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Period: 1491 to
Period 1&2
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1492
Colombus arrives in America
Sponsored by Spain to find a route to Asia, Columbus sailed in 1942 and would accidentally discover America. This would lead to the Colombian Exchange and would change American History. -
Jamestown
The first successful British colony in north america. Struggled against famine, however persevered through the cultivation of tobacco. -
House of Burgesses
The first self government in North America. Established by the Virginia company. -
Rhode Island
Established as a religiously free colony. Placed a ban on slavery. -
Navigation Acts
Laws made to reinforce the taxes, and economic hold on the North American colonies. Strengthened after the French and Indian War. -
Bacon's Rebellion
A rebellion by the colonists at Jamestown against gov. Berkeley. Rebelled against the refusal to eradicate Natives and ended with the hanging of 20 rebels and the burning of Jamestown. -
Salem Witch Trials
The outbreak and mass hysteria of the belief that women in the town of Salem possessed witchcraft. Resulted in 20 overall deaths. -
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Period 3
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French and Indian War
A War between the French and British colonies in North America. Also known as the 7 years war. -
Stamp Act
Act which taxed the American colonies on all paper products. Caused major backlash from colonists. -
Thomas Paine "common sense"
Written to illustrate why the 13 colonies should demand independence from Great Britain. -
Articles of Confederation
Written and agreed to by the 13 colonies as Americas first constitution. -
Shays' Rebellion
An uprising of colonists against unjust economic and civil violations. Led by war veteran Daniel Shays. -
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments of the US constitution. Made in order to convince anti federalist to agree to the new constitution. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Acts made to limit federalists, these acts limited immigration and banned controversial writing against the government. Created before the anticipated war with France. -
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Period 4
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Louisiana Purchase
The purchase of land from France which would in-turn double the size of the U.S. This purchase was controversial because president Thomas Jefferson was a strict constitutionalist and the purchase went against his beliefs. -
Steamboat
Invented by Robert Fulton, the steamboat began the rise of faster and cheaper transportation. -
War of 1812
War fought between America and the British. This war was caused by impressment of American sailors, support to natives, and economic ordeals. Victory for the U.S -
Missouri Compromise
Created in order to keep balance between free and slave states. This compromise entered Missouri as a slave state and Maine as free. -
Erie Canal completed
connected to the Atlantic ocean through the Hudson river. Served as a major route of transportation. -
The Trail of Tears
The route Native Americans were forced to travel following Andrew Jackson's Indian removal act. More than 4,000 Native Americans perished from famine, disease, or the weather conditions. -
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Period 5
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Seneca Falls Convention
First women's rights convention. Organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, here they discussed women's social, political, and economic rights. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Act which allowed popular sovereignty to states Kansas and Nebraska. This act repealed the compromise of 1820. -
Bleeding Kansas
Riots between the free and slave supporters all flocking to Kansas in order to win the popular vote. Ended in the free states victory. -
Dred Scott decision
The court case deciding that former slaves even though traveling to the free states, were still slaves. -
secession of South Carolina
Following President Lincolns election, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union. This would result in the secession of other states and the beginning of the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincolns proclamation addressing the war. Changed the focus of the war onto the abolition of slavery. -
Battle of Gettysburg
With the successful defeat of the South's invasion, the Battle of Gettysburg marked the turning point of the war. The bloodiest battle of the Civil War. -
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Period 6
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Transcontinental Railroad
The first continental railroad built by the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroad Companies. Allowed for faster travel and connected the east and west. -
Standard Oil Company
The largest oil exporting company in the world, created by John D. Rockefeller. First monopoly in the world. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
Also known as "Custer's last stand", this was a battle between general Custer's army and the Sioux Indians. Indian victory led by sitting bull. -
Compromise of 1877
A Compromise which decided that in exchange for the election of Hayes, the federal government would pull out the troops in the south troops in the south. Ended reconstruction. -
Brooklyn Bridge
Created with the help of Andrew Carnegie's steel, this was the longest bridge created at the time. Required an Elephant to travel across for the public to be convinced it was sturdy. -
American Federation of Labor
A labor union which fought for the rights of workers. Founded by Samuel Gompers. -
Homestead Strike
A riot which erupted outside of Carnegie's Steel corporation. Resulted when "scab" workers were brought in to work. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Court case which created the term "separate but equal". Enforced segregation in the south and increased discrimination. -
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Period 7
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The Jungle
A novel written by Upton Sinclair addressing the food industry. Led to an increase in food inspection. -
NAACP founded
An organization which fought for the rights of colored people. Co founded by W.E.B Du Bois. -
Zimmermann Telegram
A telegram proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S.. One of the causes for the U.S's enter into WW1 -
19th Amendment
Granted suffrage to women in the U.S. -
Stock Market crash
One of the main factors which lead to the Great Depression. The stock market crash began on Oct 29th, 1929 and would cause over half of america's banks to fail and the unemployment rate to skyrocket. -
Pearl Harbor
The Attack on pearl harbor was the immediate cause for America's entrance into WWII. Surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Attacks by U.S. on Japan following Germany's surrender. The U.S's use of nuclear bombs demonstrated the magnitude of nuclear weapons. -
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Periods 8&9
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Marshall Plan
U.S program created to aid in reconstruction after WWII. Funded over $13 billion in aid. -
Brown v. Board of Education
U.S. court case which repealed the Plessy v. Ferguson case. Allowed for the desegregation of schools. -
Warsaw Pact
Treaty signed by the Soviet Union and its satellite states during the cold war. Created in opposition to NATO -
Cuban revolution
Revolt led by Fidel Castro against the authoritarian gov. Gained U.S support at first. -
Civil Rights Act
Law banning discrimination against race, sex, religion, etc. Major step forward for equal rights. -
The Great Society
Programs created by President Lyndon B. Johnson in order to fight racial injustice and poverty. Set a focus on education. -
U.S. Moon Landing
The U.S successfully lands on the moon, marking the end of the space race. -
Watergate scandal
Scandal in which president Nixon is accused of spying on the opposing democratic party in the Watergate hotel. This eventually leads to Nixon's resign. -
Camp David Accords
Peace treaty signed by Egypt and Israel. Organized by President Jimmy Carter. -
Iranian hostage crisis
Crisis in which 52 Americans were held hostage by Iranian students. This would affect Jimmy Carters perceived presidency. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
As the Cold War was coming to an end, President Gorbachev allowed for the destruction of the Berlin Wall. President Reagan's speech famously known for stating "Tear down this wall!". -
Persian Gulf War
Triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, President George H. W. Bush ordered a massive attack known as Operation Desert Storm. -
9/11
Series of attacks on the U.S by terrorist group Al-Qaeda. Regarded as one of the most devastating days in history, began the war on Terror. -
Hurricane Katrina
One of the most deadly hurricanes in history. Sparked a sense of unity and aid in the U.S's attempt in reconstruction. -
2008 Election
Election of the First African American as President. Drastic turnout of youth and minority groups.
