-
Period: 3000 BCE to
Beginnings to Exploration
-
2600 BCE
Mayans
The Mayan caste system was made of lower and upper castes. The upper caste was composed of rulers, nobles and priests. The middle caste were businessmen, merchants and soldiers. The lower caste was made up of farmers and slaves, Nobles and Priests. This depended on social class and wealth. -
1000 BCE
Eastern Woodland Culture
The Eastern Woodland Natives lived in moderate climate areas and had wig-warm houses. They had also lived near areas with water such as rivers or the Great Lakes, and had used these waters for transportation. Villages had created a class system from the top, Chief, to nobility, commoner, and lastly children. For food, there was mix between deer hunters and farmers for corn, beans, squash, etc. -
751 BCE
Rome
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome. This involved multiple organizations such as the twelve tables, Eastern Emperors and the Corpus Civilis. Foreigners had no rights and, unless protected by some treaty between their state and Rome, they could be seized like pieces of property by any Roman. -
500
Dark Ages
Referred to the time of the fall of the Roman Empire. This took place when the last Western Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. In terms of the state of the church, the dark ages was a period of religious struggle. Orthodox Christians and Catholics viewed the era from opposing perspectives. The Dark Ages were also the years of vast Muslim conquests, prevailing until the time of the Crusades. Despite the religious conflicts, the period of the Dark Ages was seen as an age of faith. -
1095
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period. In addition, the Crusades helped to advance technologies, in form of accurate maps, crossbows, military techniques, and magnetic compasses. They advanced the technology from the Dark ages when it was becoming decentralized. -
1346
The Black Death
The Black Death arrived in Europe by sea in October 1347 when 12 Genoese trading ships docked at the Sicilian port of Messina after a long journey through the Black Sea. The Black death was a plague involving parasites and rodents that spread across Asia and Europe, wiping out almost 25 million people. This disease lasted until 1353. -
1492
The Columbian Exchange
The Colombian Exchange was a trading of culture, disease, plants and animals that supported the old world between the 15th and 16th centuries. Some examples of the things that were exchanged were Grains, Tomatoes and Smallpox. -
1579
(Maryland) George Calvert
Calvert was an English politician and colonial leader. He achieved political success as a member of parliament and later Secretary of State under King James. George Calvert was the first person to dream of a colony in America where Catholics and Protestants could prosper together. -
Cecil Calvert (Maryland)
Cecil Calvert was the 2nd Baron Baltimore, born on the 8th of August 1605, was the first Proprietor and Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland, and ninth Proprietary Governor of the Colony of Newfoundland and second of the colony of Province of Avalon to its southeast. -
Period: to
English Colonial Societies
-
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was the second permanent English settlement in North America, and was founded in 1620 by settlers including a group of religious dissenters commonly referred to as the Pilgrims. Though theologically very similar to the Puritans who later founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Pilgrims believed that the Church of England could not be reformed. Rather than attempting to purify the church, the Pilgrims desired a total separation. -
Navigation Acts
These acts were designed to tighten the government's control over trade between England, its colonies, and the rest of the world. In short, the English government wanted to closely supervise England's imports and exports, limit imports to give British manufactures and merchants an advantage, close off the admittance of most foreign ships into English and colonial harbors, and tighten up economic oversight in the colonies. -
Caribbean Colonies
When the economy was in collapse, growth of sugar cane saved it. Though sugar production required a greater labor supply than was available through the importation of European servants and irregularly supplied African slaves. -
Salem Witch Trials
More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and Devil's magic and 20 were executed. Eventually, the colony admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted. -
The Middle Passage
The Middle Passage refers to the part of the trade where Africans, densely packed onto ships, were transported across the Atlantic to the West Indies. -
Act of Union
The Acts of Union were two Acts of Parliament where the Union with Scotland Act 1706 passed by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707. This planned to combine two nations under one identity. -
Period: to
Colonial America to 1763
-
Triangular Trade
This was the most well known trading system consisting of carrying slaves, cash crops, and manufactured goods between West Africa, Caribbean or American colonies and the European colonial powers. -
The Great Awakening
This was a Protestant religious revolt that swept Protestant Europe and British America in the 1740s. it left a permanent impact on American Protestantism. -
Seven Year War
Lieutenant colonel of the Virginia militia named George Washington successfully defeats a party of French and Indian scouts in southwest Pennsylvania as Virginia attempts to claim to the territory for its own settlers -
Period: to
The Revolutionary War
-
Revenue Act
Parliament passed a modified version of the Sugar and Molasses Act which was about to expire. Under the Molasses Act merchants had been required to pay a tax of six per gallon on the importation of foreign molasses. -
Colonial Economies (Upper South)
tobacco was the dominant slave-produced product. This shift of the slave economy from the upper South to the lower South was accompanied by a shift of the enslaved African population to the lower South and West. -
Colonial Economies (Lower South)
The lower south of the colonies had focused mainly on Slavery and intensive crop cultivation. the economic value of slaves exceeded the invested value of all of the nation's railroads, factories, and banks. -
Boston Massacre
Produced just three weeks after the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s historic engraving The Bloody Massacre in King-Street was probably the most effective piece of war propaganda in American history. He allowed for further conflicts. -
Boston Tea Party
The East India Company did not export tea to the colonies; by law, the company was required to sell its tea wholesale at auctions in England. This was a revolt against Sons of Liberty. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. -
Common Sense
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
Historian Richard B. Morris identified the following seven figures as Founding Fathers which are John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution. -
Period: to
The Constitution
-
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War. Two provisions of the treaty were British recognition of U.S. independence and the creation of boundaries that would allow for American western expansion. -
American Virtue
The American founding is an historical period that runs from the outbreak of the American. Revolution in 1775 to the end of George Washington's presidency. This lead to Morally American Virtue -
The Great Debate
The Anti-Federalists opposed to the Constitution. Though they weren't a united group, they opposed the Constitution because they thought stronger government threatened the sovereignty of the states. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts during 1786 and 1787. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led four thousand rebels in an uprising against perceived economic and civil rights injustices. -
Virginia Plan
The Virginia plan was a proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch. The plan was drafted by James Madison while he waited for to assemble at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was an act of the Congress of the Confederation of the United States (the Confederation Congress), passed July 13, 1787. -
Election of 1788
The election took place following the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788. In this election, George Washington was elected for the first of his two terms as President of the United States, and John Adams became the first Vice President of the United States. -
Period: to
New Republic
-
Age of Enlightenment
European politics, philosophy, science and communications were radically justified during the course of the “long 18th century” as part of a movement referred to by its participants as the Enlightenment. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Revolt against the US government in Pennsylvania. It was started by a tax on whisky, and was the first serious challenge to federal authority. President Washington called out the militia, the rebellion collapsed. -
Bill of Rights
This was written James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power. -
Cotton Gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, allowing for much greater productivity than manual cotton separation. -
Election of 1796
Election between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Although Adams won, Thomas Jefferson received more electoral votes than Pinckney and was elected Vice-President. -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a political issue early in the administration of John Adams, involving a confrontation between the United States and Republican France that led to an undeclared war. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Kentucky Resolutions. These resolutions were passed by the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. -
Enlightenment (Deism)
Deism was an important factor in french enlightenment. This was in tune with the natural law perceived by Enlightenment thinkers. It believed in the existence of God, simply through common sense. -
Period: to
The Age of Jefferson
-
Election of 1800
The election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was an emotional and hard-fought campaign. Each side believed that victory by the other would ruin the nation. -
Hamilton vs Burr (Duel)
This duel was fought between American politicians Aaron Burr, the sitting Vice President of the United States, and Alexander Hamilton where one took the shot and Burr became a fugitive. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was a law passed by the United State Congress and signed by President Thomas Jefferson It prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 (1812–1815) was a conflict fought between the United States, the United Kingdom, and their respective allies. Historians in Britain often see it as a minor theatre of the Napoleonic Wars; in the United States and Canada, it is seen as a war in its own right. -
Iron Plow
The Iron plow was a tool created to assist with farming. It was first invented by a man named Jethro Wood. This tool would allow for easier cultivation of soil/break up of soil and allowing seeds to loosen/sprout at a easier and quicker speed. It would also be used to help bury crop residues and to help control weeds. This tool would more likely be used to help assist those living in the Middle-West of the Nation. -
Free Black Communities
Free Southern blacks continued to live under slavery, unable to travel or assemble as freely as those in the North. It was also more difficult for them to organize and sustain churches, schools, or fraternal orders such as the Masons. -
Period: to
The American Industrial Revolution
-
McCulloch vs. Maryland
This is one of the first and most important Supreme Court cases on federal power. In this case, the Supreme Court held that Congress has implied powers which gave Congress the power to establish a national bank. -
Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 was the first major peacetime financial crisis in the United States followed by a general collapse of the American economy persisting through 1821. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Onís-Adams Treaty of 1819 divided North American claims between the United States and Spain. American settled in Florida and eventually declared independence from Spain. President James Madison used the incident to claim the region. Andrew Jackson seized Spanish forts and defended against Indians and escaped slaves coming from Florida. Demanding that Spain take action, they agreed to hand ceded claims to Florida at the cost of $5 million done in damages that American citizens caused. -
National Park (Honoring of Soldiers)
National Parks began to be built in honor of those soldiers who have fallen or to honor certain events that have occurred in the past. These were focused on nature to preserve an image for social interaction. -
Period: to
Cultural Changes
-
Missouri Compromise
During this time period, a growing conflict occurred between slave states versus free states over what to do with joining states into the Union. Later on, Missouri would request to join the Union as a slave state. As a result, people would become upset because it would then ruin the balanced they once had of equal number of slave and free states. Thus the compromise was created in order to solve this issue by once again creating an balance proportion and using the 36,30 latitude line. -
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F Austin was an American empresario that led the successful colonization of Texas. He was given a permit from the Spanish to have 300 families settle into Texas. Austin was able to bring in a total of 300 settlers by persuading them a deal. The first 300 settlers would receive a considerable large land grant. This would be the start to what would eventually lead to the Texas Revolution against the Spanish after Austin was sent to prison. -
Period: to
The Age of Jackson
-
Election of 1824
This election was mostly between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. Both sides would neither obtain the majority electoral votes, and as a result would let the House of Representatives make the final decision. Although this system what used to make it fair for both sides, Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House during this election, had given his influence onto the House in order to get John Quincy Adams elected. Afterwards, in agreement, Adams would then appoint Clay as the Secretary of State. -
Spoils System
Upon Jackson's election into presidency, he implemented the Spoils System. This system would consist of Jackson putting people who he trust (typically those within his political party) into office even if they did not meet the requirements for the position. This system was used to ensure that Jackson's political party would have an advantage in making decisions and also helped making executive decisions more cooperative. -
Election of 1828
This election would be Andrew Jackson versus John Quincy Adams once again. This time, Jackson would come into the election with a new form of strategy. Both sides would spread rumors and negative comments about each other in order to make their side look better. This election would then be considered the "dirtiest" election ever. However, Jackson would eventually win this election with a large landslide of the popular vote. -
Slavery in Industrial Revolution
Slavery was still a large growing practice in the south with the invention of the cotton gin being added. More so in the lower south, there tended to be a harsher, brutal treatment towards slaves. While the upper south, still was harsh, but not to the greater extent like the lower south. However, there were occasional slave rebellions, but none made a real issue except the Nat Turner slave rebellion. Afterwards, slaves would be threatened by being sent to the lower south as punishment or killed. -
Changes in Communication (Telegraph)
Communication had been a growing asset during the Industrial Revolution thanks to inventions such as the telegraph and printing press. The telegraph had greatly allowed people to communicate over long distances to communicate in instances. They would create a code called Morse Code to understand each other. Now, the printing press had helped increased the process of spreading knowledge and information to people by allowing more news or other information to be created at a quicker pace. -
Mormons
This was a religious group founded by Joseph Smith. Smith had believed that God himself was speaking to him and asking of Smith to help fix the Christian church. Smith then had supposedly seen angles that would then take him to golden tablets that only he could see in New York. These tablets were also supposedly written in another language that Smith knew how to speak. Afterwards, people had come to believe in Smith, but those who did not questioned him and became skeptical of him. -
Railroads
Created by George Stephenson, railroads were another great source of faster transportation of goods from one location to another. Railroads be used as an alternative to canals and would go from the Northeast east regions to the Midwest regions. As a result of these railroads and the trains with it, the industrial revolution would grow even further as people would have economic opportunity in creating these railroads. Goods would also be sent quicker giving a much greater deal of efficiency. -
Nat Turner Slave Rebellion
This rebellion was a slave rebellion made by a group of slaves lead by Nathaniel Turner. Turner was under a more tolerable slave owner that allowed him the change to read and learn about religion. As a result, this causes Turner to realize the horribleness to this event and believed that he spoken to by God to put an end to this. He then starts to get a growing number of slaves in order to rebel and hopefully reach the north where slavery wasn't used as much. -
Election of 1832
This election would mostly be Andrew Jackson versus Henry Clay. Jackson would win an election once again receiving a large majority of the popular votes and electoral college votes (219 votes). Originally Clay's plan to ruin Jackson, Jackson would receive so much support from his speech regarding the national bank and the reasoning for his veto against the rechartering of the bank. This speech would be more geared towards the common man and inspire many people to vote for Jackson. -
American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society is a group of people with people such as William Lloyd Garrison and Fredrick Douglas who were for the action of putting an end to slavery. They had wanted to firmly put and end to slavery but also give African Americans the same equality we have socially, economically, and politically. The AASS would go to both the south and north for their support and eventually gain up to about 100,000 supporters. -
Whig Party
In 1834 a new party named the Whig party formed to combat Andrew Jackson Democrats. Their leader was Henry Clay and the name came from the English anti monarchist party, as an attempt to taunt Jackson as a king. They were labeled as the party of wealth and aristocracy by the Democrats. During 1840 and 1848 they managed to get their candidate elected as president. The Whigs declined in support during 1852 when the issue of slavery's expansion became the centered topic. -
Temperance Movement
The Temperance movement was a movement towards stopping alcohol beverages. This movement was mostly encouraged by women, since most of them would receive beatings and abuse from men who would drink too much. However, they were also groups of men that would also join this movement. The Temperance movement would promote the negative and immoral characteristics regarding alcohol in the hopes of having others join their cause against alcohol. -
Transcendentalism
Transcendentalism was a group of American philosophers who believe in becoming truly independent and self-reliant. They believed that this was the only way to create a well organized or just community since they had particularly thought the organized religions and political parties were corrupted. This group had also heavily focused on the importance of nature and how it symbolizes pureness. Lastly, they also thought to believe what they wish to believe in without disrespecting other's belief. -
Trail of Tears
In 1838 and 1839, as a part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, a Indian tribe called the Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their land at Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida and move to present day Oklahoma. Jackson had created this policy in order to create more farming land for the US. However, along the way about 4,000 Indians died from exposure, diseases, and starvation while on route to their relocation. -
Nature
During the industrial period, the Northern states had come to build parks. These parks were built in order to help benefit those around the urban areas. By being closer to nature, it was most believed that i would help people relax and take a break from stress that may have piled up through the industrial, busy area and live style. -
Period: to
Westward Expansion
-
Election of 1844
This election was mainly between James K Polk and Henry Clay. During this period in time, two main topics were about expansion of the nation as well as slavery. After Polk winning the election, he had set the large idea of Manifest Destiny and making America reach from the east coast all the way west coast touching the Pacific Ocean. Polk was also a strong supporter of slavery and encourage expansion to further increase slavery. -
Oregon Trail
This was the pioneer journey that started from Missouri and ultimately ended at Oregon. This event had occurred due to the large and growing belief of Manifest Destiny. Most people who went to travel were farmers or people looking for some kind of economic opportunity else where. However, this journey towards Oregon would prove to be difficult as many died from Indian attacks on the Great Plains or died from the horrible terrain of the Rocky Mountains. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was the large belief by most Americans that God himself had destined the United States to reach from the west coast to the east coast. This belief had greatly inspired many and encouraged them to keep expanding towards the west. This event had received its name from a man named John O'Sullivan who had stronger believed in this idea. As a result of this, America would then end up in a war with Mexico and implement the removal of Native Americans from their lands. -
Annexation of Texas
Texas had at first been under the property of Mexico. However, until Mexican government started to make regulations on settlers there, people would then decide to rebel and form the Republic of Texas. After winning, Sam Houston, the president at the time, had wanted Texas to join the Union. Members of Congress were at first skeptical on whether or not to let Texas join the Union being a slave state, but after much discussion they had let Texas into the Union as the 28th state. -
Election of 1848
This election was between Zachary Taylor, Martin Van Buren, and Lewis Cass. The main topic of this election would be about slavery once again and what to do with it. Zachary Taylor, being a part of the Whig party, had gave a moderate approach to slavery with no real input about it. Taylor would also go on to win the election with 1,360,099 popular votes and 163 electoral votes. -
Period: to
Sectionalism
-
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Signed on February 2, 1848, this was the treaty that would officially end the Mexican-American War giving the United States the victory. This war was caused as a result of border dispute in regards to Texas. The end result of this treaty will add 525,000 miles to the United States. It would also state that Mexico give up ownership and give the ownership of Texas to the US and set the border along the Rio Grande River. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first convention towards the goal of granting women voting rights within the United States. This would be the great start of what would be known as the women's suffrage movement. Some key women that helped organize this convention and this movement are Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Jane Hunt. At the convention, they would discuss the grievances they faced and the demands they would ask for in hopes of ultimately getting their voting rights. -
California Gold Rush
When news of gold being found in California, people from all over had flocked over hoping to make a quick living. This finding would cause the population of California to skyrocket into one hundred thousand people. Although the selling price for gold was extreme, so was the journey that it took to get there. There were many who would travel across land, but unfortunately lose their life in the process. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a series of connections between people that would help fugitive slaves from the South escape into the slave-free. These people would be just regular people such as a farmer, who believed in the same cause of giving slaves their freedom. Although saving many African American lives, this action of harboring slaves within a white person's home would cause both groups to be punished due to the Fugitive Slave Act which forced slaves to go back their owners if captured. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that dealt with the issue of states joining the Union, and whether they were for or against slavery. The reason for this compromise was when California wanted to join as a free state and upset the balance between the number of free to slave states. As a result, Henry Clay came up the solution of creating the Fugitive Slave Act and abolishing the slave trade in DC. Thus allowing California to join as a free state. -
Election of 1852
This election would be between Franklin Piece of the democratic party, John Hale of the Whig party, and Winfield Scott of the Whig Party. Once again, the main topic/issue of this occurring during the election was over slavery. Looking at the Whig party, we can see a large amount of disunity because of the disagreement and worries over choosing Scott as their nomination due to his viewpoints. As a result, the Whig party becomes scattered, falls, and lets Franklin Pierce win the election. -
Election of 1860
This election was between Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John C. Breckingridge, and John Bell. Lincoln, being a part of the Republican party was technically for slave-free states, but ultimately only really cared about keeping the unity of the nation together. After voting, Lincoln had greatly won the election, receiving 1,766,442 popular votes and 180 electoral college votes. This election outcome would lead to the start of what eventually be the Civil War. -
Industrialization (North)
In the North, there was a larger amount of industry as the main source of economy. The main source of labor was through immigrants from Europe that had came over. There was also the use of the steam engine for different functions within the factories and also for railroads. Trains would play a major role in the economy of the North by providing quick transportation of goods and allowing the northern states to be very connected with each other. -
Clara Barton
Clara Barton was a efficient organizer that helped by working with distribute food and medical supplies to troops at war. She was an American nurse, suffragist, and humanitarian who also founded/organized the Red Cross foundation. Her work was tireless and grueling throughout the period of the war. Post-war she was still working by setting up marked graves of solider and setting up office for missing men. -
Period: to
The Civil War
-
Fort Sumter
Located on Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, it was constructed to act as a coastal garrison. This location is generally known as the first place that the war would take place with the first shots taken. It was first controlled by the Union but would be later taken by the Confederate army after they had repeatedly bombarded the fort with artillery. However, later on in the war, after 4 years William T. Sherman would be the one to take back the fort in February 1865. -
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee was the commander and chief of the Confederate army. He had attended West Point and had gained a reputation to become the leader of the Confederate army. Lee would have a number of very success battles against the Union. However, over time the weather and inefficient supplies had ruined the health and status of his army. This as a result, would eventually cause his army to lose and ultimately lose the war by surrendering to general Grant. -
Gettysburg Address
This was an address/speech given by Abraham Lincoln regarding the death of soldiers who had fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. This would later become one of the most memorable and important speech in our today's history starting with the famous words "Four score and seven years ago". He also had made remarks about the difficulty of abolishing slavery and the dedication they need to put into this war to stop it once and for all. -
Sherman's March to Sea
Sherman's March, also known as the Savannah Campaign was a event that took union Soldiers through Georgia and destroyed the houses and land that they walked through. The overall purpose of this walk/campaign was to strike fear in Georgian people and make them leave the Confederate cause. This walk would leave a large impact on the Confederate army both morally and materialistically. -
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant had eventually became the commander of the Union army during the American Civil War. He was a brilliant commander graduating from West Point and having fought in the Mexican-American War. During the Civil War, his tactics would usually be more aggressive and up front and would eventually gain enough reputation to become the leader of all of the Union army being appointed by Lincoln. On April 9, 1865 General Robert Lee would surrender to Grant thus ending the war. -
Election of 1864
This election was between Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan. Northerners had greatly endorsed the leadership of Abraham Lincoln and had elected him once again. He had won 55 percent of the popular vote and 212 electoral votes. He had gained much support directly because of letting soldiers go home to vote. Lincoln would face the great problem that is the Civil War and whether or not they can beat the Confederate army. -
Carpetbaggers
Carpetbaggers was a term used to describe Northerners who went South during Reconstruction, usually with on a satchel (or carpetbag), in pursuit of profits or political power. They were met with scorn and portrayed as lower-class schemer with little education. However, many Reconstruction-era carpetbaggers were well-educated members of the middle class desiring southern reform and civil and political rights of freed blacks. -
Black Codes
Just after the Civil War which had freed the African American slaves, white Southerners who had established civil authority had enacted a series of laws that attempted to restrict the activities of blacks. These were known as 'Black Codes' which had also ensured the availability of blacks as a labor force. Many states at the time also required blacks to sign yearly labor contracts to which if they refused, they risked being arrested, fined, and or forced into unpaid labor. -
Period: to
Reconstruction
-
Lincoln's Assassination
During a play at the Ford's Theater, Lincoln had attended with his wife on the day of April 14. However, John Wilkes Booth, an actor there, had decided to plan an assassination against Lincoln. Booth would then to proceed and kill Lincoln in the back of his head with a pistol. This tragic event would take place only 4 days after the surrender of General Robert E Lee of the Confederate Army to the Union. -
Election of 1868
This president election was between Ulysses S Grant and Horace Greeley. This election was viewed as an anti group not wanting to vote for one candidate. Greeley had received much backlash and attacks due to his inconsistent records and support of a utopian socialism as well as dietary restrictions. As a result, more people were greatly willing to vote for Grant based on the sole idea of not wanting to vote for Greeley. Grant had received 3,597,132 popular votes and 286 electoral college votes. -
14th Amendment
The 14th amendment was ratified on July 9,1868 and addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of laws, it was placed in response to to conflicts related to former slaves following the Civil War. The amendment states that all people born in the United States are subject to it's law. No state shall make laws that will take away the privileges of citizens. No state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law. No state shall deprive a person's rights. -
Black Friday Scandal
Black Friday scandal began with Jay Gould and Jim Frisk plan to corner the gold market. The gold standard has ceased and government-backed greenbacks were in circulation. Frisk used Ulysses Grant's brother-in-law, to convince Grant to not use gold to buy back greenbacks. Afterwards Gould used brokers to buy all the gold they could to grow the price of gold. Grant eventually discovered the conspiracy and bought back greenbacks to drive the price of gold back down causing many sudden bankruptcies. -
Sharecroppers
Sharecropping was a system used by free African American slaves to receive housing. African Americans labor workers would work on a owner's property to produce crops. These workers would then be allowed to live on the owner's property with housing, as long as they give a portion of their crops to the property owner. This exchange would instead fulfill what would have been a workers payment. -
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 was a financial crisis that triggered a depression in Europe and North America that lasted from 1873 until 1879, and even longer in some countries. -
Compromise of 1877
This compromise was created with the purpose of helping resolve the issue between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden. The end result of the compromise would make Hayes in the lead of the election by giving Hayes an extra 20 electoral college votes. This of course outraged the Democratic party and had stated that the Republicans were cheating. This compromise would also be the cause that formally ends the Reconstruction era.
