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Period: 1491 to
Period 1/2
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1492
Columbus Sails The Ocean Blue
Christopher Columbus departs in August and makes landfall in the Bahamas in October. Columbus is credited for the first person to discover the New World/North America. -
Jamestown
The first successful English colony in the new world. Settled in what would eventually become Virginia. -
New York/New Netherlands
Colony settled first by the dutch. After the Anglo-Dutch wars, England took control over the colony renaming it New York. -
Mayflower Compact
Written on the Mayflower and planned Plymouth colony's first self-government. -
Plymouth
The first colony created in Massachusetts by pilgrims who sought to create a perfect religious society. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The first constitution to be written in the colonies and it set up the government for Connecticut towns. -
Pennsylvania
Founded by William Penn who was a Quaker and was one of the only colonies to offer religious freedom. -
Glorious Revolution
After years of civil war in England, James II was overthrown and replaced by William and Mary. During this time the colonies were enjoying salutary neglect. -
Stono Uprising
Slave uprising in South Carolina resulting in the death of 25 colonists and 35 to 50 slaves. After the uprising, stricter slave codes were put into effect. -
French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian War began in the colonies when French settlers encroached on land claimed by the British. -
Proclamation Act of 1763
This act prohibited settlement west of the Appalachians. This was an attempt of England trying to re-assert control. (This is supposed to be in period 3) -
Period: to
Period 3 1763-1800
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Sugar Act of 1764
Imposed by parliament to help make money and reduce smuggling. Decreased the tax but increased restrictions and enforcement of laws. -
Currency Act of 1764
Restricted the colony's ability to print money or issue any new bills. -
Stamp Act of 1765
A direct tax on newspapers and other printed items imposed by Parliament on the colonies. -
Townshend Acts
Tax on lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea. This act leads to the passage of the Massachusetts circular letter and the acts were eventually rescinded in 1770. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers opened fire at an angry mob of colonists killing five of them. This event became highly publicized and a motivator towards revolting against the crown. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea party was a protest conducted by the Sons of Liberty in response to the Tea Act. -
The Intolerable/Coercive acts
Intolerable acts were meant to punish Boston. The acts blockaded its port, shut down all self-government, and forced colonists to quarter soldiers. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Considered the first battles in the revolutionary war and where the "shot heard round the world took place". Colonists also knew there was no going back after this. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by the second continental congress, it outlined the purpose of government, natural rights, the king's usurpations and declared the colonies free from Britain. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle marked the turning point in the revolutionary war with an American victory. -
Yorktown
The final battle of the revolutionary war and the surrender of the British. -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
The first constitution of the United States which put a structured government in place after the war. It was not successful and was later replaced in 1789. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty ended the revolutionary war, granted America all land east of the Mississippi, and recognized America as an independent country. -
Constitution Ratified
Created during the constitutional convention and replaced the existing Articles of Confederation. Created the government and laws that are still in effect today. -
Period: to
Second Great Awakening
A religious revival that promotes the importance of self and the predictability of man. This awakening encouraged reform. -
Whiskey Rebellion
An uprising in Pennsylvania that occurred in protest to a tax on whiskey. Washington called in the militia to suppress the rebellion. -
Period: to
Period 4 part 1 1800-1824
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Marbury v. Madison
U.S supreme court case that established the principle of judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase
The U.S purchased the Louisiana Territory an area spanning 828,000 square miles for 15 million dollars from France. This purchase roughly doubled the size of the country. -
Battle of Durna
Marines sent over from the U.S to deal with Barbary pirates. First overseas victory for the U.S. -
Embargo of 1807
Prohibited all American ships from trading with any other foreign country. -
Chesapeake Incident
The USS Chesapeake was boarded by an English Naval ship and its sailors were captured and forced to serve in the English navy. This incident was a big motivational factor for the U.S declaring war. -
War of 1812 Begins
Fought between the U.S and England and their allies. It started because of the impressment of U.S sailors and trade restrictions imposed by Britain of the U.S. -
Treaty of Ghent
The peace treaty ending the War of 1812. All conquered territory was returned and the boundary with Canada was resolved. -
Hartford Convention
Gatherings amongst Federalists where they proposed changes to the constitution such as limiting congressional power to create embargos, start war, and make states. -
American System 1816
This was an economic plan proposed by Henry Clay and it included a protective tariff, the second bank of the U.S, and internal funding. -
Missouri Compromise of 1820
This legislation admitted Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. It also established the 36 30 line. -
Period: to
Period 4 part 2 1824-1848
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Indian Removal Act
Forced Native Americans off their ancestral lands and moved them west of the Mississippi. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
A slave rebellion in Virginia led by Nat Turner. The slaves killed 55 to 65 people. -
Bank War
This was a political struggle between Andrew Jackson and the supporters of the Second Bank of the U.S. Jackson vetos the bank and starts removal of deposits, and Nicholas Biddle responds by calling loans due. -
Nullification Crisis
South Carolina attempted to nullify the Tariff of 1832 and president Jackson responds by preparing an army and enacting the force act. -
Battle of the Alamo
A pivotal battle in the Texas revolution. It was a defeat and all of the Texans were killed but it still inspired others to keep fighting. Remember the Alamo! -
Panic of 1837
Economic crisis and depression caused by the overexpansion of industries and the economic policies of Andrew Jackson. -
Period: to
Period 5 1844-1877
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Texas Annexation
After years of conflict between Mexicans and Texans, Texas is admitted into the United States. -
Mexican American War Begins
This was a war between the U.S and Mexico over land disputes in Texas and California. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The first women's rights convention. The declaration of sentiment was drafted there. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty that ended the Mexican American war, gave the U.S a large amount of land and established the Rio Grande as the border. -
Compromise of 1850
Under the compromise, the Fugitive Slave Law was amended, California became a free state, popular sovereignty decides Utah and New Mexico, and the slave trade is abolished in Washington D.C. -
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
Agreement between the United States and Britain that they will build the Panama canal together. -
Kansas/Nebraska Act
Allowed popular sovereignty to decide whether Kansas and Nebraska are free or slave states. It also repealed the Missouri Compromise and 36,30 line. -
Bleeding Kansas Begins
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent battles and attacks that broke out over whether Kansas should be a free or slave state. It was a precursor to the Civil War and was the first fighting over the question of slavery. -
Panic of 1857
A financial crisis that was caused by the declining international economy. The south is mostly unaffected by the depression because of their agricultural-based economy so tensions increase between the north and the south. -
John Browns Raid on Harper's Ferry
During the Kansas-Missouri border wars, John Brown leads a group to raid the Federal arsenal and start a freedom crusade. John Brown is caught, tried for treason, and hanged. -
South Carolina Seccession
South Carolina declares that they are no longer apart of the United States. They are the first state to secede. -
The Civil War begins
The battle of Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the civil war and the first Union loss. -
Homestead Act
Gave every adult that did not fight against the Union 160 acres of land. Those who claimed the land had the responsibility to improve the lot by cultivating it. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Declared all slaves in the confederacy to be free. The proclamation changed the motive of the war from preserving the union to ending slavery. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The largest battle in the Civil War and also marked a turning point in the war for the Union. -
Shermans March to the Sea
General Sherman led 60,000 soldiers from South Carolina to Georgia raging total war with the intent of scaring the confederates from fighting and losing all hope. -
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery in the United States. -
Period: to
Period 6 1865-1898
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14th Amendment
The 15th amendment states that the right to vote can not be taken away from a citizen on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment along with the 14th and 13th make up the reconstruction amendments. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The transcontinental railroad stretching from Sacremento to Omaha was finally completed making way for westward expansion at a higher rate. -
Credit Mobilier Scandal
The Credit Mobilier Company was accused of overcharging the public for construction costs and siphoning profits and bribing congressmen. This hurt the reputation of Congress. -
Compromise of 1877
This compromise ended reconstruction and put Rutherford B. Hayes into office. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Prohibited all immigration of Chinese workers and excluded Chinese nationals from citizenship. -
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
Made government jobs awarded based on merit not just to anyone for any reason. This was an attempt to minimize the corruption going on at the time. -
Interstate Commerce Act
This act created the interstate commerce commission which determined fair rates. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
Broke up monopolies and regulated competition. Wasnt that effective because of lack of enforcement. -
Battle of Wounded Knee
A massacre resulting in around 150 Lakota Sioux deaths. This marked the last major conflict between the U.S government and the plains Native Americans. -
Homestead Strike
Steelworkers strike at the Carnegie Steel Company in Homestead and led to a lockout and fighting between the strikers and hired guards. -
Panic of 1893
Overexpansion and a drop in European demand led to a serious economic depression. Industry consolidated a lot increasing the number of monopolies. -
Pullman Strike
Railway workers struck against the Pullman company for lowering wages but not lowering rent. Federal troops were called in to suppress the strikers supporting the Pullman company. -
Cuban Revolt
Cuba fights for its independence from Spain. "Butcher" Weyler is sent over from Spain and sets up prison camps. The harsh treatment portrayed by American magazines and newspapers motivated the U.S to declare war. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
A landmark decision made by the supreme court that upheld segregation as long as facilities were equal. -
Period: to
Period 7 p1 1898-1918
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Spanish American War Begins
Caused by the sinking of the U.S.S Maine and the harsh portrayal of the Cuban rebellion by the media. The war only lasted a few months and resulted in an American victory. -
Treaty of Paris 1898
Ended the Spanish-American war, ended Spain's colonial control in the Americas, Spain gave the U.S Puerto Rico and Guam, and sold the sovereignty of the Philippines. -
Hay-Paunceforte Treaty
Allowed the U.S to build the Panama Canal on its own. -
Philippine American War ends
After the U.S annexation of the Philippines, fighting lasted for a few years resulting in around 200,000 Philippino deaths leaving the country devastated. Eventually, the U.S decided to start the independence process for the Philippines and in 1946 the Philippines became independent. -
The Jungle is Published
The Jungle written by Upton Sinclair exposed the horrible working conditions of the meatpacking industry. -
Antiquities Act
Signed into law by Teddy Roosevelt, it gives the president the power to create national parks and declare national monuments. -
Meat Inspection Act
Makes it illegal to misbrand or mislabel meat products and meat must be processed in sanitary conditions. -
Model T Ford Hits the Market
This was the first affordable car that most Americans could afford. This made travel by car much more common. -
Underwood Simmons Act
Created the first successful income tax into effect and lowered tariff rates. -
Panama Canal Completed
Construction started in 1904 and finished in 1914. The canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific improved trade. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
British passenger ship sunk by German U-boats. Inspired Americans to give their support in the war. -
Zimmerman Note/ Telegram
A message intercepted between Germany and Mexico. Germany said it will give aid to Mexico if they become Germany's ally. -
U.S enters WWI
After years of German submarines antagonizing and sinking U.S ships, the U.S declares war. -
Treaty of Versailles
Ended WWI and blamed Germany for the war. After the war, the U.S enters a period of isolationism. -
Harlem Renaissance Starts
The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of African American cultural pride and development starting in Harlem. Writings such as Langston Hughs's poems and jazz music were some of the products of the Renaissance. -
Fourteen Points Speech
President Wilson outlines the goals of war and peace terms. -
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Period 7 p2 1918-1945
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Women Get the Right to Vote
Women gain the right to vote through the 19th amendment. -
Prohibition Starts
The 18th amendment ratified in 1919 prohibited alcohol in the U.S. The Volstead act enforced the amendment. Prohibition lasted until 1933. -
National Origins Act
Limited immigration to the U.S and implemented a national quota system. -
Black Tuesday
On this day the stock market completely collapsed becoming a major cause of the Great Depression. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
A severe economic depression that affected not just the United States but almost every country in the world. -
The New Deal
The New Deal created by FDR focused on fixing the country through relief, reform, and recovery. The New Deal created many programs, projects, economic reforms, and regulations. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
A Japanese attack on the U.S naval base at Pearl Harbor. This caused the U.S to declare war. -
U.S enters WWII
After the attack on Pearl Harbor caused the U.S to declare war on Japan. Since Japan was an ally Germany decide to declare war on the U.S. -
Lend-Lease Act
This allowed the U.S to supply its allies with military supplies and aid while remaining neutral in the war. -
Battle of Midway
A major U.S victory and the turning point of the war in the pacific. -
Korematusu v. U.S
Landmark supreme court case that upheld the Japanese camps during WWI. -
Yalta Conference
This was the final conference between the allies that addressed Europe. Decide how Europe will be divided and occupied after te war ends. -
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The first nuclear bomb is dropped on Hiroshima killing 70,000-80,000 people instantly. After the bombs were dropped Japan requests peace.
