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Colonial Period
The start of national citizenry began to take place. Initially the rights and citizenship were largely granted to free white males.. Overtime, various ethnic and religious groups like the Dutch, French, Africans and Quakers, began to also grow the population. -
Founding of Jamestown
The first permanent English settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia in North America. This marked the beginning of the English colonization in the New World. -
Arrival of first African slaves
Enslaved Africans arrived on a Dutch ship, initiating the brutal history of slavery in America. The introduction of African slaves in Virginia laid the foundation for slavery, setting the struggles for freedom, equality and civil rights. -
Arrival of Pilgrims
The Mayflower brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Mayflower Compact was signed. -
English Civil War
The English Civil war began, causing significant political and social changes in England. The war caused a shift in the government after the execution of King Charles I, completely abolishing the monarchy, establishing ideas towards a parliamentary government. The early American colonist started to question the British authority resulting in the revolutionary movements in both Britain and its colonies. -
Founding of Pennsylvania
William Penn received a land grant from King Charles II, which is the territory that is now Pennsylvania. A haven was established for the Quakers. The colony emphasized religious freedom and encouraged agricultural development with trading to help the settlers prosper. -
Establishment of Georgia
Georgia was established and acted as a buffer between the South Carolina and Spanish Florida, also the last of the thirteen colonies to be established. George Washington was also born, later becoming the first President of the United States. -
Imposition of the Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was created in order to require colonists to purchase stamped paper for legal documents, newspaper, and other printed materials. Ultimately leading to widespread protests and boycotting, setting the stage for the American Revolution to occur. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the evolution of national citizenry in the American colonies. British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonist, killing five people, instantly kick started the anti-British sentiment. Ultimately, growing the tensions between the colonist and Britain leading to the fight for independence. -
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American Revolution
Tensions had been building for years between the British and the colonists. Due to the rising taxes due to the Stamp act, shots were fired while trying to seize supplies from the colonists leading to the era to begin. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
"The shot heard around the world," was used to describe the first shot fired at Lexington, marking the beginning of the fight for independence and the start of the American Revolution. The colonies were determined to govern themselves, while also creating unity while other colonies began to join the fight for independence. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence separated the colonies from the British rule, leaving them to the right to self-governance, creating the new nation. "All men are created equal", was one of the new human rights that became the foundation of universal human rights. Colonies were declared "free and Independent States." -
Treaty of Paris
Officially the end to the American Revolutionary War and the United States became recognized as an independent nation. The treaty established the boundaries between the United States and British North America, giving the land east of the Mississippi River to the U.S.. -
Constitutional Convention
In the attempt to weaken the Articles of Confederation, the states gathered for the Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia. The new Constitution was established The Bill of Rights were created with 10 amendments to protect the citizens and limit the power to the federal government. The balance between the national and states governments are to ensure the balance of power helped to unify all the states under one nation. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Each state had their own convention to debate and vote on the new Constitution. The process created debates between the Federalists, who supported the new Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who were concerned about the potential tyranny. The debates therefore created the Bill of Rights and also created the first political parties in the United States. Federalists advocating for strong central government and the Anti-Federalists wanting more states rights and individual liberties. -
Election of George Washington
He was the first president in the United States who was elected unanimously, creating the precedent for the future presidential elections therefore also creating the executive branch of the new government. Washington's presidency demonstrating the peaceful transfer of power and the beginning of a new government under the Constitution. -
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Federalist Era
This era was marked by dominance of the Federalist Party and the establishment of many foundational stepping stones for the United States government. -
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments, guaranteeing the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens that were not first stated in the Constitution. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the nation and opening vast new lands for exploration. The westward movement began, migrating settlers and the establishment of new states. The discovery of new lands provided more resources and opportunities for the economy to grow with agriculture, trade and commerce. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The two were set out to explore the Louisana Territory and map the region, establish a trade with the Native American tribes, and find a water source route to the Pacific Ocean. The journey was able to not only have scientific discoveries, they established long lasting effects with the Natives that lead to conflict. -
War of 1812
The United States declared war on Britain due to trade restriction issues and the British supported the Native American attacks on American settlers. This lead to the Britain ending trade and American began manufacturing for their own economic independence. The war ended with a Treaty of Ghent which restored the boundaries that caused the war in the first place. -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe declared that the western hemisphere was off limits to European colonists and any interference would be seen as an act of aggression. Essentially the doctrine helped to solidify the United States' role as the dominant power in that area. -
Mexican-American War
The war lasted roughly two years, resulting in the United states acquiring vast amount of territory, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New-Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. The newly acquired territories introduced diverse populations. -
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill triggered a massive influx of settlers into California in search of wealth. Due to the population rapidly growing there was a quick development of new towns and cities. The Gold Rush contributed to the economic growth across the United States as new opportunities emerged to support the influx of miners. People from all over the world came to the United States creating a diverse population in the nation. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederate forces fired on the fort in Charleston, South Carolina, starting the beginning of the Civil War. President Lincoln called in for volunteers to help suppress the rebellion. -
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Civil War
The war that was fought over slavery and states' rights, resulting in the abolishment of slavery. With the victory to end slavery, more divide was created between enslaved people and the already considered free people. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that all enslaved people in territory were free. All enslaved people were not immediately set free, but the abolishment of slavery was beginning. Also the proclamation allowed Black men to join the military, therefore increasing the numbers and the strength of the military. -
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Reconstruction
The rebuild of the South and working to properly intergrade enslaved people into society. -
13th Amendment: Abolish Slavery
This marked the formal end of slavery in the United States and was the first of the three Reconstruction Amendments aimed directly to establish the rights for formerly enslaved people. -
14th Amendment: Equal Rights
This was to grant citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the United states. The amendment addresses the rights and equal protection of citizens under the law. -
15th Amendment: Equal Voting Rights
This amendment is aimed to protect the voting rights of Black men, ensuring that they could not be denied the right to vote based on race, color or a previous status of servitude. Although, discriminatory practices such as poll taxes, literacy tests and violence were used to sway Black citizens from exercising their right to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This was a landmark for the U.S. Supreme Court case being upheld to the constitutional standards against racial segregation. When a black man refused to sit in the segregated train car, he was arrested and convicted for violating the states segregation law. -
Spanish-American War
United States and Spain fought over the Cuban independence from the Spanish rule, resulting in the United States acquiring more territories. -
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Great Migration
A mass movement of millions of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northeast, Midwest and West. They all moved in search of better job opportunities, and to spread their culture. -
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Civil Rights Movement
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Brown v. Board of Education
This famous Supreme Court case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her sear to a white person on the bus. A boycott uprisen that led to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. -
March on Washington
The famous Martin Luther King Jr. speech "I Have a Dream" was delivered in a massive protest in Washington D.C. and he advocated for civil and economic rights for African Americans. -
Civil Rights Act
The act prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, making it illegal in public places, employment and federally funded programs. The desegregation of public schools and other public facilities were to create equal access and opportunities for all citizens. -
Voting Rights Act
The act targeted to intervene the literacy test and poll taxes that had been used to sway African American voters, from voting. The act authorized federal oversight ensuring that all citizens had the right to vote. Therefore the votes increased and essentially strengthen the democratic process. -
Great Recession
Triggered by a global financial crisis, the Great Recession was the collapse of major financial institutions and a dramatic decline in housing prices. The recession lead to widespread unemployment, foreclosures, and many Americans faced financial hardship. The government created relief programs to help the economy and promote recovering. -
COVID-19 Pandemic
The global health crisis caused by the coronavirus, was a widespread illness, death and significant strain on healthcare system worldwide. The pandemic resulted in severe economic disruptions leading to business closures, job losses, and a very sharp decline in economic activity. The whole population was essentially on a mandated lockdown, social distancing, mask mandates and vaccination campaigns.