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Period: 30,000 BCE to
Beginnings to Exploration
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1590 BCE
Bering Land Bridge
Around 10,000 years ago, people from East Asia, also known as Eurasia, walked on foot to cross the Bering Land Bridge, which was connected to North America, allowing the people to migrate into a new continent. The Bering Land Bridge (between Siberia and Alaska) was revealed after the last ice age when the icebergs caused a major drop in the sea level and the Bering Land Bridge was approximately 1,000 miles long. -
1200 BCE
Bloodletting
Beginning with the Olmec civilization, bloodletting was a popular ancient ritual in Mesoamerican societies. They had a belief that they owed blood to the Gods. It was a common form of sacrifice and healing that involved cutting part of one's body to release blood. These rituals are often preformed at special events, dates, or important stages in a king or queen's life, such as birthdays and marriages. Bloodletting can be done using cutting implements like string ray spines and blades. -
1347
The Black Death
The Black Death was a deadly epidemic of bubonic plague that ravaged Europe and Asia in the 14th century. The disease greatly affected people and killed sixty percent of Europe's population. People who were infected would lay ill for a few days and die suddenly. It was caused by a bacterium called, Yersinia pestis, which was carried among wild rodents. This had a huge negative effect on the economy as it disrupted trade and manufacturing. Farms were abandoned and there was a shortage of workers. -
1440
Printing Press
The printing press was invented in the mid-16th century by Johann Gutenberg as a way to make money. Gutenberg's invention had a major effect on European civilizations, as it allowed literature to be spread faster in masses in a more durable way. Books were being produced in greater numbers at a much lower cost. The printing press also spread knowledge in a more standardized way, which was important for the advances of science and technology. This accelerated the spread of the Renaissance. -
1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange was an exchange of animals, diseases, goods, technology, and culture between the New World and Old World. It transformed the lives of many Europeans and Native Americans. The exchange started in 1492 after Christopher Columbus' discovery and it began to expand through many years. As the cycle continued, this allowed cultural diffusion and globalization. The negative effects included diseases that were carried by people and clothes which affected the populations. -
1517
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a important figure who began the Protestant Reformation during the 16th century. In 1517, Luther composed a document, "95 Theses", in protest against the Catholic Church's practice of selling of indulgences. In the document, he expressed that salvation could only be reached through faith and God's divine grace. He believed that the main religious authority laid in the Bible. In Western Europe, his ideas soon caused a split in the Catholic Church and shaped Protestantism. -
Roanoke
In 1587, there were settlers who arrived to Roanoke Island in hopes to establish the first English settlement in America. However, by 1590, the group mysteriously disappeared and was no where to be found. This left many people to question on where did the settlers go. The only clues from the scene were the words "Croatoan" and "Cro" which was carved into a gatepost and a nearby tree. The theory is that the settlers went 50 miles south to Hatteras Island, also know as Croatoan Island today. -
Period: to
Colonial America
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John Smith
John Smith is an English Explorer and the founder of the Jamestown Colony, the first permanent England colony in America. Few of the settlers did not know how to hunt, farm, or hunt, resulting in Smith becoming the leader of the colony. He helped them survive and his leadership helped turned things around. He had a strict policy for the settlers or they can face starvation. Later on, Smith led an expedition to explore and map the northern coast of America and named the new land "New England". -
Period: to
English Colonial Societies
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Headright System
In Jamestown, Virginia on 1618, the headright system was a known as a grant of land that was given to the settlers of the 13 colonies. It was about 50 acres of land and mainly used in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Maryland. This was an effective and profitable system that increased population in the British Colonies. The goal was to attract new settlers to the area because there was a large need of workers for the emergence of tobacco farming. Most people who worked there were indentured servants -
Squanto
Squanto was a famous Native American who was a member in the Patuxet tribe. Also known as Tisquantum, Squanto was most famous for guiding the pilgrims and teaching them fertilization and maize-planting techniques. Unlike most Native Americans, Squanto was able to learn and speak fluent English, which helped him communicate better with the pilgrims. Without Squanto, the Plymoth Colony would have died, but he helped them survive the winters. He is also seen as a symbol of Thanksgiving. -
Quakers
Also known as a religious society of friends, Quakers was a movement that was founded in England by George Fox. Their beliefs was that all people are created equal in the eyes of God. The rise in Quakerism was not liked by the Puritans in New England due to their values. Many people in England were quickly offended by the stands that they took and they were later persecuted and jailed. In Pennsylvania, Quakers eventually established their own colony that was charted by William Penn. -
Sir Isaac Newton
One of the most famous Enlightenment thinkers was Sir Isaac Newton. He was a great thinker that discovered the idea of gravity and the principle of why things on Earth fall to the ground. He was known for his scientific discoveries such as the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. Most people considered Newton as an influential scientist. Other famous discoveries by Newton that was included was calculus, a type of math, and his invention of the reflecting telescope. -
Nathaniel Bacon
Nathaniel Bacon a land owner in Jamestown who had constant problems with his Native Americans Neighbors as they kept being aggressive towards the colonists. He believed the solution to this problem was to wipe the Indians out. The governor, William Berkeley, refused to grant Bacon authorization to raise a militia to bring down Native Americans on the frontier. Tension grew between Bacon and the governor of Virginia and this was the start of the Bacon Rebellion. Bacon went ahead and attacked. -
English Bill of Rights
The Parliament of England passed the English Bill of Rights on December 16, 1689. It gave certain rights to the English citizens by the power of William III and Mary II and started a constitutional monarchy in England. The act was created as a way to separate and limit the powers of the king and queen. Included in the article was a list of the misdeeds of King James and 13 articles which stated specific freedoms of the citizens. This was later used as an inspiration of the U.S Bill of Rights. -
Salutary Neglect
Salutary Neglect is an unofficial policy by the British government. Another name for this term was "benign neglect" and it meant avoiding the strict law enforcement so that the colonies would remain obedient to England. When the Navigation Acts were passed, the colonists ignored the laws and the British allowed them to be. This example was known was Salutary Neglect. As the government let the colonists self-rule themselves, they became used to the mindset and eventually ended negatively. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, or also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual movement during the late 17th century that spread rapidly across Europe and, later, in America. During this time period, the concepts of reason, nature, humanity, and scientific methods were emphasized and there were Enlightenment thinkers, such as Isaac Newton, John Locke, and Voltaire that developed new ideas. Some of the major philosophies during the Enlightenment was rationalism, skepticism, and empiricism. -
Act of Union
The Acts of Union had an huge impact on the political and governmental structure of England and Scotland. There was two Parliament Acts passed by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. It brought together the previously separate states and joined as a single parliament called the Kingdom of Great Britain. This was an example of unification after years of conflict between both states. Many American Colonies were influenced by these acts and it began to spread across the America -
Steam Power Engines
Steam engines was an invention that helped boost the Industrial revolution. Before, many factories had to be located near rivers to get sources such as water and wind to be powered. The steam power engines allowed most factories to be anywhere without relying on rivers or any bodies of water. It provided power for production machines and helped produce more things efficiently. Most steam engines used boiling water to form hot steam in order to help power a machine. -
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious movement that went across Europe and the colonies. It focused mainly on old church members and sought to make conversions within the community. During this time, peoples' thoughts about their relationship with other people, divine, and themselves were changed. They began to question the roles of individuals in society and religion. The Great Awakening emphasized religion and mortality in all human decisions. It increased Evangelical church membership greatly. -
The Middle Passage
The Middle passage was the crossing of slaves from Africa to the Americas. Majority of the slaves were from different countries that spoke different languages and had no idea where they were going on the ship. They were packed so close next to each other that they could barely move and the conditions were bad. Some caught diseases and a fever due to those conditions. Many Africans also died on the ship because of suicide or even murder. The voyage took a few weeks, depending on the weather. -
Seven-Years War/French and Indian War
The Seven-Years war began in 1756 when England declared war on France. The tensions were high between the British and the French as both wanted to extend their colonies and take control of the Ohio River Valley. The war was officially ended on 1763 with the Treaty of Paris. As a result of the war, the British gained a good amount of territory in North America. The consequences of the war were expensive and the British government began to tax the colonists to pay off the debt. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
The Treaty of Paris was signed on February 20, 1763 which ended the French and Indian War that was fought between France and Great Britain, as well as their allies. In this treaty, France lost all the mainland territory in North America while the British gained most of the territory east of the Mississippi River like the Ohio River Valley and they also had possession of Quebec. France only had a few islands which included Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, used mainly for fishing. -
Period: to
The Revolutionary War
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Revenue Act/Sugar Act
The Sugar Act, or also known as the Revenue Act, was the first revenue act passed by the British Parliament to tax the American Colonies. After the Seven-Years War, the British faced a huge debt due to the impact and the Sugar Act was a way for them to increase revenue to pay back the debt. The Sugar Act was more strictly enforced and placed tax on sugar, wine, and other variety of goods. The colonists were angry and were in opposition to the act which led to massive tension with the British. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament and required all American Colonists to pay tax on printed paper. This was the first direct tax that included newspaper, licenses, documents, and anything that was paper. Because of the large use of newspaper and printing, this act angered the colonists and led to the Virginia Resolves. The resolves declared that the Americans had the same rights as the British and emphasized "No taxation without representation" and virtual representation. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1767 and proposed by Charles Townshend. This was passed as a new revenue plan which placed tax on import goods such as paper, tea, glass and more. However, the colonies saw that the money was used for royal officials and this created tension. Troops had the right to search private homes for goods and some of the freedom of the colonists were taken away. This was another issue that pushed the colonists towards the fight for independence. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, British troops opened fire at a colonist mob in Boston. The conflict escalated quickly and turned into a bloody riot which resulted in the death of five men. After the chaos, thirteen people were arrested, including British soldiers, an officer, and four colonists. Eight of the British soldiers were put on trial and John Adams felt that they needed a fair trial and tried to defend the soldiers against the charges. The massacre was a cry for patriotism for the colonists. -
Coercive Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament placed the Coercive Acts, or also called the Intolerable Acts. This was established as a punishment for the people involved during the tea party. In this Act, the Boston port was closed down until the colonists paid for the destroyed property and the town hall meetings were banned. It was also possible for troops to go to private homes and the colonists strongly opposed this. Tensions escalated more and war broke out a year later. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine where in it, he argued for American Independence. It emphasized that the thirteen colonies should gain independence from Great Britain. He believed in the natural rights of the people and wanted to create a republican government. He used political arguments to make his point and tried persuade the people to fight for freedom. After publishing, Common Sense became a sensation across the colonies and many people were influenced. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 1776. This was a document that declared independence from Britain. The draft was written by Thomas Jefferson and in the document, there was a list of the wrongs of King George III. With this, Jefferson hoped to earn the support from the colonists and assistance from foreign nations. He discussed that the power of government rested within the people and the idea of unalienable rights, or the natural rights of the people. -
Period: to
The Constitution
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Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first national government of the US and was official ratified by all thirteen states on March 1, 1781. The document gave most of the power to the states. This also created a weak national government with limited powers with no power to tax, executive branch, and no unicameral branch or court system. Under this document, each state could only receive one vote, regardless of size, and it would take 9/13 state votes in order to pass laws. -
Shay's Rebellion
Due to the raised taxes that mainly affected the farmers, there was an uprising of poor farmers led by Daniel Shay that opposed to these taxes, and this was known as Shay's Rebellion. These farmers demanded lower taxes, the end of foreclosures, and the end of imprisonment for debt. The rebellion consisted of about 1,200 farmers and was unsuccessful at the end, however, this rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and called for a stronger central government. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was enacted by the Confederation Congress in 1787 and one of the benefits of the Articles of Confederation. This law allowed the settlement process in the Northwest territory to be more organized and orderly. It helped establish new systems on how territories would become states and and enter the union. As a state's population grew, the people would gain the right to self govern. Also, if the population reached 60,000 residents, it could apply to become a state. -
Three Branches
The three branches of government was a separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Checks and Balances was a system where it prevented each branch from having too much power. The Legislative Branch is The Senate and the House of Representatives which makes the law. The Executive Branch deals with the President, Vice President, and the Cabinet that carries out laws from the Legislative Branch. The Judicial Branch includes the Supreme Court and interprets the laws. -
The Virginia Plan
During the Constitutional Convention, James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan and was presented in a form of fifteen resolutions by Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787. It stated why the Articles of Confederations should be radically changed and outlined a new form of a central government. It suggested a government system that consisted of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches. It would also include a bicameral legislature, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place on 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 55 delegates came together to discuss and revise the Articles of Confederation to produce a new Constitution, with George Washington being the president of the convention. They agreed that the government would consist of the three branches of government; Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary. The three major compromises from this was the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise. -
Anti-Federalist Papers
From 1787 to 1789, there was a huge debate between federalists and anti-federalists on the ratification of the federal Constitution. Unlike Federalists, Anti-Federalists were those who opposed the constitution and were against the ratification. They wrote arguments know as the Anti-Federalist Papers where in them, they warned the dangers from the tyranny in the constitution. This was to persuade others to oppose the ratification to prevent the adaption of the constitution. -
Period: to
New Republic
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Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was ratified on 1791 and added to the Constitution as the first ten amendments. Most of the citizens wanted this to protect themselves from a tyrannical government. To ease the concern of the Anti-Federalists, this guaranteed individual rights and limited the powers of the federal and state government. The First Amendment is one of most important parts which gives the people the freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition the government to right wrongs. -
Bank of the United States
Proposed by Alexander Hamilton, first the Secretary of the Treasury, the Bank of the United States was chartered by the Congress on 1791. The Revolutionary War brought a huge debt and the Bank was needed to handle this. The bank would be chartered for twenty years and was part of Hamilton's financial plan to stable the economy and currency and improve the nation's credit. The Republicans were in opposition and rejected the idea of the bank because it was not stated in the Constitution. -
Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was an important invention during the industrial revolution that was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 and it improved the production of cotton. The machine helped remove the seeds from the cotton fibers which was previously removed by hand, and this allowed southern planters to produce cotton at a faster rate for a greater profit. As the production increased, there was an increased need for slaves to work the cotton fields in the South. The demand for land and slaves were growing -
Whiskey's Rebellion
As part of Alexander Hamilton's financial plan, there was an excise tax on whiskey. Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay these taxes and tensions grew. Known as the Whiskey's Rebellion, the farmers began to protest and rebel against the taxes. In response, George Washington leads an army of 13,000 soldiers to end the rebellion and was successful. This showed many the effectiveness of the government under the Constitution, which led to more people having respect for the government. -
Pinckney's Treaty
In 1795, Pinckey's Treaty was a treaty between the US and Spain by Thomas Pinckney and Manuel de Godoy. The purpose of this treaty established friendly intentions between the two countries. It gave US the right to free navigation of the Mississippi River and gave access to part of New Orleans port to transport goods. It also set the 31st parallel as the southern boundary of the US. The treaty resolved the territorial disagreements with both countries and encouraged Americans to expand westward. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Near the end of George Washington's term, he published a farewell address as a way to say goodbye and give advice for the American people to follow. He believed that states should keep unity between each other and have equal power within the national government. In the address, the 2 main warnings that he wrote was that the people need to stay clear of permanent alliances with foreign countries and avoid the possible dangers of political parties. He also warned about the spirit of partisanship -
Period: to
The Age of Jefferson
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Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a religious revival movement that occurred around the 19th century. This movement emphasized religious romanticism and salvation by doing good actions. During this time, it greatly influenced movements such as revivalism, the temperance movement, and prison reforms. Education began to advance. Prisoners were isolated in penitentiaries with one of the main penitentiaries located in Sing Sing, New York. Numerous of people were converting and churches began to change. -
Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison was a 1803 Supreme Court case in which established the Judicial Rule, the power to determine whether a law is constitutional or unconstitutional. The case was caused when James Madison refused to deliver William Marbury's commission and Madison decided to petition a writ of mandamus to the Supreme Court compelling the commission delivery. This was the first case ever to announce a law unconstitutional. The case was a violation of separation of powers. -
Lousiana Purchase
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson purchase the Louisiana Territory from France, which was under the rule of Napoleon. The land was sold for $15 million, three cents per acre west of the Mississippi River. This purchase was significant to the US as it doubled the size of the nation and Americans had control of the Mississippi River. Adding the land was a triumph for Jefferson and he appointed Lewis and Clark to explore the new land and this created new states and cities in the US. -
12th Amendment
The 12th amendment of the US Constitution was ratified on 1804 which determined that the election of the president and vice president would be based on the electoral college. This was a group of people that would represent each 50 states and Washington DC. This ended the conflict with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and was adopted after the Election of 1800. The electors had separate ballots for the president and vice president and the electoral votes was based on the population of that state. -
Railroads
Before railroads and trains were invented, many people traveled and transported goods or things through horses. Railroads were an important part of the Industrial Revolution as it transported materials at a faster rate and was inexpensive, which benefited factories as it produced more goods. Businesses grew and people began to move into the city. New jobs were made and there was a demand for new workers to help the industry. Opportunities to travel started to expand and people can move freely. -
Lewis and Clark
President Thomas Jefferson gave Meriwether Lewis and William Clark a task to explore the new land west of the Mississippi River that was purchased during the Louisiana Purchase. Clark was the co-leader for Lewis and their expedition lasted for over two years. They faced bad conditions during their trip such as bad weather, starvation, injuries, and some diseases. However, their journey was a success as they discovered new information of geographical and social factors of the area. -
Embargo Act of 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was passed by the US Congress and was signed by Thomas Jefferson. As a reaction to the problems with Britain and France forcing Americans into naval service and the seizing of US ships, the law prohibited American exports to foreign countries. By stopping the trade, President Jefferson hoped to make Britain and France weak so they could prepare themselves for a war.The act greatly affected the US economy instead and was repealed in 1809. This later led to the War of 1812. -
Steam Boat
Steamboats were used often during the Industrial Revolution as it was used to carry materials, supplies, and even people across water. Adding an engine to boats was an important idea for many people and changed the way people transported goods. Invented by Robert Fulton, it was made to travel up and down bodies of water more quicker than regular paddle boats. The steam boat is propelled by a steam engine where the steam from the boiling water makes the paddles turn and propels the boat. -
Old Hickory
Old Hickory was a common nickname for Andrew Jackson during the war of 1812. His nickname was earned when many believed that he was tough as wood. Jackson is known as the hero at the battle of New Orleans, and was popular among with his troops. He also fought in many duels which most people believed was heroic and he was gaining a good reputation. it was his ability to save his supporters and his strength during the war that influenced this nickname and it was used for his whole life. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was known as the last battle of the War of 1812. Under the command of General Andrew Jackson, he led a small army against the British, who wanted New Orleans. The peace treaty, Treaty of Ghent, was signed before the war started, however, it did not arrive until after they fought. Andrew Jackson held the name of a war hero after the battle by defeating the British army. The end result of the war caused a confidence boost for the American military and the US. -
Period: to
The American Industrial Revolution
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2nd Bank of the United States
The Second Bank of the United States was created in 1816 and was chartered for twenty years under President James Madison. It closely resembled the First Bank, but much bigger and it regulated how much money was circulated in the economy and deposited federal funds. After the Panic of 1819, many people began to dislike the idea of the second bank and there were many corruptions happening within it. Andrew Jackson believed that the bank was unconstitutional and would cause a corrupt society. -
Panic of 1819
During The Panic of 1819, the US experienced a major financial crisis following the War of 1812. Banks began to fail, foreclosure was spreading, people were losing their jobs and forced to leave their homes or farms. The establishment of the Second Bank of the US was mainly the cause for this crisis as it called loans, extended credit and restricted it quickly. The effects of this panic led to a destruction in the financial structure and divided the commercial interests of those in the East. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was an agreement that settled the issue of slave and free states and it was needed to balance the states. The compromise allowed the state of Missouri to be admitted as a slave state and Maine to be admitted as a free state. This also banned slavery North of the 36° 30' latitude line of the Louisiana Territory. The Missouri Compromise was repealed in 1854 and was replaced by the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Supreme Court later declared it unconstitutional. -
Period: to
Cultural Changes
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Lowell Mills
In Lowell, Massachusetts, there was a town for a new system for manufacturing. The Lowell Mill were factories that employed almost more than 8,000 textile workers. The workers were primarily women known as factory girls or also mill girls. This system was created so that the process of manufacturing was done in one place and under one roof. This was a clear start to the Industrial Revolution in the United States and for most employed women, they felt as if they were having more freedom. -
Corrupt Bargain
The Corrupt Bargain happens after Election of 1824. Neither Andrew Jackson or John Adams won the majority of electoral vote, therefore Henry Clay, the speaker for the House of Representatives, would have to make the decision on who would become president. Adams was elected and many people were surprised, especially Jackson. Many believed that Clay convinced congress to have Adams elected in return to be Adam's Secretary of State. Jackson and his supporters called this the corrupt bargain. -
Period: to
Age of Jackson
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Canals
Canals were essential during the Industrial Revolution because it carried loads of heavy produce to be moved from one place to another. They are man-made waterways that helped goods be transported on a smoother route than roads. Advantages of the canal that are included was the canal barge that could carry a good amount of product. It is built across land and rivers, and canals also improved the way people traded with one another. Prices were cheaper and factories were benefiting from this. -
Spoils System
The Spoil System was started shortly after Andrew Jackson's election as president. This was an arrangement that gave the loyal supporters of the winning political party appointive government offices and jobs as a reward for their victory. Jackson removed people who became corrupt for being in office for a long period of time and replaced them with the supporters. He believed in loyalty and this helped maintain organization of an active party. Many argued that the system was not based merit. -
Telegraph
The telegraph was invented by Samuel Morse and it improved the communication for many people. Before, long distance communication required a long period of time and could take weeks for a message to be sent from country to country. The telegraph allowed messages to be transmitted faster, especially for long distances. It provided ways for people to communicate to others in cases of emergency or just informing people of important events. This facilitated the growth of other inventions. -
Temperance Movement
The temperance movement was organized in the United States in effort to reduce or limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Drinking was a common habit for most people that resulted in them being drunk and having a lot of consequences. Many believed that drinking alcohol was linked to bad morals, insanity, and abuse and this led people to start the temperance movement. Thousands of people joined and begin to spread the world through books, posters, pamphlets, and petitions. -
Mormons
Mormons were a religious group of people who were apart of the Church and believed in the Savior of Jesus Christ. The religion started in the 19th century in New York and was founded during the Second Great Awakening by Joseph Smith. Mormonism believed in moderation and taking risks. Many Mormons were persecuted during their journey on the Oregon Trail due to the practice of polygamy. The religion rapidly grew in the 1800s and many of them traveled to Utah, which was led by Brigham Young. -
Education
During the Second Great Awakening, education begin to rise and schools were increasing. Before this, children were not receiving the education that they need due to bad funding and the schools were rather small. Reformers wanted to change this and have children be educated by teaching them the basics of writing, reading, religion, and math. The literacy rates have increased among the students and many began to understand and read better. New colleges also started to open up for citizens. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was a slave rebellion which took place in Southampton County, Virginia that lasted for almost 48 hours. Nat Turner was a slave and preacher who formed the rebellion because he believed that he was chosen by God to led the revolt. The fifty followers came together in effort to kill and get rid of the planter families. As a result, about sixty white people were killed, from masters to even children. A militia eventually stopped the rebellion and many were convicted & kill. -
Tariff Act of 1832
The Tariff Act of 1832 was passed in the United States as a protectionist tariff to calm down the conflict that was caused by the tariff of 1828. The tariff was to protect producers by adding tax on the imported goods. This benefited the North, however, most southerners still opposed and were upset as they were greatly affected by the high taxes. As a result, this led to a crisis called the nullification crisis in South Carolina. Later on, the tariff was lowered down to satisfy the South. -
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was a Mexican general, dictator, and a military leader during battles like the Battle of San Jacinto. He carried both strengths and weaknesses. In some aspects, he was a good military leader and other times, some people mistrusted him. In the years from 1833 to 1855, Santa Anna became the President of Mexico 11 times and caused a lot of disasters. He lost the Texas Revolution and lost Texas, along with most of the western US. Despite corruption, he was loyal to Mexico -
Asylum
The prison and asylum movement happened around the mid 1800s, where people began to help the conditions of those who were imprisoned or mentally ill. Many saw mental illness as a problem and involved it with sin and demons. Those who lived in these asylums were often beaten, chained, caged, and were stripped naked. The main reformer of this movement was a women named Dorthea Dix. Dix observed these asylums and jails and noticed that the abusive behaviors had to stop. -
Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto took place near the San Jacinto River on April 21, 1836 and did not last over twenty minutes. The Battle was fought between Texas and Mexico. Sam Houston led his army and attacked Santa Anna and his men. Houston defeated the Mexican army and he led a victory The significance of this battle was that it ended the Texas Revolution and as a result of Texas' victory, Texas gained independence from Mexico. It also allowed Texans to expand even more west. -
Sam Houston
Sam Houston was an important figure during the Texas Revolution and looked up as a hero for many Texans. He led an army to defeat General Santa Anna and his men and as a result, Texas was able to be independent from Mexico. Later on, people elected Houston as the president of the Republic of Texas and served as the senator and governor. The city of Houston was named after Sam Houston as a way to honor him. His role for Texas Independence left a huge legacy for Houston. -
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a crisis that affected the United States both financially and economically. During this time period, banks and the credit system began to collapse which ultimately led to many people losing their jobs, increasing high unemployment. Businesses were being bankrupted, the wheat crop was failing, and the price of cotton was falling. People began to panic as these problems caused a huge downturn. This was known as the worst economic depression that the nation has ever faced. -
Trail of Tears
During the mid 17th century, Andrew Jackson create an Indian removal policy. As part of this policy, he forced Native American tribes, like the Cherokee, to give up their land and relocate to the Indian territory in Oklahoma. The journey was named the "Trail of Tears" for the Indians because many of them faced bad conditions while migrating for over 800 miles which lasted 116 days. Out of 15,000 of the Cherokees, almost 4,000 of them died from disease, hunger, and even maybe exhaustion. -
Period: to
Western Expansion
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Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was famous in the abolitionist movement for his devotion to abolish slavery. Douglass was born into slavery when he was young and later escaped at the age of twenty. Eventually, he taught himself how to read and write which gave many benefits such as writing books and newspapers to educate others about slavery. His work emphasized the freedom of African Americans slaves and their rights. This allowed the abolitionist movement to move forward and his legacy as an leader. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was proposed on 1846 by David Wilmot. The bill stated whether the territories that was obtained by Mexico should be a slave or free state. This was a controversial bill for congress as it was more than the issue of slavery. This was passed to the House of Representative twice, however, the bill was rejected and defeated in congress. As the US was going under sectional crisis, this later lead to the division of the Democratic Party and increased the issues of slavery. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention took place on 1848 in New York and was the first ever women's rights convention in the US. This was an organization consisting of only women in the first meeting, started by Elizabeth Cody Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Together, the Seneca Fall Convention fought for equal rights for women of civil, social, and religion. Approximately, 300 people showed up and they discussed eleven resolutions for equal rights. All except one resolution were passed, which was voting. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo official ended the Mexican-American War on February 2, 1848. The Mexican Government surrendered in the war and began to negotiate on how to rightfully end the war. In this treaty, Mexico gave up fifty-five percent of its territory and the United States received 525,000 square miles of land. This settled the border dispute of the countries, claiming the Rio grande as the United States' southern boundary. Mexico received $15 million in repayment for the land. -
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Sectionalism
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Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was a military officer and is best recognized as the 12th president of the United states. He served in the army for about forty years and was in important wars such as the War of 1812. Taylor was considered a hero to many people, especially in the battle of the Mexican-American War between 1846 and 1848. After a drift from the North and the South, Taylor had a goal to rejoin the nation back together. Sadly, Taylor died only after sixteen months of being in the office. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act was passed on 1850 and a law that stated that slaves were forced to return to their masters if founded anywhere in the United states. People could be punished if they were found helping a runaway slave. This was considered a crime and people could be fined for a thousand dollars or jailed for six months. The Northern States were angered and the South tried to enslave the slaves. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the Congress in 1854. This bill allowed those who are in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to choose and decide whether they will prohibit slavery or not on their border states and all of this would be based on popular sovereignty. This was also placed to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The act opened up new farms. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by Harriet Beacher Stowe in 1853. This book was about slavery and the fugitive slave laws. She emphasized the abolistionist movement in the North and how many of the felt about slavery. The book became a high seller with almost 300,000 copies sold in only the first year. The book left an impact of those who opposed slavery in the north. -
John Brown’s Raid
In 1859, there were men who decided to attack the Harper's Ferry located in Virginia. These people wanted to collect as much weapons in order to hand them to slaves and strike a rebellion. They were surrounded by another group whose leader was John Brown. Brown wanted to capture the weapons and he wanted slaves to be free. However, he was later captured by Southerners and hung. Brown was liked by most Northerners but hated by those in the South -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a secret route of houses and buildings which helped the slaves hide and escape the South until they founded freedom. Those who were running away were often called passengers and the people who showed the slaves where to go were called conductors. This secret route lasted for almost forty years and over 60,000 and more were able to escape from slavery. An important figure was Harriet Tubman and she helped other slaves escape as well. -
The Lost Cause
The Lost Cause was the southerners believing the South was better before the Civil War. They looked back on the devastation of the war such as the losses and those who were heros of the battles. During this time, many songs and poems were written and sung in honor of the confederate soldiers. The government began to create monuments and statues of politicians and generals from the war. People tried to re-write history and tried to justify why the South lost the war. -
Trent Affair
During the Civil War, an incident known as the Trent Affair was a problem that was between the United States and Great Britain. The captain of the US ship, USS San Jacinto, went ahead and stopped the British ship, the Trent, and removed two Confederate diplomats for the support of those in the south. This caused tension with the countries and Britain was furious. However, President Abraham Lincoln decided to release the Confederates so that the conflict could be calmed down and prevent issues -
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The Civil War
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Lincoln’s 10% Plan
After the Civil War and the corruption that was caused, Abraham Lincoln wanted to restore the South back into the union as soon as possible. He issued a reconstruction plan known as the 10% Plan. In this, voters would take an oath of allegiance to the Union and could be rejoined back into the Union. Voters could also apply for federal recognition and establish new state governments. Lincoln was seen very lenient and did not want to punish the Southerners, not including officers and officials. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was one of the major battles that occurred in the Civil War. General Grant and the army arrived on Vicksburg and trapped the Confederate forces. The result was the surrender of the Confederates and a huge victory for the Union and General Grant. Also, this led to a split in the South into two. The Union used the Mississippi River as a strategic location and they gained the control of the river. Grant was seen as a great leader and was now the General in Chief of the Union -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1963. About four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, the speech was delivered and in it, Lincoln honored those who fought for the Union in the Civil War and emphasized the purpose of why they fought. Rather than giving an angry speech, Lincoln talked about ways people can help the country by healing and moving forwards as a whole and to follow the ideas listed in the Declaration of Independence. -
Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1 of 1863, President Abraham passed the Emancipation Proclamation. This was one of the most important documents in the US as it allowed the slaves in all confederate areas to be free. Some slaves were not able to have freedom due to them not being under confederate control which led to difficulty for the Union to free them. Though this document gives freedom to most slaves, it did not include the slaves in the North because Lincoln did not have the power to issue something that big. -
Freedman’s Bureau
Also known as the US Bureau of Refugees, Freemen, and Abandoned Lands, the Freeman's Bureau was a relief agency created by the government in the South to protect and help newly freed African Americans after the Civil War. The war greatly affected former slaves and most did not have much. This helped provide aid for the poor and aged. They gave food, school, education, jobs, homes, and emergency services. This agency was the main institution for reconstruction between the years of 1865 to 1870. -
Black Codes
After the election of President Andrew Johnson, black codes were passed by the legislatures in the South, following the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the reconstruction era. These laws limited the civil right and economic opportunities for African Americans and minorities. Such right included were their freedom, the right to own property, buy land, and have a business. It also prohibited interracial marriage between blacks and whites. They hoped to control and maintain segregation. -
Carpetbaggers
During the reconstruction era, the term carpetbaggers came from Northerners who would come to the South for economic opportunities. These people moved over for the wealth and they also wanted to influence others politically. Many carpetbaggers would carry their things inside a carpet bag, a common luggage, and they used it to bring fear to the Southerners. Carpetbaggers were seen and viewed as manipulative to the Confederate states for their own personal needs. They were a political force -
Appomattox Courthouse
The end of the Civil War official end on April 9, 1865 in the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. This was one of the most important war moments as it settled the meeting and war conflict between the Union and the Confederates. Here, the General of the Confederates, Robert E. Lee surrendered to the General of the Union, Ulysses S. Grant. The Confederates were required to hand over their weapons in order to leave and then the war would be official ended after four-years. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in the Ford's Theater. Booth entered the theater and fatally shot Lincoln in a surprise and people started to panic. His killer was able to escape the scene by jumping off of the box and running away with a injury on his foot. Many were affected by Lincoln's death as Washington D.C. began to turn into upside down. Booth was later founded and was burned and shot to death. Many grieved Lincoln's death. -
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Reconstruction
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15th Amendment
The fifteen amendment of the Constitution was passed by the Congress on February 3rd, 1868 and officially ratified on February 3rd, 1870. After this amendment took place, African American men were guaranteed voting rights because they were considered a US male citizen. This amendment prohibited the government from denying a citizen's vote because of their race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Though the rights were given to men, it did not include women until years later. -
Clara Barton
Clara Barton is an important women figure that many people admired. Barton was the first ever woman to treat the wounded for those who were injured or sick during the war. She set up an organization famously known as the, Red Cross. This was created to help those who are homeless and injured from battles and disasters such as hurricanes, foods, and more. She helped improved the health of those people and saved numerous of lives. Later, Barton created a memorial for the soldiers who were unknown -
Great Migration
The Great Migration happened between the years of 1910 and 1930. This migration involved over six million Southern African Americans to migrate to the cities in the North, West, and the Midwest. They wanted to escape from the racism happening in the area. Many were unsatisfied with the economic conditions in the South, so they decided that they wanted to travel for better opportunities in hopes of greater success. This journey for the African Americans took about five to six months. -
Sharecroppers
Due to the destruction from the Civil War, most slaves relied on jobs and many planters needed workers. Sharecropping was a system that allowed tenants to stay on the land while doing their work and the planter would give in exchange a shared crop. Because of this, tenant farmers tend to work more as they were given the necessities they needed. In the 1870s, the southern economy was growing more into agriculture. Cotton prices were decreasing as the production increased.
