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Period: 1491 to
Period 1/2: 1491-1763
Native America, European Exploration, Colonization -
Jamestown
Jamestown was the first successful English colony in the future US, settled in Virginia. -
Plymouth
Plymouth was the first settlement created in Massachusetts by Separatists who sought to create a religiously pure society. -
Rhode Island
Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams as a colony for religious freedom. Many Quakers moved to Rhode Islands and they strongly believed in the separation of church and state. -
Slavery in the 1650s
The slave was bringing slaves into the US through the middle passage. Slaves were put into the task and gang system to help rich colonists and work on plantations. -
Trade and Navigation Acts: 1651, 1660, 1696
The Trade and Navigation Acts gave Britain control of trade in the colonies and was a form of Mercantilism. The acts help the colonies to develop trade but the acts are mostly ignored by the colonists. -
King Philip's War: 1675-1678
The natives and New England go to war over native land. Sassamon is killed by his people because he was helping the colonist. New England kills King Philip which ends the war. -
The First Great Awakening: 1730s-1740s
The Great Awakening was a time of religious reform in the colonies, mainly for protestant Christians. Great Awakening speakers used heavy emotion and fear in their talks and led to more religious devotion in the colonists' lives. -
French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian war began in the colonies when French settlers encroached on land claimed by the British. -
End of Salutary Neglect
After the French and Indian War, England becomes more involved with the colonies ending the policy of salutary neglect. The colonists think that the should be able to govern themselves while the British think that they are incapable of running themselves. -
Proclamation Act of 1763
The Proclamation Act prohibited the colonists from expanding west of the Appalachian Mountains. This gave Britain more control over the colonists who hoped that the act was temporary. -
Period: to
Period 3: 1763-1800
American Revolution, Confederal Era, and the Early Federal Period -
Sugar or Revenue Act of 1764
The Tea Act or Revenue Act was put into effect after the French and Indian war to pay for the debt. The act tried to stop sugar from being smuggled into the colonies by lowering the tax from 6 pence per pound to 3 pence per pound. -
Currency Act of 1764
The Currency Act prevented the Colonies from printing their own money. This meant that taxes had to be paid in specie. -
Quartering Act of 1765
Colonists had to pay for the housing of British soldiers. This allowed the British to have a presence in the colonies. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax on all paper goods sold in the colonies. Violators were put on trial in admiralty courts. This tax caused the colonists to begin to join together to protest against the taxes. -
Sons of Liberty: 1765-1776
The Sons of Liberty were a group of colonists who led violent protests against the British and their taxes. They carried out the Boston Tea Party, attacked customs officials, and other violent protests. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting between the colonies that focused on the right to tax themselves. This led to the repeal of the Stamp Act and a greater sense of unity between the colonies. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was put into place after the Stamp Act was removed to help Britain hold its power. This act allowed the parliament to bind the colonies to do what they want. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were taxes on lead, glass, tea, paper, and paint that helped pay the royal governors who were controlling the colonies. The colonists come together to protest these acts more than ever before. -
Boston Massacre
During a violent protest against British soldiers, the soldiers fire on the colonists, and 5 of them are killed. News of the Boston Massacre spreads throughout the colonies and helps bring the colonies together against the British. -
Tea Act
A tax on tea that was collected by the British and protested heavily by the colonists, most notably in the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Acts/ Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were put in place to punish Boston and Massachusetts by shutting down ports, the government, and protecting the soldiers in the colonies. The other colonies come together to protect Boston and Massachusetts by protesting the acts. -
American Revolution: 1775-1783
The American Revolution was a war between the colonies and the British over the colonies' independence. The colonies won the war and gained their independence from Britain. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the newly formed United States' first constitution. The Articles gave the federal government very little power which led to many problems for the country. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was an armed uprising of citizens who were protesting the taxes and state governments. This event helped let the country know that the Articles of Confederation were not working. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was a meeting between representatives from all the states to create a new constitution for the United States. The convention took many days and compromises but gave us the Constitution. -
The Revolution of 1800
The Revolution of 1800 was the presidential election between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Jefferson won giving power to the Democratic-Republicans. -
Period: to
Period 4 Part 1: 1800-1824
Expansion, War of 1812, Era of Good Feelings -
Marbury v. Madison
John Mashall tried to create new jobs for judges to give more power to the federalists which were deemed unconstitutional. This court case also established Judicial Review. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition: 1803-1806
Lewis and Clark explored the new land west of the Mississippi River that was acquired through Louisiana Purchase. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson buys the Louisiana territory from France for 15 million dollars. Made the deal a treaty so it would be considered constitutional. -
Embargo of 1807
Thomas Jefferson cuts off trade with the rest of the world because of the Chesapeake Incident and conflict in Europe. This cause Jefferson to lose some of his status. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a war between the US and Great Britain partly because of the Napoleonic wars and the embargo of 1807. The war ends without much change or compromise because Britain was done fighting wars and the federalist party dies during this time. -
The Era of Good Feelings
A period in the United States after the War of 1812 when national unity and pride was high. -
Election of 1816
An election between Rufus King and James Monroe. James Monroe wins and the Democratic-Republicans hold power. -
Transcontinental Treaty
The US bought Florida from Spain and the boundary between the US and Spain is changed. Spain wanted to avoid conflict over the territory. -
Monroe Doctrine
James Monroe wanted to limit European Influence in the western hemisphere and created a change in foreign policy with the Monroe Doctrine. Doctrine said that the US would stay out of Europe if Europe stayed away from the western hemisphere. -
Election of 1824
The House has to choose because there is no majority vote. John Quincy Adams becomes president and can not work with Congress or the people. -
Period: to
Period 4 Part 2: 1824-1848
Jacksonian Democracy, Second Great Awakening, Manifest Destiny -
Election of 1828
This election between Adams and Jackson became about personal attacks rather than key issues. Jackson wins the election with a mandate. -
Jacksonian Democracy
Jacksonian Democracy led the country with its ideas through Jackson's presidency and after. This time focused on the rise of the common man and brought more democracy and power to the president. -
Second Great Awakening: 1790-1850
The Second Great Awakening was a time of religious reform in the US and brought about many new ideas and reform movements. Utopias and transcendentalism became big ideas during this period. -
Utopian Communities
Many Utopian societies developed during Jacksonian Democracy and the Second Great Awakening. They wanted to create better societies and get away from the changing industrial America. -
Bank War
Jackson fought against the second national bank which led to the end of the national bank and separate state banks. -
Nullification
South Carolina decides to declare the tariffs put in place in 1828 void. Jackson wins the fight with South Carolina and the idea of notification is mostly dissolved. -
America's Second Party System
The Whigs became a new party after Jacksonian Democracy to combat the Democrats. The brought ideas from the Democrats and federalists into their party and took many ideas out of Jacksonian Democracy. -
Election of 1840
The Whig party brings in William Henry Harrison who does not focus on political issues but is liked by the people and uses the same tactics of degrading his opponent to win the election. -
Manifest Destiny
As the US started to expand the idea of Manifest Destiny began to grow. People believed it was their god given right to journey and settle west. -
John Tyler
John Tyler steps in as president after William Henry Harrison dies. Tyler vetoes the Bank Bill and starts working to Annex Texas. -
Election of 1844
Polk wins the election against Clay with a set plan for his presidency. Polk wanted to expand the US, lower the tariff, an create and independent treasury. Polk only planned to stay in office for one term. -
Period: to
Period 5: 1844-1877
Question of Slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction -
The Mexican War
The Mexican War between the US and Mexico led to the US gaining more land which helped to fulfill Polk's platform. The war also solidified the US as a world power. -
Immigration in 1850
As the US began to develop more people began to immigrate into the US. People from Northern Europe, Germany, Scandinavia, and other countries were coming into the country to make a living. Americans developed a sense of nativism. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 answered the question of slavery for the new territory gained in the Mexican-American War and other expansion. Both the North and the South benefited but tensions over slavery were growing. -
Kansas/Nebraska Act
This act solved the issue of slavery in the two states by giving them popular sovereignty and letting them decide if they would be free or slave states. This set the stage for the border war between Missouri and Kansas. -
Missouri/Kansas Border War
This border war was a series of brutal battles between Missouri and Kansas over the issue of slavery. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
This court case decided that slaves were property and could not be kept from their owners. This was a big win for the south. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown and free African Americans raid the federal arsenal and planned to free enslaved people and help them escape. The plan fails and John Brown is executed but this was a message for the south. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln wins the election running on a platform of free soil and ideas that would hurt the south. This is the last straw for the south and causes the firs states to succeed. -
Civil War
The American Civil War was a war between the confederate states of America and the Union or United States of America. The war was fought over slavery and political disagreements. The Union won the war which ended slavery across the country. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people and allowed them to join the Union and fight in the war. This also made the war about ending slavery more than anything else. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Shortly after the end of the Civil War Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by actor John Wilks Booth during a play. Lincoln was not able to help lead reconstruction. -
Period: to
Period 6: 1865-1898
Gilded Age, Reform Movements, First Labor Unions/Reform -
Congressional Reconstruction
This was the beginning stage of reconstruction which focused on giving aid to African Americans and led to the 13th and 14h amendments. -
Military Reconstruction
Military Reconstruction was a much more forceful form of reconstruction. US troops were sent into southern states to keep order and make sure they were doing what they needed to. -
Election of 1868
Grant wins the election because he was a loved war hero. Seymour did not have the appeal of Grant. -
The Era of Good Stealings
The government during Grants during presidency was corrupt and used their power to succeed and manipulate the economy. -
Sharecropping
Sharecropping was a new labor system developed during reconstruction to keep the economy in the south going. This was a way for southerners to keep enslaving people legally. -
Indian Wars
During the Gilded Age, the US was trying to gain land from the Native Americans which led to many disputes and armed conflicts. -
Gilded Age in Politics
This period after the Civil War was good for the economy and the US was starting to develop. There was also a lot of corruption in the government and the economy. -
Urbanization
As the economy began to develop and cities started to develop more of the population began to move into cities to work in factories. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This act tried to limit the number of immigrants into the US especially from China and Asia. Immigrants from China were not allowed into the US for a time. -
Pendleton Act
The act was a civil service reform that stopped some of the corruption going on during the Gilded Age. People had to prove that they were qualified for certain government jobs. -
Dawes Act
Reorganized Native American territory which affects relations with the natives at the time and contributed to reform movements. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
This act was intended to break up monopolies at the time but instead was used to break up labor unions. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case upheld that segregation was constitutional if all segregated places were equal. This case brought about the idea of separate but equal. -
Wilmington Massacre
Wilmington was controlled by African Americans and poor whites at the time. Racist whites try to split up the town by destroying the local newspaper and committing other acts of violence. -
Spanish American War
The Spanish American War was a conflict between Spain and the US after the US helped in the Cuban revolution and other attempts at independence. -
Annexation of Hawaii
The US annex Hawaii and later made it a US territory. This was caused by new imperialism and the Spanish-American War. -
Period: to
Period 7 Part 1: 1898-1918
Progressive Era, Conservation v. Preservation, WWI -
Progressive Movement
The Progressive Movement was not an organized movement but was made up of many different reformers and movements. The main focus was to improve life for average Americans. -
Anthracite Coal Strike
Mineworkers strike going into a time where fuel is needed for the country and the Federal Government has to get involved. Roosevelt takes the side of the minors which is a big step towards fighting big businesses. -
Northern Securities Case
The court ruled against the railroad companies involved in this case and destroyed the monopoly they had. The Sherman Anit-trust act was starting to be used for its original purpose. -
Elkins Act
This act gave the ICC more power over railroads and stopped railroads from giving rebates. The government is cracking down on big businesses. -
Election of 1904
Theodore Roosevelt won the election against Alton Parker. Roosevelt was running under his square deal plan. -
Antiquities Act
The President is given the authority to create national monuments and national parks. Roosevelt uses this a lot to as a conservationist. -
Taft as President
Taft can not work with congress so he struggles to lower the tariff like he said he would. Taft is not liked like Roosevelt was. -
Ballinger-Pinchot Contraversy
Ballinger and Pinchot have a conflict over conservation and preservation. Taft resorts to firing Pinchot which gives him more of a bad name and helps to split the Republican Party. -
Mann-Elkins Act
This act gave the ICC the authority to regulate telephones and telegraphs. This allowed for more regulation of big businesses. -
16th and 17th Amendments
The 16th amendment created an income tax and the 17th started the direct election of senators. These amendments were some of the progressive actions that Taft was able to make during his presidency. -
1912 Election
Teddy Roosevelt returns to challenge Taft and runs under New Nationalism which is too progressive for the country. Woodrow Wilson wins running under his New Freedom platform. -
Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated by Serbs who are upset with Austria-Hungarian control. This starts WWI but the US tries to stay out of the war at first. -
Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British passenger ship that was sunk, killing many Americans. The US knew that this was very bad but they still wanted to avoid going to war. -
National Defense Act
The National Defense Act was a preparation for war that doubled the US army and started the construction of a larger navy. -
Zimmerman Note
The Zimmerman Note was an intercepted telegram between Germany and Mexico proposing an alliance to attack the US. This one of the final straws that made the US enter the war. -
Period: to
Period 7 Part 2: 1918-1945
WWI, Great Depression, Social Reform, WWII -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versaille ended WWI and punished Germany for the war. Germany was destroyed by the treaty and had to rebuild. -
Red Scare
After WWI the US was afraid of communism and communists making it into and near the US. The Red Scare contributed to a lot of the moral in the US and some attitude going into WWII. -
Growth of the KKK
After WWI the KKK began to grow and meetings with the group were treated as events where the KKK was present. -
Immigration Act of 1924
This act limited the number of immigrants into the US and created the quota system at the time. This quota system only allowed a certain number of immigrants into the country from each country. -
Eugenics Programs
From the Depression, through WWII the government and other people tried to keep the people in the US the way they wanted through Eugenics programs. Certain people were picked to be sterilized based on genetics and race. -
Great Depression
The Depression was the greatest economic crisis the world had ever seen and hit America very hard after the stock market crash. Hoover failed at helping during the depression but FDR was able to make a difference. -
Hoover during the Depression
Hoover was the first president to lead the country during the depression and did not make much of an impact on helping the country during this time. Hoover did not help the people as he should have and Hoovervilles developed. -
Three R's
FDR's three R's were part of his New Deal plan for the depression. He planned to focus on relief, recovery, and reform. -
Fireside Chats
FDR had fireside chats were informal radio chats with the people to get close to the people and treasure them that the country was going to make it out of the depression. These helped FDR's reputation as well. -
Bank Holiday
FDR's closed all the banks for 3 days to help them reset. FDR also used this to help determine what banks were stable and if they could open after the 3 days. -
Civilian Conservation Corp
This organization came out of the New Deal as a relief program. Young men were given jobs and the work they did around the country helped people get by. -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was a new deal act that helped with reform and established the social security we have today. Money was taken out of your paycheck and stored to be used later when you retire. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese destroyed the US navy at Pearl Harbor and made an impact on US citizens. The US had never had an attack this close to home. This attack brought the US into WWII. -
Lend-Lease Act
This act allowed the US to provide weapons and materials to its allies who were fighting in the war while the US stayed neutral. The US was still not ready to fight in the war and had no reason to until Pearl Harbor. -
D-Day
D-Day was the Allies' front in France and was one of the largest battles of the war. This battle gave the Allies the advantage in Europe and the war in Europe soon ended afterward.