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1800 BCE
Maya
The Mayan was a powerful and advanced ancient civilization. They had many achievements and success in agriculture, pottery, hieroglyphic writing, they also even made and had calendars using the sun. They were so advanced and intelligent that they even knew mathematics. Another thing they are known for is their amazing architecture and artwork. They had stone cities with pyramids in them. The Mayans were one of the most dominant and indigenous Mesoamerican societies ever. -
1095
The Crusades
This was a series of religious wars, specifically between the Christians and Muslims.They both wanted to control and expand their holy sites. What marked the beginning of the crusades was when Christians were called up by the pope to aid the Byzantines and recapture the holy land from Muslim control. This set the stage for many religious military orders, including the Knights Templar. Even though they failed to conquer Jerusalem, they still had other accomplishments to encourage them. -
1300
Aztecs
The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican nomadic tribe originated from northern Mexico. They had an amazing system of agriculture and were also amazing hunters. They also had a very strong and powerful military tradition, which would help them in starting their empire. The Aztecs had a strict caste system with serfs, indentured servants and slave at the bottom and at top would be the nobles. Their religion also believed in human sacrifices, they used them to please their gods and as a gift to them. -
1347
The Black Death
This disease was one of the most biggest and tragic in the history of the world. Within 5 years the black death would kill over 20 million people in Europe, almost 1/3 of the continents population. It had horrible symptoms like swelling in certain body parts, body fluids coming out of the body, aches, fevers, and then ultimately it would lead to death. Europe was very dirty there was feces and trash all in the streets, and one of the biggest ways it was spread was by rats and flees. -
1400
The Renaissance
Between the 14th and 17th centuries during the medieval period, the renaissance happened in Europe. The word means "rebirth" and this started around the end of the dark ages, so it was a rebirth of seeing life itself. It was the beginning of a cultural evolution in Florence, Italy and not only was it about culture evolution but about science, art, architecture, and technology. Many inspired this time and the future like Leonardo DeVinci, Michelangelo, and William Shakespeare. -
1451
Christopher Columbus
He was a Italian sailor who went to Spain to convince the king and queen to grant help and permission to sail across the sea to find a direct route from western Europe to Asia. In 1492 he finally sailed hoping to find a new route to Asia but instead he "found" the Americas. He left 40 of his men in Hispaniola to settle. He returned to Spain telling everyone the news, now everyone wanted a piece of this "new" land. He wanted all the fame and fortune. -
1476
Dark Ages
The Dark ages or also called the migration period or early middle ages, is reference used by historians marking the end of the western roman empire. The name of the period is used to refer to the movement of barbarians into the old western roman empires. -
1493
Caribbean Colonies
These Colonies were founded by Christopher Columbus, he claimed the land for Spain. Even though the Europeans found it, there was already 3 group of people living there already, the Ciboney, the Arawak, and the Caribs. Colonist started to plant sugar because it grew well in tropical climates and it also sold well to Europeans. In the 18th century Barbados would become the wealthiest colony and passing Jamaica. -
1518
Middle Passage
This was they voyage of slaves from Africa to the new world. It was a part of the triangular trade, it went from Europe, to Africa, and finally to America. Africans were crammed into a ships bunker, they were laid down and even stacked on top of each other. The voyage was about 90 days and they were like that for most of the voyage. They stayed in horrible conditions, they had body fluids all over them and even feces. Some slaves tried to jump off the ship but most did not succeed. -
Virginia
John Smith was one of the first leaders within the Jamestown settlement. Gold was a treasure for many residents as more people became aware of the mineral the amount reduced tremendously. Virginia began using slaves to harvest crops like cotton and tobacco which was successful for their economy . The Headright system was used to attract settlers granting them 50 acres of land. Roanoke was known as a "Lost Colony" because several settlers didn't know how to survive on their own in the New World. -
Slave Rebellions
The first ever slave rebellion recorded was in 16631 in Gloucester, Virginia. Although there are hundreds maybe even thousands of salve rebellions undocumented, they played a big role in the rising of the civil war. One slave called Nat Turner is one of the most famous slave in history for what he did. He also inspired John Brown's raid Harper Ferry. The most bloodiest slave rebellion known was called the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina. -
Rhode Island
It was founded by Roger Williams after he had been banned from the Massachusetts colony for many reasons. Rhode island was a big import and export city, it even had the nickname "Ocean City" . In the colonial period Newport was used for shipping and trade and in the nineteenth century Rhode Island played a big part in the industrial revolution. It also established power driven textile mills. -
Carolinas
King Charles ll gave eight noblemen the land of the Carolinas. The north and south settlements were very different form each other. Colonist from Virginia came down to North Carolina looking for more land to have. People up north were looking for land, the settlers down in the south came from the West Indies and Europe but most then moved to North Carolina. In the north they had mostly tobacco crops and in the south they grew rice. -
Royal Colonies
The colonies consists of New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. A Royal colony is administered by an official and is responsible for the supreme ruler of the parent state. The British King had control over all land and administrated everyone. -
Pennsylvania
Founded by William Penn as a safe place for his people the Quakers. It was the cite of the first and second continental congress form 1774 to 1775. Part of finishing the Deceleration of Independence happened in Pennsylvania, and also help start the american revolution. It was also one of the cites for a major battle in the Civil war, the battle of Gettysburg. -
Salem Witch Trials
This all began in Salem Village, Massachusetts when a group of girls were claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused of witch craft by other settlers. This became such a big deal that it actually became a case in court. If they were guilty they would be killed in ways like, hanging, set on fire, or drowned. The first ever convicted witch was Bridget Bishop and she was hanged. Over the next months more than 150 men, women, and children were accused. -
Voltaire
He was a writer, historian, and philosopher, but he was more successful in his writings. Some of his most famous work is the tragic play of Zaire, a novella called Candide, and his historical study The Age of Louis XIV. He found inspiration from other enlightenment philosophers like Issac Newton and John Locke. He believe in freedom of religion and commerce, considered himself a deist. He often found himself in trouble with french authorities and spent years in jail for what he believed in. -
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin was born in Boston but at the age of 7 he ran away and went to Philadelphia and became a printer. He gave up printing to devote the rest of his life to become a philanthropist and pursue his intellectual ideas. He founded what is now the University of Pennsylvania. He is mostly remembered him for is his work in electricity using a kite and tying a key to the end of it. He also invented the bifocal glasses and took part in the deceleration of independence and the U.S. Constitution. -
Samuel Davies
He was a Presbyterian preacher in colonial British America. He helped defend the religious dissent and also lead the southern phase of the great awakening. He furthered his reputation as the outstanding preacher by sermons given in Scotland and England while on a trip with Gilbert Tennent. After he returned from his trip he became the first moderator of the first Presbytery of Virginia. In 1759 he became the fourth president of the College of New Jersey which is now Princeton University. -
George Washington
George Washington is known as the first president of the United States of America, commander of the continental army, and president of the constitutional convention. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February twenty second, seventeen thirty two. He joined the British Navy without his mothers permission, and was a surveyor to the unexplored Virginia coast. He fought and sent messages in the French and Indian War and was also apart of winning independence in the Revolutionary war. -
Thomas Paine
He was an English born man who supported the american revolution. He was a writer and political philosopher. His most famous work was "Common Sense" it was published on January 10, 1776. It was credited for playing a big role in motivating American colonist to take action against England. It was so inspirational that John Adams quoted it, he said "without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain". -
Fort William Henry
Tensions between France and Great Britain had been growing for several years now, the siege of Fort Henry did not make anything better. When major general Daniel Webb learned that the french were planning to attach Fort Henry he retreated and made Lieutenant Colonel George Munro in charge. He had heard that Louis-Joseph de Montcalm had over 7,000 men and he only had 1,600 men ready to battle he asked for reinforcement but was declined. He held the fort for 9 days until he finally capitulated. -
Treaty of Paris - 1763
This treaty was the end of the French and Indian war or the seven years war, it was a series of battles between Great Britain and their Indian allies for land in North America. France took a big defeat in the war while Great Britain was crowned victorious. In this treaty France gave all of Canada and all of Louisianan east of the Mississippi River. Spain also got a some land as a thank you from Britain for help in the war. Although Great Britain got a big win they suffered major was debt. -
Stamp Act
This was the first tax put on American colonist by the British government. It imposed a tax on all paper documents in the colones. This was around the time when Britain was in debt from their victory in the French and Indian war. They saw the colonies as a way of getting rid of their debt and this mad the colonist very angry. They saw this as unconstitutional and said that only their representatives could tax them. They resorted to mob violence to get the tax collectors to repeal the stamp act. -
Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770 a riot broke out in Boston, and a brawl between american colonist and a British soldier started to happen. Things started to get out of hand and things started to escalate quickly. The soldier called for backup and Captain Thomas Preston arrived with several other soldiers and took defensive position. Colonist fled while others continued to argue. A soldier misfired and then everyone started to shoot. At then 5 colonist were killed and several others were injured. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June, 17, 1775. Over 828 solders were wounded during battle. The Americans were defeated by the British fighting for independence. The British took control of Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill with 2,200 troops which outnumbered the Americans. The colonist ran out of bullets and gunpowder at the top of Bunker Hill that cost them the lost of the Battle. The British claimed their victory because of their massive killing and control of the Hill. -
Guerrilla Warfare
This is a from of warfare where a small group of people armed with, rifles, and sometimes even canons, ambushed their enemies. Usually they ambushed groups larger than them, they used a hit and run tactic where once the enemy was in the right spot they rained down on them shooting and attacking the enemies from every angle. Most of the attacks happened in places where there was a lot of cover like forests. These tactics were first used in the Battle of Lexington and Concord by patriots. -
Founding Fathers
George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe, and Benjamin Franklin were known as America's Founding Fathers. Ideas were brought from several people and existing documents like the Deceleration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, etc. Contributors to the Constitution were known as the "Founding Fathers" of the United States. The Constitution viewed economic policies, how the government should run, guaranteed freedom. -
Henry Clay
He was a lawyer, planter, and statesmen who represented Kentucky. He represented the state in the senate and the house of representatives. He supported the emancipation of slaves and became a Kentucky legislature in 1803. he was a part of republican party. In the election of 1824 he lost the presidential campaign to John Quincy Adams and he made Henry Clay his secretary of state. -
Massachusetts Constitution
The constitution of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, was drafted by John Adams in 1780. Its used as a model for the United States Constitution the became effective in 1789. It is the world's oldest Constitution. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first ever written constitution of the United States. The congress felt like it needed a stronger union in order to defeat Great Britain if they wanted to win their independence. It created a national government composed of a congress, which gave them the power to declare war on other countries, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint military officials and foreign ambassadors. -
Treaty of Paris - 1783
This treaty formally ended the American Revolutionary war, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay negotiated this treaty with Great Britain. Britain recognized american independence and gave land east of the Mississippi River, the land that they won from France, to the U.S. doubling their size. The defeat of British solders in Yorktown finally reached England, they began peace negotiations. This made them start to see America as a independent nation. -
Iron Plow
In 1720 the first ever plow was invented but it was all wood. Years later in Scotland a man named James Small made the plow out of iron and then started to export it to the United States. It was used for agricultural purposes and it was used to turn and break soil to plant crops and was also used to control weeds. -
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett was born on August 17, 1786 in Tennessee. He was famous for being a frontiersmen, statesmen, pioneer, and for what he did in the Alamo. He became a member of the Tennessee legislature, he was elected in congress in 1827 -
Shay's Rebellion
Farmers who had fought in the revolutionary war were promised compensation but received little to none. Many were struggling to make ends meet. They first tried to make peaceful means to settle their issues. This did not work and in the summer of 1786 farmers in Massachusetts took direct action against debtors. Many other farmers started doing the same thing in other places. Daniel Shay was known as the leader of these rebellions, in September he led 600 men to take down a court in Springfield. -
Steamboats
The steam engines were used in steamboats, it was all James Watt invention of the steam engine that helped the industrial revolution start its success. The steamboat used the steam engine to propel the boat in the water instead of using sails and the wind to carry the boat. It was much faster and reliable way of moving in the water. John Finch was the fist to make a voyage on the steamboat in 1787. It gave people the ability to move goods up and down the river. -
Constitutional Convention
The convention took place from May 14 to September 17 1787, the many reason why it took place was to figure out the American government was going to work but some people had other ideas and proposed other ideas/plans. It started with James Madison Virginia Plan it proposed a bicameral legislature with representation in both houses. Two houses would elect the executive and judiciary and it would also have power to veto power over state legislatures. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was a act by congress of the confederation, it was passed in July 13 1787. It created the settlement of the northwest territory and made a policy for new states when they were added to the nation. It would make new states equal to the original thirteen states so that the new states didn't overpower the old states. -
Election of 1788
This was Americas first ever presidential election after they have finally won their freedom from Britain. George Washington and John Adams were the two runner ups to become president. But of course George Washington won with sixty nine electoral votes. Only white men who owned land could vote. He was sworn into office in April 30, 1789. He became a legend in american history and is one of the best presidents the country has had. He was a Federalist. -
Bill of Rights
The bill of rights was created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1789 and ratified in 1791. It was proposed by delegate Charles Pinckney and it included several rights to men. It included the original 10 amendments. It included freedom of speech, religion, and press. The right to bare arms and no quartering troops. The bill of rights was one of the first documents to cement and establish the newly founded country. These amendments would live on for centuries to come and more would be added. -
Slavery
Slavery was a big thing in the constitution, members didn't know if they should be counted as citizens, also balancing free vs slave states. They counted as three fifths of a person, and were referred to as other people. Slaves made up 18 percent of them so there wasn't no leaving them unnoticed. There was no abolishing slavery in the constitution so it was really just left like it was there were no major changes. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The whiskey rebellion was an uprising from farmers and common men to protest a whiskey tax enacted by the federal government in order to take care of some debt the country had. It happened in western Pennsylvania when farmers got aggressive with tax collectors, which led to a big argument and fight and President George Washington reacted by sending troops down to set the farmers straight and letting them know who's in charge. The tax failed and many violent acts would happen in protest. -
Bank of the United States
The idea of the United States having a bank was proposed by Alexander Hamilton, and was established in 1791. It was used to serve as a respiratory for federal fund and Americas first financial agent. Although the bank was a success critics saw the first fiscal caution was hurting the economic development of the country. It failed to be renewed in 1811 but the second Bank of the United States was shortly created after. -
Telegraph
Samuel Morse was one of the first inventors to create the telegraph, it revolutionized the way of long distance communication. The way the telegraph worked by transmitting electrical signals over a wire laid by between stations. And not only did Samuel Morse create the telegraph he created Morse code. The code was a system were combinations of dos and lines were made to represent each letter. It was a simple transmission with hidden complex messages. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney was the crater of the patented cotton gin. It revolutionized the way cotton was harvested and how much it was picked. The cotton gin removed the seeds from the cotton fiber which would take a long time by hand. Although it was a success Eli made very little money from it due to patent infringement issues. it spread slavery more and by the 1900's cotton was the main export of the U.S. -
Adams Presidency
John Adams was the second president of the United States, although he served as a vice president as well. His presidency was served from march fourth, 1797 to march fourth 1801. During his presidency his administration faced major task, since it was a mixed administration. He was a federalist and his vice president Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican. He had many disagreements with his administration and it was hard to come to an agreement. He also faced international problems as well. -
Three Branches
There are three branches of government in the US, the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch do different things and control different things but they all keep each other checked and balanced due to checks and balances. The legislative branch makes laws. The executive branch carries and enforces laws, this is where the president is and the VP. The judicial branch evaluates laws, the supreme court of the united states is apart of this branch. -
Marbury v. Madison
It was the first that established the judicial review in the United States. It meant that SCOTUS had the power to take down laws and government actions that have to do with the United States Constitution. This all started when Thomas Jefferson defeat John Adams, it created a political panic. He made James Madison he secretary of state and told him not to deliver his commissions, but William Marbury asked the supreme court for a legal as to why Madison should not turn in the commissions. -
Hamilton v Burr
Hamilton and Burr were campaigning against each other in the election of 1804. Burr had already been vice president the past term but did not get the re nomination from Jefferson. Hamilton was the clear winner, and Burr lost all the federalists nominations. This was one of the messiest elections in U.S. history each took very personal shots at each other. After Burr's reputation was damaged he challenged Hamilton to a duel. Burr ended up winning and Hamilton died the next day. -
Embargo Act
During this time Thomas Jefferson was president and he proposed the legislation of the embargo act. It was an act that banned American ships from leaving to go to a foreign port. Congress passed it in December 1807. It was a good idea to him but in a way it was forcing Britain and France to respect The Untied States, it failed to do so. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was caused by British restrictions on the United States trade and its want to expand their territory. This war would set the tone on just how much America was independent from Britain. Britain had the worlds best navy at the time so there was no doubt that they were the underdogs in the war. Many faced big losses, the British burnt down the white house in 1804 and the Americans burnt down some of their territory in Canada. -
Steam Engines
The first model of the steam engine was made in 1698 by Englishmen Thomas Savery. it was first used to pump water out of mine shafts, but in the 1800's during the war of 1812 it was used as an engine to power trains and wagons to transport food, weapons, and even men to fight in the war as reinforcements. James Watt later went on to make some modifications to make the steam engine better in the 1800's. -
Panic of 1819
After the war of 1812, things in America didn't seem so good.There was a major financial crisis in the United States, which then led to the collapse of the economy. This was the first time the economy collapsed and many didn't know what to do or how to react. Many mortgages were foreclosed and people were forced out of their houses and their farms. There major unemployment issues in agriculture, manufacturing, and more. Many didn't start recovering until 1824. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
Also known as the transcontinental treaty, the Florida purchase treaty, or the Florida treaty, ceded Florida from Spain to the United States. it also defined the border between The United States and New Spain. -
Irish Immigrants
Irish immigrants started to arrive in the United States of America from 1820 to 1860. Most of these Irish who migrated from their land to America was due to the great potato famine. Potatoes were one of the major sources of food in Ireland in 1845 over more than half of their potato crops would be infected with a disease and killed thousands of people. With no more food in their land they were forced to migrate somewhere else. Irish were treated like whites in America and faced racism also. -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe made a Doctrine to the congress. It had four major points. One, The United States would not interfere with internal affairs between European wars. Two, the U.S. would recognize and not interfere with existing colonies in the Western Hemispheres. Three, the Western Hemispheres would be used for future colonization, and four attempts by any European powers to oppress or control any colonization's in the U.S. would be seen as a hostile act against the U.S. -
Election of 1824
Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, son of the second president of the United States John Adams, Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford were running up against each other for the presidency. Andrew Jack son won with 99 electoral votes and 153,544 popular votes. Although he won he faced backlash for something called the corrupt bargain, he would make deals to secure that he had won the presidential campaign. -
Free-Black Communities
Most free black communities were in the north due to the fact that they were mostly ok with blacks and didn't mind them. There only very few free black communities about 5.7 percent were full black communities. Even though they were called free black communities only very few actually felt freedom. Some still had fear of whites taking them back to slavery and found many issues economically. -
Nat Turners Rebellion
He was a black slave who is infamously known for his rebellion. He led an effective and sustained slave rebellion in August of 1831. He spread terror through the south and set new waves of education, movements, and assembly of slaves in the legislation. It started when him and six other slaves sneaked into their masters house and killed him and his family. He then got more slaves to go and murder countless of white people. He hid for six weeks until he was finally caught and hanged. -
Cherokee Nations v Georgia
it was a court heard by the supreme court of the united states, it was about the Cherokee nations wanting a federal injunction against laws passed by the united states. They felt that the states of Georgia was violating these laws. They felt as if they were stripped from their rights and land. The court ruled that the Cherokee nation did not constitute a foreign nation. The court lacked jurisdiction so four years later they ruled that only federal government had authority over the land. -
Nullification Crisis
it all started when the tariff of 1828 raised taxes and angered southerners so much that they had threats of succession. it was to reduce foreign competition, but southerners seemed it to help the northerners and not the south. John C. Calhoun the vice president of Andrew Jackson proposed the idea of nullification, it declared the tariff unconstitutional and therefore it can not be forced upon the south. -
Panic of 1837
The panic of 1837 was about a financial crisis in the united states that began a major recession until the mid 1840's. Prices and wages went up while unemployment rise. Van Buren had no idea what to do and it was the worst economic depression the country had seen in its early days. -
Election of 1840
It was the fourteenth presidential election, it was between Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison. Harrison ended winning the election because of Van Buren failure as president last time due to the panic of 1837. This was the shortest presidency term done because William ended dying a year later after he won the campaign.
