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Period: 1491 to
Colonization Period
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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus lands in the Bahamas
In October of 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the northern Bahamas. Sent by the Spanish crown to search for a new trade route to Asia, he instead found modern-day Cuba and Hispaniola. His discovery kick-started the colonization of the North and South American continents. It also led to the destruction of the native peoples currently inhabiting the land, as well as the Colombian Exchange, a "trade system" in which material goods were exchanged for illness from Europe to the Americas. -
Jamestown party lands
In May of 1607, the first English settlers landed in Jamestown, Virginia. Members of the Virginia Company's landing party chose Jamestown as their settlement due to its position. It allowed excellent defense from Spanish attacks, as well as having a shallow shoreline for docking ships. -
First slaves arrive in English Colonies
In 1619, the first African Slaves landed in modern-day Hampton, Virginia. It marked the beginning of the slave trade in the Royal Colonies of America. It would last until 1808, when Congress outlawed it. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was an armed uprising of Virginian settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon. This was in protest of the decision not to drive Native Americans off of Colonial lands. It eventually led to the relative abandonment of the indentured servitude system and towards the system of chattel slavery. -
Salutary Neglect Formally Ends
Salutary Neglect was the system of loose-governing the American colonies that Great Britain used. It was the status quo until the Proclamation of 1763. This eventually led to the Revolution itself. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was a Royal decree that prohibited westward expansion by colonial citizens. It followed the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years' War. It was also the end of Salutary Neglect, which led to the Revolutoin. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a mass shooting of colonial protesters in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It was the result of harassment by the crowd, and led to the deaths of five innocent civilians. It marked the moment that conflict between the colonial peoples and British government became deadly. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest of the British government's tax on tea. A group of several citizens boarded a trading vessel and unloaded its shipment of tea, valued at thousands of Pounds, into the Boston harbor. It was another major contributor to the start of the American Revolutionary War. -
Period: to
Revolutionary War Period
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Thomas Paine's Common Sense Published
Thomas Paine, a political philosopher of the 1700s, published his work "Common Sense" to boost troop morale in the Revolutionary War. It focused on the natural rights of people, and was massively popular in the colonies. Its main message was that colonists should fight for Independence from Britain. -
Battles at Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first of the Revolutionary War. Fought in Massachusetts, they resulted in a decisive American victory. It was host to "the shot heard round the world". -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was an appeal sent to the King of England in July 1775. It was the last attempt at peace from the side of the Americans. King George III promptly rejected it, claiming it to be from an illegal Congress and proceeded to declare the colonies in open Rebellion to the crown. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was the peak of the Saratoga campaign of the Revolutionary War. It resulted in a massive morale boost due to the decisive American victory earned. British General John Burgoyne surrendered to American forces, cutting the British military might significantly. -
Articles of Confederation Passed
The Second Continental Congress convened until 1781, when they drafted the Articles of Confederation. These were the framework of the American Government, until they failed spectacularly. They were replaced by the Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1788. -
Treaty of Paris Signed
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War. Signed by American and British representatives in Paris, France, the document recognized American independence. It also ceded large amounts of formerly-British western land to the United States. -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an insurrection in Massachusetts in 1786. Created in response to an economic crisis in the Massachusetts legislature, it exposed the several weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The rebellion was the major reason that the Constitution came into existence, as American legislative members examined the flawed Articles and sought repair or replacement. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, similar to the Boston Tea Party, was a protestive rebellion against the federal taxation of whiskey. It lasted from 1791 to 1794. It was the first major trial of the Constitution, and as opposed to Shays' Rebellion exposing the flaws of the Articles of Confederation, reinforced the power of the Constitution and by extent the power of the federal government. -
First National Bank Established
Signed into law by George Washington in 1791, the first national bank opened in Philadelphia. It was the focal point of Alexander Hamilton's economic plan for the United States. It ran on a twenty-year charter, which was exploited by future presidents. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo, Pinckney's Treaty defined the border between the United States and Spain along Florida's northern border. More importantly, however, it guaranteed American access to the Mississippi River for trade. It also opened New Orleans to trade. -
Alien and Sedition Acts Passed
The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were efforts by the second President, John Adams, to preserve his power in the Presidency. Restricting immigration and freedom of speech in the country, they were meant to prevent the election of anti-Federalists to office. They were both struck down due to being unconstitutional according to the freedom of speech clause in the United States Constitution. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Passed in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions aimed to nullify both of the former federal laws. The Resolutions stated that the states are governed by the Constitution itself, and had the power to nullify laws that were unconstitutional. It was quickly struck down by the Federal government, which stated that it was superior to state governments. -
Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison was a supreme court case that established the precedent of Judicial Review. This essentially means that the Supreme Court has the authority to examine the actions of the two other branches of government. From there, it determines whether or not these actions are constitutional. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
After the Louisiana Purchase, an expedition was ordered to search the new lands. The expedition was carried out by Lewis and Clark, two explorers who were instructed to search for a possible northwest waterway passage. In addition to this, they were also tasked with creating an intercontinental trade network. -
Embargo of 1807
In an effort to resist British impressment of American sailors, Thomas Jefferson implemented the Embargo of 1807. It destroyed the American economy. However, it set the country up to have a massive industrial boom- a consequence Jefferson did not anticipate. -
Period: to
War of 1812
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Battle of Thames
In October 1813, American forces defeated British and Native American forces in the Battle of Thames. Under the command of American General William H. Harrison, it resulted in the death of Native American leader Tecumseh. It was a decisive American victory, and one of the largest of the War of 1812. -
Lowell System Established
A Hallmark of the industrial revolution in America, the Lowell Mill System was a labor system introduced in 1814 by the Lowell Mill Company. It involved the entire manufacturing process being located in one area. Workers were mainly farm girls from the local area. -
Siege and Burning of Washington, D.C
The most culturally significant event of the War of 1812, the Burning of Washington was the culmination of British retaliatory planning for Canadian attacks. An amphibious landing on the banks of the Delaware, it resulted in the burning of the Capitol, White House, and several other buildings in D.C. The day after, a tornado destroyed much of the residential area of the city. -
Battle of New Orleans
An attempt to prevent a British pincer maneuver via the Mississippi led by General Andrew Jackson of the American military led to the end of the War of 1812 and one of the most important battles of the 19th century. Fought between British Regulars and a mismatch of Louisiana citizens, it was a decisive American victory due to excellent strategy on the part of Jackson. -
Election of 1824
The first electoral crisis of the country, the Election of 1824 led to the emboldening of the Democratic Party. John Quincy Adams won the election by a vote in the House of Representatives, despite Andrew Jackson's victory in the Electoral College. This was due to the clause in the Constitution requiring a majority of electoral votes to be elected President. -
Tariff of Abominations
Known formally as the Tariff of 1828, the Tariff of Abominations was a substantially high protective tariff. Established in 1828 by John Quincy Adams, it was not designed to pass Congress. However, it did, and it destroyed the economy. It was responsible for beginning the Nullification Crisis. -
Transcendentalism Established
Established in 1830, Transcendentalism was an ideal of philosophers in New England. It revolved around the idea that senses triumphed over intellect. It was designed as a response to the Intellectual movement of the same era. -
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo lasted for 90 minutes, and was the final stand of American forces in the area. All defenders of the fort died, and among the dead was Tennessee congressman Davy Crockett. His death sparked the American response to Mexico, and in effect the Mexican-American war, with chants of "Remember the Alamo!". -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Signed in February 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American war and ceded massive amounts of Mexican land to the United States. This included current states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. It also included the Mexican recognition of the annexation of Texas into the United States. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights conference held in the United States. Held in Seneca Falls, New York, it reinforced the idea of women's equality in rights. However, it is most well known for kick-starting the Women's Suffrage movement in the country. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 did two major things. It allowed California to enter the United States as a free state, with slavery banned. It also outlawed the slave trade in Washington, D.C. In addition to this, it also made Utah and New Mexico formally American territories. -
John Brown's Siege of Kansas
In 1855, John Brown, a rancher, led a group of men into Pottawatamie Creek, Kansas. From there, they killed five slave hunters with longswords. After the killings, Brown moved into hiding until he began his infamous last stand at Harpers Ferry. -
Dred Scott Decision
The United States Supreme Court in 1856 decided in the Dredd Scott v. Sandford decision that there were, essentially, no free states. It upheld slavery in territories, and denied African Americans citizenship. It also nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820. -
Period: to
Civil War Period
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Raid on Harpers' Ferry
After leaving Kansas for hiding, John Brown and his followers made their way to the government armory at Harpers Ferry, in modern day West Virginia. When he was outnumbered and trapped in the armory building, he surrendered. Him and his followers were executed shortly afterwards. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The attack on Fort Sumter was the opening shots of the Civil War. Located in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, the fort was a Union stronghold. The shelling began at 4:30 AM on April 12, and ceased with the surrender of the fort 34 hours later. -
Pacific Railway Act
While the Civil War fought on, the rest of the Union's world continued to turn. Signed by President Abraham Lincoln into law, the Pacific Railway Act contracted two companies to begin construction on a transcontinental railway from Nebraska to Sacramento, California. It was completed six years later, in 1868. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The most important address from Lincoln over the course of the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation was responsible for two things. It firstly changed the goal of the War to emancipation of slaves. It also made that the moral focal point of the War, discouraging any European countries from supporting the confederacy in any way. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The final battle of the Vicksburg campaign of the Civil War. The Union Army's decisive victory led to the confederacy being fractured in two, splitting the seceded states into two groups: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and everyone else. It was one of the largest battles of the War. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Lasting for one month and six days, Union General Sherman's military campaign in Georgia was incredibly effective. It led to the destruction of the majority of the state's infrastructure. On Sherman's way, he famously burnt the city of Atlanta, Georgia. -
Sharecropping Begins in the South
As the Civil War ended, the Southern states found themselves without a workforce of any means similar to their previous slaves. Thus the system of Sharecropping began. It allowed planters who found themselves without a source of major income to continue thriving, and it also allowed newly-made freedmen a source of income. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
While watching a play in Washington, D.C, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a confederate sympathizer. Lincoln died nine hours later. Booth was found eleven days later and killed. -
Founding of the KKK
Aiming to interrupt southern Republican Reconstruction efforts, Nathan Bedford Forrest founded the Ku Klux Klan, or KKK, on Christmas Eve on 1865. It focused primarily on the idea of white supremacy and hate. It was especially violent in the south, but still active in areas of the north, especially in the early 20th century. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
1866's Civil Rights Act was focused on defining citizenship and affirming that all citizens have equal protection by laws. It also determined all people born in the United States to be citizens, and established a path to citizenship. It preceded the Fourteenth Amendment which made denying someone their citizenship a federal offense. -
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson, appointed President after Lincoln's death, was impeached in February of 1868. This was due to his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. After his firing of Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Johnson. He was acquitted in the Senate. -
Election of 1876
In a narrow election, Ohio's governor Rutherford B. Hayes defeated Samuel Tilden of New York. Hayes was only elected via the Compromise of 1877. This was to solve the electoral crisis in South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana. -
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 found a winner to the Election of 1876. It ended the dispute over the election by an Election commission board. It was also responsible for the end of southern post-war Reconstruction efforts. -
Dawes Severalty Act
Signed into law in 1887 by President Grover Cleveland, the Dawes Severalty Act was the Native American equivalent to the Homestead Act. It granted 160 acres of land to any Native American who wanted it. However, it was meant to break up tribes by forcing them into individuals. In addition to this, the 160 acres were taken directly from existing Native American reservations.