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1491
Natives cross the Bering Strait
The Bering Strait was an ancient land bridge where nomads (who would later become Native Americans) crossed from Asia to America between 20,000-40,000 years ago. -
Period: 1491 to
Unit 1: Early Contact
This is the earliest time period of the Americas and the land that would become the United States -
1492
The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange is the trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Raw goods, ideas, diseases, and people were traded and resulted in significant impacts to all areas of trade. -
1492
Conquistadors arrive in the Americas
The Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas and conquered Mexico, Central America, and Peru -
Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus sets sail for the Americas
Christopher Columbus is one of the most famous explorers in history. Initially, Columbus attempted to discover a direct route from Europe to Asia, however he landed in the Caribbeans. His journey marks the start of colonization. -
1512
Natives undergo the Encomienda System
The Encomienda System was created by Spanish conquistadors to grant land to colonists while exploiting Native Americans. After the severe loss of the Native American population due to the Encomienda System, African slave labor replaces the Native slave labor. -
1514
Bartolome de Las Casas Exploits the Spanish
Bartolome was a Spanish priest who wrote about the atrocities and maltreatment of the Native Americans by the Spaniards. These writings are later used by British colonizers to create the "Black Legend" -
1520
Small Pox destroys Native American populations
Small Pox is a disease that spread to the Native Americans by European colonizers which led to the deaths of millions in North and South America. -
Settlements of America
The Dutch, French, and English begin settlements that further shape and decimate Native Americans -
The Creation of Jamestown
Jamestown is the first permanent English settlement in North America founded in 1607 in Virginia. Jamestown prospered due to tobacco production. -
Period: to
Unit 2: The Atlantic World
This is the period of colonization that creates the foundations of what will be the United States of America -
House of Burgesses
This is the first example of a representative democracy in North America. -
Indentured Servants
Around this time many poor Europeans traveled to the Americas as indentured servants. An indentured servant is a person who works under contract for another person for a definite period of time. -
Mercantilism is instated
Mercantilism was the system of trade where British colonies in North America provided raw goods to Britain. The raw goods would then be used to produce manufactured goods that were sold in Europeans markets and sold to the colonies. -
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was the system of trade that led to the mass influx of African slaves into the Americas and American colonies. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was an armed rebellion by Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon. The rebellion was against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. This is one of the first examples of uprising against unjust rule. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war between British and French colonies supported by their parent countries. Native American tribes were used on both sides to aid in the war also known as the "Seven Years' War" -
Period: to
Unit 3: The New Nation
This is the time period where the United States of America is born. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 is the treaty that effectively ended the French and Indian War. France lost their territories and Great Britain continued their expansion of territories -
The American Revolution
The American Revolution was the revolt of the thirteen colonies against the rule of Great Britain that led to the independence of the colonies. These colonies then became the United States of America. -
Independence is Declared
The Second Continental Congress meeting was held in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia where the thirteen American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. This stated that the thirteen colonies were no longer under British rule. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was an uprising in Massachusetts where Daniel Shays led rebels against what they saw as economic and civil rights injustices. This rebellion proved to the new nation that the Articles of Confederation (which happened to be the nation's governing document at the time) was too weak to continue at its' current state. -
Compromise is Made
Representation of state had been a topic of debate in the nation's early state. The New Jersey plan and the Virginia plan were in contrasting views until The Great Compromise was established which combined the plans utilizing key points in both sides. -
The USA has it's first President
Seen as one the nation's founding fathers, George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States. He served from 1789 to 1797 and set the principles for how the presidency should be for future presidents to come. -
Period: to
Unit 4: The Market Revolution
This is the time period where the USA grows and becomes a marketing country -
The Cotton Gin
Slavery was on the decline in the States until the invention and paten of the cotton gin was made. The cotton gin allowed for the production of cotton to more than double its' current rate. This gave to the need for more workers and ultimately made slavery rise again in the southern states. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a transaction that was made between France and the US. This gave the US new territorial land that doubled the nation in size and led to further expansion of the country. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was the second war between the US and the British forces. This war is also known as the second war for independence for the US was suffering from the impressments of sailors into the British and French militaries. -
Election of 1816
The presidential election of 1816 was the end of Monroe's presidency. During the era of Good Feelings the Monroe Doctrine was signed which ended colonization of the western territories of North America -
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was the revival of religion in the United States. This consisted of preachers that had as Ms. Thompson describes "Fire and Brimstone" speeches. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was made as means to keep the balance between Slave states and free states. This stopped slavery passed the 36' 30' line and showed that slavery could be banned in the North. -
The Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was the Act that authorized the forceful relocation of Native Tribes to lands within existing state borders. -
Period: to
Unit 5: The Civil War
This is the time period where the USA divides and goes to war. -
The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the USA and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. This was a direct result from the annexation of Texas into the USA. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was another compromise to maintain the balance and peace between northern and southern states. California became a free state while Utah and New Mexico were eligible to vote on slavery. In Washington, D.C., the slave trade had been abolished while the Fugitive Slave law began to be heavily enforced. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
After the banning of slavery in the Missouri Compromise was deemed unconstitutional by the judicial branch, the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the states of Kansas and Nebraska to vote and decide whether or not to allow slavery. -
Lincoln's Presidency
President Lincoln won his presidency in the election of 1860. Immediately following his election, southern states began to secede from the USA and shortly following, the civil war began. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is said to be the most important battle of the American Civil War while also being regarded as the bloodiest battle fought on USA soil. -
Period: to
Unit 6: The Gilded Age
This is the time period where post-civil war USA continues to grow into an industrialized nation -
Freedmen's Bureau
After the Civil War, slavery is ultimately banned and the Freedmen's Bureau is established by congress to assist former black slaves in the south. -
The Civil War Ends
The Confederacy suffers an ultimate defeat under the hands of the Union. General Robert E. Lee of the confederate forces surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant of the union forces. -
Founding of the National Labor Union
The National Labor Union was created to demand labor law reforms from congress. -
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad connected the eastern USA to the western USA via train tracks. This sparks trade and industry within the nation. -
Rockefeller Rises
Rockefeller establishes the first true monopoly in the USA with Standard Oil Company. This is a prime example of big business in the Gilded Age of the USA. -
The Temperance Movement
The temperance movement was major movements that progressed for reform. For example, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union campaigned for labor laws, prison reform and suffrage, and the Anti-Saloon League. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
This was a major battle between the American military and Native American resistance. Fought between the Sioux and General Custer's men, this conflict will lead to further battles between Native tribes and American forces. -
Thomas Edison's Greatest Invention
Thomas Edison made a ground-breaking discovery with his invention of the light bulb. This usage of electricity through direct currents pressures the empire of Rockefeller and revolutionizes the nation. -
Immigration becomes an issue
The immigration of the Chinese becomes heavily restricted when the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is signed. -
Period: to
Unit 7: Creation of a Mass Culture
This is the time period where the USA will experience growth through trial and error. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was fought between the USA and Spain after the suspected Spanish involvement in the explosion of the USS Maine off of the coast of Cuba. This conflict led to the Spanish loss of the Philippines, the islands of Guam and Puerto Rico, along with the independence of Cuba from Spain. -
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a civil rights organization that was formed for the rise of African Americans in society. This organization was led by W.E.B. DuBois along with other progressive reformers. -
WWI
The USA entered WWI after the practices of unrestricted submarine warfare on US cargo ships and the Zimmerman telegram which was intended to have Mexico invade the USA. -
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a massive increase of culture, music, and art in Harlem, New York. This included the creation of Jazz and the artistic form of impressionism. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was the most severe economic drought that plagued the USA in the 1930s due to the crash of the Stock Market and effects of the Dust Bowl. -
FDR and The New Deal
The New Deal was a set of federal programs designed to help the USA come out of its depression. This aided FDR secure his presidency as many trusted that he would guide the nation out of the depression. -
WWII
WWII was single-handedly the most devastating war to come out of Europe and have a global after effect. The USA and the Soviet Union are left as the last Superpowers of the world after WWII. -
Period: to
Unit 8: Prosperity & Global Responsibility
This is the time period where the USA becomes a world power and establishes a global responsibility to contain communism -
A Red Dragon Emerges
The Country of China establishes a Communist state. This will lead to the creation of the domino theory. -
Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a series of groups, programs, and actions in attempts to end racial discrimination and segregation in the USA. Leaders of this movement include Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. -
The Beginning of the Space Race
The space race was a scientific competition between the USA and the Soviet Union in advancement and exploration. This begins with the soviet launch of Sputnik which was the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. The space race will lead to the creation of NASA. -
The Berlin Wall
During the Cold War, Berlin was divided between the Soviet Union and the Western Powers. In 1961, the Soviet Union constructed the Berlin Wall to completely and securely divide Western and Eastern Berlin. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was the massive slaughter of over 500 Vietnam civilians during the Vietnam War. This is described as one of the most horrific incidents against unarmed civilians. -
War Powers Act
The War Powers Act was set in motion to check the president's power to enact conflicts without the consent of the US Congress. -
Camp David Accords
The Camp David Accords was a formal peace established between Egypt and Israel. This was one of Jimmy Carter's greatest achievements during his presidency. -
Period: to
Unit 9: Modern America
This is the current time period where the USA is the modern country that has established a global reputation -
The End of The Iranian Hostage Crisis
During Jimmy Carter's presidency a US embassy in Tehran was broken into and the agents there were taken hostage. After the next presidential election when Reagan took office the hostages were immediately released. -
The fall of the Berlin Wall
At the end of the Cold War the Berlin Wall was torn down and relations were reestablished. -
The Fall of the Soviet Union
In 1991 the Soviet Union finally collapsed and the Soviet territories were free to create new and independent nations. A new and independent Russian state was also created. -
NAFTA is signed
The North American Free Trade Agreement is signed by President Bill Clinton. This establishes free trade between the USA, Canada, and Mexico while building business relationships with the three countries. -
911
This is one of the most tragic events in American history. 4 planes were hijacked by members of the terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center while the third plane hit the Pentagon. The last plane crashed into a field when passengers overthrew the terrorists who had taken hold of the plane. -
Iraq is Invaded
The USA invaded Iraq as a part to end the war on terror. Saddam Hussein was in power at the time of the conflict. -
Barack Obama's Victory
As the first African American President, Obama became victorious in the model for opportunity and achievement for the minority population.
