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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Lands In North America
Alongside the Inquisition, Ferdinand and Isabella finally fund Columbus to set sail across the Atlantic in 1492 and furnish him with three ships. Columbus leaves in August and lands in the present day Bahamas in early October, famously claiming that he had reached "the Indies". Columbus is met by indigenous people and claims nearby islands for Spain and demands tributes, starting a long and bloody conflict between Natives and Whites as well as long Columbian Exchange. -
Jamestown Settlement
After a land Grant from King James 1, Merchants owning the Virginia Company of London launch an all male expedition to America. They land and name the territory Virginia for Elizabeth 1. After a slow start, Tobacco is found to be profitable, and migrants begin to come thanks to incentive programs which sparks tensions with natives. A House of Burgesses is created to govern the new peoples overseen by company council in England. -
Plymouth Colony Founded
After religious turmoil in England, 102 English Protestants land at Plymouth and found the Plymouth Colony. Led by William Bradford, the pilgrims draft the Mayflower Compact which establishes a self-governing religious congregation as a model for political structure. The pilgrims were separatist, puritans who left the Church of England. The colony initially struggles but recovers and the settlers eventually establish a representative self government and religious freedom. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony Founded
After collapse of parliament and religious turmoil, 900 puritans led by John Winthrop depart England and settle the Massachusetts bay Colony. The colony becomes "City upon a Hill", a model for future colonies. Unlike Plymouth, the colony establishes Puritanism as the only allowed religion and limits voting. The colony also transforms its Joint stock Corporation into a representative government with a governor, council, and assembly. A "perfect colony", they expel all non-conformers. -
Connecticut Colony Founded
As the Massachusetts Bay Colony grows, groups branch off to settle new colonies. Puritans settle the colonies of Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook. In 1660 with an official charter, all three colonies converge into one large colony called the Connecticut colony. Like the Massachusetts, Connecticut has an elected governor and assembly as well as a legally established church but unlike Massachusetts, it grants voting rights to most land owning men. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Early Jamestown was fraught with corruption thanks to the planter elite society. Jamestown's governor, Berkeley, was known to grant the colonies land among his friends in the Assembly denying voting on landless men. Angry they couldn't take native lands, Bacon and his rebel army slaughter natives but Bacon is kicked from the council. Further enraged, Bacon burns Jamestown and soon dies from dysentery. The event impacts the future of Jamestown as well as serves as the first colonist rebellion. -
Salem Witch Trials
Thanks to the Puritans hostility to anyone who could "manipulate" nature a fear of witches arose. In Salem in 1692, girls took advantage of this to accuse their enemies of untraceable crimes. As 19 ended up executed, the turning point of witch trials is met. The shaken public turns more towards the European Enlightenment's ideas of Natural Causes and legal persecution for witches is banned. -
Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God
As some turned to the Enlightenment, others turned to the Great Awakening. Sparked by German migrants, the religious revival centered itself around Jonathon Edwards and George Whitefield. Whitefield promised a loving god while Edwards took root as a "fire and brimstone" minister, a hateful god. Edwards's "Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God" scared people back into churches and into Christian lifestyles. His influential sermon bolstered the awakening, leading to a altered religious climate. -
French and Indian War
As England expanded west, conflict with natives and French soon arose. The French early on built a string of forts from Lake Erie down to modern Pittsburgh, but England claimed the Ohio Valley as their own. To reassert control, Britain sent a group of men, headed by Washington, where they shot at a group of French, starting the war. The conflict would end with a British victory, Navigation acts, ban on Appalachian movement, and would spread to Europe in the form of the Seven Years' War. -
Albany Congress
After threat from France and Natives, 7 out of 13 colonies send representatives to Albany to discuss a union of the colonies for defense. In addition, 150 Iroquois Chiefs were present to discuss an alliance. Benjamin Franklin presents his Albany Plan of Union which would make a loose confederation with a president general and limited taxation power. While not conducted, unification or Franklin's plan, the congress showed the colonies' interest in self government and foreshadowed unification. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the end of the war, Britain gained incredible amounts of land, including the Ohio Valley, full of French and Natives. To prevent future conflict and to appease tribes, the British made a proclamation to limit expansion to the Appalachian only. Designed to keep peace, colonists took it as a sign of control (they had died for this land) and disregarded the proclamation and continued to move west. The proclamation was the first to affect all 13 colonies and ended Salutary Neglect. -
Sugar Act
Looking to increase revenue and decrease smuggling, parliament passed the Sugar Act. The act effectively reduced the smuggling through stricter enforcement on ports. The act had smugglers tried in Vice-Admiralty courts instead of the local courts they were accustomed to being able to walk free. The act disrupted the economy by raising import prices and lowering exports which angered Colonists and raised questions on status within the empire. The act also led directly to the Sons of Liberty. -
Stamp Act Congress
In efforts to protest taxes and the Stamp Act in particular, colonists created the Stamp Act Congress. Meeting in New York, nine assemblies sent delegates where they protested the loss of American Rights, especially, the right to trial by jury. The congress also questioned the constitutionality of the acts and called for peaceful (but active) resistance. The congress was the first unified colonial action against the British and the congress organized boycotts of British goods. -
Stamp Act
In another attempt to raise revenue from the colonies, Parliament passed the Stamp Act. The act was the first to directly tax the colonists through their commercial and legal papers, newspapers, almanacs, and dice. The act was protested bitterly and violence broke out in colonies where protesters lobbied for resignations of stamp distributors. When protests reached England, parliament reasoned that the colonies had virtual representation. The act led to both the Stamp Act Congress and boycotts. -
Quartering Act
At request of General Thomas Gage, Parliament passed the Quartering Act. The act required colonial governments to provide barracks, food, water, fuel, and transportation for British troops. Overflow of troops were sent to inns, liveries, and houses of wine sellers, the public. The act proved a strain on colonial governments and troops and civilians clashed. The colonists saw this as an added nuisance but also an attempt for Britain to limit discussion/actions of revolution/taxes. -
Townshend Acts of 1767
In an effort to bring in untapped revenue, Parliament passed the Townsend Acts. A series of acts, it taxed a variety of imports like paint and glass. The revenue was used largely to pay salaries of government positions in an effort to keep them responsible and comfortable. Without representation, the act revived protests and when troops were called in to enforce the acts, tensions rose. The act led to further increased tensions and boycotts of British goods in favor of domestically produced. -
Boston Massacre
Violence came to a head on the night of March 5, 1770, with the killing of 5 colonists. As protests spread and grew, Britain sent troops to cities to enforce the acts. On March 5, protestors gathered out front of the tax building and provoked soldiers into shooting. The soldiers were later exonerated and Paul Revere's famous engraving and label of "massacre" served to whip up colonists. The massacre resulted a point of no return in negotiations and sparked colonists desire for independence. -
Boston Tea Party
After the Tea Act, tea was effectively lowered in price, even undercutting competitors, but sold directly to business's which angered colonists. Colonists feared a monopoly on tea and believed the act was a bribe to give up their opposition. Instead, on December 16, members of the "son's of Liberty" stormed three ships and destroyed 342 chests of tea. The act was a show of defiance to the Kings "good intentions" and pushed parliament to pass the Coercive Acts which further angered colonists. -
Coercive Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the 4 Coercive Acts. The acts effectively held Massachusetts accountable for repaying for the lost tea. The act also shut down the harbor, annulled the colony's charter, prohibited town meetings, furthered the quartering act, sent trials to other towns or Britain, and allowed Catholicism in Quebec. Labelled the "Intolerable Acts" it served to punish every aspect of colonists lives and make an example of Massachusetts. -
Continental Congress
In response to the Coercive Acts, leaders convened a Continental Congress, comprised of representatives from all colonies but Georgia. The congress advocated for repealing of the acts and planned for economic retaliation. They planned for total commercial boycott if the acts weren't repealed by September 1775. The congress also made a Declaration of Rights which restated British loyalty but put parameters on Parliament's taxation. The congress would lead to the third boycott of British goods -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
On the night of April 18, 700 British soldiers were sent to capture supplies at Concord. Famously, Paul Revere and several other riders were able to ride ahead of the troops and alert militiamen in the city. At dawn militiamen confronted the soldiers first at Lexington and then at Concord. By the end, British had significantly more casualties and the battles were the colony's first military victories. The battles marked the beginning of the war and led to further violence at Bunker/Breeds hill. -
Second Continental Congress
The second meeting of patriot leaders, they gathered in Philadelphia and debated while the battles of Bunker and Breed's Hill raged. While a loss, the British took heavy casualties. Inspired, John Adams leads the congress to approve a plan for the creation of a Continental Army, to be led by George Washington. The Congress also approved the printing of money and the system of loans. The congress secured an overall system of defense and finance if reconciliation proved impossible. -
Olive Branch Petition
In an attempt to avoid further violence, Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition, made by John Dickinson, directly to King George 3. The article was the colonist's last attempt to avoid war and restated their loyalty to Britain and asserted their rights as British Citizens. King George ignored the article. Rejection would lead to increased support for Radicals in congress and the King's statement of the colonies being in rebellion-would lead to the Declaration of Independence. -
Common Sense
Written in January 1776 by Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" was a pro-radical book that argued against "an island ruling a continent". While arguing revolution, Paine also leveled insults to the "mixed government" and the king. The pamphlet was incredibly influential and seen by hundreds of thousands.The pamphlet served to further convince and unite colonists and political leaders to the revolution. The support spurred the Virginia Resolution and eventually lead to the Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Inspired by Common Sense, Patriot leaders urged a split from Britain. The Virginia Resolution (Richard Lee) presented statements of independence to Congress. Faced with certain failure, loyalists and anti-independence moderates withdrew to leave the patriots in power. The patriots approved the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4, 1776. The document effectively stated America's new doctrines, split the colonies from Britain, and unified the colonies into America. -
Battle of Saratoga
After total victory alluded Howe, Lord North and Germain launched a massive campaign against New England in 1777. The plan was a 3 pronged assault led by Howe, Burgoyne, and Leger on NY. While Howe took Philadelphia and Burgoyne took Ticonderoga, Burgoyne stalled and was eventually overrun at Saratoga NY, as well as Leger and Howe being sent in retreat. The victory was the first surrender of a British Regiment and the turning point of the war and led to the French Alliance and eventual victory. -
Articles of Confederation
As a rough draft to self government, Congress approved the Articles of Confederation in 1777, ratified in 1781. The articles made for: no president, no taxes, limited government power, no standing army, allowed for statehood, organization of towns, 1 vote per state, Schools, and a ruling congress. Most importantly, It outlawed slavery in the Northwest Ordinance (which made territories and provided paths to statehood) which would lead to sectional tensions. Would fail with Shays' Rebellion. -
Siege of Yorktown
As Cornwallis and Arnold march through Virginia, Washington and Rochambeau devise a trap. Feigning a movement to NY, Washington maneuvers the French to Virginia along with their navy. Now cornered, the Siege begins with Cornwallis completely surrounded (September 28). Cornwallis surrenders on October 19, 1781 and marks the last major battle of the war. The victory cemented Washington as a legend (and eventual election) and paved the way for the Treaty of Paris and eventual self government. -
Treaty of Paris
After the British surrender at Yorktown, the Treaty of Paris was made. The treaty formally acknowledged American independence and relinquished British claims to land. The treaty also granted 5 million acres of Native land to America and as well as secured fishing in Novia Scotia and Newfoundland. US allies gained little and the French would soon have their own revolution. Would lead to self government and America as we know it. -
Philadelphia Convention
In response to the failure of the Articles of Confederation, 55 delegates met in Philadelphia. While many plans are put forth, including the New Jersey plan and Virginia plan, nothing can be agreed on. Finally a plan is agree called the "Great Compromise" which mandated 2 reps in Senate and proportionate in House of Reps. The Convention also made the 3/5ths compromise and made the Constitution. The Constitution gave new power to the government through allowed taxation, a military, and commerce. -
Election of 1789
Held over a few weeks, the election served as the first with Washington being elected with Adams as second. As president, Washington would set many precedents including: cabinets, terms, going away speech, leaving at midnight, and appointing judges (a few). The administration also suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion as well as signed Hamilton's plans for finance including Plan of Assumption and First Natl. Bank. Washington's election would a standard for all future POTUS's and set many precedents. -
Bill of Rights
Entitled with writing amendments, James Madison writes 19, 10 get accepted and are known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments safeguard fundamental personal rights like freedom of speech, religion, right to bear arms, trial by jury, as well as balance of federal power. The bill ceased antifederalist concerns of an oppressive gov, and secured legitimacy of the constitution. The bill shapes many aspects of life today and grants us freedoms not previously had with Britain. -
Jay's Treaty
After British Seizure of vessels, Washington sends John jay to Britain to strike a deal. Jay returns with a treaty which accepted the right of Britain to search ships and pay for pre-war debts. It also allowed for claims to be made for illegal seizures as well as removal of British troops and agents for Northwest Territory. While barely making it, the Treaty was ratified in 1795 and presented the pro-British foreign policy (and dominating British government) and served to maintain the new peace. -
Alien and Sedition
passed by John Adams and federalists in 1798 to eliminate criticism, the acts were split into three parts, Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition. The acts increased length of time for citizenship, authorized deportation, and prohibited insults to POTUS or congress. The acts served as a constitutional crisis and led to arrests of republican newspapers. The acts would lead to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (states interpretation of constitution) as well as set the stage for the 1800 election. -
Louisiana Purchase
After Thomas Jefferson wins the Election of 1800, France begins to threaten retaking control of previous lands. To secure control of the Mississippi as well as new Orleans, Jefferson facilitates the Louisiana Purchase. Napoleon agrees and sells the land for 15 million, it doubles the size of the country and forces Jefferson to come to terms with a presidents power. The purchase would lead to westward development and removal of natives as well as Lewis and Clark's expedition in 1804. -
Marbury V. Madison
As John Adams leaves office, he appoints numerous positions but the commissions get stalled. After the election, Madison finds said commissions and under Jefferson guidance holds onto them. Marbury, expecting a commission, files a lawsuit. The case established the principle of Judiciary Review, Courts could strike down anything that violates the constitution. The case also established the Supreme Court as chief interpreter of the Constitution, increased power of courts. -
Embargo Act of 1807
To protect and expand domestic manufacturing, Jefferson passes the Embargo Act of 1807. The act banned ships from trading with either France or Britain and banned imports until hostilities ceased as. The result was lackluster, Jefferson had overestimated Britain and France's reliance on US goods and cut gross national product by 5%. It especially hurt Southern planters who relied on exports. The act helped lead to sectional divide and weakened the economy significantly. -
War of 1812
After pressure from war hawks (Calhoun), Madison issues an Ultimatum to Britain. When they fail to respond, Madison declares war on Britain. Not successful, British nearly win, taking DC, but public is weary of war. Both sides sue for peace and the Treaty of Ghent is signed in 1815. Before news gets to America, the Battle of New Orleans takes place with a major US victory. Andrew Jackson becomes a national hero (leads to presidency) and war is seen as a victory and gains international respect. -
Missouri Compromise
As Missouri sues for statehood, Tallmadge suggests banning of slavery in Missouri and emancipation of slaves. The Southerners deny this and are blocked from the territory's admission by House of Reps. In response Southerners block Maine from gaining statehood. Coming to the rescue, Henry Clay makes the Missouri Compromise which allows both states entry and blocks slavery above 36,30 line except in Missouri. The compromise preserved balance in Senate and set precedent for future compromises. -
Indian Removal Act
Signed into law by president Jackson on may 28, 1830, the Act allowed Jackson to grant land west of the Mississippi to natives in order to gain the land in states borders. Natives that resist are escorted by military to new lands. The travel to the new land becomes known as the Trail of Tears and was the first of many Indian relocation acts. Many natives died and conflict among tribes arose as well as racially defined governments took hold in Indian territory. Paved way for further relocations -
Mexican American War
After taxation of American peoples in Mexican Texas, Texans stage a revolution. They declare independence and are slaughtered at the Alamo, but, in support are annexed by the US in favor of protection. To spark a war, Polk sends troops to die along disputed territory. The troops die and America goes to war with Mexico on May 13, 1846. Successful, controversy arose from Wilmot Proviso and Whigs accused Polk of purposeful war. The war led to the Treaty of Hidalgo and the Free Soil Movement. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
After capturing the Mexican capital, Santa Anna resigns and a new government makes a peace treaty with the US. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war and Mexico ceded 55% of its land to the US in exchange for $15 million. The US gained parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and new Mexico which opened up expansion and led to projects like the Transcontinental Railroad to be built + homestead act. Attempts to settle the land led to the Compromise of 1850+Kansas Nebraska Act. -
Compromise of 1850
Rapid settlement of California thanks to the Gold Rush, Taylor advises California to skip territory and go straight for statehood. Debated, many plans proposed but settled with 5 distinct laws. The compromise admitted California, included a new fugitive slave law, resolved a boundary dispute, organized the new lands into territories, and abolished the slave trade in DC. The compromise also enabled popular sovereignty on slavery. The act preserved the union but fire-eaters threaten succession. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Settlement of new Territories is slow thanks to deterrents related legally holding a claim on land. Douglas wants to open up new territories of Kansas and Nebraska to Transcontinental Railroad and settlement. Southerners debate and the Kansas Nebraska Act takes place. The act repealed the Missouri Compromise and organized regions on popular sovereignty. It also agreed on 2 new territories, Kansas and Nebraska and led to conflict, Bleeding Kansas, -
Fort Sumpter
After the election of 1860 and Lincoln's victory, states begin to secede. As tensions rise, a resupply ship is mistaken and Confederates open fire on Fort Sumpter. The battle would mark the beginning of the war, and failure of past compromises, and the eventual emancipation of 3.9 million slaves. The capture of the fort protected Charleston and her port to blockade and led to raising of a volunteer army on both sides. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In order to cripple Southern economy and redirect the perception of the war, Lincoln publishes the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1 1863, after the Battle of Antietam. The proclamation freed enslaved peoples in Unconquered Southern lands. The proclamation shifted the focus of the war and prevented foreign intervention. The proclamation led to collapse of Southern economy and eventual victory. -
Vicksburg and Gettysburg
July 1863 was an eventful time for the war. In the South, Grant wanted to secure control of the Mississippi and split the confederacy by capturing Vicksburg. In the North, Lee wants to bring the war to the North and invades Pennsylvania. The Union is successful in both and secures the Mississippi and effectively ends Lee's excursions to the North. Split and weakened, the victories allow total victory to be in sight and shortens the length of the war. -
Freedmen's Bureau
After Lincoln's assassination, Johnson takes office and gives no guidance to reconstruction. No guidance, southern states pass black codes and terrorize blacks. Congress steps in, creating the Freedmen's Bureau to aid displaced blacks. The Bureau also included a bank and both where federally funded. The Bureau established hospitals, supplied provisions, and most importantly, made thousands of schools. The Bureau led to further reconstruction and established facilities otherwise absent for Blacks -
14th Amendment
Anxious to protect freedpeople and regain Republican control, Congress (republican majority) passes the 14th Amendment. The amendment declared all people born in the US were citizens and that no state could abridge privileges or rights/granted equal civil and legal rights. Furthermore, the amendment made national citizenship priority over state. The amendment would lead to the Reconstruction act of 1867 and 15th amendment with Republican support as well. -
15th Amendment
On a roll of Civil Rights Acts, and finding them wildly successful, Congress passes the 15th amendment as the last constitutional amendment of the era. The act protected and insured male citizens right to vote, regardless of color, blacks could now vote. While literacy tests were still present, hundreds of thousands of blacks voted across the south in the election of 1870. The act denied women the right to vote (who had expected to be able to) and spurred women's suffrage. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
Started in 1863, the project was headed by 2 companies, Central Pacific and Union Pacific. The companies built to each other and the Railroad was completed on May 10 1869. The railroad allowed western settlement along the tracks (Homestead Act) and opened up Pacific and Asian markets to the east US. The Railroad allowed for increased revenue, shorter and cheaper transportation but forced Natives out. The RR led to expansion and subsequent destruction of natives and reservations. -
Little Bighorn
A proclamation of gold brings miners to Indian land and the US wants the Natives to leave. Faced with leaving ancestral lands and the Black Mountains, Indians miss the deadline for leaving and instead gather at Little Bighorn River. Sent to drive them to new reservation, Custer and his 7th cavalry attack the natives without adequate forces. The US are slaughtered and the battle proves to be the last Native victory. The battle leads to further violence and anti-native sentiment. -
Dawes Severalty Act
Passed in an effort to assimilate Indians, Senator Dawes creates the Dawes Act. The act broke up Indian Reservations and placed natives on plots identical to the Homestead Act. Once land was granted, the natives were broken from their tribe, relocated, and gradually assimilated. Thought to be beneficial to Natives, the act was abused and 86 million acres secured for the US government. The act led to assimilation of natives and disintegration of Indian tribes/ patriarchal leadership. -
Wounded Knee
As the era of armed resistance comes to an end, the Ghost Dance Movement takes hold. A dance promising a return to the Pre-European era, the dancing concerns US officials. Fearing that dancing might lead to war, the US army pursues a group of Sioux after they leave their South Dakota reservation. The army slaughters the Sioux at the Massacre of Wounded Knee, mainly Women, children, and elderly. The massacre put an end to Native resistance. -
Spanish American War
After a Cuban revolt in 1895 and Spanish killings, America steps in. After appearing to resolve the conflicts, McKinley is openly mocked in the De Lomé letter. After the USS Maine explode, the US declares war. The war was short and resolved with the destruction of Spain's Navy and the Treaty of Paris. The US acquires the lands of Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Philippines resists and Hawaii is Annexed. The war and treaty shows US imperialism and leads to opening of Asian markeys.