• Explain the origins of the Protestant Reformation in Europe and its impact on national development and political events, especially in England.

• Describe the diplomatic, religious, and economic developments that encouraged the English to found their first colony in North America on Roanoke Island.

• Characterize the non-English settlements—New France, New Netherland, and New Sweden—that challenged England for control over the East Coast of North America.

• Discuss the economic, political, and social foundations of the Chesapeake colonies—Virginia and Maryland—that the English planted during the early seventeenth century.

• Consider the founding of the New England colonies within the religious and political turmoil in seventeenth-century England, and contrast their development with the experience of the Chesapeake colonies.

1517 Martin Luther initiates the Protestant Reformation in Germany.

1509–47 Reign of Henry VIII witnesses the beginning of Protestant Reformation in England.

1553–58 Queen Mary returns England to the Catholic Church.

1558–1603 English economy, culture, and sea power flourish under Queen Elizabeth I.

1580 Sir Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe under the flag of England.

1585–90 Roanoke, first English colony in America, struggles to survive and then disappears.

1588 English navy defeats the Spanish Armada.

1606 The French found New France.

1607 The English plant their first successful colony at Jamestown, Virginia.

1609–10 Virginians suffer during the "starving time."

1612 John Rolfe introduces tobacco to Virginia.

1620 Separatists found Plymouth Colony in New England and adopt Mayflower Compact.

1622 Indian attack, led by Opechancanough, devastates Virginia.

1624 Virginia loses its charter and becomes England’s first royal colony.

Dutch found New Netherland.

1630 Puritans found Massachusetts Bay Colony.

1638 Swedish found New Sweden.

1653–59 Oliver Cromwell heads the English Protectorate after the execution of King Charles I.