charter:
Massachusetts receives
a new royal ruler, which
merges the Massachusetts
Bay Colony with Plymouth
Colony and increases the
Crown's influence over
colonial governance. This
charter also gives voting
rights beyond church
membership, reflecting the
evolving political landscape.1696 Board of Trade
Established: The English
government establishes
the Board of Trade to
oversee colonial affairs,
marking an increase in the
Crown's involvement in
colonial governance and
trade regulation.1699 Capital of Virginia
Moved to Williamsburg:
The capital of Virginia is
moved from Jamestown
to Williamsburg, showing
the colony's growth and
the development of a more
structured and formal
political environment.1676 Bacon’s Rebellion:
A rebellion led by Nathaniel
Bacon against the Virginia
colonial government shows
issues between frontier
settlers and the ruling elite.
The rebellion leads to changes
in colonial policies, including a
shift away from dependency on
indentured servants and an
increased reliance on
African slaves.
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