-
Period: 500 BCE to
Beginnings to Exploration
-
750
Dark Age- Catholic Church
During the Dark Age the Catholic Church was corrupt. This Age was considered the Age of Faith since both men and women sought after God. Religion was thought as a contrary to rationality and reason. People now believed in this age that those who followed religious beliefs tied to themselves, that religion was creating a false reality. These thoughts led to the Reformation and Age of Enlightenment. -
1345
Aztecs Human Sacrifices
From other civilization like the Olmec's the Aztecs followed the ritual of human sacrifice. The way of the sacrifices was more brutal than the rest. The sacrifices were viewed as a repayment to the gods. The flesh and blood was thought to continue the balance and prosperity of the Aztecs and their society. The sacrifices where performed on the top of a pyramid. Some sacrifices which consisted of burnt meat and blood was poured on a statue of a god to be more direct. -
1347
The Black Death- Death
12 trading ships docked on the Sicilian port of Messina. People gathered around the docks to and were horrified by the site. The sailors were either dead or severely ill. The Black Death got its name from the strange black boils that oozed blood and pus that were on the sailors. The Black Death would kill more than 20 million people in Europe, which is about one-third of the European population at the time. -
1440
The Renaissance-Printing Press
The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenburg in the 1440. The impact it had on the Renaissance was that it revolutionized the European communication. People now didn't depend on the Church or wealthy patrons to allow and teach them to read documents. The mass production of books made them cheaper for people to buy. -
1492
Exploration- Christoper Columbus
Christoper Columbus was born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, Italy. As he grew up he became an Italian explorer and navigator. Columbus had an idea of how to travel to Asia with a shorter route but was always denied until 1486. Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille financed his expedition. In August of 1492 Columbus gathered three ships named Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Nina to travel to "Asia". Little did Christoper Columbus know he "discovered" America. -
1492
Columbian Exchange-Diseases
There were many diseases that were spread from the Old World to the New World. Europeans were not immune to the disease. A disease that was spread Mumps which affected the salivary and parotid glands. The victims had fever, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite and swollen salivary glands. Measles was spread and the symptoms were similar to the flu with no treatments. Other diseases where Smallpox, Polio, Heapatitis, Encephalitis, Syphilis and Influenza. -
English Colonization-Roanoke
The Roanoke Island Colony is the present day North Carolina. The governor, John White, left to England for supplies and when he returns to the colony it was deserted. There was no trace of the colonists and no sign of violence. The only thing that was left behind was the word "CROATOAN" carved into a wooden stake fence. White believed that it was a message from the settlers saying that, that was where they were but the colonists were not there either. -
Charter Colonies
Charter colonies were colonies that were written contracts between British King and the American colonists. This meant that both parties had to consent with any change. The first charter colonies established were Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. These colonies were self-governed and charters were granted to the colonists not the proprietors(owner of a business). -
Proprietary Colonies-Charles II
Charles the second was born on May 29,1630 in London, England. Proprietary colonies were territories granted by the English Crown to a proprietor (person granted governmental powers over a tract of land). Some of the first established Proprietary Colonies were Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. They were established by King Charles II in order to repay debts and favors. -
Period: to
English Colonial Societies
-
Issues-Nathaniel Bacon
Nathaniel Bacon born on January 2,1647 in England. Bacon moved from England to Virginia with his wife in 1674. He was a member of the Governor's council and the leader of the Bacon Rebellion which lasted from 1676-1677. The rebellion was caused because of the many deadly clashes between the settlers and the Indians. They were fighting over who was the rightful owner of the land. When Bacon died the rebellion collapsed immediately. -
New England Colonies-Quakers
The religious group Quakers was established by William Penn. The Quakers suffered in England they were targets like the Separatists and the Puritans. The Quakers believed in total equality therefore their allegiance to the Crown was always questionable. Pennsylvania was built for the Quakers by William Penn. New Jersey was also part of the Quaker group. -
Glorious Revolution-English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was passed on December 16, 1689 by the Parliament of England. It created a separation of powers, limited the power of the king and queen, enhances the democratic election and allows freedom of speech. The Bill was agreed upon February, 1689 by William and Mary of Orange. Overall the English Bill of Rights guaranteed certain rights to the citizens from the power of the crown. -
Salem Witch Trials
A group of young girls in the Salem Village, Massachusetts claimed to be possessed and accused of local women of witchcraft. This created hysteria to spread in Massachusetts. About 200 men, women and children were accused of being witches. 19 people were accused and executed. These people were buried in Salem's Gallows Hill. A bill was passed to restore the rights and good names of those who were accused. -
Slavery
Slavery started in Jamestown, Virginia when the first African slaves were brought in 1619. They were in the colonies to help aid in the production of tobacco. When the cotton gin was invented in 1793 the importance of slavery in the South's economy was crucial. Between the time period of 1525-1866 approximately 12.5 million Africans were shipped to the new world thorough the Atlantic Slave Trade. This Slave Trade brought slaves from Africa to the Western Hemisphere which started in 1650. -
Period: to
Colonial America to 1763
-
Triangular Trade
The Triangular Trade was a three-sided trading voyages. The trading system involved trade goods from England to the colonies (guns, cloth, furniture and tools). England to Africa(iron products, cloth, trinkets and beads, copper guns and ammunition). Colonies to England(timber, fur, iron, sugar, tobacco, rice and cotton). Africa to the colonies(slaves). Some items that were exported from Africa that were destined for Europe were spices, gold, ivory and feathers. -
Chesapeake Colonies-Royal Colonies
The colonies that were Royal Colonies where New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.The only of the eight colonies New Hampshire was the only one that started as a royal province. Slowly the other colonies started to join and be part of the Royal Colonies. The Royal Colonies were under the direct control of the king. -
The Great Awakening-John Edwards
Jonathan Edwards born October 5, 1703, was a man trying to revive the idea of religion back into the daily life of the colonists. He was invited to preach to in neighboring town of Enfield, Connecticut during the height of the Great Awakening (1740-1742). Edwards believed that the biblical teaching were the soul, and purpose of life.He believe in a strong faith rather than philosophy. -
Virtual Representation- Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect started about 1607 and all the way through 1763. Some of the salutary neglect that the colonies faces were the Navigation Acts, Stamp Act, and the Sugar Act. The Navigation Act started in 1651 and the act was to restrict colonial trade to England. The Stamp Act started in 1765 and the act was to tax on every piece of printed paper. The Sugar Act started in 1764 but was the Parliament's modified version of the Molasses Act. The Sugar Act was an act that put a tax on sugar. -
The Enlightenment-Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston Massachusetts. Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. During the Enlightenment Benjamin Invented the Lightening Rod. He greatly contributed to the promotion of the Enlightenment ideals such as reason, science, and basic human rights. -
French and Indian war
The war began when disputes over territory in the New World. One land they had continuous fights over was the expansion into the Ohio valley. In 1756 the British formally declared war on the French. 1756 was the official first year of fighting in the Seven Years War. The British had no major successes against the French and their allies the Indians. The War ended with a Treaty of Paris 1763 and although the British won they will still face colonial problems that the Treaty created. -
Colonial Economies-Upper South
In the upper South of Maryland and Virginia, tobacco was the largest market significant. Climate and soil was perfect to grow this crop. Tobacco exports in Maryland and Virginia was about 100 million pounds worth $6.3 million. Due to the ever growing plantations slaves were needed to help the harvest. -
Period: to
The Revolutionary War 1763-1783
-
Boston Massacre-Paul Revere
Paul Revere born in Boston Massachusetts on January 1, 1735 was a patriot leader. Revere created the famous engraving titled "Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in Kings Street in Boston". It was created 3 weeks later after the Boston Massacre(March 5, 1770). This engraving was a propaganda piece to progress the cause of Independence. The engraving has the five victims that died that day and how British soldiers were firing at the American crowd -
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773. Samuel Adams led the Boston town to raid 3 ships which were filled with tea. They dumped about 342 crates of tea into the Boston Harbor. Parliament passed the Tea Act which upset the American Colonists. The colonist didn't want to pay taxes on the British. They, the colonists, were afraid that Britain would take over America. Americans wanted to have their own country to rule. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition which was written by John Dickinson. The petition appealed directly to King George lll. It was drafted on July 5th and submitted to King George on July 8, 1775. It was an attempt to established the rights of the colonists while remaining loyal to the British crown. On August 23 King George claimed that the colonists had made a public rebellion by making the petition. He, King George, didn't even read the Petition. -
Common Sense-Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine born on February 9, 1737 in the United Kingdom. He created Common Sense which is a pamphlet writing on January 10, 1776. It was the first ever pamphlet written to advocate the American Independence. The pamphlet was written to possibly gain independence form Great Britain for the people in the 13 colonies. It was written to address those who were unfamiliar with the classical learning and legal actions. Common Sense was written to understand the nature of politics. -
The Declaration of Independence-Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell Virginia. Jefferson was part of the five-person committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence which included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson was referred to the author of the Declaration.It was written as a response of overtaxing on the colonists by Great Britain. The Second Continental Congress met on July 1,1776 and signed the document on July 4,1776. -
Battle of Saratoga
The battle was started by the British wanting controlling Upstate New York and isolate New England from the Southern colonies. It was a strategy to end the Revolutionary War. The British army was led by General John Burgoyne and the American forces were led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. At the battle 86% of the British army was captured. Because of the win this gave the France the confidence to enter the war on the American's side. This battle was the turning point for Americans. -
Massachusetts Constitution
John Adams was the main author of the Massachusetts Constitution the others that helped to write the constitition were James Bowdoin and Samuel Adams.The Massachusetts Constitution was written in 1780 and it's the world's oldest written constitution. It was approved by the colonists on June 15,1780 but it became effective on October 25,1780. It was a model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts General Court left the colonist write the Constitution. -
Articles of Confederation-Problems
The Articles of Confederation was written on November 15,1777 but was ratified until March 1,1781. The main author of the Articles of Confederation was John Dickinson which was a delegate from Pennsylvania. One of the many problems with the AOC was that the power was given to the states and not the federal government. This created unbalance power and the government could not collect taxes which then made the country go into debt. -
Treaty of Paris-1783
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 was a negotiation between the United States and Great Britain. The Treaty ended the revolutionary war and it also made the British recognize the independence of the Americans. The Continental Congress made a group of people to negotiate the treaty which were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and Henry Laurens. Due to problems the only ones able to negotiate the treaty were Adams, Franklin and Jay.The Treaty was signed on September 3,1783. -
Period: to
The Constitution
-
Shay's Rebellion
The rebellion was led by Daniel Shay of Massachusetts. He was a former captain in the Continental army. The rebellion was a series of protest done by the farmers that started in 1786 and ended in 1787. American farmers were against the state and local enforcement. The state wanted to tax the farmers with. When farmers couldn't pay the high taxes they are placed in prison and their farms are taken away. The series of protests led to the writing of the new Constitution. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was written by Thomas Jefferson which was signed and passed on July 13, 1787. The Ordinance was written to establish order and fair procedures for the settlements. The Northwest territory which is also called the American Midwest involved South of the Great Lakes, North of the Ohio River, East of the Mississippi River and West of Pennsylvania. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 25 to September 17, 1787. During the convention James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan which was to have a bicameral legislative branch. The New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Paterson which was a unicameral legislature. The Connecticut Plan was proposed by Roger Sherman which was going to benefit both large and small states. -
Three Branches
There were three branches created in 1787 which was the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch. The Executive Branch includes the President and his Vice President their jobs was to enforce the laws that were written. The Legislative Branch includes the Senate and the House of Representatives their jobs was to make the laws. The Judicial Branch includes the courts-Supreme, Circuit and District their jobs is to interpret the laws. -
The Great Debate
The Great debate were series of debates between the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist. In the Great Debate they argued the weaknesses and weakness of the Articles of Confederation. Some of the Debates were over the ratification of the Constitution, the inclusion of the Bill of Rights. The Federalist were for the ratification of the Constitution and Anti-Federalist opposed for. Anti-Federalist didn't want to keep the Constitution and the Federalist want to keep the Constitution. -
Election of 1788- George Washington
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in National Monument Virginia. He was the first president of the United States. He served 2 terms which was from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. Washington's Vice President form his terms was John Adams. When Washington left presidency he made the Farewell Address. This stated that Americans not to make long-term alliances with other nations. The Farewell Address was printed on September 19,1796. -
Period: to
New Republic
-
Bill of Rights
On September 25, 1789 Congress proposed to the Constitution to add twelve amendments. Out of the twelve only ten were adopted creating the Bill of Rights. This became effective on December 15, 1791. The Bill Of Rights was a response to the states wanting to have individual liberties and it was written by James Madison. Those who were in favor to the Bill were the anti-federalists since they wanted to guard their individual liberties. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion started in 1794 due to the "Whiskey Tax" that was put on farmers. The Whiskey Tax was the first tax that was put on a domestic product by the federal government. The tax was placed in 1791 and it was to reduce the national debt by $54 million. The rebellion collapsed when militias were sent by President George Washington. It was the first serious challenge on the federal authority. -
Pickney's Treaty
Pickney's Treaty also commonly known as Treaty of San Lorenzo was signed on October 27, 1795. This Treaty was between the United States and Spain. The treaty established that Spain would permit free navigation on the Mississippi River by American ships. Spain would recognize the 31st parallel as a southern boundary of the United States. It was a diplomatic success for the United States since prior to this treaty southern and western borders were a source of tension between Spain and the U.S. -
Election of 1796
The Election of 1796 was the first presidential election to elect a President and a Vice President. John Adams (Federalist) won the Election and served from March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801. His Vice President was Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican). Before John Adams became President he was George Washington's Vice President. As a Federalist Adams believed that the central government should be strong. -
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams born on October 30, 1735 in Quincy Massachusetts and died July 4, 1826 in Quincy, Massachusetts. He was President from March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801 making it one term and the second president in the United States. While he was President he created the XYZ affair which sent Americans into an undeclared naval war, and signed the Alien and Sedition Acts which was to protect American interests. -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair happened early on in John Adams Presidency 1797- 1798. It occurred because when French went to war with Great Britain, America had stayed neutral. After the United States signed the Jay Treaty with Britain and this resolved some of their problems. Although the United States was now happy with the Treaty the French were furious because French thought it violated the treaties they had set up with each other. In 1798 an undeclared naval occurred, the Quasi-War. -
Election of 1800- Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson born April 13, 1743 in Shadwell Virginia was our third president. Before Jefferson was President he was the Vice President to John Adams. Jefferson defeated Adams in the Election of 1800. And now the government was in favor for the Democratic-Republican Party not the Federalist Party. The Democratic-Republican party believed that the government had no right to have additional powers under the Constitution therefor making the states have power. -
Period: to
The Age of Jefferson
-
Embargo Act
President Thomas Jefferson singed a law passed by the United State Congress which was called the Embargo Act. It was singed on December 22, 1807. The Embargo prohibited American ships to trade in all foreign ports. It was an attempt to punish the British and French for interfering with American trade while the two were at war with each other, the French and British. The Embargo Act had not affected the Europeans powers but the Americans. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 started on June 18,1812 and ended on February 18,1815. The War was a conflict with Great Britain and the United States over the British violating the United States maritime rights, which was a series of economic sanctions being taken by the British and French. Another reason the war started was because of the British impressment of the Americans. After two years the Treaty of Ghent of was signed on December 24, 1814. A peace treaty started in Ghent, Belgium on August of 1814 -
Iron Plow
The Iron Plow was invented by Jethro Wood (March 6, 1774- 1834). The cast-iron moldboard plow with replaceable parts was the first successful plow. The plow was used to break the soil and allow seed to sprout. It also helped to control weeds and it would bury the crop residue. Most of the people that used the Iron Plow were farmers. The tool helped the acceleration of the development of American Agriculture. -
Steam Engine
The Steam Engine was able to help function machinery such as trains, steam locomotion, and steam boats. This machine would benefit both the North and the South with the overall economy in the United States. The locomotive Steam Engine was built by a British Engineer named George Stephenson. One of the earlier Steam Engines was created by Thomas Savery in 1698. The Steam Engine Savery invented was used to remove water from mines while the locomotive engine was used to transport coal. -
Immigrants
There were many immigrants that traveled to the United States during the American Industrial Revolution some are the Irish, German, British and the Scandinavians. The Germans came because of overpopulation, crop failure and lack of land. The Irish came because of the Potato Famine. The British and the Scandinavians came because they saw opportunities within the economy. About 12 million came to America seeking a new future. -
Period: to
The American Industrial Revolution
-
Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 started after the War of 1812 and was the first financial crisis in the United States. Because of the banks in the country were failing things such as mortgages were foreclosed. This forced people out of their homes and off their farms. The falling prices damaged the agriculture and manufacturing which created unemployment since demand for products were no longer high. The economy was not brought up until 1824. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819 was an agreement between the United States and Spain in February 22,1819. It was negotiated by John Quincy Adams and Luis de Onis. Spain gave up the Mississippi River and Oregon Territory and the United States gave up Texas. Spain gave Florida to the United States in the treaty. Prior to this Americans declared their independence from Spain. This treaty over settled the border disputes between the United States and Spain. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was created by Senator Henry Clay.
On March 3, 1820 Congress allowed Missouri to become a slave state within the Union. This did not settle well with people because of the growing conflict whether a state should be free or could have slaves. This is were the compromise was created and the issue would be temporarily solved. The 36,30 latitude line created a balanced proportion, it marked that above the line would be free states and below the line would be slave states. -
Temperance Movement
The Temperance movement happened around the early 19th century so about 1820. It was an effort from the women to make the men limit the consumption of intoxication liquors. The movement was mostly an effort from the women because they and their children endured the effects of drunk menfolk. As a result the advocates would encourage their fellow Americans to reduce the intake of alcohol they consumed. -
Period: to
Cultural Changes
-
Period: to
Cultural Changes
-
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was written by President James Monroe on December 2, 1823. The Doctrine was created to state that the Western Hemisphere was not to be colonized further by the European countries. It also stated that the United States would not interfere with Europe and the European Colonies. The Monroe Doctrine was a sign of the new found independence that the Americans now had. It also symbolized as a new found power that the United States now had. -
Corrupt Bargain
The Corrupt Bargain occurred during the Election of 1824. This also marked the final collapse of the Republican- Federalist political party. Its called the Corrupt Bargain because people believe that Henry Clay convinced the Congress to elect Adams. Later on when John Adams won the Election of 1824 he made Henry Clay the Secretary of State. When this occurred those who were for Jackson called this a corrupt bargain. -
Period: to
Age of Jackson
-
Slums
The First Slum (the Five Points) in the United States was built in 1825 in Lower Manhattan, because the Collect was entirely filled.
Slums were big building with many people, mostly the poor, in them creating an overcrowded place and a non-healthy living situation. The Collect was filled with slaughterhouses and tanneries. Free Slaves, Irish, Italian and Chinese immigrants were place in the slums. -
Sing Sing Prison
Sing Sing was a correctional Facility with maximum security in New York. It is located about 30 miles north of New York City on the East Bank of the Hudson River. The original building was 476 feet long, 44 feet wide and four tier high. Each cell was 7 feet deep, 3'3 feet wide and 6'7 feet high. The prison became one the most highly protected prisons. One mistake that they made was putting the mentally ill in the prison. The ill would be locked up in solitary making the situation worse. -
Railroads
The first railroad in the United States was created on February 28, 1827 and named the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It was railway was used for the commercial transport of passengers and goods. The Founders of the B&O railroad was John W. Garret and William Patterson. This railroad became important during the Civil War. It would allow Soldiers to travel from one theater of operations to another. -
Andrew Jackson- Age of the Common Man
Andrew Jackson "Old Hickory" born on March 15,1767 and died on June 8, 1845 became our seventh president. Andrew Jackson served as President from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837 making that two terms. Jackson belong to the Democratic-Republican Party. Jackson began a new era in American politics. He made the people believe he was one of them to appeal to the voter. He became a symbol for aspirations ad expectation that Americans had for themselves. -
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805 in Topsfield, Massachusetts and died on June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois. Smith was the Founder and the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism). He claimed he found gold tablets that only he could read and understand. With that understanding he created the Book of Mormon. By the time he died he attracted tens and thousands of followers. This religious culture is still in the present day religion groups. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nathaniel Turner was enslaved African American who led the rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia. The Rebellion occurred in August 1831 in Southampton County, Virginia. Nat Turner led rebel slaves in the largest and deadliest slave uprising in U.S. history. The rebel slaves killed 55 to 65 people. The rebellion was put down by the militias within a few days the rebellion had started. On November 11, 1831 Nathaniel was tried, convicted and killed in Jerusalem, Virginia. -
Edgar Allen Poe
Edgar Allen Poe was born in January 19, 1809 in Boston Massachusetts. He was an American writer, poet, critic and editor best known for his short stories and poems. His writing was considered part of the American Romantic period, Dark Romantic. Most of his pieces were meant to be read in one sitting so most of his work was poetry, short stories and essays. Most of his work now is considered literary classics. He died on October 7, 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland. -
Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis began November 24, 1832 and the convention was held in South Carolina. The Legislature of South Carolina put Calhoun's nullification theory to a test and that is what the convention was held for. The Southerners were angry about protective tariffs since it was hurting their economy and the taxes were only benefiting the North. John Calhoun's Doctrine states that "any state has the right to reject federal law" and that's what the South did. -
Charles Grandison Finney
Charles Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792 in Warren, Connecticut. He was an American lawyer, President of Oberlin College and a central figure int the religious revival movement during the early 19th century. He became a evangelist and was licensed by the Presbyterians. He began an almost continuous revival in New York City as a minister of the Second Free Presbyterian Church. He died on August 16, 1875 in Oberlin, Ohio. -
2nd Bank of the United States
The Second Bank of the United States is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it was built in February 1816 and was closed down in January 1836. The charter for the second national bank was President James Madison (March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817). Although he was reluctant to build a national bank he needed to in order to be able to finance the war with Britain. After Madison's term Andrew Jackson in 1833 announced that the Bank would no longer be needed causing the Panic of 1837. -
The Siege of the Alamo (Bexar)
The Siege of the Alamo lasted thirteen days from February 23 1836 to March 6, 1836. The battle was for Texas to gain independence form Mexico. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his thousands of soldiers began to siege the fort. The Alamo defenders were outnumbered but they held the fort for 13 days but Santa Anna won the territory back for Mexico. Although they lost the Americans still saw this battle as a heroic resistance to oppression and the struggle for independence. -
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 started in 1837 and ended in 1843. The Panic was a financial crisis in the United States while Martin Van Buren (March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1841) was President. Shortly after his inauguration preceded the panic by only five weeks. Businesses during this time were failing, people were losing their lands, and some people were unemployed. The panic started because Andrew Jackson decided to move federal funds to small state banks this hurts the Second federal Bank and the economy. -
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears started in 1838 and ended in 1839. The Trail of Tears was the cause of Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal policy. This meant that the Cherokee nation was forced to give up their land; east of the Mississippi River and migrate to modern-day Oklahoma. On the Trail to the western lands about 4,000 to 15,000 people of the Cherokee tribe died because of cold, hunger and disease. The trail was given its name by the Cherokee people because of the devastating effects. -
Lowell Mills
The Lowell Mills was invented by Francis Cabot Lowell. The mills and factories were built along the Merrimack River. There was about 8,000 textile workers who were commonly known as the Mill Girls or Factory Girls. Those who operated the machinery were mostly women and children. The women felt like the employment was a sense of freedom but most saw this as a threat to the "American way of Life." The Lowell Mills was the first industrial revolution hint in the United States. -
Period: to
Westward Expansion
-
Telegraph
The telegraph was created by Samuel Morse on May 24, 1844. His assistant Alfred Vail developed the Morse code signalling alphabet. Each set of dots and dashes in the Morse Code was a letter in the English Alphabet. The telegraph was a signaling system that allowed people to communicate over distances. If anyone were to interfere and listen they would have to know Morse Code to understand. In 1844 Samuel Morse sent his first message from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland. -
Election of 1844
The Election of 1844 was won by John Tyler, tenth president, which served as President from April 4, 1841 to March 4, 1845. The First Vice President to become President due to the death of the predecessor William Henry Harrison. Tyler was a Democratic-Republican but in 1840 he ran for vice presidency on the Whig Party. The Whigs and John Tyler did not get along so much so that the Whigs tried to impeach Tyler. He accomplished the Annexation of Texas. -
Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny began in 1845. It was a period of American expansion that the United States thought it was destined to do. It would stretch from coast to coast. The expansion would not only symbolize the territory expansion but the progress of liberty and the individual economic opportunity. The concept was brought by the desire to secure the Oregon Territory, California, Mexican land in the Southwest and Cuba. This eventually led to the war with Mexico. -
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin born on November 3, 1793 in Wythe County, Virginia and died December 27, 1836 in West Columbia, Texas. Stephen F. Austin is also known as "Father of Texas" since he established the first Anglo-American colony in Texas and saw it grow into an independent republic. This was the second and most successful colonization of the region. Austin brought 300 families from the U.S. to the region in 1825. Texas was founded on December 29, 1845. -
Bear Flag Revolt
The Bear Flag Revolt started on June 14, 1846 and ended July 5,1846 in the California's Sacramento Valley. It was an independence rebellion led by William B. Ide. It was a small group of American settlers in California against the Mexican government. U.S. Army Brevet Captain John C. Fremont arrived at Sonoma and gave support to the Bear Flag Revolt. The Flag they used in the Revolt later became the California State Flag. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was held at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Fall, New York. It was a woman's rights convention which was the first one ever held in the United States. About 200 women attended the convention. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, two abolitionists, organized the Seneca Falls Convention. This Convention was a demand for equal social status and legal rights for women. This included the right to vote. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848 in Mexico officially ending the Mexican- American war. This War initially started with the dispute over who owned the Texas territory. This entitled the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits and Settlements between the United States and Mexico. The Treaty added about 525,000 square miles to the United States territory. This included present-day Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. -
Election of 1848
The Election of 1848 was won by James Knox Polk who was born on November 2, 1795 in Pineville, North Carolina and died on June 15, 1849 in Nashville, Tennessee. He served from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849 (11th president) as a Democrat. Polk did not seek out a second term since he promised in the Election of 1848 to only serve one term. He led the nation into the war with Mexico and acquired large amounts of territory during his presidency because of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
California Gold Rush
The Californian Gold Rush started on January 24, 1848. Gold nuggets were discovered in the Sacramento Valley which sparked the Gold Rush. When new spread of the discovery thousand of gold miners traveled not only by land but also by sea to land in San Francisco and its surrounding areas. The amount of people that were now populating California allowed to speed up the admission for it to become a state within the United States. -
Period: to
Sectionalism
-
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850. It was part of the Compromise of 1850 between the Southern slave- holding interest and the Northern Free- soilers. Those who did not like slavery (North) called this act the "Bloodhound Law". This Law stated that all the escaped slaves were to be captured and returned to their masters. Those who were in the North had to cooperate in the law or they might be imprisoned. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Maryland's Donchester County in 1822.She was a conductor of the Underground Railroads. She would return to slave-holding states to help the other slave to escape. During a ten year span Harriet made about 19 trips into the South and escorted "saved" over 300 slaves to their freedom. Tubman not only want freedom for the slave but for everyone making her join the Union Army. Harriet Tubman died on March 10, 1913 in Auburn, New York. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was written in 1850 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The book was written in response to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (aiding or assisting runaway slaves a crime in free states). It was carefully written stating the an anti- slavery argument. About 300, 000 copies of the novel were widely read with the 3 months of it being published. Lincoln read the book and in 1862 they, Lincoln and Stowe, meet and he claimed to say "So this is the little lady who made this big war. " -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent political confrontation within the United States between the years 1854 to 1861. This was between those who were pro- slavery "Southern States" and the anti- slavery "Northern States". The main question was whether Kansas would be a slave state or a free state, join the Union or the Confederacy. This was caused by the Kansas- Nebraska Act of 1854 which called for popular sovereignty. -
Dred Scott vs Sandford
The Supreme Court Case Dred Scott vs Sandford was issued on March 6, 1857. Dred Scott was a enslave African American that lived in a free state. This by law made him a free African American so he took this to the court where he was tried by Chief Justice Roger Taney. The Chief declared that slaves were not citizens of the United States therefore they could not sue in Federal Courts. This meant that Dred Scott could not gain freedom for his family not himself. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown was a radical abolitionist that was born on May 9, 1800 in Torrington, Connecticut. He led a small army of 18 to 21 men into the small town of Harper's Ferry, Virginia on October 16, 1859.They attacked and occupied the federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry. This was considered a major slave rebellion in the South. Brown was tried and convicted of treason and he was hanged on December 2, 1859 in Charles Town, Virginia. -
Trent Affair
The Trent Affair was between the United States and Great Britain. From November to December 1861 while the U.S. Civil War was occurring. The Trent Affair was a crisis that erupted after the captain of the USS San Jacinto ordered the arrest of two Confederate envoys who were sailing to Europe. The men were seeking out support for the South during the Civil War. Since Britain was not taking a side they were enraged by this and seized neutral ships of the U.S Navy. -
Period: to
Civil War
-
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In the beginning of the Civil War Lincoln did not care for the slaves and that abolishing slavery was a military strategy. Later the abolishing was also a morally correct path. The Emancipation Proclamation led the way to having slavery totally abolished. The aim of the Proclamation was to change the freeing of the slaves and to preserve the Union. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. He announced it on November 19, 1863 in the battlefield cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The speech was fairly short about two minutes long and Lincoln was not confident after he announced it, since the entire crowd was silent. It was a tribute to the Union soldiers who sacrifices their lives for the union and the equality of man. At the end of the speech Edward Everett congratulated Lincoln. -
Missouri during the Civil War
Missouri was a border state making it neutral and due to that it sent men to both the North and the South. Missouri had two governments during the Civil War. The Union and the Confederacy were the two competing state governments. They, Missouri, sent in their representatives to the United State Congress and the Confederate Congress. About 110,000 men were sent to the Union and about 40,000 men were sent to the Confederacy. -
Election of 1864
In the Election of 1864 Abraham Lincoln (Republican) won against George McClellan (Democrat). Abraham Lincoln served from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865 making that one term. The Election was during the Civil War and it was the first since 1812. Lincoln had little to no hope that he would get re-elected. Lincoln won partly as a result of the Union Victory at the Battle of Atlanta and gain about 400,000 votes. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln our 16th President of the United States was assassinated by a well- known stage actor John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. While he and his wife attended Ford's Theater abot to watch "Our American Cousin" in Washington D.C. John Booth walked behind Abraham when he was distracted and shot him at the back of his head with a pistol. Lincoln died the following day and was the first ever president to ever be assassinated. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Freedman's Bureau was created by President Abraham Lincoln on March 3, 1865. It was established by Congress to help former black slaves and poor whites in the South in the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War. The Freedman's Bureau provided food, housing and medical aid. It also established schools and offered legal assistance. The Bureau was shuts down in 1872 because of the program was short of funds and personnel and the pressure from white Southerners. -
KKK
The KKK (Ku Klux Klan) was formed on December 24, 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee. The KKK was a secret society made by a group of Confederate veterans. The first Grand Wizard was the former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest in 1869. This group believed in white racial supremacy and white nationalism. The group would intimidated, destroy property, assaulted, and murdered to achieve its aims and influence upcoming elections. By the time Reconstruction ended the KKK also faded away. -
40 Acres and a Mule
40 Acres and a Mule was saying stating broken promises. It was a phrase that was evoked by the Federal government's failure to redistribute land after the Civil War. African Americans were told that they would receive 40 acres of land and a mule. They could either rent or buy the land. This would give the African Americans a sense of freedom and hope. By the end of the Civil War Northern Armies moved to the South and took the land from the African Americans. -
Period: to
Reconstruction
-
Black Codes
The Black Codes of the United States were written by former Confederate states in 1866. It was a set of laws that were meant to preserve slavery. The Black Codes were modeled after the earlier Slave Codes. The Black Codes ended in 1877 because of Reconstruction after the Civil War. These laws restricted African Americans' freedoms and made them work in the labor economy system. This only provided them low wages and debt. -
Yellowstone National Park
The First National Park created was Yellowstone National Park on 1872 because Congress established the Yellowstone National Park Act on March 1, 1872. it was built in Wyoming, Montana. It was created for the enjoyment of the people. Congressmen gave their support for the National Park because they believed that the isolated region would be economic value. Since most people did not see nature because of industrialization the parks would overjoy them. -
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 lasted from 1873 to 1879 making that a total of 6 years. It started after the Civil War had ended in May 9, 1865. This triggered a depression in Europe and North America. The Panic weakened the Republican Party and the Democrats regained the House of Representatives in 1874. This Panic of 1873 which was a formal end to the Reconstruction Era. It was a financial crisis this led to the first nationwide strikes. -
Whiskey Ring Scandal
The Whiskey Ring was the scandalous and notorious scandal of time which was revealed in May 1875 in St. Louis. The Whiskey Ring involved hundreds of individuals across the nation. Major cities that were involved in the Whisky Ring Scandal was St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. Conspirators bribed Internal Revenue officials and politicians in Washington in order to keep liquor taxes for themselves. Funds were also used to finance the Republican campaigns. -
Jim Crow Laws
The Jim Crow Law were law passed to separate the white from "person of color" in public transportation and schools. The segregation principle was extended to parks, cemeteries, theaters, and restaurants. This was an effort to prevent the contact between blacks and whites and thinking that they were equal. In 1954 this set of laws was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This meant that segregation in public areas was banned. -
Clara Burton
Clarissa Harlowe Barton (December 25, 1821- April 12, 1912) was the founder of the American Red Cross. She was a suffragist and humanitarian. She organized relief for the wounded and often caring her own supplies during the outbreak of the Civil War. She helped locate the missing soldiers and identified the deceased towards the end of the war. During this time as she was assisting in the Civil War female nurses were uncommon, nurses were mostly male.
