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Period: 1491 to
Period 1/2: 1491-1763
Native America, European Exploration, Colonization -
1492
Columbus arrives in America
Christopher Columbus arrives in the new world with his three ships, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. This marks the first appearances of foreign colonization in the Americas. -
1525
Rise of the Atlantic Slave Trade
The Slave Trade allowed a buildup of slavery in the colonies, eventually leading to the American Civil War. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was not the first colony, but the first successful one, settled in Virginia. -
Maryland Toleration Act
This act was a religious toleration act passed by the Maryland colony. It was one of the reasons for the Glorious Revolution. -
Trade and Navigation Acts
These acts placed several regulations on English trading, one of the reasons for the American Revolution -
Bacon's rebellion
This rebellion mainly consisted of indentured servants and led to the cancellation of the use of indentured servitude. Although indentured servants were not used, this led to a need for slaves. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was meant to overthrow King James II. It had religious and political drive, but ultimately gave more power to the British Parliament and drove it toward a more political democracy. -
Salem Witch Trials
These trials were a set of accusations against people believed to be witches, sometimes not. These were important to the evolution of civil society in the Americas. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was between the French colonies and the British colonies after French settlers encroached on British claimed territory. The war put Britain in massive debt, leading to many of the catalysts of the Revolutionary War. -
Proclamation of 1763
After the Seven Years War, King George issued this to prevent colonists from expanding past the Appalachian mountains. This marks the first of many actions by the British that led to the American Revolution. -
Period: to
Period 3
American Revolution, the Confederal Era, and the Early Federal Period -
Sugar Act
This was the first of many taxes, specifically on sugar, that made the colonists want to rebel against Britain. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act was one of many taxes imposed on the American colonists, a major driving force behind the Revolutionary war -
Townshend Acts
These acts placed taxes and regulations of many necessities in the colonies such as tea, paper, paint, glass, and lead, further stoking their drive to rebel. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event that resulted in the death of colonists at the hands of British redcoats. Propaganda massively overinflated the actual villainy of the act, which encouraged more colonists to rally against Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists raided a ship that carried crates of tea and threw them into the harbor. This was significant because it fueled the already risen tensions between the colonists and Britain. -
Tea Act
This tax was one of many, though it was meant to assist a struggling tea company, leading to the Boston tea party. -
Intolerable Acts
These acts were a punishment on the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The colonists believed that Parliament did not have the right to place these punishments on the colonists, which further led to the revolution. -
First Continental Congress
Colonists decided during this to boycott all British goods, as much of British tax funding came from the colonial purchase of goods. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress acted as a governing body over the thirteen colonies. This was significant because it was the first evidence of the colonists physically uniting together against the british. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These battles were extremely significant, as they were the first military battles between the colonists and the british. -
Declaration of Independence
The colonists decided to declare independence against the British, signifying the official beginning of the Revolutionary War -
Battle of Saratoga
This series of battles convinced the French of America's military power, which prompted the French to begin assisting the colonists. -
Articles of Confederation Approved
The Continental Congress approved the first national government outline. They were significant because they provided a structure for the colonies to survive until the Constitution was ratified. -
Treaty of Paris (Revolutionary War)
This treaty was significant because it marked the end of the Revolutionary War. -
Election of George Washington
This event was significant because it marked a unanimous action by the colonists to place someone in charge. -
Period: to
Period 4 Part 1
Westward Expansion, Jacksonian Era -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase officially gave the Americans a monetary right to the territory west of the Appalachian Mountains. -
Marbury V. Madison
This court case established the Judicial branch power of Judicial Review, the power to declare things unconstitutional. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Jefferson sent out Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase, officially mapping out the land that the Americans would quickly expand into. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act was an attempt to punish Europe and France for trying to trade with them while at war with each other, as Jefferson believed that the US was essential to them. It ultimately backfired, as the US was revealed to not be as important as they believed. -
Tecumseh killed
The leader of the Native American confederacy, his death left almost no hope for the prevention of westward expansion by the colonists. -
Treaty of Ghent
The end of the war of 1812 led to a peace between Britain and America that has yet to be broken, and also left little resistance to westward expansion. -
Panic of 1819
The first severe economic depression in US history, this prompted a dislike in many against the banks and tariffs, as they were driving forces of it. -
McCulloch V. Maryland
This case established Implied powers for the federal government, increasing it's power exponentially. -
Missouri Compromise
Henry Clay's compromise that declared Missouri be inducted as a slave state and Maine a free state. This compromise caused much controversy that was later involved in the Civil War -
Monroe Doctrine
This declared that Europe and the US should stay to their own continental political affairs, Europe staying out of Latin America and the US staying out of Europe. This foreshadowed the US imperialistic values put into place at the end of the century. -
Period: to
Period 4 Part 2
Jacksonian Democracy, Pre-Civil war, slavery issues -
Jackson elected
Andrew Jackson's time in office led to the creation of the Democratic party and the removal of many native populations from their homes. -
Tariff of Abominations
The north enacted this tariff as a way to protect the northern industry, but the rural south was hurt by the tariff, leading to more discord between the north and south. -
Indian Removal Act
This act officially told the natives that the southwestern land that belonged to them was now American, a symbol of the juggernaut that would become westward expansion. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
This rebellion resulted in more strict proslavery laws in the south, a sign for the impending Civil War -
Worcester V. Georgia
This case set in stone the basis of Native American law, legally stating that native land could not be controlled or exploited by the states. -
Nullification Crisis begins
The active protest of the south against the northern tariffs was one of the first physical actions by the slave states against the free ones. The protests foreshadowed the Civil War. -
Trail of Tears
The removal of Native Americans officially began what would become westward expansion, as it shoved the natives beyond the Mississippi River. -
Period: to
Period 5
Manifest Destiny, the Civil War, Reconstruction -
Manifest Destiny Begins
Advocates believed that the US was 'destined', some believed by God, to spread across the entirety of North America, eventually reaching all the way to the Pacific ocean. -
Irish Potato Famine
The potato famine in Ireland led to the first major wave of immigration to the United States. -
Mexican American War
The end of the Mexican American war led to the American acquisition of most of the southwestern states, fulfilling Manifest Destiny as they now controlled that much more of the North American continent. -
Gold Rush
Gold found in California encouraged many to travel west to gather gold, further motivating westward expansion. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This was the first major women's rights convention, launching the women's suffrage movement. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise undermined the Missouri compromise, further spiraling the country into a division by admitting California as a free state. -
Dred Scott case
This case increased tensions between the north and south, outraging abolitionists as their laws were undermined by the decision. -
Fort Sumter
This attack by the south officially began the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln's declaration that all enslaved people be free was controversial, as the southern states had already seceded, therefore they believed that the proclamation was useless. It spurred southern distaste toward the Union. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln's speech inspired the Union soldiers to keep fighting by telling them to honor the fallen not by mourning, but by finishing the fight that they had sacrificed themselves for. -
Appomattox Courthouse surrender
Lee, the most respected souther general, surrendered his forces at Appomattox Courthouse, effectively ending the Civil War. -
Civil War Amendments ratified
The ratification of these amendments made official that the formerly enslaved males were now citizens with the right to vote, and that slavery was abolished. -
Freedmen's Bureau established
The Freedmen's bureau made many important actions to better the lives of the formerly enslaved, most successfully establishing state education facilities for blacks in the south. -
Carpetbaggers go to south
Carpetbaggers, Northerners who traveled to the south after the civil war, were viewed by southerners as people trying to profit off of the southern loss. They were key in reshaping the southern governments after the Civil War. -
Ku Klux Klan in the south
The formation of the KKK during Reconstruction effectively drove republican power out and allowed for the formation of what would become Jim Crow -
Period: to
Period 6
Post-Civil War, Gilded Age, Monopolies. -
Civil Rights Act passed
Andrew Johnson's veto was not enough to stop this act, as congress was Republican-controlled and overrode it. This act offered protection to the formerly enslaved. -
Reconstruction Acts
These acts were an attempt to readmit the southern states into the Union by occupying the states with the military, though it ultimately failed as reconstruction was not possible, because the southern states would not just change their beliefs. -
Wyoming allows women's suffrage
This was the first step on the way to the 19th amendment, showing that progress was being made in the women reform movements. -
Tweed Scandal
Boss Tweed was a political official who claimed to assist the poor, yet he did it in exchange for money and votes. His arrest showed how corrupt the political system had become. -
Crédit Mobilier Scandal
Union Pacific's creation of the Crédit Mobilier Company, which was used to generate profit for the Union Pacific Company, was revealed to the public as proof of corruption. -
Panic of 1873
Rapid industrial growth led to major inflation and eventually a panic. The major decreases in wages during this panic was one of the main reasons that strikes began in the US. -
End of Reconstruction
The end of Reconstruction led to severe disenfranchisement of black voters in the south, as the north no longer had militarily control in the south and could not enforce the fifteenth amendment. -
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
This act changed how officials were elected from patronage to merit, reducing corruption. -
Formation of the American Federation of Labor
The AFL used tactics such as strikes, walkouts, and boycotts to successfully earn more fair wages, hours, and conditions. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
As the more apparent corruption in business and politics came into play, this act was passed to restrict them. It was largely ineffective, as the monopolies had lots of control in the political world too. -
McKinley Tariff
This tariff hurt the poor farmers and helped the rich companies, which lead to the rise of the Populist movement. -
Populist Party formed
The Populist Party appealed to the lower class in a time where the upper class controlled much of the economy, calling for better hours, direct senatorial elections, and a graduated income tax. -
Panic of 1893
The Industrial Revolution led to massive overspending and eventually a colossal failure, shutting down an unmeasurable amount of businesses. The massive inflation led to many strikes. -
Pullman Strike
During the Pullman strike, George Pullman asked the Federal Government for assistance to end the strike. Their involvement was more evidence that Monopolies had control in the political world that they shouldn't have. -
Spanish American War
America's new imperialistic ideals led to their want to expand overseas. This war solidified America's military power as well as their acquisition of formerly Spanish controlled land. -
Period: to
Period 7
Imperialistic Ideals, WW1, Labor reform. -
Roosevelt's Square Deal
This was one of the first natural conservation efforts, as well as policies to make working-class conditions better. -
Platt Amendment
This amendment detailed the removal of US troops from Cuba after the Spanish American War, while also still giving them influence by saying that they could intervene to maintain peace. -
Roosevelt Corollary
This was meant to justify the intervention of the US in foreign affairs, specifically those in the same hemisphere. It was another example of the imperialistic ideals that the US was holding. -
Trust Busting
Roosevelt's actions against the constricting monopolies were important to labor reformers, limiting and destroying the horrible conditions that trusts put on their workers. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
This act was the beginning of several consumer protection laws, as it required true labeling of products and also stopped the sale of any contaminated medicines or foods. -
Meat Inspection Act
Another consumer protection law, Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' described horrible conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to a call for better regulations. -
Muller V. Oregon
This Supreme Court case ruled that a law limiting women's work hours was constitutional, a victory for Progressives but a loss for equal rights femenists. -
NAACP founded
The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People played a pivotal role in future civil rights reforms, including the victory in Brown V. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s -
Model T introduced
The Ford Model T was put into production, signifying the progress of technology and industrialization as the assembly line was first implemented to increase production several times over. -
17th amendment
This amendment called for the direct election of state senators, a major victory for those fighting the political corruption from the Gilded Age. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
This event marked the beginning of what would become WW1, which would rocket America into an economic and military powerhouse in the future. -
Sinking of the RMS Lusitania
German U-Boats sank a British boat which carried 128 Americans on board, the first of many naval attacks against the at-the-time neutral America. This led to the eventual declaration of war against German forces. -
Keating-Owen act
This law prevented the employment of child labor, a victory for labor reformers and an example of how conditions were being improved. -
National Park Service founded
The foundation of the National Park Service was a major victory for conservationists, giving them an organization to protect the natural resources of America. -
Fourteen Points Speech
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points outlined peaceful principles to end the war and would shape what would become American foreign policy in the early 20th century after the war. -
Period: to
Period 7 Part 2
Reform, WW2, Great Depression -
18th amendment
The passage of the 18th amendment was meant to improve society by outlawing alcohol, but it was not very effective and led to a major increase in organized crime. -
19th Amendment passed
This amendment was the biggest success of women's rights at the time, finally allowing them a basic right to vote that they had been denied since the beginning of the country. -
League of Nations
Woodrow Wilson's idea to maintain world peace after WW1. This gave the structure for what would eventually become the United Nations. -
Scopes Trial
Scopes was convicted for teaching Evolution where it was illegal, which was upheld, but it brought to light the discord between traditional and modern values of the time. -
Stock Market Crash
Industrialization in the early 1900s led to a major increase in urbanization which incidentally caused much more job openings and a majorly higher rate of unemployment. All coupled together, the economy crashed and led to the Great Depression. -
Good Neighbor Policy
FDRs Good Neighbor Policy sought to improve economic relations with Latin America, leaving domestic affairs to them unlike Big Stick Diplomacy and Dollar Diplomacy. America was able to double its exports to Lain America by 1940 through this policy. -
The New Deal
FDRs New Deal provided relief to the American population in the wake of the Great Depression. It was able to create several administrations to help such as Public Works and National Recovery. -
Social Security Act
Social Security gave benefits to those unable to work or retired during the Great Depression. It was a major step toward leaving the depression. -
The Manhattan Project
The atomic bombs that would be used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was evidence of the US's superior firepower and technological growth that would later end WW1 and stoke the flames of the cold war. -
Four Freedoms Speech
FDRs speech outlines the freedom that America was fighting for, inspiring the people and the military to keep moving, as they would formally enter the war at the end of that year. -
Pearl Harbor
The bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was meant to preemptively ensure that the US would never have the means to enter the war, but it was what ended up spurring their resolve to fight. -
Formation of the Congress of Racial Equality
this organization would play an important role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s -
Korematsu V. U.S. and Ex Parte Endo
Both of these cases were focused on Japanese-American loyalty and contradicted each other, one upholding the constitutionality of internment camps and one saying that it was illegal to imprison someone if their loyalty was unable to be disproven. While Endo won her case, Korematsu's was the only case in history where the U.S. upheld racial discrimination by restricting civil freedoms. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
These bombings done by the U.S. ended the prolonged battles with Japan. The devastating firepower of the bombs ended the war and solidified the US's military power. -
United Nations
The United Nations was created in the wake of WW2 as a way to prevent future world wars. It has operated since then as a peacekeeper between nations and a facilitator of cooperation.
