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1492
Colombian Exchange
This occurred before the Treaty of Tordesillas. The Natives also known as the Tainos rebelled against the Spanish. The Spanish complained of difficulty of living in the New World, because of the weather, which made them feel uncomfortable.There was also a language barrier. The Spanish's voyage inspired others to follow and explore the New World. -
1532
Infestation of Small Pox
There were two civilizations that were ravaged by small pox. Since vaccinations had not been invented yet, there were no antibiotics yet to help cure the small pox. Bartolome de las casas, a spanish priest, wrote about the mistreatment in Latin America. "Black Legend" highlighted the cruelty of Spain. -
Jamestown
The English settled in Jamestown, Virginia. The company sent 105 men to find riches, shortcut to Asia, and to build settlements. It was very disastrous. The English had a very uneasy alliance with the Powhatan's. There was a lack of community responsibility. John Smith helped lead the colony. -
Maryland
Maryland was gifted to George Calvert- Lord of Baltimore. Maryland was a Proprietary Colony. It was a haven for Catholics. Maryland allowed their people the freedom to worship, unlike the other states. Maryland had a head-right system. -
Treaty of Westphalia
There were German nation-states that chose which religion to follow. Catholicism and Protestantism were the two religions that the people chose to follow. There was a link between national unity and religious uniformity. The people were stronger with one chosen religion. Those patterns would affect the settlement in the Americas. -
King Philip's War
The war was between the Indians of New England and the English Settlers. It ended up being name "The Great Swamp Fight". "The Great Swamp Fight" is known as one of the bloodiest wars. -
England's Glorious Revolution and "The Rights of Englishmen"
Fear of Catholics led to the removal of James II as king of England. This time period is called the Glorious Revolution. There was a high demand of more rights for citizens. Monarchy must use limits of constitutional laws. William and Mary were co-rulers with no heirs. The Catholics suffered in New England and could not hold office in Maryland. John Locke believed that the people could remove a legislative power that is not trust worthy. -
Salem Witch Trails
The was a fear of Indian attacks. The poor were extremely jealous of the prosperous. 20 women were executed by the New England citizens, due to the fact that the people believed that they were witches and would bring harm to them. -
The Plantation World
At this time, Slavery had become a dominant institution. The slavery was permanent. Even children with white fathers but black mothers were considered slaves. Most of the Slave Trade went to the Caribbean and South America. Oladuh Equiano described the passage of slaves from Africa to the New World horrible and there was great suffering during the Voyage. -
French and Indian War
Struggled for Ohio Valley, which was fought on several continents. The result of the war led to the British dominance in North America. The French lost control of Canada and land of East Mississippi. This war left England in a Major Debt. -
The Proclamation line of 1763
All Colonial settlement was east of the Appalachian Mountains. This was to protect the agreements with the Irquois and Delaware tribes. This angered the colonists very much. Which lead to attacks on the Irquois and Delaware tribes. -
Boston Tea Party
Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty boarded three ships in the Boston harbor disguised as Indians and dumped 342 chests of British Tea overboard. That resulted in the passage of Intolerable Acts in 1774. Which resulted in the closing of the Port of Boston. No one was allowed in or out of the port. There was control of the Ohio River to Quebec. -
Shay's Rebellion
After the war, many former soldiers, as well as other residents in Massachusetts faced tremendous economic hardship and demanded economic relief from the state legislature. When the legislature refused, Daniel Shay led armed forces to shut down the courts from stopping the processing of foreclosure. -
Debating and adopting the constitution
By September, The constitution was signed and ratified by states. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the federalist papers ratification. Anti-federalists believed that a strong national government would take away the power of the states. -
The rise of Republican Motherhood
Women at this time had a very big influence on their husbands and sons. During the American Revolution, women of all walks of life faced challenges, especially loyalists who supported the British. At the same time, new expectations and behavior arose from women. If a women wanted to state her opinion all she had to do was influence her husband to speak for her. -
Whiskey Tax
The whiskey tax was put in place by Alexander Hamilton. He wanted to generate extra revenue to fund the debt. The people did not like this especially the Pennsylvania farmers; they protested deeply. -
Creating an economy
After the Revolutionary war the U.S had a very large debt. Alexander Hamilton wanted the federal government to assume all the states debts and finance repayment with taxes. He believed that would establish the credit of the new government. -
Adam's Administration
The French seized 300 american ships, which was known as the X,Y,Z affair. The French demanded bribes during negotiations to release the ships. The U.S refused to negotiate and decided to stack up their navy. The Alien and Sedition Acts was passed to silent the Democratic Republic; which made it harder for new immigrants to vote. -
Second Great Awakening
There was a revival in Kentucky in 1799. Outdoor campgrounds were used for religious meetings. Baptists and Methodists became largest protestant denominations. There was also religion in slave quarters. Slaves held their own services with a slave preacher, who could travel between plantations on Sunday's. The masters feared that there would be a slave revolt so this ended in 1831. -
Marbury v. Madison
Chief justice John Marshall gave power to the supreme court of the judicial review. Meaning they can declare an act of congress unconstitutional. The nation was mostly agrarian also known as farmers. -
The Louisiana Purchase
At this time, Spain controlled New Orleans and land west of Mississippi river; which was Louisiana's territory. Americans had access to the port of New Orleans. They ceded land to the French. Thomas Jefferson was not sure of the constitutionality of buying territory, but did it because it was a great deal. -
Creating the Cotton Economy
Eli Whitney is best known for creating the Cotton Gin. The Cotton Gin dramatically increased the production of cotton in the South; It also increased production of textiles in the North. Over one million slaves were forced to migrate for the cotton industry. In result, The migration of the slaves broke up many slave families. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a state. There was a debate between North and South over the issue of slavery. There was also a rise in abolition. Which tilted the balance of power in senate to the south. Missouri became a slave state, and Maine became a free state. -
Election of 1824
There were five candidates in the Democratic Republic Party. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote. No one had a majority of electoral votes.There was a run off in the House of Representatives between Jackson and John Quincy Adams. Adams ended up winning with the help of Henry Clay. In Result to Clay helping Adams, Adams appointed Clay Secretary. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indians were forced to move to Oklahoma. The Cherokees did not agree with this, so they challenged the act. Chief Justice Marshall supported the Cherokees, so he decided to help them. President Jackson ignored the supreme court. This resulted in the Trail Of Tears. In result of the Trail Of Tears, All of the Cherokees were removed. -
Election of 1832
Biddle supported the renewal of the national bank. President Jackson transferred federal money to state banks. He used that to pay the government bills, he refused to deposit revenue into the banks; which caused it to collapsed. -
Nullification Crisis
John C.Calhoun was the Vice President from South Carolina. He was Presidents Jackson's rival. He was a supporter of the states' rights. He believed that the states can nullify federal laws. South Carolina voted to nullify the Tariff of Abominations. President Jackson did not like this, so he threatened to use federal force. -
Alamo
Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Travis were leaders of the Alamo. Mexican General Santa Anna was captured at the Battle of San Jacinto. This resulted in the independence of Texas. The U.S waited to add Texas as a state because they feared that they would start up a war with Mexico. Texas was a republic for 9 years. -
The U.S War with Mexico
There was a big dispute over borders between Mexico and Texas. President Polk sent General Zachary Taylor known as Old rough and ready to Rio Grande. General Taylor controlled much of the Northern Mexico; including Monterey. Mexico City surrendered a year later in 1847. -
Seneca Fall Convention
The convention began by reading of the Declaration of Independence. This was the beginning of the Women's Rights movement. Sarah Grimke was a writer who stressed for the equality for men and women. Female Abolitionists Elizabeth Cady Stanton pushed equality for women. -
California Gold Rush
James Marshall discovered gold at Sumter's Fort. Most miners arrived via over land. There was lawless mining camps. Those selling to miners became very wealthy. For instance, San Francisco becomes major western port. This Gold Rush enhanced whaling industries on the pacific coast. -
Immigration
During this time period, population grew by a healthy growth rate. There was a major immigration from Ireland, Germany, and China. 23 million people were added to the nation.Each immigrant had their own specialties. Chinese specialized in laying railroad tracks for the Central Pacific. The Irish grew potato's but later on had a failure of potato crop. Germans were mostly farmers, they had more resources than the Irish. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for the popular sovereignty and undid the Missouri Compromise. This fueled the creation of a new political party. The Republican party was replaced by the Whig Party. Abraham Lincoln entered politics. He made it very clear that he opposed Popular Sovereignty and slavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
Missouri slave Dred Scott, sued for his freedom because he lived in a free territory. He appealed to the supreme court. The Supreme decided that as a slave, Scott was property and still under the subjection of his master. They also ruled Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. -
Election of 1860
The candidates of this election were republican Abraham Lincoln whose name was not on the southern ballot. North Democrat Stephen Douglas, South Democrat John Breckinridge, who believed in states' rights and was pro-slavery. Lincoln won the majority electoral college. Because of this South Carolina seceded in December 1860. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Citizens came out with picnic baskets to watch the battle. It was a southern victory. This battle made the north realize the war would not be easy. President Abraham Lincoln felt his generals were too cautious and slow. This continued until the very last parts of the war. The Union had stronger Navy and blocked most of the southern commerce. -
Freedman's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was established by Lincoln to assist former slaves. President Lincoln chose the commissioner. Freedmen's Bureau gave assistance in understanding their contracts. It also provided Medical Assistance, education, temporary shelter, provisions and so on. -
The Road to Emancipation
President Abraham Lincoln had no intention of attacking the institution of slavery in the states where slavery existed. Lincoln's main goal was to keep the Union together. Escaped slaves were known as contraband. As war progressed, the Union saw value of the slaves and began to sympathize with them. -
Election of 1864
The 13th amendment abolished slavery. Lincoln winning was in jeopardy until Sherman took Atlanta and Farragut took Mobile Bay, AL. Sherman captured Atlanta and severed supply lines. Lincoln ordered southern states to be under control of military districts until reconstruction could be sorted out. -
Underground Railroad
"Conductors" assisted the slaves that escaped from their masters and helped them reach North. Harriet Tubman was one of the "Conductors". She escaped her master, then went back to help save the other slaves that were still captive. She was supported by the abolitionists.Fredrick Douglas was a born slave. He escaped at the age of 20 and went on to become a world-renowned anti-slavery activists. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The Pacific Railroad act was created to get the train from Sacramento to Central Pacific. And Union Pacific from Omaha. The Promontory Point in Utah was the first railway connection coast to coast. Travel became cheaper. Clocks and time became synchronized, as well as international trade increased. -
Redemption Period
Hiram Revels was the first African American to become senator. Blanch.K Bruce was the second African American senator. 22 blacks served in congress during the reconstruction. There were black and white teachers. Many former slaves found themselves working the very plantations where they had been slaves. -
Election of 1876
Democrats gave presidency to Republican Rutherford B.Hayes. He agreed to end reconstruction and remove federal troops from the south. African Americans would now be removed from the senate. Jim Crow laws would be enacted in the south to segregate whites from blacks. -
Sioux
This was the largest great plains tribe. It was led by Red Cloud. The treaty of Ft.Laramie was put in place with the government and the Red Cloud. Red cloud agreed to become farmers if the federal government agreed to help with the change in their lifestyles. The Government did not keep their word. In result, the people faced starvation. -
Movement West
The settlers moving west needed army protection. The Homestead act gave 160 acres of federal land to each family that would settle and maintain for five years. The Indian Piece commission created large reservations. There was also Grant's peace policy, that aimed at assimilation, reservations for Indian's protection. This policy was managed by missionaries. The army ignored this policy and fought. -
New Technology
After all that has happened, the nation has finally stepped up with their technology. Alexander Graham Bell, revolutionized communication. He developed the very first telephone in replace of the telegraph. Thomas Edison is known as the most productive American inventor. He is the inventor of the ticker, phonograph, and the early electric light bulb. -
Victorian Era
The Middle Class had Christmas celebrations, department stores, and parks and buildings that all pointed to prosperity. The Urban Development improved the water and sewer systems, which helped cut down on diseases. During this time, there was a major improvement in transportation that created commuting to work. -
Immigration
In the 1890s, Immigrants were mainly Jewish and Catholic. Most of these immigrants moved to American, because they were in major poverty. There was also major religious persecution. The Pogroms and Pales settled in Russia. The Italians left Italy due to poverty and violence.
