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Jamestown is Founded
Jamestown was the first official permanent settlement of the new 13 colonies. The purpose was to get money and start a new company in the newly found land. However, some of the colonists that came from England wanted to have more freedom of their religion. The first 5 years of Jamestown was known as the Starving Times, and only about 20% of the people that came from England survived. This settlement would eventually become the powerful country of the United States. -
Headright System is Created
The Headright System granted new settlers 100 acres of land as an incentive to move to the colonies. Included in this system was, if you paid for the passage of another person, then you would be granted an additional 50 acres of land. This incentive brought many settlers to the colonies looking for new opportunities. The excess of land was used for farming, which led to the creation of tobacco as a cash crop. This system was the first boost in the colonies' population and economy. -
First Slaves Brought to the Colonies
The first slaves were brought to the colonies through the triangular trade system. People were taken by force from Africa and put onto ships in horrible conditions to be sold off to farmers in the colonies. This would lead to hundreds of years of slavery, create political problems, and foster racism for centuries to come. -
Navigation Acts
The first mercantilist acts were the Navigation Acts, which stated that only English ships could bring goods to the colonies and that North America could only export to England. These acts benefitted England and gave them lots of wealth because they were given all the resources of North America for their gain. However, this came at the expense of the colonies, which fostered seeds of hate against England. -
First Great Awakening
Religion was an extremely important aspect in the lives of colonists, but it was initially separate and was very traditional in practice. Preachers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edward’s emerged, seeking a transformation. They travelled and gave sermons across the colonies, focusing on the ideas of equality and how God made everybody equal. They used different strategies to communicate religion, using God’s love as well as God’s fear. This period cultivated deep religious commitment. -
French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian War, part of a larger global conflict called the Seven Years' War, was a conflict between Great Britain and France. Primarily fought in North American, different Native American tribes supported both sides. The British wanted to expand their empire further with new territory, and the French wanted to maintain control over the fur trade. At the conclusion of the war, France ceded vast territories to Britain, but also left them with significant debt, leading to more taxation. -
Proclamation of 1763
The British government issued the Proclamation of 1763 following the French and Indian War to stop Americans from settling to the west of the Appalachian Mountains, aiming to prevent conflicts with Native Americans and to have more control over colonial expansion. This proclamation was extremely unpopular among settlers, as it restricted access to fertile land in new territories. This frustration contributed to the resentment toward British Parliament, fueling the future American Revolution. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act required all colonists to provide housing and food for British soldiers. England saw it as a way to easily house British personnel, but the colonists felt as if their rights were being encroached upon. With the soldiers being in their houses, they could not freely speak their thoughts about the British Parliament, and they could not refuse. This continued to add onto the ill-feelings the colonists had for the British government. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest to the British Parliament’s tax on tea. The colonists felt as though it was unfair to have taxation without representation, so they threw tea overboard into the Boston Harbor. This backfired on the colonists, causing Britain to enforce the Intolerable/Coercive Acts. These acts closed the Boston Port, outlawed assemblies, and royal officials were tried in England. Colonists became outraged and the ill feelings they had continued to grow. -
Second Continental Congress
Delegates from all thirteen colonies met together to form the Second Continental Congress, which united in support of the American Revolution. This group of leaders got together and drafted the Declaration of Independence, one of the most important documents in American history. This document would be rejected by the British government, and eventually led to the start of the American Revolution. -
Common Sense is Published
Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, was the most influential book of its time, outselling even the Bible. In it, he lays out the case for independence in terms that common people could understand to ensure that everybody could read it and see the importance of freedom. By publishing this book, Thomas Paine kindles the fire of the want for independence in the colonists. -
Winter of Valley Forge
Valley Forge was George Washington’s army’s location for their camp during the winter of 1777. They faced brutal conditions and many were dying, whether it be from illness, cold, or lack of resources. Many soldiers would also slip off in the night to return home because of these conditions. The American army faced extremely low morale, which inspired Thomas Paine to write The American Crisis, which would boost American morale and inspire them to continue fighting for independence. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga is regarded as the turning point for the American Revolution. By surrounding the British army, the colonists were finally able to secure a win that proved there was a chance of winning the war. At the time, Benjamin Franklin had been negotiating with France to create an alliance, and the win of this battle convinced France to join their cause. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by both U.S. and British representatives, which officially ended the American Revolution. U.S. independence was recognized because of this treaty and became its own country, and they were also granted significant western territory with new established borders. By securing recognition of American sovereignty, it marked a pivotal moment in the formation of the United States as an independent nation. -
Shays' Rebellion
At the end of the American Revolution, Americans faced large amounts of debt. Farmers were especially affected by this because of high taxes being set as well as farmer veterans not receiving pay. They staged a violent rebellion, which pointed out the flaws of the Articles of Confederation. The government was unable to maintain order or address the grievances with the current governmental standing, so the United States Constitution was drafted. -
Northwest Ordinance is Passed
The Northwest Ordinance created the framework for the requirements of becoming a state in order to have orderly expansion into the newly acquired western territories. This law outlined how northwest territories could become states, set guidelines for state governments, and ensured the protection of civil liberties. This ordinance played a key role in westward expansion, encouraging settlement out West with the idea of new territories reaching equal status as states. -
Whiskey Rebellion Begins
A tax put on whiskey outraged farmers in western Pennsylvania, viewing it as unfair and burdensome. The tax was implemented to raise revenue for the government, but farmers protested against this and eventually resorted to using violence against tax collectors. President George Washington quickly assembled a federal militia to suppress the revolt, demonstrating the power and functionality of the Constitution. This set a new precedent in the United States for dealing with domestic unrest. -
Bill of Rights is Ratified
Political disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-federalists led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, which listed 10 rights that every American is guaranteed. It was designed to protect individual liberties as well as limit the power of the federal government. Everything that was not included in the Bill of Rights was left up to state government, which ensured broader support for the Constitution and solidified key democratic principles. -
Cotton Gin is Created
Eli Whitney engineered the cotton gin, which was made of interchangeable parts. The idea of interchangeable parts was a remarkable innovation in manufacturing because it made mass production not only cheaper, but also possible as a whole. Products were able to be made with much more efficiency, boosting the economy. The invention of the cotton gin made it much easier to remove seeds from cotton, which reawakened slavery in the South after it had been almost gone entirely. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Under President John Adams, toward the end of his presidency, multiple acts were created - the Naturalization Act, Alien Act, and Sedition Act. These acts mainly targeted immigrants, but also outlawed the printing of any material that is critical of the President or Congress. Americans saw this as a blatant violation of freedom of press and were extremely upset about how easily the government had been taking away their rights. This led to Jefferson being elected as the next president. -
Revolution of 1800
The Jefferson Presidency, also known as the Revolution of 1800, was an extremely important election in American history. It was the first time that Americans had seen a change in political ideology in the president, and a peaceful exchange of of power was not thought to be possible. However, on inauguration day, the transfer of power was peaceful and again demonstrated the strength of the Constitution. This transfer of power set a precedent for the entire world. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal that gave the United States 828,000 square miles of territory of around $15 million. This territory essentially doubled the size of the United States at the time, reaching all the way from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. This new territory brought about new resources, new environments, and unexplored areas of the continent. In order to map out and understand this territory better, the Lewis and Clark expedition was launched. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was declared on Britain by President James Madison because of the impressment of US sailors by the Royal Navy as well as hopes for territorial expansion, even though the US army was incredibly unprepared. The British would burn down the White House in an attack, but would ultimately end in a white peace. The impact of this war was a sense of patriotism sweeping America, transportation systems were embarked upon, and the Ohio River Valley was opened for expansion permanently. -
Missouri Compromise
The delicate power balance between slave and free states was an escalating crisis to which Henry Clay responded. Clay orchestrated the Missouri Compromise to save the nation. States being admitted into the Union were either free or slave states, and Americans argued over these decisions. Clay decided that Missouri would be a slave state and Maine would be a free state, and furthermore compromised that all territory north of Missouri would be designated as a free state to preserve balance. -
Election of 1824
The Election of 1824 involved four candidates, but ultimately came down to Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. Jackson received the most votes, but did not win the majority, meaning the decision had to be made by the House of Representatives. Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House, met with Adams privately. Afterward, Clay endorsed Adams, and once Adams won, Clay was named Secretary of State. This meeting would be known as a "corrupt bargain," which is still debated to this day. -
Second Great Awakening
The main leaders of the Second Great Awakening were Charles Finney and Lyman Beecher. This generation of preachers emphasized goodwill and social responsibility, and also brought about several movements. They viewed the church as a force for change and advocated for personal connections with God. Not only was religion influenced, but movements such as abolitionism, women’s rights, and the temperance movement gained traction. -
Indian Removal Act
Signed into law by Andrew Jackson, the Indian Removal Act authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes living East of the Mississippi River. The goal of the policy was to open up land for white settlers with the justification that it would protect Native Americans from encroachment. This would lead to the Trail of Tears, the forced displacement and genocide of thousands of Native Americans. 25 million acres would be taken away and opened to white settlement. -
Nullification Ordinance
Passed by South Carolina, the Nullification Ordinance was passed in response to federal tariffs that the state deemed unfair and harmful to its economy. The ordinance gave South Carolina the ability to nullify the federal tariffs in the state, unwilling to acknowledge them. This ordinance gave states the right to nullify or reject any federal law that they deemed unconstitutional, which was argued to be a part of the state’s power. This ordinance would lead to the Nullification Crisis. -
The Alamo
After Texas declared independence from Mexico, Santa Anna moved into Texas and attacked the small mission called the Alamo. 250 Americans defended this mission, and refused to give up. They attempted to fight off the Mexican army for 13 days until they were completely overtaken by Mexican troops. Every last defender of the Alamo was killed, outraging Americans. Eventually, this would lead to the annexation of Texas and the beginning of the war against Mexico. -
The Miracle Plow
As American settlers pushed further west into the Great Plains, the previous iron plows that were being produced could not work efficiently. The deep layers of sod in the Great Plains were difficult to plow, so John Deere engineered the steel plow, also known as the miracle plow. This plow could cut deeper, was more durable, and prevented sod from clumping together. This invention allowed for more productivity in agriculture in the western territories. -
Mexican-American War
Following the annexation of Texas, territorial disputes would arise between the U.S. and Mexico, mainly regarding the Rio Grande border. Tensions rose when both armies clashed at this border and would continue to rise, but ultimately Americans achieved victory and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. Mexico ceded large southwestern territories, including modern-day California. This war expanded the U.S., but also created debate over slavery in the newly acquired territories. -
North Star is Published
Frederick Douglass began to publish a weekly abolitionist paper called the North Star to advocate for emancipation and civil rights. A runaway salve, Douglass highlighted the injustices of slavery and called for the abolition of slavery. Southerners were outraged by this, mainly because of the idea that African Americans were capable of reading and writing just like white people. This newspaper would continue to push for abolition and gain widespread support for the cause. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the Seneca Falls Convention in New York was an event for women’s suffrage. There, the two organizers met Susan B. Anthony, and together they formed the grand matriarch of women’s suffrage. They drafted the Declaration of Sentiments, which mimicked the Declaration of Independence with its list of grievances. This event would be considered the “starting gun” of the women’s rights movement, giving it momentum for the future. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 came about from the argument of whether California should be a free or slave sate. To solve this issue, Henry Clay created four provisions to hopefully balance power between free and slave states. First, California would become a free state and the slave trade in Washington, d.c. would cease. Second, strict fugitive slave laws would be enforced nationwide. Lastly, future states entering the union would use popular sovereignty to decide if they are a free or slave state. -
Bleeding Kansas
When becoming a state, Kansas had to be either a free state or slave state. Because of the new implementation of popular sovereignty, the state would vote on the decision. Abolitionists rallied together to vote for their cause, but on election day, pro-slavery Americans from Missouri laid siege on Lawrence, Kansas, and swayed the vote to make Kansas a slave state. The North becomes outraged, leading to violence and extreme sectional tension that would last through the Civil War. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott, a former slave, was taken into a free state with his plantation owner. Scott made the case that, in a free state, he cannot be a slave and should therefore be freed after being taken into northern territory. However, the court ruled that African Americans and slaves were not American citizens and were not guaranteed rights, therefore going against Scott’s case. In essence, this court ruling made slavery legal everywhere, widening the division between north and south even further. -
Lincoln is Elected
The Republican Party nominee for the election of 1860 was Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was skilled in debates, and used his reasoning and logic to sway the opinions of voters. He did not support slavery, but did not plan to abolish it entirely, instead simply wanting to prevent it from spreading. Lincoln’s victory in this election scared the South because they believed he would get rid of slavery, so they did everything in their power to stop him from doing so, leading to the Civil War. -
Battle of Bull-Run
The Battle of Bull-Run was the very first battle in the American Civil War. Northerners believed that the South did not stand a chance against them, going so far as to have picnics at the site for the battle of bull-run. However, this battle soon turned into a wake up call for the North as the South won. Bull-Run showed the need for better military training on either side of the war, and also foreshadowed to the United States the war that was to come. -
Homestead Act
With lots of land unsettled in the West, the Homestead Act is implemented to stimulate westward expansion. Households were given 160 acres to move West as long as they dedicated some land to farming and improved the land over the course of 5 years. This act was mostly appealing to immigrants that had very little to their name, aiding in lessening the overcrowding of the Northeast. This Act would lead to tensions between new settlers and Native Americans, resulting in more Indian Wars. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
Before this act was created, most if not all universities in the United States were located in the East. The purpose of the act was the promote higher education in multiple subjects in more rural parts of the country. By granting states land that was to be set aside for creating a university, the American government began to prioritize education and create colleges and universities that are still to this day giving people educations, such as Purdue or Indiana University. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In the hopes of ending slavery once and for all, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation states that slavery shall be legal only under states in the Union, and any slave outside the Union would be emancipated. This did not take away slavery in border states, but was still seen as Lincoln attempting a diplomatic approach before violence. The South did not accept this proclamation, so when the Union won the war, slavery was virtually abolished. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was one of the most important battles from the Civil War. General Grant surrounded Pemberton's army in Vicksburg and outnumbered him two to one. Pemberton surrendered on July 4th, which gave the Union complete control over the entire Mississippi River and the Confederacy was split in half - this completed the Anaconda Plan. Grant's reputation was also improved, leading to his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union, leading the U.S. to victory shortly after. -
Battle of Appomattox Court House
After nearly 4 years of the Civil war, General Lee is surrounded at the Appomattox Courthouse by General Grant. Lee surrenders, seeing as there is no way to salvage this battle and orders his troops to go home. This effectively ends the Civil War entirely, bringing down the Confederacy and stopping the bloodshed. This would lead to the North attempting to reconstruct the South to rebuild after the Civil War. -
Reconstruction Begins
The beginning of the Reconstruction Era marked the reintegration of Confederate states to the Union. Many plans were thought of to decide how they should be reincorporated, such as Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan which would require 10% of voters in the state to pledge loyalty in order to rejoin the Union. However, some believed this to be too lenient and advocated for harsher guidelines - debates like these would continue for the rest of Reconstruction, creating tension between political parties. -
Renewed Indian Wars
As settlers began to push further West and further onto Native American land, the Indian Wars saw great violence. Americans attempted to force tribes onto reservations and destroyed the buffalo population in the Great Plains, causing Native Americans to push back against their settlement. These battles between settlers and Native Americans would begin to involve the army and even evolved into massacres. From this, the government would start to focus on ways to control the Native American tribes. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The completion of the transcontinental railroad was an accomplishment that was thought to be ridiculous or impossible by some. The U.S. was put on a world stage, as this was the first time something of this magnitude had been accomplished. Completing this railroad connected all parts of the U.S., allowing for companies to trade on both the West and East coasts with different countries. The west was incorporated into American economics and in general a stronger economy and nation was created. -
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park. After expanding further out West, many Americans began to wonder whether or not it was a great idea to give away all of the unsettled land, and if it would be beneficial for the government to protect certain lands. This would prevent the destruction of natural landscapes and would invite tourism for railroads. Grant authorized the protection of 2 million acres for this national park, attracting tourists from the East and West. -
Panic of 1873
A severe economic depression hit the United States in 1873, destroying the economy. This caused a chain reaction of bank failures, business bankruptcies, and widespread unemployment. This depression would cause a long-lasting financial crisis and affected both industrial and agricultural sectors. The Panic of 1873 caused political instability regarding financial legislature, shifting public opinion with some calling for economic reform. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 aimed to guarantee equal rights for all U.S. citizens, particularly African Americans. It guaranteed African Americans equal treatment in public facilities such as public transportation and services on juries. This act aimed to reinforce the 14 Amendment's protection against discrimination, but the act faced much opposition and was not enforced. Although most of the act would go on to be ruled unconstitutional, it set a precedent for the future of civil rights. -
Dawes Act
The Dawes Act was implemented as a way to take away the culture of the Native Americans while disguised as a means of protecting their land. The government offered Native Americans the same 160 acres of land as white settlers, but this process took away from the reservations and destroyed their nomadic culture. These lands were not protected, however, with whites taking lots of it. This act was one of many ways the government attempted to assimilate Native Americans into the American culture.