US History Timeline

  • Andrew Jackson is born

    Andrew Jackson is born to Andrew and Elizabeth Jackson.
  • First California Mission Founded

    First California Mission Founded
    The first California mission is founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. There were twenty one missions constructed, mainly to show Spanish presence in California and to convert Native Americans to Christianity.
  • The Cotton Gin

    Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin.
  • First Textile Industry in the US

    Samuel Slater immigrates from Britain to the US. In Britain he had memorized how the textile machines worked, so when he comes to the US, he builds the machines. He launches America's first successful textile industry in 1793 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
  • Andrew Jackson and the Constitutional Convention

    Tennesse elects Andrew Jackson to be a delegate at the Constitutional Convention.
  • Jackson as Senator

    In 1797, Andrew Jackson is elected by Tennesse to be a Senator. Jackson was elected as a Democratic-Republican.
  • Jackson in the Tennessee Courts

    Andrew Jackson is appointed as a judge of the Tennessee Supreme Court and serves until 1804.
  • Jackson appointed Colonel

    Jackson is appointed commander of the Tennessee militia in 1801, as Colonel.
  • Northern States Outlaw Slavery

    The northern states outlawed slavery in 1804, because they felt it was morally wrong. Even though the North had outlawed it, the slave population in the south was still rising.
  • Robert Fulton's Steamboat Makes Successful Trip

    Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, travels up the Hudson River.
  • Jackson defeats Red Stick Creek Indians

    Jackson defeats teh Red Stick Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. 800 Red Stick Creeks are killed, but Jackson doesn't kill the chief, William Weatherford.
  • Temperance Movement Begins

    The Temperance movement, which is for eliminating alcohol consumption, begins. Later, in 1851, Maine will become the first state to ban the manufacturing and sales of alcohol.
  • Rush-Bagot Agreement

    An agreement between the US and Britain which calls for the reduction of warships in the Great Lakes Region.
  • Mexico Becomes Independent

    Mexico Becomes Independent
    In 1821, Mexico gains their independence from the Spanish government. They establish their own government in their capitol of Mexico City. In 1833, Mexico elects President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who eventually declares himself dictator of Mexico. (picture from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Santaanna1.JPG/200px-Santaanna1.JPG)
  • Vesey's Uprising

    In Charleston, South Carolina, a freed slave tries to cause and uprising. In the end, he and 34 other slaves are executed. Many other uprisings like this have happened, but the South places additional restrictions on slaves.
  • Jackson is elected senator (again)

    The Tennessee legislature nominated Jackson for President in 1822. It also elected him U.S. Senator again.
  • First American Colony in Texas

    First American Colony in Texas
    Stephen Austin is granted permission by the Mexican government to settle in Texas, and he does in 1822. In 1824, The Mexican government puts forward legislation that would entice people to colonize Texas, such as giving them tax breaks and making the land cheap. (picture from http://www.sonofthesouth.net/texas/pictures/stephen-f-austin_small.jpg)
  • Monroe Doctrine

    President Monroe states the Monroe Doctrine. It's three main points are:
    1. The US would not get involved in the affairs of any European nations at any time.
    2. The US officially recognized the existance of colonies in the western hemisphere.
    3. The US would not allow any foreign powers to colonize within the western hemisphere. The US would view attempts to do this as threats.
  • Gibbons vs. Ogden

    Chief Justice John Marshall sets a precendent in the case of Gibbons vs. Ogden, stating that the government has teh authority regarding all types of interstate business.
  • Election of 1824

    In the election of 1824, Jackson wins popular vote, but is Adams in the electoral college vote. In 1825, the House of Representatives vote on who will be president, and Adams wins.
  • John Quincy Adams wins Presidency

    In the election of 1824, John Q. Adams is competing agains Andrew Jackson. Jackson wins popular vote, but the electoral college is tied. The House of Representatives vote on who will be president in 1825, and Adams wins with the help of Henry Clay convincing Kentucky to vote for Adams.
  • Erie Canal

    The Erie Canal is opened and connects the Hudson River and Lake Erie.
  • Andrew Jackson wins Presidency

    While in congress, Jackson votes against all measures introduced by President Adams. In the election of 1828, Adams leads the national Republicans and Jackson leads the Jacksonian Democrats. Jackson wins the Presidency.
  • Indian Removal Act

    Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act into law, which later brings about the deaths of the Cherokee Indians on the Trail of Tears.
  • Mexico Forbids New Settlers

    Mexico Forbids New Settlers
    By 1830, Texas has become so populated by American settlers, that the Americans out number the Mexicans. Mexico forbids any new settlers to come to Texas, but they settle in Texas anyway. (picture from http://www.theoldjailartcenter.org/images/photos/texas%20map%20detail.jpg)
  • Cholera Epidemic

    A cholera epidemic broke out in the northern cities between 1832 and 1833.
  • Cumberland Road

    The Cumberland Road is finished, connecting Cumberland, Maryland and Columbus, Ohio.
  • American Anti-Slavery Society

    William Lloyd Garrison founds the American Anti-Slavery Society, which is part of the Abolitionist movement.
  • Labor Unions Formed

    The Labor Unions are Formed in 1834 in response to the many strikes going on. Factories were putting their workers in harm's way which led to the strikes.
  • Gag Rule

    The Gag Rule is passed by congress in 1836, and states that anti-slavery petitions were to be prohibited from making their way into the house for the next 8 years.
  • Texan Government

    Texan Government
    In 1836, citizens of Texas elect Sam Houston as president. In the Texas constitution, they state that the government cannot interfere with slavery, thus declaring themselves a slave state. (picture from http://www.lsjunction.com/people/houston.jpg)
  • The Alamo

    The Alamo
    Santa Anna and his army cross the Rio Grande and head for the Alamo, a walled fortress in San Antonio. This leads to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, which lasts 13 days. Texans win the fight, capture Santa Anna, and force him to sign a treaty that recognizes the Republic of Texas. (picture from http://www.sonofthesouth.net/texas/pictures/alamo_small1.jpg)
  • Education Reform in Massachusetts

    Horace Mann begins the school reforms in Massachusetts. There were few schools in the nation and low quality teachers before education reform.
  • Rise in Immigration

    A major rise in immigration takes place in the US because of it's economic stability.
  • Discrimination of Immigrants

    Because of the immigration surge, many Americans have to comepete for jobs with the immigrants. This leads to discrimination.
  • Protestants enact laws within Schools

    The Protestants enact laws within the public school systems that require all children to read the King James Version of the Bible.
  • New Enland Mills

    The New England Mills company switches out its young female workers for Irish men who work faster and cheaper.
  • Lydia Child becomes editor of National Anti-Slavery Standard

    In 1841, Lydia Child becomes editor of the National Anti-Slavery Standard, which is an Abolitionist newspaper.
  • Dorothea Dix begins prison reform work

    In 1841, Dorothea Dix begins her prison reform work, which eventually leads to the seperation of jails and mental hospitals.
  • Fredrick Douglas joins Abolition Movement

    Fredrick Douglas joins the Abolition movement in 1841. Douglas was born as a slave, but he later learned to read and escaped slavery. He had his own abolitionist newspaper and was an advisor to president Lincoln.
  • Sojourner Truth joins Abolition Movement

    In 1843, Sojourner Truth joins the Abolition movement along with many other women at this time. Many women in the 1800s have more time, due to the fact that they do not have to make everything their household uses.
  • American Republican Party is formed

    The American Republican Party is established, with a goal to make laws that enforce immigrants to work in the US for 21 years before they can apply for citizenship.
  • American Republican Party fights back

    After the attack, the American Republican Party burns the homes and churches of Irish immigrants.
  • Riots against the American Republican Party

    Irish Catholics basically hate the American Republican Party, so the Irish immigrants attack them while they are voting in Philadelphia's Irish districts.
  • Southern Churches are Split

    Slave owners in the south feel alienated in some churches, so they form their own church, the Methodist Episcopal Chruch, which advocates slavery.
  • Irish Immigration

    The Irish Potato Famine, which lasts from 1845 to 1849, sends many Irish escaping to the US from Ireland's economic crash. Many Irish immigrants settle in Boston and New York.
  • Texas joins the United States

    Texas joins the United States
    Texas originally wanted to be part of the United States in 1837, but the idea was rejected because adding Texas to the States would mean having more slave states than free states. Eventually Texas does join the United states in 1845. (picture from http://thenewsoftoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/texas-election-results.gif)
  • Jackson's Death

    Andrew Jackson dies at age 78 years old.
  • The Mexican War

    The Mexican War
    President Polk sent troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor to set up a post near the Rio Grande in 1846. Polk leads the country to war against Mexico on May 13, 1846. (picture from http://www.emersonkent.com/images/mexican_war01.jpg)
  • Mormons Migrate to Utah

    Mormons Migrate to Utah
    Brigham Young and many Mormons migrate to utah in 1847 because of the fact that many people had not been tolerant to their religion. Joseph Smith and his brother were actually killed by an angry mob. (picture from http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/21/2189/9XFAD00Z.jpg)
  • Seneca Falls Convention

    The Seneca Falls Convention addresses women's rights. Many people are fighting for women's suffrage, the right to vote.
  • German Immigration

    After many failed rebellions in Germany, Germans immigrate to the US to escape political instability in their homeland. The German immigrants settle in Wisconsin and Missouri.
  • Tubman joins Underground Railroad

    Harriet Tubman escapes slavery and joins the Underground Railroad as a "conductor". The Underground Railrod is a human transport system for slaves to escape slavery in the South and move to the northern states and Canada.
  • California Gold Rush

    California Gold Rush
    In 1848, a carpenter discovers gold in California, and by 1849, people from all over the country travel to California to find fortune. Boomtowns would come and go quickly as people relocated to where the gold was being found the most often. (picture from http://www.california-gold-rush-miner.us/images/califo1.gif)
  • Slave Population is half of the South

    By 1860, the population of slaves has risen so much that it constitutes as half of the South's population.