As the first century of English settlement in America comes to an end and colonists celebrate their victories over arbitrary British rule, they are in fact become more a part of the imperial system in terms of communication and participation in the ...
Perhaps the most lasting legacy of the Quakers is religious toleration, not a common notion in the 17th century. The practical benefit of encouraging religious toleration is that it makes it very easy to populate your colony. The middle colonies are...
The British begin enacting a series of financial revenue acts in 1764 to help pay for the cost of administering their continental empire. The resolutions of protest, riots and economic boycotts by colonials baffle the British who point out that thei...
The Boston Massacre, a clash between working-class people in Boston and British troops, ignites colonial resentment to a new level of intensity. Although the next few years appear relatively calm, resistance is building below the surface. A number o...
Imperial authorities come away from the Seven Years' War convinced that they need to assert more control over the colonies. They demobilize colonial troops and attempt to control western territories by themselves, provoking massive resistance among ...
Few Americans in the 1750s are bothered by their connection to the British empire. It provides opportunities for trade and commerce as well as military protection and political stability. Although the English government leaves the colonies alone for...
In response to the Intolerable Acts, the First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia. At this stage, Congress does not think of itself as a government, but as a means to counter the bullying of Great Britain. British troops are sent to Bosto...
Over the course of the first ten years, the Puritans convert the charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company into a functioning constitution for their colony The town meeting becomes the cornerstone of community life as local issues are decided by adul...
In the British colonies along the Atlantic seaboard new agricultural and commercial interests begin to thrive. This success comes at a time when Britain is in conflict with its European neighbors over trade. In an attempt exclude other nations from ...
22) James II is not only losing friends in America, he is also making powerful enemies in England by attempting to exercise autocratic control over Parliament. He and his colonial governors are overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. This is a period...