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1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange was a method of trade that brought items to and from the New World to Europe. With the Europeans came plants, animals, and diseases. It led to increased food production and trade around the entire world. Unfortunately, there was also the negative impact of slave trade. Where it was beneficial for Europeans, it was detrimental to Native Americans and Africans. -
Jamestown Settled
In 1607, a group of around 100 men arrived in Virginia to form a settlement they named Jamestown. It was a struggle, but it became the first permanent settlement in North America. It grew to become the biggest, most important colony in British America. At its earliest, it was decimated by death and hunger. As it prospered, it became a major population hub where new settlers could come to the New World. -
First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening originated in Europe, but came to America in the 1730s. During this period, religious ideas were pushed and preached and new concepts spread through the world. Spiritual equality preached during this time inspired talk of general equality in America. Colonists, encouraged by this, found more necessity for Democracy. It was one of the largest influences of the Revolutionary War. -
Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 created a legal line through the Appalachian Mountains. It was created and loosely enforced by the British government, barring settlers from moving further west. Though the lands in the west were obtained in the French-Indian War, the government disallowed settlers from using it. The British argued it was to protect Native lands, but it was also meant to control the land. American settlers were dissatisfied and this increased colonial tension with Britain. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was an act that forced colonists to let British soldiers stay in their homes. They were forced to give them room and board, which greatly displeased the colonists. Britain stated that it was meant to help care for soldiers, but part of the Act's use was also to monitor colonial activity. Tensions had already run high and Britain wanted to get a handle on it. This only angered the settlers more, and it was a major contributing factor to the Revolution. -
Boston Massacre
British sentries guarding a Courthouse took fire at an angry civilian crowd outside. Five were killed, six were injured, and all the colonies were angered. Tensions between the colonies and Britain were already high, but this solidified things. This event helped bring together the colonies in their dislike for Britain, and it was another key event responsible for the eventual start of the Revolutionary War. It also spurred on intense political cartoons and anti-British propaganda. -
Boston Tea Party
Shortly before the Boston Tea Party, the British imposed "taxation without representation." Angered by this, several angry American colonists dressed as Native Americans and boarded a British tea boat. All in all, they dumped hundreds of boxes of tea in the harbor in protest. The British were furious with this and immediately cracked down on the American colonies. Frustrated both by continuous taxation as well as further punishment, tensions increased between both parties. -
Lexington & Concord
Massachusetts openly denied British authority, sparking a battle that ran across two major towns. It was the first official battle of the Revolutionary War and inspired many Americans to help fight for the cause of independence. It was also the origin of the "shot heard round the world," which marked a turning point that the rest of the globe was eager to watch. -
Yorktown
Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War and marked the colonies' greatest victory. French and American troops joined forces to encircle the town of Yorktown, a hub for British troops and operations. Surrender was forced thanks to the French navy, and negotiations for peace began shortly afterward. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was a peace treaty between America and Britain signed in France two years after the war's unofficial end. It solidified the end result and granted formerly British lands to the new American nation. It granted America complete freedom from British rule and agreed on peace between the two countries. -
Shays Rebellion
After the end of the Revolutionary War, America was in severe debt. Headed by Daniel Shays, a poor Revolutionary War veteran, a revolt made its way through the colonies in protest of poverty and taxation under the federal government. Shays rebellion not only tested the power of the new federal government, but highlighted the monetary struggles of veterans and other citizens after the war. -
Constitution Passed
The passing of the Constitution marked the official beginning of a somewhat functional federal government in America. Many were unsure because of the lack of a Bill of Rights, but it was eventually worked out and signed in. All over the world, foreign governments were doubtful of the Constitution's success, but with adjustments over time it still serves America well in the present. -
George Washington Elected
George Washington, the first President and the only to be elected unanimously, swore his oath into office in 1789. He set several crucial precedents for the Presidency, such as the term limit, the inaugural address, and the cabinet system. He worked out the flaws of the new government and also set an example for how to properly exercise presidential power. -
Cotton Gin Created
When the cotton gin was created, it brought forth a new way to separate seeds from cotton. This reduced the amount of time it took to process and sped up production tenfold. While it was good for the textile industry, the slave market also grew and more slaves were brought in to make the process even faster. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in western Pennsylvania saw new taxation under George Washington as unfair. Together, they rose up in rebellion of the new tax on whiskey and marched across the colonies. It was an important first test of George Washington, presidential power, and federal power. The rebellion was easily thwarted under Washington and the new Constitution, proving more effective than our first attempt at government. -
Pickney's Treaty
Pickney's Treaty, a treaty with Spain, was established to resolve disputes over territory and grant the freedom for Americans to freely travel the Spanish-owned Mississippi river. It also let Americans use the Spanish port of New Orleans for trade and travel. This helped the American prosper and develop as long as the treaty stood in place. -
Alien & Sedition Acts
The Alien Sedition Acts were passed by federalists primarily to keep federalists in power. They raised the citizenship requirements from 5 to 14 years, let the president deport people, and allowed their arrest and deportation. This prevented many immigrants from voting, and from voting against federalism. -
Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions
The Kentucky Virginia Resolutions were a direct objection to the Alien Sedition Acts. They were statements drafted by the state legislatures that claimed the acts as unconstitutional. It set forth an important argument the Constitution was a binding agreement between states, so the federal government couldn't use powers unrelated to it. It also claimed states should have the right to nullify any laws they see as unconstitutional. -
Marbury v. Madison
In Marbury v. Madison, an act of Congress was deemed unconstitutional for the first time. This established the system of judicial review and showcased the capabilities of the Supreme Court for the first time. It also established the Supreme Court as the most important, final interpreters of the Constitution. -
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Due to the possession of new land, the government sent Lewis and Clark on a westward expedition to explore them. It was primarily meant to survey the rivers Missouri and Columbia, as well as locate a route that could connect the East to the Pacific. The Lewis and Clark expedition ended up mapping out the new lands and made it easier to settle. -
Embargo of 1807
During the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, France and Britain interfered with U.S. merchant ships. In response to this, Thomas Jefferson passed the Embargo of 1807, which closed all American ports and prevented exportation. It ended up deeply injuring the American economy and caused a sharp uptick in smuggling. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the last battle of the War of 1812, and a great victory for America. The goal of the British was to cut off American trade and control the ocean, but this was thwarted with American victory. They failed to take the port of New Orleans and were faced with their defeat, which was great for American morale and showcased the true strength of the American army. -
Missouri Compromise
As new land was settled and Missouri applied to become a state, there was a question as to whether it would be a slave or free state. To create fairness, the Missouri Compromise was passed. The Missouri compromise allowed Missouri to join the Union as a slave state as long as it joined with another free state. -
Corrupt Bargain
Though Andrew Jackson won the popular vote and most of the electoral vote, he did not win the election because neither candidate held a majority. This meant the decision went to the House. To the surprise of many, the House elected John Quincy Adams instead of the popular Andrew Jackson. It's said that there was a deal struck between Adams and Henry Clay. Clay then convinced the House to elect Adams, thus earning this election the title of the "Corrupt Bargain" by the American people. -
Tariff of Abominations
Originally called the Tariff of 1828, the Tariff of Abominations raised taxes on foreign imports. This tariff was put in place to promote American goods and support the industrial North. It was detrimental to the South, negatively impacting the southern economy and sparking an outrage. -
Jackson Inaugurated
In 1828, Andrew Jackson was finally elected President and inaugurated. Jackson challenged traditional politics, and embodied the image of the common man that many Americans resonated with. Though he greatly helped national debt, he also contributed to detrimental Native American removal and destroyed the national bank. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act, signed into law by Andrew Jackson, let the president give Native Americans western land in exchange for their land in the states. It was an involuntary act that forced Natives off their land. Many resisted, but all were forced, and it only increased tensions that were already high. -
Cherokee Nation v. GA
Directly following the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee Nation took the state of Georgia all the way to federal court. The Cherokee Nation argued that it was its own nation and therefore the United States couldn't control its laws. The United States said that they weren't their own nation because the United States was their protection, so they could impose laws on them. -
Worcester v. GA
In Worcester v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that Native American nations were independent communities with their own politics, so they possessed their own natural rights. Therefore, the United States had no right to impose on their land. Andrew Jackson completely disregarded this ruling, spurring to force Native Americans off their land in the following Trail of Tears. -
Nullification Ordinance
The Nullification Ordinance passed by South Carolina nullified the Tariff of Abominations, including the tariffs from 1828 and 1832. It was nullified by a state before the federal government, causing high tensions. It was one of the first instances of state vs. federal tension nearly leading to a civil war. -
Force Bill
The Force Bill was passed by Andrew Jackson shortly after the Nullification Crisis caused by the Nullification Ordinance began. This bill allowed Jackson to exercise military force against rebellious states. He was allowed to utilize this power against any states that refused federal taxes and tariffs. Luckily, to avoid conflict, this gave way to a compromise. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was a concept from the 19th century headed by an image originally published in a newspaper in 1845. It represented the idea that there was a divine mission urging people to move westward to the new lands. Manifest Destiny was a concept largely responsible for the settlement of western lands, and implied a God-driven mission to do so. -
North Star
The North Star was a newspaper founded and published by former slave turned free man, Fredrick Douglass. It was one of the first antislavery newspapers, developing a strong platform for abolitionist views. It also was an important point in proving the South wrong in their arguments. The South argued that slavery was good because african americans couldn't read or write, but Fredrick Douglass disproved this point. -
Clay's Compromise
Tensions were running high between the free states and the slave states, and the addition of California was proving to be a troublesome issue. Clay's Compromise, crafted by Henry Clay, proposed California be brought into the Union as a free state, let New Mexico choose, and let slavery stay in the District of Columbia but abolish trade. Though not perfect, it kept the Union together for several more years. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was an enslaved man in a free state, which was unfair, so he sued for his freedom. The Dred Scott Case lead to the ruling that slaves weren't citizens of the United States, so they couldn't protect them. This meant that no matter where a slave escaped to, they were never technically free or safe in the United States. -
Lincoln Elected
When Lincoln was elected, there was outrage all over the South. His ideals had been twisted and misenterpreted by the slave states as wanting to rid the country of slavery, driving the South into fear. Shortly after he was elected, the South began to secede. -
South Secedes
After Lincoln's election was announced, the majority of slave states left the Union. This was for the purpose of protecting their right to slavery and to keep the institution of it. This officially split the country into two opposing sides who would soon go to war. -
Anaconda Plan
To thwart the plans of the Confederacy and cut down their force, a Union plan of multiple pieces called the Anaconda Plan was established. First, they wanted to surround the Confederacy by sea and land. Secondly, they wanted take control of the Mississippi and split the Confederacy. Lastly, they wanted to surround their capitol and take it. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The attack on Fort Sumter was the Civil War's first official battle. The battle occured at the entrance of Charleston, South Carolina, and was a shocking Confederate victory. This battle gave way to a long, difficult war, and showcased how the Confederacy could hold their own contrary to expectations. -
Bull Run
The battle at bull run was the Civil War's first full-scale battle. It was a long, hard battle and forced both sides to reconcile with the fact that the war would take a long time and many deaths. The Confederate army was victorious, but the battle did just as much damage to them. -
Antietam
Antietam was the longest single-day battle in American history. The battle was more of a draw than a victory, but the Union claimed the victorious side. Despite the technical draw, it gave Lincoln the confidence to declare the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
During the third year of the Civil War, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation said all slaves held in the rebelling states will henceforth be free. This meant freedom for slaves in the South, but there were still a few remaining slave states that weren't rebellious where slavery would still briefly remain. -
Vicksburg
The battle at Vicksburg was a great win for the Union Army. The charge was lead by General Ulysses S. Grant, who, thanks to Vicksburg, went on to become the Union's most beneficial leading general. The attack on one of the Confederacy's largest hubs took weakened them greatly and isolated several Southern states. -
Gettysburg
In a new strategy, the Confederate army attempted to go upwards into the North and take the fight to the Union. They were very nearly successful in this and gained concerning ground, but the Union army managed to push them back. It was the bloodiest, deadliest battle of the war and is considered its turning point. -
Lawrence Massacre
The Lawrence Massacre occurred during a period called 'Bleeding Kansas.' As Kansas's status as a free or slave state was debated, tensions ran deep throughout the state between pro-slavery and abolitionist groups. The Lawrence Massacre happened when a group of Confederates who entered the city of Lawrence, Kansas and slaughtered many abolitionists in anger and protest. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was delivered by Abraham Lincoln shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg. The address declared the United States should stand as one, where all are created equal. It defined the Civil War's meaning, and also finally expressed the end goal of abolishing slavery. -
Ulysses S. Grant Elected General
Ulysses S. Grant was elected the general of the Union Army shortly after Vicksburg in the beginning of 1864. Grant's selection helped turn the tide of the war, giving the Union its first consistent military intelligence. Once Grant was commanding, the Union was able to go toe-to-toe with Robert E. Lee and the Confederate army with much more ease. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was a Civil War campaign which lasted about a month. General Sherman led Union troops through Georgia, destroying the country and pilaging everything in their wake. They decimated the state and brutally crippled the Confederacy, helping to turn the tide. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was passed to solidify the illegalization of slavery in America and prevent it from being undone. The 13th Amendment stated that the institution of slavery was illegal in every state of America. It also stated forced servitude was illegal as well, preventing anyone, regardless of race, from serving unwillingly. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The construction of the transcontinental railroad began durng the Civil War, and it was finished shortly after the end. It was completed in the middle of the west, and it made the American economy explode. It allowed people and goods to easily travel back and forth between the East and West coast in under a month.