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10,000 BCE
First Inhabitants
The first inhabitants of North America come from Asia (Siberia). They established many tribes and spread across North and South America -
1492
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus opened the door to European exploration and exploitation of North and South America. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent and successful English settlement. They were able to practice self-government with little interference from England. Tobacco was a large reason why it became a profitable settlement. Many indentured servants signed contracts to come to America to work the fields. Also, slaves were kidnapped and brought to America against their will to work for the large southern plantations. -
Pilgrims
The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower to establish the beginning of what eventually would become known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the American colonies were founded by people trying to escape religious persecution in England. They too were allowed to practice self-government. From the 1600’s to the mid-1700’s England established thirteen colonies in North America. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was fought over the disputed land in the Ohio River Valley. American colonies aided by England and some Native American tribes fought the French and a large collection of Native American tribes. England poured in lots of money to supply the Americans and to send a vast number of troops. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited the American colonists from crossing the Appalachian Mountains and moving to the land that they were fighting to acquire. King George III didn’t want Americans creating more tension with the French and Native Americans there. The problem was that the land was the main reason the colonists were willing to fight in the war and there were many colonists already living there before the war even started. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act. The British Parliament, desiring revenue, passed the first law specifically aimed at raising colonial money for the Crown. This act was far from sweet in the eyes of the American colonists. The act increased duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies. This was followed by many more taxes that the colonists didn’t feel they needed to pay, since they had no representatives in the British Parliament. Their motto became "No taxation Without Representation." -
The Sons of Liberty
A group called the Sons of Liberty formed in Boston and soon spread throughout the colonies. During one protest in Boston, a fight broke out and 5 colonists were shot and killed. This incident in the American colonies became known as the Boston Massacre. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an act of protest by a group of patriots. The British saw this as an act of sabotage and decided the colonists should be punished. The Intolerable Acts were put in place, which closed Boston’s harbor and banned representative assemblies from meeting. The laws caused the colonies to become more united against the British. Many colonies sent supplies to help Boston and more colonists throughout the 13 colonies joined up with the Sons of Liberty. -
The Shot Heard Round The World
“The Shot Heard Round The World” British soldiers in Massachusetts were ordered to disarm the American rebels and to arrest their leaders. The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” -
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the American Revolution, because after the American victory the French decided to join the war. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Saratoga, which was the final major battle of the American Revolution, was won by the Americans. Washington, Hamilton, Lafayette, and Laurens all aided to this victory as well as a large French force. This victory was followed by the Treaty of Paris that officially ended the war. -
The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation. The new government established a stronger federal government with the power to levy taxes, regulate trade, print money and maintain a standing army. It has three branches of government - legislative (Congress), executive (President) and judicial (Supreme Court). The first person to serve as president of the United States was George Washington. -
The Bill of Rights
Three-fourths of the states had ratified 10 amendments to the Constitution. These are now known as The Bill of Rights. -
Vermont Becomes a State
On March 4, 1791, Vermont was accepted into the United States of America, as the fourteenth state. Vermonters reluctantly supported the War of 1812. -
Kentucky Becomes a State
On June 1, Kentucky is admitted to the union as the 15th state and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. -
Tennessee Becomes a State
It was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, as the 16th state. Tennessee earned the nickname "The Volunteer State" during the War of 1812, when many Tennesseans helped with the war effort. -
Ohio
Ohio becomes the 17th state. -
The Louisiana purchase.
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from the French First Republic in 1803. This consisted of most of the land in the Mississippi River's drainage basin west of the river.