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Period: 1491 to
Period 1/2
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Jamestown Settlement
The Virginia Company of London is granted a stretch of land from modern day North Carolina to New York. The company names the region "Virginia", and sends an all male crew to the colony. (Period 1/2) -
Plymouth Colony Migration/ Mayflower Compact
Puritans fleeing England migrated to the Plymouth Colony aboard The Mayflower. During their voyage, the Pilgrims organized a political structure for the colony based on congregation and self- governance. (Period 1/2) -
Massachusetts Bay & John Winthrop
John Winthrop and puritans 900 immigrants settle in Massachusetts. The colony rejected religious tolerance, establishing Puritanism as the state religion and limiting the right to vote and hold office to church members. (Period 1/2) -
Maryland & Lord Baltimore
King Charles I grants land among the Chesapeake Bay to Catholic aristocrat Lord Baltimore. Maryland is established and becomes a refuge for Catholics fleeing persecution in England. (Period 1/2) -
Rhode Island & Roger Williams
In 1636, Roger Williams is exiled from the Massachusetts Bay colony for advocating for separation of church and state and religious tolerance. Williams and his followers settled south of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and in 1644 was granted a colony charter from Parliament. (Period 1/2) -
Navigation Acts
To ensure that trade was in English control, England passed multiple acts that set requirements for exporting goods. The acts required goods to be carried on English ships, goods to be exported through England first, and placed a plantation duty on sugar and tobacco. (Period 1/2) -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon dissented from Virginian governor William Berkeley's Indian policy and opposed Berkeley's growing political power. Bacon and 400 armed men burned Jamestown and looted plantations to oppose the Governor's rule. (Period 1/2) -
Pennsylvania & William Penn
William Penn settles Pennsylvania and establishes it as a refuge for Quakers. The colony ensured religious freedom, negotiation with Native Americans, and the Quaker idea of gender equality. (Period 1/2) -
The Great Awakening
People in the colonies experience a new interest in religion, following new ideas and feeling more passionate about spirituality. Ministers such as George Whitfield spoke compellingly and drew large crowds. (Period 1/2) -
Period: to
French & Indian War
Conflicting French and British territorial claims in the Ohio valley causes war between the two North American colonies. The English colony wins this war. (Period 1/2) -
Period: to
Period 3
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Stamp Act of 1765
To cover the cost of stationing British troops in America, Britain passed a tax on all printed goods. This led to colonists advocating for representation in Parliament. (Period 3) -
Townshend Act of 1767
The Townshend Act was another taxing act that placed duties on imported paper, paint, glass, and tea. Most of the funds went to the salaries of royal governors, judges, and officials. (Period 3) -
Tea Act of 1773
This act cancelled the import duties on tea, benefiting the royally chartered East India Company. Because of this, Colonists accused Britain of trying to create a monopoly on tea. (Period 3) -
Boston Tea Party & Coercive Acts
Patriots determined to prevent the sale of East India Co. tea boarded three ships carrying the tea and dumped the crates into the harbor. To punish the Massachusetts colony, Parliament passed four acts that closed Boston Harbor, annulled the colony's charter and prevented town meetings. (Period 3) -
Period: to
American Revolutionary War
Massachusetts was proclaimed to be in a state of open rebellion, and British troops confronted patriots at Lexington and Concord. The Second Continental Congress prepared for war. (Period 3) -
Declaration of Independence
Virginia's resolution to declare independence was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. One author, Thomas Jefferson, defines the ideas of consent of the governed and popular sovereignty. (Period 3) -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation had very limited powers, as it had not established an executive or judiciary branch nor could it tax the states. (Period 3) -
Shays' Rebellion
The broken post-war economy pushed many people, especially farmers, into debt. Daniel Shays led the rebellion, in which farmers demanded financial and economic relief. (Period 3) -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance created territories that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin and allowed for the territories to elect a legislature once the population grew. (Period 3) -
The Virginia and New Jersey Plan
As the Philadelphia Convention debated on structures of government, James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, calling for a strong national government. William Paterson proposed the New Jersey plan, emphasizing the states' power. (Period 3) -
Ratification of the Constitution
Federalists and Anti-federalists debated the proposed Constitution until the minimum nine states ratified it and a Bill of Rights was promised. (Period 3) -
The Bill of Rights
As Federalists had promised, ten amendments had been added to the Constitution by 1791 that protected the rights of individuals. (Period 3) -
Jay's Treaty
Jay's Treaty was a compromise between Britain and America. The treaty stated that The United States would compensate merchants for pre-war debts, and Britain would withdraw troops from the Northwest territory. (Period 3) -
Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts
In response to French Republican critics, The United States passed these acts that extended the residency requirement for naturalization, authorized the deportation of foreigners, and prohibited written or spoken attacks on congress or the president. (Period 3) -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginian and Kentucky legislation determine that the Alien and Sedition acts have no force, establishing that states can interpret national laws and the constitution. (Period 3) -
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was another religious revival that spanned across a few decades and spread evangelical denominations across the nation. (Period 4, part 1) -
Period: to
Period 4, Part 1
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Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution spanned across decades and marked a change in work routines and expectations, as well as new methods and technologies that led to an increase of production. (Period 4, part 2) -
Marbury v. Madison
A case between James Madison and William Marbury. Chief Justice John Marshall establishes the idea of judicial review of law. (Period 4, part 1) -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon had feared war in Europe and the United States invading Louisiana, so he sold the territory for $15 million. Although Jefferson had sought to purchase New Orleans, he had received the entire territory. (Period 4, part 1) -
Embargo of 1807
The Embargo Act prohibited U.S. ships from leaving their ports until France and Britain lifted their trade restrictions. However this backfired on the U.S., effecting the economy and harming the business of merchants and farmers. (period 4, part 1) -
Period: to
War of 1812
The War of 1812 arose over impressment of American sailors, trade conflicts, and territorial disputes in the northeast. (Period 4, part 1) -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was a peace negotiation that ended the War of 1812. Neither the U.S. or Britain acquired the territory they desired. (Period 4, part 1) -
McCulloch v. Maryland
Establishing the Second Bank of the U.S., Maryland charged that the Second Bank was unconstitutionally chartered by Congress. Chief Justice Marshall argued that the bank was "necessary and proper" for regulating currency and credit, therefore constitutional. (Period 4, part 1) -
Adams Onis Treaty
Monroe's administration received the Florida territory in exchange for recognizing Texas as Spain's territory. (Period 4, part 1) -
Panic of 1819
As agriculture prices plummeted, farmers could not pay the debts they owed. Banking policies also contributed to the Panic of 1819. (Period 4, part 1) -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was proposed by Henry Clay, and allowed for Maine to enter the union as a free state and Missouri to enter as a slave state. The compromise also set for each state north of latitude 36*30' to be free states. (Period 4, part 1) -
Election of 1824
John Q. Adams, John C. Calhoun, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay competed for the presidency in the Election of 1824. Henry Clay advocates for Adams when The House of Representatives is required to choose from the candidates, leading Jackson to accuse Adams of a "corrupt bargain". (Period 4, part 2) -
Period: to
Period 4, Part 2
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Tariff of Abominations
While the Tariff of Abominations benefited northern industry, the duties on wool and other textile materials caused a loss of profit for southern farmers. This caused the Southern opinion of president Adams to fall. (Period 4, part 2) -
Election of 1828
The Election of 1828 again included John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Jackson won the election, due to his public image and promises made to farmers and artisans. (Period 4, part 2) -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act created Indian territory in Oklahoma and Kansas. Eastern Native Americans were expelled from their settlements by force by President Jackson, and later along the Trail of Tears. (Period 4, part 2) -
Bank War
President Andrew Jackson opposed the Second Bank of the U.S., and vetoed its' recharter bill. The Second Bank was defeated, with its' funds placed in state banks (pet banks). (Period 4, part 2) -
South Carolina Nullification
South Carolina nullified the Tariff of 1828, arguing that they could nullify the law within their borders as it did not account for South Carolina's interests. (Period 4, part 2) -
Trail of Tears
To enforce the Treaty of New Echota, President Van Buren marched 14,000 Cherokees to the new territory. About 3,000 Cherokees died during the march. (Period 4, part 2) -
Panic of 1837
During the Panic of 1837, prices and wages fell, and many banks ran out of specie. (Period 4, part 2) -
Commonwealth v. Hunt
Commonwealth v. Hunt establishes that workers have the right to form unions and organize strikes. This was considered a victory for workers and union organizers. (Period 4, part 2) -
Period: to
Period 5
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Annexing of Texas
Following James Polk's election, Texas became the 28th state. Texas was admitted through a joint resolution, requiring a majority vote in both houses of congress. (Period 5) -
The Mexican American War
Border disputes, the annexation of Texas, and Mexico's refusal to sell California led to tensions between the bordering nations. The war began when the two sides battled by the Rio Grande. (Period 5) -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican American war and gave the U.S. a large claim of southwestern land including California, Arizona, and New Mexico. (Period 5) -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was created to satisfy both the North and South. To appease the South, the compromise included a fugitive slave law and to appease the north, California was admitted as a free state. (Period 5) -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Senator Stephen Douglas proposed the addition of both Nebraska and Kansas. Kansas, the southern state, would vote on whether to become a slave state or a free state. (Period 5) -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott argued that because he lived in the free state of Illinois, he was free. The Dred Scott case decided that people who were enslaved in free states or territories were still slaves. (Period 5) -
Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 had four candidates- John Bell, Stephen Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln won, causing panic in the south. (Period 5) -
Period: to
The American Civil War
The Civil War arose due to conflict about slavery and free states
and slave states. The Civil War began at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. (Period 5) -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was ratified at the beginning of 1863. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not at first free the slaves, the slaves were freed as the Union advanced on the South. (Period 5) -
13th Amendment
Ratified in December 1865, the 13th amendment abolished all forms of "slavery or involuntary servitude". (Period 5) -
Period: to
Period 6
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Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act recognized former slaves as citizens, and granted them the protections of citizenship. (Period 5) -
Fetterman Massacre
About 1,500 Sioux ambushed Captain William and 80 soldiers in Wyoming. This closed the Bozeman Trail, a main road that leading into Montana. (Period 6) -
Reconstruction Act
The Reconstruction Act divided the South into five military districts.
This act was a part of post- civil war reconstruction. (Period 5) -
14th Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment declared that every person born or naturalized in the United States was a citizen. (Period 5) -
Burlingame Treaty
The Burlingame Treaty was established between China and the United States. The treaty guaranteed American missionaries in China protections and set terms for Chinese immigrants in the U.S. (Period 6) -
Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor union was founded in 1869 in Philadelphia. The union called for federal regulation of businesses, as well as workplace safety and a ban on child labor. (Period 6) -
15th Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment allowed for African American men the right to vote, and could not be denied the right to vote based on race. (Period 5) -
Enforcement Laws
The Enforcement Laws were established in response to the violent Ku Klux Klan. The laws allowed for persecution of those that attacked or violated freedmen's rights. (Period 5) -
Battle of Little Big Horn
As Sioux and Cheyenne people camped along the Little Big Horn river, General Custer led cavalry men to push them back to reservations. This backfired, and Custer and the cavalry men were defeated, making the Battle of Little Big Horn a victory for the plains Indians. (Period 6) -
Munn v. Illinois
Munn v. Illinois decided that states could regulate businesses in the name of public interest. (Period 6) -
Great Railroad Strike
In response to low wages, railroad workers left their work, disrupting the railroad and commerce. The strike escalated into violence as police and workers clashed, railroad property was damaged and over 50 people had died. (Period 6) -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States. (Period 6) -
Haymarket Square Riot
After four workers were killed during a protest by police at McCormick Reaper Works, a large crowd gathered at Haymarket square. The violence that followed left police and workers dead, and eight protesters convicted of murder and criminal conspiracy. (Period 6) -
Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Severalty Act was a plan to distribute reservation land among individual natives. However, this only led to loss of land as Indians were pressured to sell to white settlers and the land was mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Period 6) -
Interstate Commerce Act
The Interstate Commerce Act was passed to regulate railroads and their shipping rates. The act also created the Interstate Commerce Commission, which would enforce the railroads' regulations. (Period 6) -
National American Woman Suffrage Association
established in 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association advocated for American women to have the right to vote. (Period 6) -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson ruled that segregation was not unlawful on the basis of "separate but equal". The case was introduced when Homer Plessy refused to leave the first class train car. (Period 6) -
The War of 1898
As The United States pressured Spain to make peace during the Cuban rebellion, the sinking of The Maine in a Cuban harbor resulted in a call to war. The war resulted in Spanish defeat and Cuban independence. (Period 7, part 1) -
Period: to
Period 7 Part 1
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Philippine - American War
After Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States, Filipino nationalists fought American control and sought independence. However, the war ended with U.S. occupation of the Philippines. (Period 7, part 1) -
Hay Paunceforte Treaty
The Hay Paunceforte Treaty was a treaty between The United States and Britain that allowed the United States to plan for the Panama Canal. (Period 7, part 1) -
The Platt Amendment
The Platt Amendment gave the United States the authority to interfere with Cuban affairs. The amendment also prohibited Cuba from making treaties with any nation besides the U.S. (Period 7, part 1) -
Hepburn Act
The Hepburn Act gave the Interstate Commerce Act the authority to set maximum railroad shipping rates, and also banned businesses from getting free passes for shipping. (Period 7 part 1) -
Pure Food and Drug Act
In response to Upton Sinclair's description of rotten food and unsanitary meat packing warehouses, The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed to ensure food was packaged and distributed in clean conditions. The act also created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (Period 7, part 1) -
Muller v. Oregon
The Muller v. Oregon case limited the work day for women to ten hours, a victory for working women. (Period 7, part 1) -
The NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was established to advocate for racial equality and justice. The association included Mary White Ovington and W.E.B. Du Bois. (Period 7, part 1) -
Mann-Elkins Act
The Mann-Elkins Act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission more authority to regulate railroad rates, and also gave the commission the authority to regulate the telecommunications industry. (Period 7, part 1) -
Federal Reserve Act
The Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve, along with twelve district reserve banks. The federal reserve regulated credit and could issue paper money. (Period 7, part 1) -
Clayton Antitrust Act
The Clayton Antitrust Act, an extension of the Sherman Act, made trusts illegal in order for competition to thrive. (Period 7, part 1) -
Jones Acts
The Jones Act stated that the Philippines would be granted independence in the future, an organized a government for the territory. (Period 7, part 1) -
Espionage Act
The Espionage Act was passed following the United States' entry in the war. The espionage act outlawed "disloyal" language towards the Constitution and Government. (Period 7, part 1) -
The United States Enters the First World War
On April 6, 1917, The United States declared war on Germany and its' allies as a result of Germany's attacks on U.S. ships, unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram. (Period 7, part 1) -
Sedition Act
The Sedition Act, another war time law, prohibited disloyal language towards the U.S. or language that promoted "the cause of its' enemies". (Period 7, part 1) -
Period: to
Period 7 Part 2
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19th Amendment
The Nineteenth Amendment granted women suffrage nationally. Specifically, it banned individuals from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. (Period 7, part 2) -
Period: to
The Great Depression
The stock market crashed, industrial production and construction fell. The Great Depression was an unprecedented worldwide recession. (Period 7, Part 2) -
Smoot-Hawley Tariff
President Hoover enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff to encourage manufacturing. Instead, it harmed global trade and only made the economic matters worse. (Period 7, part 2) -
Glass-Steagall Act
The Glass-Steagall Act created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which restored confidence in banks and insured up to $2,500. (Period 7, part 2) -
National Recovery Administration
Another program of Roosevelt's New Deal, The NRA helped the low production rates by setting price and production quotas. (Period 7, part 2) -
Indian Reorganization Act
The Indian Reorganization Act reversed the Dawes Severalty Act and allowed for democratically elected tribal councils (Period 7, part 2) -
Wagner Act
The Wagner Act ensured the right of workers to join and organize unions. (Period 7, part 2) -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act provided for retired workers, the disabled, widows, and other individuals in need of financial support. (Period 7, part 2) -
Works Progress Administration
An important New Deal program, The Works Progress Administration (WPA) eased unemployment by hiring about 8.5 million people to construct public works projects. (Period 7, part 2) -
Rural Electrification Administration
The Rural Electrification Administration erected power lines in rural America, improving the quality of life and supporting rural farmers. (Period 7, part 2) -
Neutrality Act
The Neutrality Act, passed before the U.S.' entry in World War II, banned the sale of weapons and war supplies to the countries at war. (Period 7, part 2) -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act of 1941 gave Roosevelt more federal authority during World War II. (Period 7, part 2) -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act allowed for the U.S. to lend or give Britain and other countries weapons during World War II. (Period 7, part 2) -
Period: to
The United States and the Second World War
Following the attack of Pearl Harbor, The United States entered World War II. The U.S. began to create the needed war industries and raise an army. (Period 7, Part 2) -
Executive Order 9066
The Executive Order 9066 forced Japanese Americans, even those born in America, into relocation camps for the duration of World War II. (Period 7, part 2)