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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus
In the year 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue to seek Asia, but instead found America. Sponsored by King Ferdinand, Columbus took his 3 ships: La Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria to discover spices and silk. His exploration inspired others in search for a new life. Little did he know his voyage shifted world trading for the future. -
Apr 2, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer on a journey to find the fountain of youth landed upon the territory of Florida on his ship. While exploring Florida, he believed he was on the island we remember as Puerto Rico. During his expedition, not only did he establish a Spanish tie to the area but also brought in African slaves or also known as indentured servants. -
Apr 20, 1534
Jacques Cartier
Sent by King Francis I in France, Jacques Cartier sailed to the new world in search of gold, spices, and a passage to Asia. On his voyage, he discovered the west coast of Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River (present day Canada). Cartier's discovery led to long lasting trades between the French and Indians. -
John Smith
Lack of community and responsibly led to disaster in the English Settlements. Luckily, John Smith's boldness and leadership helped the survival for Jamestown, England's first permanent colony. He forced his people to work hard and start building homes and create agreements with the Powhatans. During the end of his time in Jamestown, tobacco became a major cash crop. -
Puritans
These Christ-like group of people made a change to the society centuries ago. Their goal from the start was to purify their lifestyles and seek religious freedom. Led by John Winthrop, they landed in Massachusetts all the way from New England. They're phrase "City on a Hill" was their motto for the rest of the world to follow. -
Robert de La Salle
This French explorer, sent by King Louis XIV, sailed down the Mississippi River to discover new land. At the end of the river, he claimed this region naming it: Louisiana, after King Louis XIV. He also established La Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, which then became the center for slave trading. -
Glorious Revolution
In the late 1600s, the Glorious Revolution in England spurred fear within the people and the government. The Catholics demanded of more rights to the citizens and the monarchy must use limits of Constitution law. With bloodless action, the Catholics were able to overthrew King James II. -
Great Awakening
The Great awakening was much needed in the lives of those in the New World. Beliefs went from divine mission to intellectual pursuits. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield came all the way from England to spread their preaching to the sinners. These sermons influenced many people and led to the founding of Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth. -
Stono Rebellion
Starting in the 1700s, the slaves were dominant institution. This rebellion caused by the slaves, created fear in South Carolina. The slaves uprising for liberty managed to make things worse by the slave owners enforcing their control over the them. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War caused tension between the French and English. Struggles for the expansion of the Oho Valley led to British dominance in North America and the French losing control of Canada and land east of the Mississippi. -
Paxton Boys
In Paxton, Pennsylvania, a group of angry farmers, also known as the Paxton Boys, attacked the Delaware Indian Village. They gathered up their weapons and killed 20 Indians believing this would end all issues dealing with the tribes. This rebellion spread hatred of Natives. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of angry Colonists disguised as Indians and dumped British tea into the port of Boston. With the 60 members, they boarded on the ship and through out 342 chests of tea. Their goals was to protest tax on tea, saying "no taxation without representation". -
Shays' Rebellion
After the war, former soldiers and the residents in Massachusetts faced high economic problems. Daniel Shay, farmers, and other important figures were angry with the state government for processing foreclosures because of the debt. The rebellion group was shortly shut down after an organized military force set by the governor of Massachusetts went to confrontation. Because of the fear spread with Shays' aim to overthrow the government, this led to a stronger national government. -
Constitution
After many wars and battles, the constitution was finally signed and ratified by the states at the Constitution convention in Philadelphia. James Madison, Alex Hamilton, and John Jay helped wright the Federalist Paper to ratify the constitution for a stronger federal government. -
George Washington
In the first elections, a house of representative, senate, and president was elected. Showing the United States his phenomenal leadership, George Washington was elected as the nation's first president. He was inaugurated in New York city and voted by many. -
Benjamin Banneker
A free African American, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson regarding the freedom for the slaves. He dedication and passion actually made slavery disappear in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. -
Jefferson VS Hamilton
Jefferson's and Hamilton's differences influenced future government and political parties. Jefferson had strong beliefs for the people and the constitution, while Hamilton wanted a national bank and federal government to be in the people's business . Both of their beliefs led to people groups with a strong tension and even moved the nation's capital from New York to Maryland/Virginia border. -
Cotton Gin
Inventor, Eli Whitney, created the cotton gin. Though it allowed cotton to be picked faster, it still made the work for the slaves longer and worse. With this creation, he increased production of cotton in the south and textiles in the North. There was now more growers in the Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana. -
John Adams
As a member in the federalist party, John Adams became the second president of the United States. Many Democratic-Rreoublicans became angry with him because of the X,Y,Z affair which Adams proceeded with violence. But afterwards in the Quasi-War, Adams lost his party for opting peace. -
Second Great Awakening
During this time period, many states had ended their state religion. Another religion reveal aka the Second Great Awakening started in Kentucky. Baptists and methodist were dominating throughout the lives of many. Slaves were the main people getting saved on the campgrounds which helped them in the worst times. -
Louisiana Purchase
Sent by Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston and James Monroe bought the Louisiana territory from Napoleon. Napoleon offered 15 million for the entire territory. Livingston and More had no idea if it was constitutional of buying, but they thought it was a great deal and went with it. This purchase doubles the size of the nation. -
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton's invention of Clermont was successful and revolutionary. This was the first steam boat upstreaming a river from New York to Albany. Clermont right away entered into shipping services. Fulton changed the speed of shipping by allowing it to stream in both directions of the river. -
Francis Lowell
Massachusetts was the beginning for the American Industrial Revolution. Francis Lowell built a large scale textile mills company due to his inspiration in England. He started with young, single women them to immigrants. Thanks to Lowell for changing the American Industrial, shipments and companies were able to be made for the future. -
War of 1812
Conflict between France and England caused tension between the United States and England. Many battles occurred where the United States lost but there was victory gained at Thames, Canada. The war ends in 1814 with the Treaty of Ghent with permanent peace with England and pride in the nation. -
Charles Finney
In upper New York, an intelligent man named Charles Finney used logic and wit to lure people into religion after his experience with Him. He joined churches and reform movements to many local areas. His mini great awaking led to a more egalitarian spirit for those in New York. -
Immigration
23 millions of people migrated to the United States for better economic reasons. The Chinese, Irish, and German all brought their talents to the Pacific, East, and Midwest to change this nations culture and industry. The United States brought many opportunities for them to change their lives from back home. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson's act changed the life for the Indians. For his selfish needs of expansion, he removed 5 civilized tribes: Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw. These tribes were hard to remove, yet forced to move to Oklahoma. After 7 years of arguing with the court, the act was passed and the famous Trail of Tears was formed, where over 4000 Indians died on their way. -
Horace Mann
If it weren't for Horace Mann, the public school system would not exist the way it is. He established a state board of education in Massachusetts. His goal was to keep school work all the same. Mann was opposed by Andrew Jackson and Catholics for not allowing the education system to teach religion. -
Election of 1840
The election of 1840 was pure chaos. William Henry Harrison went into office after Martin Van burn, but sadly Harrison dies of pneumonia after 1 month in office. Congress had no idea what to do or who to select for this position. John Tyler, who was the Vice President, was then elected. -
Manifest Destiny
A newspaper editor, John L. O'Sullivan created the term "Manifest Destiny" in order to spread protestant faith. The mission of this idea was to spread across the Unites States in which it did when it was remembered in wars dealing with Mexico, Texas, California, and Oregon territory. God blessed this mission. -
California Gold Rush
At Sutter's Mill, James Marshall discovers his first piece of gold on his land. With his amazing discovery, he spreads the word which led into over 300,000 people to arrive in California in search for riches. Lawless mining camps were then sold to miners to become wealthy. The discovery of Gold increased whaling industry on Pacific coast. -
Seneca Falls Convention
At Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York, the first woman convention was held. Held by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady, the women started with the Declaration of Independence in which states equality for all man kind. Over 200 women attend to hear and try making a difference for he lives of women who were unappreciated. -
Harriet Tubman
Harrie Tubman's dedication to the slaves marked her as one of the most important people in history. Being a slave herself in Maryland, she seeked freedom for all and sacrificed her life for many. Her goal to free slaves led her to leading abolitionist and "conductor" on the underground railroads to Canada. -
Republican Party
During the Kansas-Nebraska Act, a new party called the Republicans was created to oppose slavery. Abraham Lincoln and other Whig members joined in power to halter the spread of slavery and popular sovereignty. No Southerners were allowed to join. -
Dred Scott Decision
Still a slave, yet in free territory. Dred Scott was still being used to work and punished in Missouri, though this territory was considered North. When he went to Supreme Court, they ruled him as a slave and he was still under authority of his master. This completely ruled the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and gave no hope to any slaves who were granted freedom. -
Crittenden Compromise
This compromise called for the Missouri Compromise to spread to the Pacific Ocean, but Abraham Lincoln tried stopping this idea and let all territory to be slave free instead. Many people in this time period did not have compassion for the slaves and only cared for their selfish needs. This plan did not succeed. -
Battle of Antietam
Civil War was a huge turnout for us Americans. It changed the lives of many and for their futures. The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day of battle during the war. General Robert E. Lee forced his way to Antietam Creek to retrieve Washington which meant sacrificing lives of many on McClellan's side to protect the capital. Over 23,000 casualties happened that day leaving the Union in victory. -
John D. Rockefeller
The inventor of the first Standard Oil Company, John D. Rockefeller, dominated the oils company and influenced others to follow his lead. Starting in Cleveland, Ohio, Rockefeller drove out other oil competitions by horizontal integration: buying out all companies. By 1882, the oil company had a near monopoly. -
Gettysburg
In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Battle of Gettysburg completely changed how the Civil War would end and how the United States would now manage. This battle was the turning point in war because of the sacrifice and dedication the Union army had for the slaves and the pride in America. Pickett's charge led to many southern officers killed and eventually the Confederates to surrender. -
Election of 1864
The 13th amendment had finally passed: abolishment of slavery. Because on Lincoln, the slavery had gained their freedom and everything in history was going to change. Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 with the help of Sherman and Farragut which took in Mobile Bay, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. -
Freedman's Bureau
During reconstruction after the Civil War, Freedman's Bureau was founded by Lincoln to assist the former slaves. Most of the slaves had to restart their lives but of course needed help from those who wanted to help them. This Bureau had a commissioner, which was chosen by the president, and provided with temporary shelter, clothing, food, and medical assistance. The Bureau gave a hope that their new lives would finally be long-lasting. -
Ku Klux Klan
Created in Pulaski, Tennessee, the Ku Klux Klan was a revengeful group of white democrats out to murder any abolitionists and former slaves. They terrorized the freedman and those who assisted. Fear was spread out to the citizens and the former slaves who just wanted peace. Lolfax, Louisiana, Lamar and Yazoo City, Mississippi experienced the most violence because of the KKK. -
Medicine Lodge Creek Treaty
The Comanche tribe were fierce warriors who's lifestyle depended on the buffalo. When General Sherman told this tribe they were no longer sovereign and needed to adopt farming techniques, they created the Medicine Lodge Creek Treaty in order for them to stay on their reservation. They only had occasional hunting which was difficult for them since all they knew was hot to hunt. Different interpretations led to fight with the army. -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
The largest Great Plains tribe, the Sioux, were led by Red Cloude in the 1860s. The federal government created the treaty of Fort Laramie to provide this tribe for a lifestyle like the western culture and Red Cloude agreed. The neglection of the federal government led the Native Americans to face starvation and hate for the white men. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental railroad was the first ever railway connection from coast to coast. Starting in the Central Pacific in Sacramento to Omaha in the Union Pacific. Theodore Judah and his companions help establish this railway by connecting with a spike in Promontory Point, Utah. Now with the railroad, traveling became cheaper, international trade increased, and time became synchronized . -
Redemption Period
The Redemption period showed the uprising of the former slaves. The first African American former slave, Hiram Revels, became a senator representing Mississippi. A few years later, Blanch K. Bruce became the second former slave to also represent Mississippi. 22 blacks served in congress and showed their power and intelligence to the rest of the United States. -
Ellis Island
Immigration in the 1800s meant liberty to those who were hopeless and in poverty. Many Russians, Italians, and Jewish came over to New York City ready to better there lives for their families. Their arrivals influenced many neighborhoods in the area and still followed cultural practices. -
Wright Brother
Orville and Wilbur Wright's first airplane flight was another huge impact on the Industrial Revolution. Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers propelled the first airplane which went a few hundred feet in the air for 12 seconds. This revolutionary invention helped make life easier and increased business for the future.
