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800
Olmecs
The Olmecs were a Mesoamerican civilization located in present-day Mexico. They existed from c. 1200 BCE to c. 400 BCE. They are considered to be the forerunners of many Mesoamerican cultures. The Olmecs are identified with 17 huge stone heads with flat faces and full lips. It is thought that they were portraits of Olmec rulers. they have a rounded facial form, thick features, heavy-lidded eyes, and down-turned mouths. -
900
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica was a collection of diverse civilizations that shared similar cultural characteristics, based on geographical locations. They were based in the modern-day countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, Many of the Mesoamerican civilization developed technologies that we use today. Some of the most well-known Mesoamerican cultures are the Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Mixtec, and Mexica (or Aztec). -
1000
The Dark Ages
The "Dark Ages" is a historicall period that refers to the Middle Ages, it describes the demographic, cultural, and economic deterioration that occurred in Western Europe following the decline of the Roman Empire. During his time, disease ran rapid and the overall state of Europe went on progressive decline -
1054
Catholic Church
During the high Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church became an elaborate hierarchy with the pope as the head in western Europe. Many innovations took place in the creative arts during the high Middle Ages. Literacy was no longer merely requirement among the clergy. It was so important because it had stability and leadership that people could rely on at that time -
1095
The Crusades
The Crusades were religious wars between Christians and Muslims to secure control of holy land that were sacred both groups. Eight major Crusade expeditions took place between 1096 and 1291. The violent and often ruthless conflicts increased the status of European Christians, making them highly important in the fight for the Middle East. By the end of the 11th century, Europe had become a significant power. -
1139
Templars
After Christian armies captured Jerusalem, groups of pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. Many of them were robbed and killed as they crossed through Muslim-controlled territories In 1118, a French knight created a military order, calling it the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, later known as the Knights Templar. The group received the formal endorsement of the Catholic Church. They were exempt from paying taxes, could build their own oratories, and only under popes rule. -
1200
Aztecs
The Aztecs were one of American Indian people dominant in Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century. They ruled a large empire in what is now central and southern Mexico. The name of their great city was Tenochtitlán. they practiced religious sacrafice and used methods such as bloodletting. They also had a system of agriculture, which used cultivation of all available land, as well as systems of irrigation. -
1300
Human Sacrifice/ Bloodletting
Sacrifice was a common part of Mesoamerican civilizations tradition. What distinguished Maya and Aztec human sacrifice was the importance with which it was used in. Many scholars believe that human sacrifice was performed in honor of the gods. Blood was viewed as a source of nourishment for the Maya deities, and the sacrifice of a living creature was a powerful blood offering. The sacrifice of a human life was the ultimate offering of blood to the gods and the most important Maya rituals. -
1300
Mayans
The Mayans were a Mesoamerican tribe who ooccupied a territory in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and northern Belize. Before the Spanish conquest, the Mayans possessed one of the greatest civilizations of the Western Hemisphere. they practiced agriculture, built great stone structures, and made a form of hieroglyphic writing. Mayan astronomy underlay a complex calendrical system involving an accurately determined solar year, and a sacred calendar of 260 days -
1300
The Renaissance
The Renaissance, also known as the rebirth period, was a timein European civilization that occurred after the Dark Ages. It is characterized as growth in the interest of Classical scholarship and values. The Renaissance is important because it brought in many changes, especially in art and culture. The Renaissance is generally understood to be the art, literature, and culture that was made and brought to life in this time period. The renaissance laid a path to many current forms of art today. -
1340
The Black Death
The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was a plague that infected Europe between 1347 and 1351. It had a greater effect and death toll than almost any epidemic or war until that time. It is estimated that up to 25 million people died in Europe. The plague caused a drastic reduction in the number of laborers in European countries. That led to a reduction in workforce, and fewer products and farmable land, and etc. -
1350
Caste System
The Aztecs followed a strict social hierarchy in which individuals were identified as nobles, commoners, serfs, or slaves. The noble class consisted of government and military leaders, high-level priests, and lords. The tecuhtli included landowners, judges, and military commanders. Nobles were entitled to receive tribute from commoners in the form of goods, services, and labor. Noble status was passed on through male and female lineages, and only nobles were permitted to display their wealth -
1400
Exploration
The Age of Exploration was a period from the 15th century to the 17th century, in which European ships traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners to help increase the economic side of European growth, and the imperialistic growth of European territories. Many countries were looking for economic, religious, or territorial discoveries. Exploration contributed to discoveries that made the world the way it is now, such as the discovery of the New World and its resources -
1415
Henry the Navigator
Henry the Navigator was a Portuguese prince and patron who sponsored a great deal of the voyages of discovery among the Madeira Islands and along the western coast of Africa. The title of Navigator, given to him by the English is a misnomer, considering that he himself never embarked on any exploratory voyages. He used funds from the Order of Christ to finance the Atlantic voyages to Africa. He saw opportunities to take part in the commerce of West African products, including slaves and gold. -
1440
Printing Press
The printing press is a machine which transfers or copies words and images to paper with ink. The earliest form of a printing press is mentioned in a lawsuit in Europe in 1439, which details the construction of a press for Johannes Gutenberg and his associates. The printing press allowed people to share large amounts of information quickly and in huge numbers. This was important for newspapers and other mass producers. In fact, the printing press is known as one of the most important inventions. -
Period: 1450 to
BEGINNINGS TO EXPLORATION
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1451
Caravels
The caravel was a small and maneuverable sailing ship developed in 1451 by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast The lateen sails gave it speed and the ability to sail windward. The caravels were so important because it allowed explorers of the 15th century to cross the immense barrier of the New World. Its distinctive shape and abilities gave it the tile of the best sailing vessel of its time. -
Apr 15, 1452
Leonardo DaVinci
Leonardo DaVinci was an Italian painter, draftsman, sculptor, architect, an engineer who was most known for his work during the renaissance era. He was the embodiment of "The Renaissance Humanist Ideal". His works such as Last Supper and Mona Lisa are some of the most influential creations of the time. He also had a spirit of scientific inquiry and a mechanical inventiveness that were centuries ahead of their time. -
Mar 6, 1475
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. He had an unparallel influence on western culture and art. Michelangelo first gained fame for his sculptures of the Pietà and David. Michelangelo is best known for painting the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which shows the iconic depiction of the creation of Adam from Genesis. -
1491
North-American Native Societies
Before the age of exploration, There existed a diverse range of Native american civilizations and tribes. They lived in both roaming tribes and advanced agricultural societies.Native societies in North America developed strong regional distinctions based on their environments. -
1492
The Year 1492
The year 1492 has been a highly important year in our understanding of world history. It was the year Columbus set sail to find a shorter route to Asia. It was also the year The expulsion of the Jews from Spain also occurred in 1492 in Castile and Aragon. The purpose was to prevent them from influencing "New Christians" and Jews who had converted to Christianity. It was also the Fall of Granada, after the series of military campaigns against the Nasrid dynasty's Emirate of Granada. -
1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian exchange was the exchange of goods, information, and ideas between the Old and New World( Europeans and natives). This exchange was the result of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. This trade opened up the way for European colonization in the New World. The devastating effect of the exchange was the arrival of new diseases in the Americas that natives weren't yet immune to. This resulted in the mass death of the native population that is evident today. -
1492
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonist. At one point he believed that the earth was round, which may have led to his misunderstanding of the world. He completed a total of 4 voyages across the Atlantic ocean. His main goal during these expeditions was to find a shorter and direct route to Asia. Instead, he up paved the way for European colonization and exploration of the Americas. Thanks to him, The Old and New Worlds became connected and developed together. -
1493
Caribbean Colonies
The Carribean colonies were founded by Christopher Columbus when he landed there in 1493. He claimed the islands for Spain, and they became the first Spanish colonies. The Spanish were coming for "gold, God, and glory." The islands were also important because of how rich Spanish America was. There was silver, in Mexico and Peru, that had to get shipped to Spain each year. These colonies spread from throughout the Caribbean, from the Bahamas in the North West, to Tobago in the South East. -
Roanoke
The Roanoke colony was the first attempt at founding a permanent settlement in North America. Established in 1585 on Roanoke Island, the colony sudden;y and mysteriously disappeared. John White, its mayor, left to go to England to request resources and manpower. He returned three years later to an empty settlement. This earned the settlement the title of The Lost Colony -
Chesapeake Colonies
The Chesapeake Colonies were centered around the Chesapeake Bay Area. The most notable of the colonies of this time was Virginia. Founded by John Smith as an extension of the Virginia Company, this colony was founded for monetary purposes. A vast majority of the land was used to grow tobacco. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America was founded in Virginia. These colonies were important in developing the way of life for the colonial America to come. -
Period: to
Colonial America To 1763
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Slavery
Slavery is a system in which property laws are used on people, which allows individuals to own, buy and sell other individuals. A slave is unable to escape this arrangement and works without compensation. Slavery was used in The Americas as a source of free labor, And the entire souths economy was built on this practice. Slaves were acquired through the Atlantic slave trade and arrived through the middle passage. Slaves were often stripped oft heir cultural heratige ti make them more obediet -
Plymouth Colony
The Plymouth Colony was a colony formed in Massachusetts, founded in order to help a group of people escaping religious persecution called Puritanstheye Mayflower Compact, the first agreement for self-government to be created and enforced in America. During their time in the colony, they received help from a member of the Patuxet tribe named Squanto. Squanto helped the Pilgrims communicate with the Native Americans. He taught them how to plant, catch fish, and where to find nuts and berries. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
This was one of the original settlements founded by English Puritans. It was settled by about 1,000 Puritans under the government of John Winthrop. Like the Virginia Company, they received a charter to trade and colonize in New England. The Puritans developed a theocratic government. The franchize was limited to Members of the church, Winthrop, and other leaders to prevent any independence of religious views. By the mid-1640s Massachusetts Bay Colony had grown to more than 20,000 inhabitants. -
Charter Colonies
Charter colonies were colonies that were given a charter to the colonial government from the British crown. The charters of Rhode Island and Connecticut granted the colonists significantly more political liberty than other colonies. They lived without much interference from the crown. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts were the three charter colonies. -
Development of Colonial Differences by Region
During the development of colonial America, major differences could be seen. New England colonies developed a colder climate, and an economy based on fishing and manufacturing, to compensate for lack of farming climate. Chesapeake colonies had arable land to farm kinds of wheat and other such plants that earned it the nickname the "Breadbasket colonies". Southern colonies had a hortter climate and plentiful space to farm crops such as tabacco, indigo and cotton. -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem witch trials were a case of multiple hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. Up to 200 people were accused, and nineteen of them were found guilty and executed by hanging. After some girls of the village started demonstrating strange behaviors, they were made to tell the person the person who had bewitched them. Their accusations gave way to trials, and a frenzy that resulted in accusations of many people. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were a series of acts aimed mostly at the Dutch. They required all trade between England and the colonies to be carried in English or colonial vessels. While these laws greatly increased Britains wealth, they severely inhibited the colonies' and caused resentment. They were a major contributing factor to the American Revolution. These laws made many colonists very angry because they curtailed the colonists' economic opportunities. -
Triangular Trade
The triangular trade system was a trading system in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that used the shipping of goods from Britain to West Africa to be exchanged for slaves, then slaves being shipped to the West Indies and traded for sugar, rum, and other luxuries, which were then shipped back to Britain. This trade was one of the most important causes of the wealth and power of European empires. -
Act of Union (1707)
The kingdoms of Scotland and England had been under the rule of the same monarch for years. The Act of Union was used to make these two kingdoms, in the words of the Treaty, "United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain. The Union with Scotland Act of 1706 passed by the Parliament and The Union with England Act passed in 1707 put into effect the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on. The Scottish Parliament and the English Parliament united to form the Parliament of Great Britain -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, also known the Age of Reason, was a philosophical and intellectual movement that occurred throughout the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century, the "Century of Philosophy". It emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism. Enlightenment philosophers believed that rational thought would lead to improvement and was the ultimate mode of thinking. They saw the ability to reason as the most valuable human capacity. Deism for example, became popular during this era -
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening, was a series of revivals that occurred in Britain and its 13 colonies. It brought preachers with an evangelical style of preaching, such as Jonathan Edwards. He emphasized the personal connection with God and the need to accept Jesus to save from damnation. It can be identified as three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm.T he Great Awakening changed many people's attitudes towards religion. Before this religious piety had been decreasing in the colonies. -
Seven-Years War / French and Indian War
The French and Indian War( Seven Year War) was a war fought between Great Britain and France. It was a dispute over the Ohio River Valley. The bigger issue was, however, which national culture was to dominate the heart of North America. The British won the war and claimed the Ohio River Valley. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris. According to its terms, France was to give up Canada to Great Britain and to release all claims to the lands east of the Mississippi River, outside of New Orleans. -
Acts of Parliament
Parliament passed acts against the colonist in order to oppress them and collect revenue at the same time. Acts such as the Stamp Act, which put a tax on stamps and forced colonist to have stamps in order to use paper. This made colonist highly resentful towards the British. Other acts, such as the coercive acts completely restricted the colonies. The Townshend Acts placed a tax on paper, glass, and tea that were brought into the colonies. These acts led to the revolutionary war -
Period: to
American Industrial Revolution
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Period: to
The Revolutionary War
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Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event that occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers in Boston fired on a group of patriot colonists, who had been throwing rocks and snowballs at them. They Killed five men when they opened fire on the crowd. Prior to the Boston Massacre, the British had set a number of new taxes, called the Acts of Parliment, on the American colonies including taxes on tea, glass, paper, paint, and lead. This was another event that worsened relations between U.S. and Britain -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an incident in which American patriots dressed up as Mohawk Indians and threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston harbor. They did it to protest the British East India company, the tax on tea, and taxation without representation. This was in response to the Townshend Acts passed by parliament in 1767. parliament passed the Coercive Acts, which were a series of punishments. The parliament attempts the punish and divide the colonist only served to unite them. -
1st Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a meeting between 12 of the 13 existing colonies. The meeting took place in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. It was one of the first stages of the American Revolution. They met to discuss grievances they had toward the British parliament and monarchy. Patrick Henry believed that the Congress needed to develop a new system of government, that was independent from Britain. -
Dunmore’s Proclamation
Dunmore's Proclamation was a proclamation signed by 4th Earl of Dunmore, royal governor of the British Colony of Virginia. The proclamation promised freedom for slaves of American revolutionaries if they left their owners to join the royal forces. In many ways, Dunmore's Proclamation was a breakthrough in relations with plantation colonies of the South. He passed this act out of urgency, Not because he had any moral or religiousreasons . He needed soldiers. He needed to win the war. -
Patriots population vs. Loyalist Population
During the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, there existed a schism between those who wanted to be independent and those who were still loyal to the crown. Because of this, the soon to be nation was divided from the start, and many conflicts brok out because of this. -
Concorde
At the battle of Concorde, British troops marched with a total of 1800 redcoats. being one of the first battles f the revolutionary war, the Americas weren't prepared for a fight. Thanks to the midnight riders, The colonist were prepared for the arrival of the British and the Americans won. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was the final attempt by the colonists to avoid a war with Britain during the early stages of the American Revolution. It was a document that pledged their loyalty to Britain and demanded their rights as British citizens. The colonies were declared to be a rebellion in the Proclamation of Rebellion, and the Olive Branch Petition was rejected by the King, even though King George had refused to even look at it before declaring the colonist traitors. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
In one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War, the British defeated the Americans in Massachusetts. Even though they lost the newly formed colonial militas dealed significant casualties against the British and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. It was an important battle since it showed the colonist the battles needed by the Americans to gain their independence from Britain. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration was a formal list of grievances addressed to King George and the British Parliament. Formed by the continental congress, it was meant to officially declare independence from British rule and establish the colonies and a new country under colonial rule. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and signed by the founding fathers, It made key points such as all men are created equal, have natural born rights, and the government exists to protect "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
Battle of Saratoga
The battle of Saratoga was one of the most important battles of the American Revolution. It was seen as the turning point of the war. Not only was it a good morale booster, but it also convinced allies, like France, that the Americans could win the war. At the battle, the British and Hessian troops surrendered their arms, and merican troops claimed victory. -
Guerilla Warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a type of warfare in which small groups of combatants use military tactics such as ambushes, mobility sabotage, raids, hit-and-run tactics, and petty warfare to fight a larger traditional military. The Americas used his strategy to gain an edge on the more experienced and organized British armies. With these tactics, they were able to take out leaders and officers and " Divide and conquer". -
Period: to
The Constitution
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Articles of Confederation
The articles of confederation were the first form of constitution in the newly formed United States. They were made during a time when the Americas were still fighting for freedom. They were inadequate for a country who just finished a revolution and needed a strong central government. They instead favored states rights over federal power. They failed because they didn't give Congress or the federal government enough power. It also made promises like pensions for soldiers, that never came -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was used to charter a government to admit Northwestern territories into the Union as states. It listed a bill of right to be guaranteed int he new territories, equal the original 13 states. -
Battle of Yorktown
The battle of Yorktown, also known as the siege of Yorkton, was a major battle in the American Revolution. The Continental Army, led by George Washington, and the French, Trapped the British at the Yorktown peninsula and forced them to surrender. Marking the end of the revolutionary war, it was the greatest win for the Americas. This event led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the eventual freedom of the American colonies. -
The Treaty of Paris -- 1783
The Treaty of Paris, signed by the British and the Americas at Versailles, after Britain's surrender at Yorktown, ended the American revolution. The treaty stated that the American Revolutionary War was formally ended, the colonial empire of Great Britain was destroyed in North America, U.S. boundaries were established, and the British acknowledged the independence of the United States. -
Shays Rebellion
This event was caused when a group of protesters, led by Daniel Shay, started an armed uprising in against economic and civil rights injustices. the armed rebellion stopped executions, foreclosures, debt processes. They forced the court of Springfield to adjourn. They also attacked a federal arsenal but were stopped. These events showed how weak the articles of confederation were and why they needed to be replaced. The central government had little to no power through the whole rebellion -
Constitutional Convention
The constitutional convention was a gathering with the purpose to write a new constitution, or revise the existing one. The delegates of the convention were elected by popular vote. The three plans included the Virginia plan, New Jersey plan, and Connecticut plan. They also discussed issues such as slavery and establishing the executive and judicial branches of government. These were all isssues that would be either included or excluded intthe new governmetn of the United Staes -
Plans for the constitution
The two plans proposed by the delegates were the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan. The Virginia plan called for a bicameral legislative branch while creating an entirely new constitution. The New Jersey plan was created in response to the Virginia Plan and proposed an alternative plan that would have kept the one-vote-per-state representation under one legislative body from the Articles of Confederation. -
Period: to
New Republic
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The Bill of Rights
The American Bil of Rights is the First ten amendments OF the United States Constitution. They are seen as the basic freedoms given to American citizens. Some examples are the freedom of speech, rights to bear arms, and the quartering of soldiers. This document is important because it safeguards individual liberties that are guaranteed to us as citizens. -
Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1973, was an invention that allowed slaves to produces cotton at a more efficient rate. It separated eh usable material from the seeds. This meant that 1 slave could do the work of 100. Not only did this increase the demand of cotton, but it increased the demand for slaves to operate these engines. This was one reason why the slave trade became so much popular again. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The whiskey rebellion was an uprising of farmers in western Pennsylvania who protested a tax on whiskey that was set in place by the federal government. The rebellion was quickly put down with the apperance of president george washington put down since the government was able to use military force to stop it. This rebellion showed that the constitution was a strong form of government, unlike shays rebellion, which proved the articles of confederation to be weak. -
Period: to
Age of Jefferson
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Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana purchase was a deal between the United States and the French, in which the U.S. brought the Louisiana territory from France. The U.S acquired over 800,000 square miles of land, all west of the Mississippi River. The total cost of this land was 15million dollars. It also gave U.S. government control of the mississippi river and the port city new orleans, whic helped with shipping goods over water -
Lewis & Clark
Lewis and Clark, at the request of President Thomas Jefferson, were the leaders of the Corps of Discovery. Thy led the expedition to explore west of the Mississippi, which was the land known as the Louisiana Territory. It had been purchased from France in 1803, so Lewis and Clark were sent to collect data on the animals, plants, and land. They also went to trade with the Natives and confirm the sovereignty of the United States. they also went to find a waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean. -
Embargo Act of 1807
The embargo act passed in 1809 by Thomas Jefferson was made to prohibit American ships from trading in all foreign ports. Thomas Jefferson thought it would help the United States by showing Britain and France that they were dependent on America and convince them to understand American neutrality and stop impressing their sailors. It failed because it devastated America's economy. Agricultural earnings fell and shipping industries were hurt. -
War of 1812
The war of 1812 was a war between the U.S. an Britain. The United States declared war against Great Britain because they violated the U.S. maritime rights. Britain enacted a blockade on France, impressment of thousands of Americans into the British Navy. The War of 1812 ended in a "tie." It ended with the treaty of Ghent being signed and returned all territory taken by the two sides. The war resulted in the peace between the two countries that we see today. -
Battle of New Orleans
The battle of New Orleans took place two weeks after signing the treaty of Ghent. The battle occurred because the news of the war ending had not reached New Orleans at the time The Americans were on the defense from a British attack on New Orleans. The Americans won. even though this battle had no outcome on the war, it set the stage for gen. Andrew Jackson to win the presidency in 1828 -
McCulloch v. Maryland
This was a major supreme court case in which the state of Maryland attempted to stop operation National Bank of the U.S. by taxing all notes not chartered in Maryland. The Supreme Court "held that Congress has implied powers derived from those listed in Article I, Section 8. The 'Necessary and Proper' Clause gave Congress the power to establish a national bank. tHis ment that the federal goventmnt had te right to set up a national bank and states could not tax them -
Panic of 1819
The panic of 1819 was the first major economic recession in a time of peace the U.S. has ever had. The nation's post-war economic expansion ended. it causes an overall collapse of the American economy. Foreclosures, unemployment, bank failures, and a slump in manufacturing and agriculture all resulted because of this recession. This panic was blamed on the second bank's policies -
Missouri Crisis
The Missouri Crisis was an issue over whether to admit Missouri as a slave or free state. eventually, The Missouri Compromise was reached and Missouri became a slave state, but Maine was created as a free state. However, slavery had to be prohibited in the rest of the Louisiana territory north of the 36th parallel, which runs the southern border of Missouri. This created what was known as 36°30. This also was the start of the sharp division between the north and south over slavery. -
Period: to
Cultural Changes
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Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe doctrine, proposed by president James Monroe in 1823, was a document that warned, "the United States would not tolerate any further colonization or puppet monarchs". This document set up what is known today as the spheres of influence. This means that each hemisphere has its own affairs and the other shouldn't directly involve itself into them. However, if it does decide to, it has no formal authority. -
Period: to
Age of Jackson
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Spoils Systems
The spoils system was a system used by Jackson after winning the 1828 presidential election, in which he elected people he knew personally and his supporters as his cabinet members. It worked based on the principles of rotation and rewarding loyalty. In the spoils system, the president people to government jobs just because they are loyal to him. -
Crime
During the American Industrial Revolution, the number of people living in dense cities increases. As a result, levels of crime increased as well. For this reason, the first police force is formed. They dealt with issues such as racial tension between free blacks and whites, political discourse, religious conflicts, temperance, and overcrowding. These issues were common in the industrial north, so that is whereolice forces were motly located -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a policy in which the Cherokee and other tribes were forced off their ancestral land and into territories in Oklahoma. The natives complied and were moved on what is known as the Trail of Tears. Many natives grew to resent Jackson for his policy. -
The Age of the Common Man
The age of the common man was a time during Andrew Jackson's presidency. During this time, a new era of politics was established, Changes such as the spoils system, which used close friends of the president as cabinet members were used. Also, changes in the voting system were enacted, such as the land requirement for men to vote being removed. This era was known as the Age of the Common man because Jackson wanted to improve life for the common man by using such methods. -
Trail of Tears
The trail of tears was the migration of Native Americans from their ancestral homeland to territories in Oklahoma. This was caused by the Indian removal act of 1830. Many Native Americans died on the migration. Because of these conditions, many natives hated Andrew Jackson. over 4,000 cherokke died on their 2,200 mile walk. -
Worchester v. Georgia
Samuel Worchester was living in the Indian territory, and in an effort to stop this, the state passed a law that stated that no "white persons" could live on Cherokee lands unless they obtained proper credentials. In the case of Worchester vs Georgia, the supreme court ruled that they did not have the jurisdiction to impose regulations on native Americans or their land. -
Telegraph
The telegraph was one of the first modes of long-distance communication. It worked by transmitting signals over long distance through a wore that ran through stations. The messages were written in morse code, and translated by users. This is so important because it revolutionized the way people communicated and was the stepping stone for much great communication technologies to come. -
Railroads
Railroads were a revelation in transportation technology. They allow trips that took months to be traveled in days. The cost of products also decreased because of railroads. Easier travel meant less expensive shipping cost. The population also grew because of a higher food supply. Factories were flourishing because of the demand for railroad parts. Because of railroads, The industrial revolution had an even deeper effect on American development. -
Period: to
Westward Expansion
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The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot proviso was a proposal to prohibit slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico in the Mexican American war. The amendment narrowly passed the House of Representatives and was then defeated in the Senate. If this bill had passed, then the territories would have been free and upset the balance betwen the north and south. -
Period: to
Sectionalism
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California Gold Rush
The Californi gold rush was the large migration of people to California to mine for gold. Ater James Wilson Marshall found gold in Sacramento, large groups f people flocked to join the search. Gold was rarely found, and many people went empty-handed. When nothing was found, they resorted to mining for gold, which greatly affected the ecosystem. Chinese migration also occurred, since they wanted to gain cheap labor wages and mining companies preferred the Chinese who worked harder for less. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise fo 1850 was a series of resolutions, made to avert a crisis between the North and the South. It made California a free state, the fugitive slave act, popular sovereignty in New Mexico and Utah, and abolition of slave trading in the District of Columbia. These acts worked together to reduce tensions between the north and south -
Fugitive Slave Act
The fugitive slave act was an act created by Congress that demanded "the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another state or territory". It also called for any northerners to aid in the search of fugitive slaves, or be fined or worse. This act upsetted man northerners, who mostly opposed slavery. Many freedmen were "mistaken" as slaves and captured. Not even those who had earned freedom were able to escape the law. -
Underground Railroad
The underground railroad was a secret collection of safehouses and hideouts used by slaves to travel safely to the free northern states and Canada. with the help of abolitionist who was sympathizers to their cause. This helped free many slaves from the slave trade -
Abolitionist
There were two sides to the abolitionist movement. There were those who wished for an immediate end to savory and wanted freemen to live amongst whites. There were also those who believed that freedmen wouldn't be able to live amongst whites and should be gradually released to Africa. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
A book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, uncle toms cabin highlighted what life was like for slaves. It ws meant to be used as an antislavery argument. The book had a profound effect on peoples attitudes toward African Americans and slavery. The government says that this novel helped lay the groundwork for the civil war to start. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act was an act passed that allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether they were free or slave states. It was meant to repeal the Missouri compromise of 1820. It is an example of the use of popular sovereignty or giving power to the people, in this case, the power to decide their position. This act failed as it issue more conflict, and it even causes Kansas to to become a battleground between abolitionist and planters, known as bleeding Kansas. -
Dred Scott vs. Sandford
This court case was caused when Dredd scot moved with his master to the north. Once his master died, his master's wife wanted to claim him, but he wanted freedom since he was in the north, so he sued her. The court ruled that he wasn't a citizen and couldn't sue in a federal court. This was a major case because it set the law that slaves weren't citizens. The Court also ruled that Congress didnt hae the power to ban slavery in the territories. -
Manisfest Destiny
Manifest destiny was the idea that the united states should reach from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic ocean. This belief was what compelled the united states to the Louisiana Purchase, and other land acquisitions. Movements such as the great migration along the Oregon Trail and Mormon migrations greatly contributed to reaching Manifest Destiny -
The North in the Civil War
During the civil war, the North had many advantages over the south, including their population and industrial strength. Since they were an industrial north, their cities were densely populated an had a surplus of factories to produce supplies. They also had control of many of the railroads, which meant easier movement of troops and/or information. They believed they were fighting for a good cause and were hours. They had terrible military leaders and poor morale against them. -
The South in the Civil War
During the civil war, the south had fewer advantages than the north. They had better military leadership but lacked the industry to produce supplies as the north had. They often compared themselves to the 13 colonies in the sense that they were underdog fighting or their freedoms. They wanted to gain Britain as an ally but failed. they had poor funding, no navy, and had few supplies. This is what made them the underdog in many battles -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a collection of violent conflicts in the proposed state of Kansas, over whether to make Kansas a free or slave state. The conflicts were started between abolitionist and pro-slavery advocated who each wanted Kansas on their side. Some people even say that event staged the first battle of the civil war. -
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THE CIVIL WAR
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Trent Affair
The Trent affair was a diplomatic incident that took place during the civil war. It threatened a war between Britain and the United States. The U.S. Navy illegally captured two Confederate diplomats from a British ship. britain accused the U.S. of violating their neutrality. The British started preparing for war by banning exports to America and sending troops to Canada. they planned to attack the American fleet blockading the South.They also planned a blockade of Northern ports. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The emancipation proclamation issued by President Lincoln declared, "all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free." It guaranteed freedom to all slaves in the Confederate states if the confederates dint return to the union by 1863. Freedom would only be given if the union won the war. The proclomation didnt free all slaves, it didnt apply to the border slave states. -
Gettysburg Address
the Gettysburg address was a speech given by President Abraham Lincoln. It was given as a dedication to the soldiers killed at the battle of Gettysburg during the civil war. The short but effective speech gave hope to the soldiers of the war. More than 50,000 men fell as casualties during the 3-day battle. the seech was needed to put the minds of the union at ease. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Shermans march to the sea was a campaign through Georgia by Gen. Sherman of the Union. This march was meant to frighten Georgians into abandoning the Confederacy. They stole food and livestock and burned barn and houses of people who fought back. The troops captured Atlanta, an important transportation center for the Confederates. It also hoised its supplies needed to fight, such as guns, food, and other goods. -
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Reconstucton
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40 Acres and a Mule
This was a promise made to many Freedman, that they would get 40 acres of land and a mule from plantations confiscated by U.S. troops during the war. This was meant to be compensation for their labor during slavery. They would have to cultivate the land and use it. However, as white planters started to re-enter the union, they were given back their lands and Blacks were simply forgotten about. the term became nothing more than a symbol for broken promises. -
Assasination
President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's theater. He was there to attend a showing of "Our American Cousin" when booth snuck into the presidents seating area and shot him from behind. Lincoln was taken to be embalmed and was did so well that he can still be seen the way he died years later. Lincolns tomb was placed in Springfield Illinois, his final resting place. John Wilkes booth was later found hiding in a barn, and was shot down as the barn burned around him. -
Freedom Amendments
Also known as the civil war amendments, these amendments gave blacks more freedoms ] The 13th amendment ended slavery and freed all blacks from unpaid labor. The 14th amendment gave citizenship to anyone born on U.S soil. The 15th amendment gave blacks the right to vote and eliminated voting discrimination due race color or previous condition of servitude. These laws gave African Americas new opportunities to be equal, but were sadly short lived. -
KKK
The Ku Klux Klan was an organization of whites who existed to terrorize African Americans. They kidnapped, beat, hanged, and humiliated African Americans, especially those who held political positions. They stood for the radical resistance to reconstruction and White supremacy. They were responsible for the restoration of White rule in North Carolina. -
The Lost Cause
After the Civil War, the south started to spread propaganda about how they were the underdogs, and the north had unfair advantages. They also erected statues of "heroes" from the war, to seem as if their cause was heroic and noble. By doing this, they aimed to change history and rewrite themselves as the heros of the story. -
Sharecroppers
Sharecroppers were tenant farmers who rented land to live on. In exchange for the land, they had to farm the land and give part of their harvest as rent. This system became so popular that over 90% of southerners became sharecroppers. Former slaves and whites took part in this opportunity. They soon became trapped in this exploitation, since they were never able to work off their debt. -
Carpetbaggers/Scalawags
Carpetbaggers were northerners who traveled to the south during reconstruction to take advantage of the economic and political advantages in the south. with the help of the black vote, they had an important role in the republican government. Scalawags were "Southerner who collaborated with northern Republicans during Reconstruction, often for personal profit." The Freedmen became the political allies of the Scalawags and the Carpetbaggers. -
Temperance Movement
The temperance movement was a movement used to end the consumption of alcohol in America. Most people wanted to Completly end the consumption by criticizing those who became intoxicated. This movement was one of the first major reforms and led the way for many new reforms to take place. -
Economic Boom
Following The end of the civil war, the South changed their economic status. Instead of relying on labor to produce cotton, they developed an industrial south. This meant that they werent reliant on slave labor anymore, and had a bettr way to make profits. Thy alo resorted to sharecropping, which was a form of indentured servitude in which a tennat would pay rent in harvested crops. -
Grandfather Clause
The grandfather clause was a law stating that anyone whose grandfather was a slave was not allowed to vote. This meant that many native Americans could not vote since almost all of their grandfathers were slaves. This upset African Americans, since it rendered them unable to vote, despite the fact that they had th right to
