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1521
Colombian Exchange
During the colonization of the Americas, a vast trading network began. Countless crops, materials, and sicknesses were spread worldwide during this time. The spread of disease became known as Spain's silent ally because it killed 90% of the Native American population. This exchange of resources was crucial to making the world we know today. -
Exile of Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was exiled from her home in Massachusetts because she dared to go against the traditional roles set for her. She fought for women to be able to read and learn from the Bible. After her banishment, she would die due to a lack of resources. Similarly, Roger Williams was also banished for his claim that there should be a separation of religion and government. -
Bacon's Rebellion
The first notable civil uprising was led by Nathaniel Bacon and was because poor citizens were mad that they were being forced out of their homes and into areas with high Native populations. Bacon encouraged Virginia settlers to fight so that the government would drive the Native Americans out of their state. They set fire to the Jamestown settlement in retaliation. -
The Enlightenment
The enlightenment in the colonies is better described as a new thought process but the approximate start date is in the late 1600s. During this time, many famous religious leaders urged colonists to look inward at themselves and to make their own decisions. This directly countered the previous religious ideas of a predestined life. -
Ben Franklin's New Albany Plan
Benjamin Franklin called the colony's most influential speakers, businessmen, and politicians together to discuss working together against Great Britain. The plan would ultimately fail but marks the first time the colonists worked together as a separate entity from Britain -
French and Indian War
Also known as the seven years war, this conflict between colonists and the French relied on support from various Native American tribes. It ended with a British victory and the signing of the Treaty of Paris which defined the US border and opened up the Mississippi River for transportation. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
The Native Americans were just as angry with Great Britain as the colonists were. Following the French and Indian war they started a rebellion of their own. Many tribes fought together to drive out British settlers. -
Stamp and Sugar Act
To punish colonists for being disruptive and going against the crown, Parliament passed many acts and taxes to take money from the common people. The most notable during this time were the stamp and sugar acts. Both were met with resistance but the stamp act was especially hated because it affected colonists of all backgrounds and jobs. -
Declaratory Act
Although Parliament repealed the Stamp Act after the anger of the colonists was made clear, the British government still wanted to make its authority known. The act told colonists that British rule would always trump colonial laws. As expected the colonists did not take this well and revolted in many ways. -
Nonimportation Movement
A movement in which merchants from all over the colonies decided to boycott British goods. This gave women a "purpose" and brought them into the political sphere. They made many products that they would not have had due to the Townshend Act. -
Boston Massacre
As tensions rise between colonists and rulers in Great Britain, conflict begins to break out in the form of revolts. After colonists began to throw rocks and snowballs at British soldiers, they fought back with guns and killed 5 colonists. -
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
The Coercive Acts, or Intolerable Acts, included the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, and the Quebec Act. Parliament decided to close the Boston Port, use military force, and bend the law to make the people in the colonies less violent. This however had the opposite effect and even affected them so much that they would write the opposite of these acts in the constitution. -
Boston Tea Party
One of the most well-known acts of rebellion from the colonists toward Great Britain. The dumping of over a million dollars worth of tea by the Sons of Liberty resulted in a panic on both sides. Parliament was partial to the North's solution as they wanted to make their power known. The lesser-appreciated idea of William Pitt to stop taxing was not taken into consideration. -
Lexington and Concord
This unexpected battle was the first of many in the American Revolution. No one knows who made the first shot but when it happened the world would never be the same. This fight was the result of years of tension and violent outbursts on both sides. American troops won and forced Great Britain to wake up and realize that they couldn't control the colonists forever. -
Sons/Daughters of Liberty
Both groups of angry colonists were formed to talk about their mutual hatred for Parliament and their taxes. The all-male group of patriots was often violent and performed questionable acts of protests. Among these activists were Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Sarah Bradlee Fulton -
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
Thomas Paine was one of the most influential writers ever and especially of his time. He wrote his book Common Sense about the wrongs being made by Great Britain. He used common language as well as factual and emotional reasons as a way to make it available for every colonist to read and relate to. This book is so influential with the people of the colonies that war is declared only a year after it was published. -
Abigail Adams: Remember the Ladies
Remember the ladies is a famous saying from a letter written to John Adams when fighting the war. His wife, Abigail, urged him to fight for women's rights as well as the rights of the colonies. She also urged him to keep women in mind when creating new laws in the US. John Adams would go on to become the president of the US and his wife fought just as hard as the first lady of the US. -
Battle of Saratoga
ALthough the Revolutionary War has many important battles to consider, most historians agree that this battle was what pushed the colonies to their victory. The British had lost all their supplies while traveling a poor route. This American win boosted confidence all over the forming nation and gave them the drive to keep going. It evened the playing field as many soldiers stole supplies and lives from the enemy. -
Articles of Confederation
This document was the colonist's first attempt at writing laws for their new government. It was a reflection of everything they feared from the British government and as a result, was very weak. It gave federal law virtually no power and left the majority of decisions up to the states. Once politicians learned that this document couldn't stand in real life they held the Constitutional Convention and wrote new rules. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the final battle fought in the revolutionary war. Washington and Cornwallis had been battling for a while as Washington advanced and Cornwallis fell back. Washington led British troops into an attack in the winter and with the help of the French "turned the world upside down." It was unheard of that the small colonies of the biggest military nation in the could beat their mother country. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty was signed in France by Great Britain and America that signified that the colonies would become their own nation. It ended the war for once and all as well as opening trade routes for colonists and fishing ports. It took three years to be drafted, signed, and put into effect because both sides did not want to compromise. Now the colonists would struggle to create their own government. -
3/5 Compromise
After the newfound Americans gained independence from Britain, they had to find out how to govern themselves. One of the biggest questions the new government faced was whether or not to count slaves as a part of the population. Southern citizens thought that since they accounted for a great portion of the population they should be included whereas northerners argued that they couldn't vote and therefore shouldn't be counted. They decided eventually to account for 3 out of every 5 slaves. -
George Washington Presidency
Although the country was nervous about a singular leader, they recognized the need for one. They elected George Washington to be President of the United States because of his already-earned respect among soldiers and citizens. He did not choose a side in the federalists vs anti-federalist debate. He even denounced political parties in the U.S. right from the start. Washington set many precedents that carry through to the present such as speeches and two-term presidencies. -
Whiskey Rebellion
After a tax was put on whiskey many Pennsylvania farmers became angry with the government because they thought that it was turning into another Great Britain. This was the first major uprising during George Washington's presidency but he handled it well and proved to the new citizens of the US that the government could handle important things. -
Alien/Sedition Acts
After Washington retires, John Adams becomes the next president and does not live up to the title. Lots of people did not like him and thought that he made many bad decisions. His corruption is shown through the two acts he passes during his time in office that not only forbid people from talking bad about him but also gave the president permission to deport any immigrant deemed dangerous. This impeeded the citizen's first amendment rights of free speech and they did not take this lightly. -
Thomas Jefferson Presidency
Jefferson's presidency was revolutionary in more ways than one but primarily because he was the first elected Democratic-Republican. Although Washington warned against political parties, the nation ignored the advice and carried on. Just before his inauguration Adams elected lots of federalist judges to the federal courts in an attempt to throw any say the other political party had. When Jefferson find out he withholds the letters sent to the judges and goes to the supreme court. -
Embargo of 1807
Jefferson's presidency has not been easy up until this point, with France and Britain at war again he tries to remain neutral but eventually snaps. He puts a tax on anything traded with foreign nations and put lots of strain on the American economy. This decision was especially hated among merchants, traders, and businessmen. Although devastating economically, it did spur lots of movement for domestic manufacturing. -
Battle of New Orleans
After British Impressment on American ships kickstarted the war of 1812, Britain's main goal was to capture New Orleans to make use of the waterways and surround the country. Andrew Jackson pulled together an army to fight and became a household name for his bravery and strongness. The battle ended with a great American win with less than 100 deaths compared to over 2,000 British deaths. It provided a sense of unity for the states and proved the newly formed country could fight for itself. -
Abolition
After the Second Great Awakening, many Americans began to believe in free will. They also realized that slaves should not be treated the way they were. Both black and white people fought for the abolition of slavery before after and during the civil war era. Alongside abolitionists in the 19th-century reform movement were the advocates for Women's suffrage and Temperance. Members of these activist groups often overlapped but fought for one key concern as well. -
Election of 1824
The election of 1824 between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson was very close and there was no clear winner. Because of this, the House's job was to elect the president and they chose Adams. After winning the election Adams elected Henry Clay, the speaker of the House, to Secretary of State. Jackson and his followers recognized the shadiness of this outcome and accused both parties of a corrupt bargain. -
Transcendentalism
Another result of the Second Great Awakening was the emergence of Transcendentalism. Followers of this way of thinking believed in individualism, idealism, and valued nature. The founder of this philosophical movement was Ralph Waldo Emerson who even rejected organized religion as a whole. -
Tariff of 1828
Jackson imposed a ridiculously high tariff on all imported goods in 1828. It drove the demand for domestically made products through the roof and benefited the Northern states graciously. This tax however did more harm than good as European countries began to buy less and less from southern states in retaliation which ruined the Southern states. This created a cycle of tariffs that no one in the country enjoyed. -
Indian Removal Act
One of the most well-known decisions during his presidency was Jackson's removal of Native American tribes from Western lands to accommodate the growing US population. Many tribes protested this and did not go willingly. This act was the kickstarter of the Trail of Tears traveled by Native Americans who now had to find new homes. -
Nat Turner's Revolt
Southern slaves in Virginia were getting tired of the slave owners taking advantage of their power and began to rebel. These slaves killed over 50 white people and therefore became the deadliest slave revolt in American history. Unfortunately, many slave owners only enforced their rules more after the event to keep their slaves under control. This is one of the earliest signs of revolt among African Americans before the Civil War. -
Bank Wars
President Jackson and many of his followers opposed the creation of the Second National Bank because they thought that it only served to make the rich richer. They also believed in the state's right to make its own decision regarding finances. In an effort to destroy the bank, Jackson moved all of the federal money into smaller pet banks and nearly ruined the American economy. -
Schism of 1840
Although many people fought for many changes in the early 19th century, the country could only realistically focus on one issue at a time. This caused a divide among supporters of abolition because many women who were previously against slavery channeled all of their energy into fighting for their own rights. All groups still believed in the principals of the other organizations but had to put one above all the others. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
When many US citizens moved to the region of Texas the Mexican government made them convert to catholicism and give up their slaves. This resulted in a short-lived war between the two countries. After the Mexican-American war, Texas was to be annexed from Mexico but neither side could agree on the border of the region. This treaty put the argument to rest and declared that the border would be the Rio Grande and solidified the Mexican Cession. -
Bleeding Kansas
After the US had gained so much land from other countries, territories were finally ready to become states. The first of these was the area of Kansas where the decision of whether to be a slave state or not was still up in the air. Lyman Beecher bought and sold land to abolitionist families to fight for the cause. However, on the day of the election, many pro-slavery activists came from Missouri to throw the results. They killed and raided the homes of the citizens and slavery was allowed. -
Dredd Scott Case
As the case for the abolition of slavery grew so did the desire for slaves to have more rights. This was put to the test when a slave owner moved north to a free state and went to the Supreme Court on whether or not his slave would be free. Ultimately the court ruled against the slave and declared that the black man has no rights which the white man is bound to respect. At its core, this meant that no state was truly a free state. -
Fort Sumter
When tensions between the North and South can no longer be fought peacefully the Civil War begins with the attack on Fort Sumter. Before Lincoln's inauguration, 7 states had already seceded and in his address told them that they had no right to secede from the union. The main strategy of the North in fighting was to keep the border states while the South just had to defend their land that they already had. -
Homestead/Pacific Railway Act
After the Civil War, the population of the North was out of control and the West was not profitable. To help both of these issues Lincoln passed the Homestead Act which gave land away to people who were willing to improve upon it. Additionally, the railway act provided jobs for those who were unemployed and improved the west even more. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Following the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle in American history, Lincoln released the emancipation proclamation. This order outlawed slavery in all states that had left the union but allowed it in states that had not. Although many people think of this as the thing that ended slavery it was more of a political stunt than anything. Because the South already didn't abide by the laws set by Lincoln, they did not free their slaves. At most, it was an incentive for the states to come back. -
Wade Davis Bill
After the end of the civil war the government struggled to find a way to force the exconfederates to pay for the damages caused during the war. Lincoln suggested his 10% plan in which 10% of ex confederates would have to pledge loyalty to the union. Southerners did not like this at all but only made it worse for themselves because then the much more radical version was proposed. The Wade Davis bill called for a 50% pledge as opposed to the original 10. -
Sand Creek Massacre
When many Native American tribes were being forced to move south, the majority realized that they were outnumbered and could not defeat the US troops. This was the case in this unfortunate massacre where military men were purposefully misled on information regarding which tribes had moved willingly. They used this as an excuse to kill many innocent natives. -
Andrew Johnson's Presidency
After Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson became president and was more in favor of the original plan but he also restricted political rights in the South. Southern resistance occurred even more now than ever and created black codes to keep the rights of the now freemen away. Because of Johnson's poor decisions and political sway congress took over for the majority of his presidency and made many strides in the civil rights movement. -
14th Amendment
This amendment was the final say on slavery in the US. It granted citizenship to any persons born in the country including previously enslaved individuals. Furthermore, because no one could take away the rights of life, liberty, and property from someone, slavery was officially abolished. This law gave everyone equal protection under the law and evened the playing field as best as it could for its time. -
Ghost Dance Movement
Because the Indian Wars between American settlers and the Native American tribes out west were so devastating, many native people believed that they had angered their gods and this was their punishment. In an attempt to apologize and appeal to their gods once again the Ghost Dance movement was started. Unfortunately, this ended up doing the opposite as white settlers viewed the dance as violent and a sort of war cry. -
Election of 1876
In 1876 the country faced yet another close election and no clear winner. This time between Hayes and Tilden the election appeared even more corrupt. There was major evidence of voter fraud in the final crucial states and when recounted, the states had flipped. This meant that the election was up to congress and a deal was formed. Hayes would win and the Republicans could keep the white house but the military would move out of Southern democratic states. -
Dawes Act
This act was very similar to the homestead act as it provided a way for Native Americans to gain westward land as well. The main difference was that if the natives accepted they would be forced to give up their culture and families. Furthermore, the land that was being given away was land that Native American tribes were already living on in reservations. -
Massacre of Wounded Knee
Throughout the Indian wars, many notable chiefs and heads of tribes were killed. Sitting Bull is a good example of the loss of culture experienced when one of these leaders was killed. The fighting started between two men when all of a sudden shots were fired and then the massacre began. This battle is known as the climax of the US efforts to suppress Native Americans.