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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
events of early America
this time line explains the events of america leading up to modern united states -
Oct 30, 1492
Spain arives in North America with explorer Christopher Columbus
Spain came to North America to spread Catholic faith and belief, to look for gold and riches, and to gain glory over other European countries -
john winthrop
john winthrop was a well educated puritan who beleived that the english church needed reforming. he trained as as an attorney and enjoyed a succesful law career for many years living comfortably. -
British Colonize North America
the first english settlement called james town was founded. the Puritan community settled in Massachussetts -
The colonies come of age
in the 1700s, two movements led colonists to question authority. the enlightenment valued science and reason. political writers stressed the natural rights of all individuals. the great awakening was a revival of strong religious feeling. by emphasizing the personal aspects of religion, this movement weakened the authority of churches -
colonial expantion of North America
By 1732, there were 13 British colonies. these colonies prospered, and britain gained wealth fron trade with the colonies. the colonies had some self government. colonists in southern colonies created a rural society based on farming. Colonists in the middle and new england colonies developed an economy that was based on small farms, manufacturing, and trade, cities grew with increased trade. -
colonists rebel against britain
colonists opposed british taxation because they were not represented in parliament. colonists boycotted british goods in protest. colonists were divided up between patriots and loyalists. the patriots continental army recieved training from france. french and patriots defeat french -
Colonial war for independance
colonists were divided almost evenly between those who favored indepence-patriots, and those who supported the british-loyalist.others fought on the british side because they offered freedom from slavery, most native americans supported the british -
confederation and the constitution
the first government of the united states was called a confederation. the delegates agreed to a government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. congress would make the laws, courts would hear cases, a president would carry out laws. -
Launching a new nation
george washington was the first president, and congress worked to establish the new government. congress created a national court system, and it also set up three departments to serve under the president. washington named able leaders to head the departments. these leaders made up the first cabinet. -
The jeffersonian Era
jefferson wanted to make federal government smaller. jefferson expanded american territory. he bought the vast louisiana territory from france. the nation obtained florida from spain. americans felt strong national pride. -
the age of jackson
made the right to vote available to more people. prevented congress from removing indians from their land. jackson used federal army to enforce federal law. jackson then destroyed the national bank -
Manifest destiny
manifest destiny was the beleif that the united states was destined to expand from the pacific ocean to the atlantic ocean.thousands of settlers moved west to new states. the united states annexed some of mexico's land -
settleing the great plains
homesteaders were isolated and had to produce everything they needed. women worked in the fields along side men -
The Diverse Polotics of Slavery
north and south increasingly disagreed over slavery. california entered the union as a free state. a bill was passed that would allow nebraska and kansas territories to decide whether ther wanted slavery. -
The civil war begins
began when confederate forces fired on fort sumter.the north planned to blockade the south. the emancipation proclamation allowed african americans to fight for the union. the union won the civil war. the civil war lasted from 1861to 1865 -
Changes on the Frontier
from 1862 to the 1900s there were changes on the frontier. end of civil war moved thousands of people west to the frontier. sioux chief protested about white settlers moving to their land. sioux clan destroyed by united states army. farmers took their land. -
reconstruction and its effects
congress created freedmans bureau to help freed slaves. the civil rights act ensured the rights of african americans. congress would readmit a state after the state approved the 14th amendment and gave african americans the right to vote. reconstruction lasted from 1866 to 1877. -
the age of railroads
building railroads was difficult and very dangerous.. railroad workers earned very littleand non white workers earned even less. railroads helped link the nation. railroads stimulated growth of iron, steel, coal, lumber, and glass industries -
big buisiness and labor
big business spurred a movement called social darwinism. social darwinism promoted self growth and fulfillment. the national labor movement formed in 1866 and persuaded govenment to adopt 8-hour work days -
Farmers and the populist movement
farmers were plagued by changing economic conditions. the dollar was worth more and this made it hard for farmers to pay off debt.the farmers movement resulted in the formation of the populist or peoples party.
