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1492
New World
In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas and the Native Americans living here. This started the race to the gold that many European countries, like England, Spain, and France all wanted. These three countries then continued to start settlements for gold, which lead to the beginning of North America. -
Jamestown
Jamestown became the first English Settlement in North America in 1607. They survived with the help of Native Americans and learned how to farm and harvest for survival. -
Beginning of American Slavery
In Jamestown, they enslaved Native Americans and was the first documented case of racism and slavery by whites in the U.S. Later replaced by African Americans, this was the beginning of a long problem that has a developed into equality through hard work and bold leaders. While the roots of diversity are evil, through centuries of growth it helped bring acceptance and equality among every race in the modern U.S. -
Plymouth Bay
Pilgrims sailed to the new colonies first in 1620 to separate from the Church of England. They believed it to be corrupt and decided to leave for religious freedoms in the new world. This started a long line of the religious freedoms and opportunity that became a pillar in the United States we know today. -
First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening brought new religious awakening and spiritual growth to the colonies. Lessons like Johnathan Edwards "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and George Whitefield's sermons inspired people to change their behaviors in a religious fashion. This inspired new laws and new denominations like Methodist and Baptist were created. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act imposed a wide-reaching tax in the American colonies that made colonists pay a tax on every piece of printed paper used like legal documents, licenses, newspapers, ship's documents, and other publications. This affects today's taxes and the economy because it motivated the American people to change taxing ways. Because of this Stamp Act, we don't have to pay ridiculously high taxes on everything we use. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts that the British Crown put on the American Colonists on all foreign imported goods. The colonists revolted and boycotted these products which showed the first sign of the classic American stubbornness were known for today. Because these people refused the now foreign power it started up the fierce headstrong attitude we hold today. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre, while a sorrowful event, was a very important event that lead to the American Revolution. It helped unite the colonies together for the first time ever against Britain. It started a long patriotic train of unity between the American people and the states that show through in the darkest times and lasts even today. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was another event leading up to the American Revolution for Independence. It was an event that showed, even though pretty dramatic, the rebellious backbone that much of the U.S is built on today. Many believe we shouldn't be controlled by a government, crown or not, that only seeks to use us for their own personal gain. -
The Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were a group of laws that restricted trade and increased British control in Boston. They were made to scare and silence the colonists, but they actually brought the colonies closer. It's important because it’s a demonstration of what the U.S does later on. When attacked, we unite for ourselves and the laws we live by. Future events like WW2 Pear Harbor and 9/11 show just how strong we become as one when another foreign power tries to diminish the United States. -
Lexington and Concord
Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Some British troops had moved from Boston toward Lexington and Concord to seize the colonists' military supplies and arrest revolutionaries. But this began a long line of strategic military play that the U.S uses now and has for centuries. It also started the American Revolution which we wouldn’t be a country today without. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence signifies the birth of our nation. It instructs our American civilians to live free of a smothering government and provides hope for all people who want to be free. The Declaration shows the idea of independence from all foreign powers that wish to control us. It’s the birth certificate of this greatly fought-for nation. -
U.S First International Alliance
France became an official ally of the United States through the Treaty of Alliance. The French navy entered the warfighting facing off the British along the American coast and fought alongside Americans. This is a vital piece of history to the U.S because it shows our political growth and standing in the world. -
Steamboat
The invention of the Steamboat changed the U.S economy forever. Steamboats greatly reduced both the time and expense of shipping goods to distant markets. It made it possible for farmers all over the nation, no matter how far apart, to reach their products further than ever thought possible. It became the largest way of ravel before railroads. Selling surplus crops stimulated economic growth in local communities. -
The Constitution
The Constitution is one of the most important legal documents for the federal government of the United States. It is the highest form of law in the country because it not only creates branches of the government and gives them the power to govern, but it protects the basic rights of civilians. The Constitution gives the basic rights like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and free of illegal search and seizures like done in other countries. To this day it protects our individual liberties. -
The First Presidency
George Washington’s presidency was important because it showed the world a new way of leading a country that’s not the way of a King or Queen. But in a fair way, where the people had the right to choose to lead them and make the laws to keep order and keep them safe. In the process, President Washington significantly influenced the path for the presidency moving forward, setting standards in all aspects, including political power, military practice, and economic policy -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 and gives Americans the basic rights that were given to us and fought for by those in the revolution. It’s the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and thought of to be the most important rights to us today. This impacts the way the government can make laws over us and limits the amount of power they have over us, unlike many other countries. It guarantees essential rights and civil liberties. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a rebellion against the Federal government of the United States. Farmers believed that a new tax on whisky was not fair. They wanted a new government to become more solid, and the President more powerful. This was the first test of federal authority in the United States. This rebellion enforced the idea that the new government had the right to levy a particular tax that would impact citizens in all states. -
The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant revival movement starting in 1795 and declining around 1870. Many denominations like Methodist and Baptists were founded and won over thousands of people by talking about revivals with God. During the Second awakening, many people found solace in religious roots and devote their lives to Christ. This movement led to a period of antebellum social reform and an emphasis on salvation by institutions -
Election of 1800
In the Election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson a Democratic-Republican defeated Federalist John Adams. It was important to us today because at the time the Federalists controlled the army the presidency and Congress they could've refused to step down and overthrown the Constitution. But for the first time in the world, it showed a peaceful transition of power between 2 parties with control over a country. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land purchase made by Thomas Jefferson, in 1803. He bought the Louisiana territory from France and just wanted New Orleans for control over the Mississippi River. Instead, he bought 828,000 square miles of territory and over double the size of the United States and opening up new opportunities for the country. -
War of 1812
The war of 1812 did a lot of things for American politics. The Federalist Party had opposed the War of 1812 and collapsed after the conflict ended. This ushered in the Era of Good Feelings and the Democratic-Republican Party became predominant. And finally, because America had managed to fight the world's greatest military power to a virtual standstill, it gained international respect and instilled a greater sense of nationalism among its citizens. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine settled the United State’s power in the Western Hemisphere. President James Monroe said that The United States would not get involved in European affairs and if a European nation tried to control or interfere with a nation in the Western Hemisphere, the United States would view it as a hostile act against this nation. The doctrine became vital for U.S. foreign policy, laying the groundwork for U.S. expansionist and interventionist practices in the decades to come. -
Era of Common man
The Era of Common Man had begun after the election of 1824 when Andrew Jackson had won. While the many presidents had risen to power through keeping the same families and blood in the office, Andrew Jackson came from a “humble background”. This demonstrated the power of the people because it brought more power to the common man. It also was the first step in allowing voting equality because not just certain white men had the chance to vote, but now all white men had a right to vote. -
Freedom's Journal
Freedom’s Journal was the first African American-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. Editorials deriding slavery, racial discrimination, and other injustices against Blacks were aimed at providing a balanced weight to many of the white newspapers which supported slavery and racial bias. This was a good step to equality and a healthily diverse country. Blacks, while still being degraded and segregated by whites, they began to have a voice for the first time in history. -
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The B&O Railroad was the first railroad chartered in the United States and was the backbone for transportation in the early 1800s. It became crucial in the Civil War to both sides and the main source of trade between the northern part of the country. This was only the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and left a door open for new opportunities and dreams to become reality. Without people like this, we wouldn’t have the modern engineering marvels that stand today. -
Oberlin College
Oberlin College became the first predominantly white collegiate institution to admit African American male students and two years later it opened its doors to all women, becoming the first coeducational college in the country. They began educating young men and women side by side believing that we were all equal, while still biased, its progressive attitude was a huge step in the Women’s Rights Movement, because it gave women the same opportunities as men. -
Cheyney University
Cheyney University became the first African American college in the United States. Its goal was to provide an education to free blacks with an opportunity at higher education to get better jobs with what they can in the segregated world. While there was still racism, this was a huge step in the right direction for equality and good education for all, a basic human right that everyone deserves. -
Telegram
The first Telegram in the United States was built by Samuel Morse from Baltimore to Washington DC. This is crucial to America’s history because it opens up a world of opportunity and promises of technological advancements in the future. This was a new way that made communication faster than ever and built up our nation. The first-ever message to go through morse code was “What Hath God Wrought”. -
Treat of Guadeloupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, not only showed the might and power of the United States Government when provoked, but it also doubled the size of Texas and stuffed the territory problems. It gave the United States more territories out west for land and settlers but had made it from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean. Owning California gave the US access to gold and trading routes with Asian countries. This had boosted the U.S economy and opened up opportunities to move west. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that passed in 1850 to preserve the Union and tried to deal with slavery. Some states entered the U.S as free states and some entered as slave states. But this was a small foothold leading up to the Civil War. This shapes the modern U.S because it shows that we’re willing to compromise to stay united. It also helped push out slavery so much and become an equal nation. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott decision was a case between slave Dred Scott vs. Sandford. The Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. This is important to the modern U.S because it shows just how far the country has come in modern days. This angered African-Americans and abolitionists and set a deep fire that started the abolitionist movement. This lead to the equality and freedom that we hold today. -
American Indian Residential Schools
American Indian residential schools were established federally funded Indian Boarding Schools that aimed to strip Native American children of their culture. It’s important to today’s culture because it makes us culturally aware and accepting of everyone. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was an order by U.S. President Lincoln to free slaves in multiple states. It applied to slaves in the states still in rebellion in 1863 during the Civil War. This is important to our modern-day United States because it brought the equality we see today. While the U.S government may seem controlling sometimes this also showed the power they still had over the states. That the U.S had a central government and that they were going to hold the U.S together. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg address was brought light to all of America’s challenges and changes in its history and was delivered in one of the most pressing times our country has faced. It reminded us what equality was and no matter our race, size, gender, or who we are that we were all created under the eyes of God. -
13th Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment made slavery illegal in the United States. It Completely abolished slavery and made it so that the U.S was free. Our country was built on freedom from foreign powers and refusing someone else in charge. Finally abolishing slavery made it so all American citizens were free to live their own lives from the punishments of others and ensured that we each are our own persons. -
Freedman’s Bureau
It was an act to establish a Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees” to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners, including newly freed African Americans. It changed the way we see equality and made better opportunities for American Citizens. -
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad changed the economic standings of the U.S forever. It had connected the east coast markets to Asia, had made travel and communication much faster and easier, and had allowed others to travel out west. It was the first ocean-to-ocean railroad in the world. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment was written during the Reconstruction Era. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” While there was some segregation and judgment on other races, it’s vital because it secures rights and liberty to anyone born on U.S soil. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 and secured the right to vote for all U.S born black men the right to vote. It says that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This is important today because it secures the right to vote no matter what gender, race, or disability one is. -
Financial Panic of 1873
When the Bank Jay Cooke and Company closed its doors it sent the whole nation into an economic depression. The company was heavily invested in many American companies which lead to much chaos and a long line of companies falling into bankruptcy. This was important to us today because it taught the U.S government to diversify investments and taxes and lead to a more stable economic situation. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
The Sioux wars were a group of wars between the American government pushing back Native Americans on Native land in the Great Plains and Natives fighting back. In the Battle of Little Big Horn, the Indians destroyed the U.S army and it was an embarrassing defeat. This is important to the U.S because it showed the government that they couldn’t do anything they wanted and that the people still have power. -
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama in Central America. The construction started in 1881 and changed the international trading standards and U.S economy forever. New trades were available and faster since ships didn’t need to sail all the way around South America. -
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 was an unwritten agreement after the American Civil War between leaders of the country and promised to remove the Army from the occupied territory of the South which ended the Reconstruction era. This was a new step for United States Politics into a new era of trust and healing for the government. -
Pendleton Act
This act required that anyone applying for Government jobs take a competitive exam instead of the winning president giving the federal jobs to any supporters and someone incapable of the job. This helped shape our government for what it is today. It made sure that our government was capable and in the right hands for the citizens. -
Populist party
The Populist Party or “People Party” was a political party that sought to represent the interests of farmers and laborers in the 1890s, advocating increased currency issues, free coinage of gold and silver, public ownership of railroads, and a graduated federal income tax. Unfortunately, it failed but it taught the U.S government how to help all citizens of the U.S and not just the intelligent and wealthy. -
Age of Imperialism
The Age of Imperialism was a time of physical growth for the United States and other rapidly growing world countries. It leads to the annexation of Hawaii and other islands of the sort. But it was also a time of reflection for our government. It lead to the realization of self-growth instead of just constantly expanding, which is what brought us such a free and liberty-giving country today. -
Cross of Gold Speech
It was a speech delivered by William Jennings Bryan. It was a speech that supported changing U.S coins from gold to silver to bring economic peace to our nation. This changed the way the U.S makes money today and changed the actual value of a coin. -
De Lomé Letter
This was a letter written by the Spanish Ambassador in the United States to the Spanish royals that criticized the U.S president by calling him weak and concerned only with gaining the favor of the crowd. This not only hurt his pride but the United States in total. This was an early prime example of the pride and self-respect that we hold in the U.S today and defend our country for. -
San Juan Hill Siege of Santiago
The San Juan Hill Battle was the last major battle in the Spanish-American war. It ended with the future president Theodore Roosevelt leading his team called the Rough Riders into a strategic win and surrender. This helped with the victory of the Spanish American War, which lead to great International respect for the U.S and The American press was great in its praise of the United States forces.
