Colonial America Timeline
Colonial America is the period when European settlers built the thirteen colonies that would later become the United States.
Long before there was a United States, Europeans crossed the ocean and built the thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast. Over about 150 years, small, struggling settlements grew into busy colonies with their own towns, farms, schools, and ways of governing themselves. This timeline follows that growth from the first colony at Jamestown to the eve of the Revolution — the slow build-up of the places, people, and ideas that would one day become America.
- 1607
Jamestown Founded
The first permanent English colony in America is founded in Virginia.
Why it mattered: It became the first lasting English colony, proving settlers could survive and stay in America.
- 1619
House of Burgesses
Virginia forms the first representative assembly in the English colonies.
Why it mattered: It was the first assembly of elected colonists making their own laws — an early seed of American self-government.
- 1620
Plymouth and the Mayflower Compact
The Pilgrims found Plymouth and sign an agreement to govern themselves.
Why it mattered: The Pilgrims’ promise to make their own rules became another early model for democracy.
- 1630
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Puritans led by John Winthrop found a large colony around Boston.
Why it mattered: A big wave of settlers made New England a strong, fast-growing region of the colonies.
- 1636
Rhode Island and Harvard
Roger Williams founds Rhode Island; Harvard, the first college, is established.
Why it mattered: Rhode Island welcomed people of different beliefs, and Harvard began educating colonial leaders.
- 1664
New Amsterdam Becomes New York
The English take the Dutch colony and rename it New York.
Why it mattered: Taking the busy Dutch port linked England’s colonies in one stretch down the whole coast.
- 1681
Pennsylvania Founded
William Penn founds Pennsylvania as a colony welcoming many faiths.
Why it mattered: Penn’s colony became a model of religious tolerance that drew settlers from across Europe.
- 1692
Salem Witch Trials
Fear and false accusations lead to famous witchcraft trials in Massachusetts.
Why it mattered: The trials showed how fear and false accusations could spin dangerously out of control.
- 1732
Georgia Founded
Georgia becomes the thirteenth and last of the original colonies.
Why it mattered: With Georgia, all thirteen colonies that would one day unite as the United States now existed.
- 1754
French and Indian War
Britain and France fight for control of North America until 1763.
Why it mattered: Britain’s costly victory led it to tax the colonies — sparking the anger that grew into the Revolution.
Colonial America Quiz
Check what you learned — read on screen, or use the Printable quiz button above for a worksheet version with an answer key.
Which was the first permanent English colony in America?
- A) Plymouth
- B) New York
- C) Jamestown
- D) Georgia
Why was the House of Burgesses important in 1619?
- A) It was the first church
- B) It was the first assembly of elected colonists to make laws
- C) It was a fort
- D) It was a college
What agreement did the Pilgrims sign in 1620?
- A) The Constitution
- B) The Declaration of Independence
- C) The Mayflower Compact
- D) The Treaty of Paris
What city did the English rename New York in 1664?
- A) Boston
- B) Philadelphia
- C) Jamestown
- D) New Amsterdam
Who founded Pennsylvania?
- A) John Smith
- B) William Penn
- C) Roger Williams
- D) John Winthrop
What were the Salem witch trials of 1692?
- A) A war between colonies
- B) Trials where fear and false accusations led to executions
- C) A new colony
- D) A tax protest
Which colony, founded in 1732, was the last of the thirteen?
- A) Virginia
- B) Massachusetts
- C) Georgia
- D) Rhode Island
What did the French and Indian War lead to?
- A) The California Gold Rush
- B) New British taxes that angered the colonies
- C) The Moon landing
- D) The Erie Canal
Show answer key
1. C · 2. B · 3. C · 4. D · 5. B · 6. B · 7. C · 8. B
See it on the map
Pair this timeline with our printable The Thirteen Colonies map — real historical geography, drawn in an antique style. Open the map →
How to print
Choose Download PDF for a ready-to-print timeline that fits US Letter paper (8.5 × 11"). The blank fill-in version keeps the dates and gives students empty lines to write each event — great for review and quizzes.
Frequently asked questions
What were the thirteen colonies?
They were the thirteen British colonies along the Atlantic coast — including Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Georgia — that later united to become the first United States.
Which was the first and last colony?
Virginia (Jamestown, 1607) was the first permanent English colony, and Georgia (1732) was the last of the thirteen to be founded.
What paper size should I print this on?
The timeline is sized for standard US Letter paper (8.5 × 11"). Use “Download PDF” for a print-ready file that fits the page automatically.