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1607-English colony at Jamestown Virginia
Company of 100 members in Virginia Company found the first English settelment in North America on the banks of James River, Virginia. Founded to discover gold, silver and a river route to the Pacific Ocean. -
1619-First Africans brought to North America
Little is known of these first africans, but because the English-American slave trade had not been established yet, they were most likely indentured servants. The 20 africans came from Luanda and were from stolen from a Portuguese merchant by a Dutch sailor and traded to Jamestown for food. -
1620-Pilgrims land at Plymouth
Group of English who illegally separated churches and so with finance from a London stock company, attained the Mayflower and arrived at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The 41 signed a Joint Body Politic and settled in Plymouth. -
1692-Salem Witch Trials
Series of trials in Salem, Massachusetts of people accused of witchcraft. It culminated in the execution of 20 people, the majority women. -
1754-1763-French and Indian War
Extension of Seven Years War, basically a proxy war between French and British over territory and wealth which utilized native alliances in the Americas. -
1770-Boston Massacre
British troops attempting to control a riot in south Boston with rowdy colonists throwing snow and sticks, shots were fired and the result was 14 dead colonists. One of the sparks for the American Revolution. -
1773-Boston Tea Party
Group of colonists, the Sons of Liberty, who in protest boarded a British tea ship and dumped the entire cargo into the Boston Harbor. Seen as a defiance against imperial rule, Britain sent more troops to control the situation. -
1776-The Declaration of Independence
Declaration adopted by Constitutional Congress in 1776 which stated the colonies independence from Britain and set the stage for a new government. -
1783-Revolutionary War Ends (Treaty of Paris)
After negotiations between, Adams, Jay and Franklin and the British government ended, the Treaty of Paris was signed, granting the US acknowledgment of independence, access to fishing routes, and more territory. Britain was guaranteed captured property and safety of Loyalists. -
1786-87-Shay's Rebellion
A disgruntled Revolution veteran whose farm was being foreclosed led a revolt against the government, he and a party of other men demonstrated the looseness of the Federal Government. -
1789-Constitution Ratified
After Shay’s Rebellion and other events, representatives from all states met to ratify the Articles of Confederation. Ideas like checks and balance and 2 house legislature were added at this point. -
1791-Whiskey Rebellion
Protest against the first government tax on a domestic product, which taxed all liquor. Was intended to lower national debt. Group rioted but the government stifled it. -
1804-1806 Lewis & Clark Expedition
Commissioned by President Jefferson after the Louisiana purchase to map and explore the newly acquired territory. Lewis and Clark were military volunteers who headed the expedition. -
1812-War of 1812
War between US and Britain and their respective allies, fought because of Britain's attempts to restrict US trade, Britain's capturing of US seamen, and the US’s desire to expand. -
1820-Missouri Compromise
Attempt by Congress to ease tensions. It admitted Mississippi as a slave state, Maine would be a free state, and new states above the 36’ 30’ would be free in the Louisiana Purchase territory. -
1830-Trail of Tears
Forced relocation of Cherokee tribe into Oklahoma, because of the Indian Relocation Act by Jackson. Resulted in several deaths and named after devastating effect on indians. -
1836-Texan Independence
Texas declares independence from Mexico, adopts its own constitution that allowed alavery. -
1846-1848-Mexican American War (Treaty of Guadalupa Hildelgo)
War between Mexico and US over disputed land of Texas and North border of Mexico and South border of US. Resulted in Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, with the US attaining Mexican territories of land between California and Texas. Seen as act of American Imperialism, manifest destiny, -
1849-Gold Rush in California
After James Wilson Marshal discovered Gold in Sierra Mountains, thousands flocked to California. Shaped population distribution. -
1850-Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay proposed this to compromise North and South wants. It amended the Fugitive Slave Act and banned slave trade in Washington. -
1854-Kansas Nebraska Act
Repealed Compromise of 1820, because it created Nebraska and Kansas, and allowed popular soveirngty. -
1860-Abraham Lincoln elected President
Abraham Lincoln, a Republican is voted into office. Southern states fear he will interfer with their beloved slavery. -
1861-1865-Civil War
history.com vidWar that erupted aft Southern US states seceded and formed Confederate States. Union headed by Lincoln fought to bring them back. South fueled by economic and social motives. -
1869-Transcontinental Railroad completed
linkThe railroad built to link East and West if finished. It initially only linked older railroads but new stretches were built through the midwest, the country is now more united and able to function wholly. -
1877-Reconstruction Ends
Time created by Lincoln to restructure and fix the country has ended. US troops pull out of the South and politics switch towards foreign endeavours.
