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American History Timeline
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The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and many others in Philadelphia. It was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. The declaration lists that citizens of the Americans colonies will have unalienable rights as well as the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I chose this event because it shows historical importance by being the beginning of America being considered as a separate entity from Britain. -
The Articles of Confederation
Although written in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were not ratified until 1781. Under the articles, the states were united and independent. With the articles, Congress could coin money, make treaties, and maintain forces. The problem with these articles are that they lacked many important functions of the central government like the right to levy taxes and regulate commerce.
I chose this event because it was the first written constitution for the U.S. -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 established the idea that the United States government would divide, measure, and distribute the land acquired from the American Revolution from Britain.
I chose this event because if it was not established that the United States government would distribute the land, then there would probably be a series of violent attacks or battles over the land. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was a series of violent attacks in 1786-1787 on government properties in Massachusetts. By 1787 the attacks caused military confrontation.The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, who was one of the leaders. One of the reasons behind the rebellion was that Americans were being heavily taxed for the American Revolutionary War.
I chose this event because it shows that American people banned together to show their dissatisfaction for being forced to pay higher taxes. -
The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17,1787 in Philadelphia by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution fixed the problem of the central government not having enough power in the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution also created three separate branches of government as well as checks and balances.
I chose this event because it's the creation of a valuable document that fixed the problems in the Articles of Confederation, and set up the U.S. government. -
George Washington is Elected as President
The first presidential election was held in Philadelphia, in 1789. George Washington was elected as president of the United States with 69 electoral votes. This means that Washington had the support of each member who voted.
I chose this event because it is the beginning of a long line of presidents being elected. -
The Invention of the Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented in 1793 by Eli Whitney. This machine was used to separate cotton fibers and cotton seeds. This invention was commonly used in the South by slaves.
I chose this event because it's introduction had major impacts on America. It caused an increase in the production of cotton as well as an increase in slavery, because slaves were used to operate these machines on plantations. -
The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a time of religious transformation in the U.S. At the beginning of the American Revolution, most Americans were Congregationalists, Quakers, or Anglicans. By 1800, Baptists and Evangelical Methodism were on the rise. This period of time is well known for its large camp meetings made to convert people through the enthusiastic preaching style.
I chose this event because it was the beginning of a new era of religious freedom, no longer controlled by Britain. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a deal made between France and America. In this land deal, the U.S. acquired roughly 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for 15 million dollars. This is considered as one of the best deals America has ever received. Thomas Jefferson was the president who purchased this land for America.
I chose this event because it was an amazing deal as well as it basically doubled the size of America. -
The Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent, written on December 24, 1814, was the treaty that ended the War of 1812. U.S. and Britain held peace negotiations in Belgium. The treaty opened up the Great Lakes region to America. The war was considered as a U.S. diplomatic victory.
I chose this historical event because it gave America the right to expand into the Great Lake territory as well as declared the end of the War of 1812 -
The Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis that lasted until the mid-1840's. The total capital held by American banks had dropped forty percent during this time. The economic activity during this time had drastically slowed. Two hundred banks closed during these few years. Normal bank activity finally had resumed in late 1842.
I chose this event because it is an example of how resilient America is as a nation. The U.S. somehow was able to recover from this economic depression and others. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War. After around two years of fighting, the war ended in favor of the U.S. This treaty added 525,000 square miles to the U.S. territory. This area included the land that makes up present day Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California, and Nevada. Mexico also declared the Rio Grande as America's southern boundary and gave up claims to Texas.
I chose this event because it ended a war, as well as expanded the U.S. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of five various laws passed that dealt with issues of territorial expansion and slavery. The compromise made sure disputes over territories were settled. The Slave Fugitive Act abolished slave trade in Washington D.C.
I chose this event because it dealt with two major issues in America at the time, slavery and territorial expansion. -
Harriet Tubman Working on the Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman began working on the Underground Railroad in 1853. She had helped 300 slaves travel from the South to the North to safety. Over a period of 10 years, it is estimated that Tubman made 19 expeditions to the North.
I chose this event because Harriet had a major impact of the lives of many slaves and this event shows just how divided the nation was during this time over the issue of slavery. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a period of violence during the settling of the Kansas territory. Using the principle of popular sovereignty, the residents of Kansas had the ability to vote to determine if Kansas would become a slave or free state. Free-state and pro-slavery settlers flooded into Kansas to try to control the decision. Violence erupted after both sides tried to fight for control.
I chose event because it showed a time in history when the Untied States was truly divided and violent. -
The Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave who had lived with his owner in a free state before he returned to Missouri, which was a slave state. Scott believed that since he had spent time in a free state, he should be entitled to emancipation. The court had decided that since he had be a slave he did not have the right to claim U.S. citizenship.
I chose this event because America was very divided on this issue. Later the issue of slavery causes a war, so it's a very important issue in the U.S. at this time. -
The American Civil War
The Civil War began in 1861 and ended in 1865. The battles were between the Northern states who fought to abolish slavery, and the Southern states who fought to keep slavery. The Northern states were victorious, yet 625,000 American soldiers lost their lives in the war.
I chose this event because it had a major impact on American history. Both sides who fought in this war were American, so often family members and friends would fight against each other. This war also divided America. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was a speech given by Abraham Lincoln that said that states that still were a part of the rebellion had to free slaves with help from the government and armed forces. The proclamation exempt border slave states and parts of three Confederate states that were controlled by the Union army.
I chose this event because it improves the lives of American slaves. This event is also important because it leaves the nation less divided on the issue of slavery. -
The Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. This amendment declared that,"right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the Untied States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
I chose this event because it brought an end to the long-term problem of African American men not having the same voting rights as white males. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1875
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 declared,"equality of all men before the law." The act also prohibited racial discrimination in public places and facilities. These places include public transportation.
I chose this event because it improves the lives of many of people by giving all people the same rights and prohibiting public racial discrimination.
