TIMELINE

1651

  • First Navigation Act

1660–1685

  • Reign of Charles II, king of England

1663

  • Charles II grants Carolina proprietorship

1664

  • English capture New Netherland, rename it New York

1669

  • Virginia law declares that the murder of a slave cannot be treated as a felony

1681

  • William Penn founds Pennsylvania

1685–1688

  • Reign of James II, king of England

1686–1689

  • Dominion of New England

1688–1689

  • Glorious Revolution in England

1689

  • William and Mary ascend throne in England

  • Revolts in Massachusetts, Maryland, and New York

1689–1713

  • England, France, and Spain at war

1696

  • Parliament creates Board of Trade

1714–1750

  • British policy of salutary neglect

  • American assemblies gain power

1720–1742

  • Robert Walpole leads Parliament

1720–1750

  • African American communities form

  • Rice exports from South Carolina soar

  • Planter aristocracy emerges

  • Seaport cities expand

1732

  • Parliament charters Georgia, challenging Spain

  • Hat Act limits colonial enterprise

1733

  • Molasses Act threatens distillers

1739

  • Stono Rebellion in South Carolina

1739–1748

  • War with Spain in the Caribbean and France in Canada and Europe

1750

  • Iron Act restricts colonial iron production

1751

  • Currency Act prohibits land banks and paper money