-
1000
Leif Ericson
Viking houses have been found in America. So probably Leif Ericson from Iceland was the 1st to discover America. -
1492
Columbus
Columbus set sail from Spain to find a new way from Europe to Asia. He stranded in San Salvador, which he thought was the Indies. -
Period: 1492 to 1520
Lust for Gold
Hernan Cortés and other Spanish conquistadores were on a search for gold in America. They were looking for the Seven Cities of Gold. -
1565
First Spanish settlement
The Spanish set foot in nowadays' Florida. Called it St. Augustine. Also: Santa Fe -
Walter Raleigh
First one to bring tobacco leaves to England. -
Virginia Company
The Virginia Company was founded by a group of rich London investors. It was made to set up colonies along the Atlantic coast of America. It was a joint stock company. -
First English settlement
Sailors from England reached river James, named after their King. They made a town called "Jamestown". -
John Rolfe
First successful cultivation of tobacco leaves. -
Beginning of slavery
This year, 20 black men on a ship involuntarily arrived in America. -
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first elected legislative assembly in the English colonies of North America. It was established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 and played a crucial role in the development of representative democracy in what would later become the United States. -
First pilgrims on Mayflower
The Catholic Church ruled in England. It was normal in this timeframe to have a whole country follow their king's religion. It had been catholic for centuries. People began to doubt this religion but did not have the freedom to do so, so they moved to America to gain religious freedom. These Puritant pilgrims set foot in "Plymouth" with their ship "Mayflower". -
End of Virginia Company
The Virginia Company's charter was revoked in 1624 due to financial troubles, conflicts with Native Americans, poor agricultural practices, and internal issues, leading to the transition of the Virginia Colony from a proprietary colony to a royal colony directly governed by the Crown. -
Rhode Island with religious freedom
In 1635, Roger Williams, a dissenting Puritan minister, founded the colony of Rhode Island as a haven for religious freedom, emphasizing the separation of church and state and welcoming individuals persecuted for their beliefs in other colonies. -
Harvard University
First private school in Boston -
Massachusetts Act
Act that decided that education is a state responsibility. -
Period: to
Colonial Immigration
1st wave of immigration. For economic gain. Mostly Scottish, Irish, Germans, convicts and the poor. -
William & Mary school
Second private school, Virginia -
Last English colony: Georgia
Georgia was the last of all English colonies. It is one of the original 13. -
Start Seven Years War
A global conflict involving major European powers, with Britain and France as the primary adversaries. Fought on multiple continents, including North America (known as the French and Indian War), Europe, and other colonial territories, it resulted in significant territorial changes and laid the groundwork for later conflicts, including the American Revolution. Ended by the Peace of Paris. -
Period: to
Triangle trade
In the 1760s, the Triangular Trade was a system of trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. European merchants traded manufactured goods to Africa, exchanged them for enslaved individuals, transported the enslaved to the Americas, where they were sold for agricultural products, such as sugar and tobacco, which were then shipped back to Europe. -
Proclamation by English King George III
No settling west of Appalachian mountain range because of the native americans living there. Also: increase of taxes. -
Peace of Paris
End of the Seven Years War. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British tax on printed materials in the American colonies, requiring a revenue stamp on various documents and items like newspapers and playing cards, leading to widespread protests and contributing to the growing tensions that eventually culminated in the American Revolution. Made the British even more powerful. -
Boston Tea Party
Everyone hated the British increasing taxes. The loss of all British tea on the sea was a step towards independence from the British. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia to discuss grievances, coordinate resistance against British policies, and formulate a united response, marking a significant step towards colonial unity and the eventual move toward independence. -
Start War of Independence
British soldiers vs Minutemen on their way to Concord. Americans set up an army under George Washington's command. -
Declaration of Independence
End of the war on in dependence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration. America got the name "United States of America". -
Articles of Confederation
Attempt to unite the 13 colonies, harder than it seemed. -
Treaty of Paris
British finally recognized USA's independence. -
Constitutional Convention
Leading to the creation of a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances and the establishment of the framework for the modern United States government. Constitution was formed. -
Ratification constitution
Complete constitution. Amendments could be added later on. -
Period: to
George Washington
The first President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers; led the country through the formative years after the Revolutionary War. -
Period: to
Emerge of early abolitionists
The late 1700s saw the emergence of early abolitionist sentiments in Europe and North America. Influential figures such as Quakers and Enlightenment thinkers began questioning the morality of slavery. -
First 10 amendments
The first ten were created in addition. -
Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
-
Period: to
Strong start abolitionism
Abolitionism gained momentum in the early 1800s with the formation of various abolitionist societies, publications, and advocacy groups in both Europe and the United States. -
Period: to
Thomas Jefferson
Primary author of the Declaration of Independence; doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. -
Missouri Compromise
a federal legislation of the United States that balanced desires of northern states to prevent expansion of slavery in the country with those of southern states to expand it. The compromise involved admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain a balance between slave and free states in the Union. Additionally, it established a line (the 36°30' parallel) across the Louisiana Territory, with slavery prohibited in territories north of the line and allowed south of it -
Period: to
Old Immigration
2nd wave. Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch, Chinese. -
Period: to
Increased activism against Slavery
The 1820s and 1830s marked a period of increased activism and the formation of more organized abolitionist societies, such as the American Anti-Slavery Society founded by William Lloyd Garrison in 1833. -
Fight over import tariffs
John C. Calhoun, Webster's speech. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, was a policy aimed at forcibly relocating Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River. The primary motivation behind this policy was to open up valuable land for white settlers and to accommodate the expansion of the Southern cotton-based economy. -
Nat Turner case
He killed his entire master family while they where sleeping. This strengthened the southern belief of the danger of freeing the slaves (wolf metaphor) -
First kindergarten
By Friedrich Frobel -
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation and removal of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands to lands west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s, particularly in the years 1838 and 1839. This tragic event was a result of the United States government's policy of Indian removal, which was pursued in violation of previous treaties and agreements with various Native American tribes. -
First school for teachers
Lexington -
Period: to
European immigrant wave
Mostly Irish and German immigrants. When steam ships emerged, also from south and east Europe + a lot of jews @ Golden Door. They were examined at Ellis Island. -
Start of Gold Rush
Gold was found in California. This caused a big gold rush. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the Compromise. This act made it easier for southerners to recapture slaves. You'd get a reward for returning slaves. Bounty hunters. -
Compromise (slavery S-N)
A series of legislative measures passed by the United States Congress in an attempt to address the ongoing sectional tensions between the Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This made slavery possible in a vast new area. This was a win for the south. -
John Brown's massacre
In 1856, Brown and a group of followers carried out the Pottawatomie Massacre in retaliation for pro-slavery violence. This act of violence shocked the nation and heightened tensions between the North and South. -
Dred Scott case
Dred Scott had been a free man for years after being a slave. When his owner died, he was re-sold. He started a lawsuit / case. He lost the case because they said that no black man was worthy of American citizenship. So he went back to being a slave. -
Execution James Brown
He became a big symbol / martyr for the anti slavery movement, especially after another raid with lots of deaths. He was hanged shortly after. -
Start presidency Lincoln
He was anti slavery. He didn't want to abolish it directly but prevent it in the future. It would die out gradually. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The tensions between north and south got bigger and bigger. Not only about slavery, also about tariffs, sectionalism and secession. The North was industrializing a lot and the South was still producing mostly cotton (farmers). They "needed" the slaves. The attack on Fort Sumter was the beginning of the Civil War. -
Morril-Land-grand-act
Sale of public lands to fund institutions of higher learning to teach agriculture and mechanical arts -
Start building first railroad
The first railroad was in construction. Mostly Chinese and Irishmen worked on this. They had quick progress on the Great Plains because it was flat, however, on the Sierra Nevada mountains it was very hard to build. -
Homestead Act
Everyone got up to 160 acres of land on the Great Plains to farm on. Great for westward expansion. -
Fall of Vicksburg
This meant that the Union (North) controlled the whole length of the Mississippi - the Confederacy (south) was split in two. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Union victory at Gettysburg marked a critical setback for the Confederacy, and it is often considered a turning point in favor of the Union. -
End of Civil war
When General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, commander of the Union Army, at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This event is often regarded as the effective end of the Civil War, as other Confederate armies surrendered in the subsequent weeks. -
Civil Rights Act
Protection for all blacks -
Reconstruction Act
Marked a significant step in the federal government's efforts to reshape the Southern states after the War and ensure civil rights for the free blacs. It was part of the broader Reconstruction policies aimed at rebuilding the Southern states and integrating them back into the Union on terms that promoted equality and protection of civil rights.The South still hated the blacks after losing the war. This caused a lot of segregation. They wanted to prevent them from getting equal rights. (The KKK) -
Promontory Point
Finally the connection between two ends of the railroad was made so now it was one. This was in Utah and it was finished with a golden spike. -
Period: to
Segregation
Apartheid -
Edison's lightbulb
Thomas Edison focused on electricity and light and finally made the lightbulb. -
Period: to
Industrialization & expansion manufacturers
The rise of factories, technological innovations, and the expansion of transportation networks contributed to the growth of the manufacturing sector in the late 19th century. -
Chinese ban
Chinese people were no longer allowed in America since Americans felt threatened by them. -
Four more railroads were built
-
Statue of Liberty
The statue was gifted by the French for their friendship and freedom. The Statue of Liberty, officially named "Liberty Enlightening the World," has since become a symbol of freedom and democracy, welcoming immigrants arriving by sea to the United States. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States and a testament to the enduring Franco-American friendship. -
Production of cars
Henry Ford introduced the production and standardization of cars. He also invented the assembly line. He is seen as the father of mass production. -
Period: to
New Immigration
3rd wave. South and east Europe, Mexicans, Japanese -
Spanish-American war
Reasons: Cuban revolution, Yellow Journalism, Sinking of USS Maine. -
Period: to
Teddy Roosevelt
Known for his progressive policies, led to the establishment of national parks and the American system of conservation. -
Period: to
Woodrow Wilson
Led the U.S. through World War I and advocated for the establishment of the League of Nations. -
Start WW1
World War I began on July 28, 1914, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The war officially started when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. -
Zimmerman Telegram
Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico against the United States, promising the return of lost territories in the southwestern U.S. in exchange for Mexico's support against the Allies. -
Entrance America in WW1
The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, when Congress declared war on Germany. Reasons for their declaration of war were financial, they were scared of losing important trade with Britain if they lost. Also the submarine warfare (Germany sending torpedoes to American ships) and the direct reason was the Zimmerman Telegram. -
End WW1
World War I ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the Armistice. The Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war, was signed on June 28, 1919. -
Period: to
Mass production
Because of Henry Ford mainly and his assembly line. -
Period: to
Roaring 20s
The USA was very rich after World War 1 because of other countries' debts. They produced all weapons et cetera. A lot of consumism highlighted the roaring 20s and farmers got more and more in trouble. -
Reed-Johnson Immigration act
No more than 150,000 immigrants a year. The quota of immigrants allowed was calculated by the existing amount of immigrants from one country. -
Wall Street Crash
America made more products than they could sell at this point (mass production). It was caused by the blindness of politicians and the greed of Americans by buying so many stocks. No one bought America's products anymore because of so many debts. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
Followed the Wall Street Crash. There were no jobs and money. -
FDR's New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs, policies, and reforms initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) in the 1930s to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression. The New Deal aimed to provide relief to the unemployed, reform the financial system, and stimulate economic recovery. (alphabet agencies) -
Period: to
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Guided the country through the Great Depression and much of World War II; introduced New Deal reforms. -
Start WW2
World War II began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland. The war escalated as other nations became involved. -
Entrance America in WW2
The United States entered World War II on December 7, 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Pearl Harbor attack
This caused America to join WW2. They had been at peace with Japan until they attacked Pearl Harbor. -
End WW2
The war in Europe ended with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 7-8, 1945 (V-E Day). -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a key policy initiative introduced by U.S. President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947. It marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, outlining the American commitment to support nations resisting communist influence or aggression. The doctrine emerged in the context of the emerging Cold War and the perceived threat of Soviet expansion. -
Brown v Topeka
Linda Brown case, her struggle to walk to a black school 1,5 km away instead of walking a few blocks to a white school. She won. -
Emmett Till
Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 after allegedly offending a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, in a grocery store. His death and the subsequent trial, where his killers were acquitted by an all-white jury, became a catalyst for the civil rights movement, highlighting the racial violence and injustice prevalent in the American South. -
Rosa Parks on bus
Rosa Parks refused to stand up and give up her seat for the white men. -
Period: to
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Followed Rosa Parks' action. This helped desegregation. -
Sputnik satellite
The Soviet Union launched a Sputnik satelitte into space. US saw this as a threat. This increased the federal governing in public education. Lots of federal money was provided to put into research in science, technology and in loans. -
Period: to
Change of political emphasis
The American political emphasis changed from a global focus to internal focus. -
Period: to
John F. Kennedy
Embodied the optimism of the early 1960s; led the nation through the early stage of the Cold War. -
Period: to
Lyndon B. Johnson
Assumed the presidency after Kennedy's assassination; signed significant civil rights legislation and initiated the 'War on Poverty.' -
MLK's Speech I Have a Dream
Famous speech -
New Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that addressed various forms of discrimination, including racial segregation in public places and employment. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act into law on July 2, 1964. Title II of the act specifically addressed public accommodations, prohibiting segregation or discrimination in places that served the public, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. -
Period: to
Today's immigration
4th wave. Mostly 3rd world countries. -
Period: to
Richard Nixon
He served one term and a second one until he resigned after the watergate scandal. Gerald Ford, his VP, became president. -
Watergate Scandal
Burglars broke into Watergate Hotel during a presidential meeting. They were involved in activities like spying on and stealing information from the opposite political party. Once these actions were uncovered, it caused significant controversy and dissatisfaction among the American people. Eventually Richard Nixon resigned. The Watergate scandal highlighted the importance of honesty, integrity, and adherence to the law within the government. -
Law Education for Handicapped children
- no denying on gender for schools
-
"A Nation at Risk"
Report on the bad education in America. Lots of school reforms followed.