1619 � House of Burgesses started in VA. First self-government; first colonial legislature.
1620 � Mayflower landed in MA, starting immigration of religious dissenters from England.
c1650 � Mercantilism led to disregard for colonial needs.
1660 � Navigation Acts. All trade had to be on English ships and all goods had to go through England. Smuggling began.
1664 � British took Dutch area in Middle Colonies by force.
1700s � Increased immigration from non-English countries.
c1750 � Beginning of limited forms of democracy. All colonies had Governors appointed by England, but legislatures elected by the colonists. Town hall meetings in New England.
1763 � End of French and Indian War. England in heavy debt and had bad relations with Native Americans.
Proclamation of 1763 by King George III said English colonies could not expand beyond Appalachians. Colonists angered.
1764 � Parliament passed Writs of Assistance, allowing customs officials to search for smuggled goods without search warrants.
Sugar Act taxed sugar, coffee, wine. First call for �no taxation without representation�.
1765 � Quartering Act. Colonials had to provide room and meals for English soldiers.
Stamp Act. Colonials had to pay for English stamps on all papers and documents.
Samuel Adams started Sons of Liberty to protest and organize boycotts of English goods.
Colonists convened Stamp Act Congress. First meeting between colonial leaders.
1766 � Parliament repealed Stamp Act because of colonial boycotts on English goods.
1767 � Parliament passed Townshend Acts, taxing more goods, including tea. Boycotts increased.
1768 � England sent more soldiers to Boston, increasing local resentment.
1770 � Boston Massacre. First colonists killed by English soldiers.
1771 � England repealed most taxes, except tea.
1773 � Sons of Liberty staged Boston Tea Party. Soon imitated in other colonies.
1774 � England passed Intolerable Acts to punish MA.
First Continental Congress. Agreed to withhold taxes, and endorsed boycotts and militias.
1775 � Patrick Henry called for liberty or death.
Paul Revere�s ride and Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Second Continental Congress. Formed Colonial government, with Army, post office, money.
Battle of Bunker Hill.
1776 � Colonials captured Montreal and Boston.
Declaration of Independence.