Turning Points:
1. Columbus' discovery of the new world and The Colombian Exchange- This marks the first time that Europe set foot in North America, their first encounter with the natives, and the beginning of a spread of different species of plants, animals, and diseases. The Colombian exchange is important because it introduced many different types of plants and animals to the new world such horses, goats, cows, and wheat. It is also important for the germs it brought, which wiped out a significant part of the Native American population. The Colombian Exchange represents a the mixture of new with old that eventually became the United States.
1. Columbus' discovery of the new world and The Colombian Exchange- This marks the first time that Europe set foot in North America, their first encounter with the natives, and the beginning of a spread of different species of plants, animals, and diseases. The Colombian exchange is important because it introduced many different types of plants and animals to the new world such horses, goats, cows, and wheat. It is also important for the germs it brought, which wiped out a significant part of the Native American population. The Colombian Exchange represents a the mixture of new with old that eventually became the United States.
2. Jamestown- The founding of Jamestown was very significant in this time period. Jamestown was the first permanent settlement in the New World. Though it went through many trials such as those experienced during the "starving time," it still remains the first permanent European settlement. If it had not been successful, and it nearly wasn't, other attempts to colonies might not have occurred for quite some time. The founding of this colony led to the founding of many more colonies later on.
3. House of Burgesses is Established- The colonists were not given much direction on how to solve problems in the new world with their mother country across a large ocean and sometimes weeks or even months away from communication. So, the Virginia Colony decided to elect their own representative body. The House of Burgesses was made by the Virginia Company in an attempt to make the colony seem more fair and attract more settlers, as well as solve problems among themselves. These were the first democratic elections held in the New World and set the standard for democracy in the years to come.
4. The Mayflower Compact- The Mayflower contact was the first document in the New World that set up the way a colony would be governed. Signed on board the Mayflower, The Mayflower compact decided the way that the new settlement would be run and effectively set up the government for the Plymouth Colony. This compact is significant because it set up a majoritarian model in which majority ruled. It gave everyone(men) a say instead of just one leader and helped prevent chaos in the colony once they settled. Though it was not a constitution, it did set up the first official government for a colony.
5. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut- Contrary to the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was much like a modern day constitution. It set up the first strictly democratic government with a legislative branch that was elected y popular vote and a government who was appointed by members of the legislature. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are significant because they lead to a more democratic government down the line and help set up democratic ideals in the New World.
6. Act of Religious Toleration- This act was passed in Maryland and gave protection to all Christians regardless of denomination. This was significant because it allowed less persecution for those who weren't members of the Anglican church which was predominant in England at the time. This act led to other legislation helping with greater freedom of religion and ultimately separation of church and state and the first amendment. The significance of this is that this act shows that colonists wanted something different from the way religion was handled in England.
7. The Half-Way Covenant- The Half-Way Covenant allowed for people to participate in the church if they followed the covenant and lived pious lives and were the children of members. The Covenant allowed for them to be baptized and participate in church activities. This event shows that the religious convictions of some of the later generation puritans was waning and that the church was becoming less influential in people's lives as they searched for material gain.
8. Bacon's Rebellion- A rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon, Bacon's Rebellion attacked the practices of Governor William Berkeley. Colonists were upset because the representatives of England had promised protection of their lands from the Native Americans but would not help protect lands further west away from the capitol Jamestown. Bacon and his followers led the rebellion, killing many Native Americans and torching the capitol. This was significant because it was some of the first real resistance against English representatives.
9. The Glorious Revolution- The Glorious Revolution was when William and Mary overtook the throne of King James II of England in what is also known as a "bloodless revolution." This revolution is significant for the change in leadership in England as well as the period of Salutary Neglect that it caused. This period of time was when England left the colonies much alone while they handled their own transitional problems. When England tried to regain control of their colonies years later, they were met with a lot of resistance. Had this period of time not existed, we may still be a colony of England right now.
10. The Great Awakening- The First Great Awakening happened in this period and was the spiritual revival led by evangelical protestants. Johnathan Edwards was an influential leader who is famous for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." He was known for his energetic revivals and impassioned many people. This marks a time period in which the church was much more predominant. The great awakening led to democratic thoughts such as freedom of religion and press. Many scholars say that The Great Awakening helped lead to the American Revolution.