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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Arrives in the Americas
Columbus arrived in the Americas in an expedition, sponsored by Spain, to find trade routes to Asia. This discovery allowed European countries to send colonists, who would eventually found many countries in the west, including the United States of America. -
Period: 1550 to 1551
De Las Casas vs De Sepulveda Debates
The debates between Bartolomé de las Casas and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda was the first debate about human rights concerning the Native Americans. De las Casas's argument weakened the brutal Encomienda system and created the foundation for Native American policies in America's future. -
Pilgrims arrive upon the Mayflower
Pilgrims from Britain arrive in the Americas on the Mayflower. On the Mayflower, they create the Mayflower Compact, the first government outline written—the compact detailed the guidelines for self-government. The Mayflower compact helped establish the American tradition of democracy, foreshadowing the future structure of America. -
Period: to
The First Great Awakening
The Great Awakening altered the religious climate in the American colonies. Ordinary people were encouraged to make a personal connection with God, instead of relying on a minister. The Great Awakening influenced the Revolutionary War by encouraging the notions of nationalism and individual rights. -
Period: to
7-Years War
The 7-Years-War provided Great Britain with new land in North America, but disputes over frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution -
Northwest Ordinance
The northwest ordinance of 1787 established a government for the Northwest Territory, outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states. The ordinance laid the foundation of adding new nations into the nation. This treaty foreshadowed the controversy surrounding the addition of new states. -
Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin
Whitney's cotton gin enabled the rapid separation of seeds from cotton fibers helped make cotton a profitable export crop in the southern United States and promoted the use of slave labor. It foreshadowed the development of factories and interchangeable parts as part of the industrial revolution in America. -
Andrew Jackson elected President
Andrew Jackson was elected as the 7th president of the United States. During his presidency, most white males could vote, expanding suffrage, in addition to reconstructing multiple federal institutions. His election is known as the era of the common man, foreshadowing the influence citizens will have in the government. -
California Gold Rush
The gold rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California. The development of gold led to more investment in transportation west, leading and influencing westward migration. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
Uncle Tom Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, had a profound impact on attitudes towards African Americans and slavery in the US. This book pushed the abolition movement and helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War.