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Period: 1492 to
APUSH Chapters 2-17
Going through the events, documents, and people that shaped America into what it is today. -
Aug 4, 1492
Christopher Columbus's Voyage
Italian navigator, Christopher Columbus, had set sail to discover a new route to Asia. Three ships were taken on this voyage, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, all in the name of Spain and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The voyage ended with Columbus discovering America, but he and his men assumed it was the West Indies. -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
After Christopher Columbus returned to Spain, he relayed to the Pope all of his discoveries in the New World. Pope Alexander VI then passed the Treaty of Tordesillas, which split the Americas into two for Spain and Portugal, which were the main powers in the world at that time. The reason for the treaty was to prevent conflict between the two superpowers. Spain and Portugal desired new land to acquire and had religion on their side, which enabled them to take over the Americas and Caribbean. -
1517
Martin Luther's Nailing of the 95 Theses
Martin Luther was a German monk who had conflict with the beliefs of the Catholic Church. He did not agree with the practice of paying "indulgences" to have one's sins forgiven. Luther stood for two things that caused conflict: the Bible is the fundamental religious ruling and one can receive salvation only through faith and not through good deeds. The catholic church rejected Luther and as a result he nailed 95 theses to the church door, this is what initiated the Protestant Reformation. -
1534
Creation of the Church of England
During the 1520s, King Henry VIII of England didn't want to be married to his wife, Catherine. He wanted a divorce, but was afraid that he would not be able to divorce Catherine because of the Bible's shaming of marrying a brother's widow. Henry sought a solution in the church, but the Pope refused. So, Henry established the church of England, which still exists. Henry's scandal proved that monarchy may do as they please, as long as it is in the name of religion. -
Establishment of Jamestown
Jamestown was established by a group of settlers in the name of King James and financed by the Virginia Company. It is the first British permanent settlement in America. The establishment of the small settlement encouraged many British citizens to move. Unfortunately there was a very strained relationship between the settlers and the local Native Americans, one reason was the spreading of diseases brought from England. But the growing of tobacco brought good change. And Jamestown is still around -
Navigation Acts
Before North America became a country, Great Britain had control over it. Great Britain wanted to draw raw materials from the colonies and create markets. The Navigation Acts stated that the colonies in the new world would only trade with Great Britain. The law was passed so Britain could maintain wealthy. But the people in the colonies discovered secret ways to trade with countries like France and Spain which fooled the plans of Parliament. The Navigation Acts led to more laws regarding trade. -
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Salem Witch Trials
In the small town of Salem in New England there was a terrifying movement, which was all started by one accusation. The Salem witch trials were started by a group of three girls. The girls had heard their slave telling stories about demons, shortly after the girls accused the slave of being a witch and she was executed. Many people in Salem began accusing neighbors of witchcraft, and 20 people were killed. This phenomenon proved that, if twisted the wrong way, religion could be dangerous. -
French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years War, the fight for the Ohio Valley became deadly as the colonies of British America and New France struggled for control and dominance in the region. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act was issued by British Parliament and was meant to be implemented on the colonies in America. The Act consisted of raising taxes on foreign tea companies that generated profit through business with the colonists. However, it lowered taxes on the tea sold by the British East India Company, in order to keep the British Economy alive. This angered colonists, especially since parliament issued many other laws that raised revenue and were not in place for the welfare of the colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
This was the result of the Tea Act that was issued upon the American colonies. This event consisted of about one-hundred colonists that boarded a ship with tea from the East India Company and they destroyed all the crates aboard. It took place in Boston, Massachusetts on the Boston harbor and was a form of protest against British Parliament. The Sons Of Liberty organized the raid and issued a statement, "No Taxation Without Representation" that communicated their rage. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
On April 19th, 1775 in Massachusetts, British troops were sent to annex firearms and weapons that belonged to the colonial militia. But colonial spies were watching their march and warned each other. And at the end of the line were Paul Revere and William Dawes, on horseback warning the citizens and Colonial militia that the British were on their way. -
Shay's Rebellion
This was a string of protests in numerous states involving farmers, former soldiers, and those who became poor due to the funding of the American Revolution. The civilians with little money had demanded that the government provide economic relief. And when their wish was not granted, they began to harass lawyers and those who supported the government. The first skirmish involved the local militia attempting to seize a government arsenal. The rebellion was named after the leader, Daniel Shay. -
Election of 1789 for House of Representatives, Senate and President
This was the first official election of America, and George Washington was unanimously elected as the first president. This election also produced the first presidential cabinet, filled with Federalist and Anti-Federalist. Some did not have good personal relationships with one another, but it was proved that Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph worked perfectly together in order to benefit the new country. -
Whiskey Rebellion
After the American Revolution, many states entered into a deep debt. Alexander Hamilton then suggested that the government take action and issue a tax on whiskey. The People did not agree with the passing of this law, they argued that the law was unfair to small producers of the drink. Thus began the Whiskey Rebellion. At the start of a skirmish came George Washington and his troops, who established that rebellion would not be accepted in the new land of the free. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was a document written by James Madison and consists of the first ten amendments of the American Constitution. Not only did the Bill of Rights protect basic liberties and rights of states, but listed limitations on government authority. The very topic of a limited government was a battle between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. -
Washington Declares U.S. Neutral During French Revolution
While there were multiple rebellions and wars in Europe, Washington declared that the United Sates would remain neutral. Since the small nation was still very new, most agreed with the executive decision. But the Anti-Federalists did not feel the same way. The decision caused an infamous separation of the two political parties which changed to the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists. -
Second Great Awakening
Around the year 1800 there was a religious revival in the United States. The revivals would be held in parks or fields and attract thousands of people, among the famous preachers at this time was Charles Finney who was an important instrument in propelling this movement forward. This was very important because it led to numerous movements for topics like abolition and women's rights. The second great awakening also led to new religions forming. -
War of 1812
The British government took action against the United States for its decision on neutrality. Out of frustration and revenge, Great Britain blocked all trade from France to America and vise-versa. The British also kidnaped American sailors and forced them to fight, and many felt as if is was a threat to liberty and freedom. There was also conflict between the Native Americans and White Americans during this war. There was complete chaos. But America won the war and proved they were a superpower. -
Indian Removel Act
Passed by Andrew Jackson and forced Native Americans to move to a small plot of land in modern-day Oklahoma. The reason for this act is that Jackson felt the Natives were in the way of American physical and economic expansion. One of the effected tribes included the Cherokee Indians whom fought back at the government and claimed the act was unconstitutional. The Indians journey to the reservation was difficult and heartbreaking, thus the route they took is now called the Trail of Tears. -
Slave Revolt: Nat Turner
Nathaniel Turner was an educated African American slave who held the only effective slave rebellion in the history of the United States. As an adult, Turner became a preacher and claimed that God had chosen him to lead the slaves into freedom. Along with about seventy-five fellow slaves, Turner murdered his master and about fifty-one other white people. This rebellion ended with the execution of Nathaniel and sixteen others, but also causes slave laws to be stricter in order to prevent revolts. -
Battle at the Alamo
During the independence war of Texas from Mexico A small group of Texan soldiers set up camp in an old mission, the Alamo. The Texans were led by Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis. And although they were outnumbered against the Mexicans, the men held together for almost two weeks until the Mexicans overpowered them. The men who fought bravely for the Alamo were executed and even though it was loss for Texas, it became a constant reminder of bravery and motivated the Texan military. -
Mexican-American War
This two year war was a rather large dispute over the border separating Texas and Mexico which began when the Mexican army ambushed American soldiers. Although it was bravely fought, the North feared new territory would be bonded by slavery. The national motivation for the war was Manifest Destiny. Supporters of this cause included President Polk and most of congress. The war not only included part of modern-day Texas but also California and New Mexico, and proved to be a win for America. -
Horace Mann Established the State Board of Education
The establishment of the State Board of Education by Horace Mann is very significant to American history because it opened colleges and allowed people to have professions that differed from their family. Public education also permitted common children and adults to learn to read and learn basic math that would help them in progressing business and throughout their lives. Although the education system was not as complex as it is today, people were still able to become empowered and successful. -
California Gold Rush: Sutter's Fort
James Marshalls' discovery of gold fumed the famous California Gold Rush which fueled the American economy and attracted many immigrants. Upon the announcement of gold in California many on the eastern border packed their bags and set off to the dessert in order to generate wealth for their families. Many travelers died during their journey, and most that made it spent their winnings within days. But the effects of the gold rush are evident even today within bustling state of California. -
Seneca Fall Convention
Led by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the meeting was "a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman". The topics that were discussed included education, property rights, and the right to obtain divorce. The words spoken moved many women to take action and use their authority and voice to bring the issue to an understanding. The Seneca Fall Convention brought about change and fueled the movement for women's rights all the way till today. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was proposed by Senator Henry Clay and included laws to make California a free state, and making Utah and New Mexico territories, but popular sovereignty was meant to determine if they were going to allow slavery. The goal was to create peace among the North and South states. For example, although through these laws slavery was made illegal in Washington D.C., the Fugitive Slave Act allowed slave holders to recapture runaway slaves more easily. -
Election of 1860
This presidential election consisted of four candidates: Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge and John Bell. Although most knew that Lincoln winning the election would be by a long shot, some still hoped. When he won the election, Lincoln attempted to communicate that he planned on keeping slavery, but would limit it so no more growth could progress. Lincoln wanted peace within the nation, but the Civil War would cause that ambition to be put on hold. -
Battle at Fort Sumter
After the North and South had split, the confederacy had bombarded the Union fort, Fort Sumter. Those were the first shots of the Civil War. The Battle was a loss for the Union and boosted the South's morale greatly. Although the Battle itself was short lived, it marked the beginning of the bloodiest war in American History, and the feud that was to come between the Union and Confederacy. -
Homestead Act
The homestead act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 in order to promote migration to the West. Settlers were awarded one-hundred sixty acres of land for moving to the West, many began to farm and started to build cattle ranches. Area in New England and the Eastern coast became overcrowded and those who settled in the Wes became wealthy because of their cattle. -
Emancipation Proclamation
As the Union and Confederacy entered the third year of fighting the Civil war, Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which stated that "all persons held as slaves…shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free". This law was directed towards any state in rebellion. The Emancipation Proclamation brought slavery forward as one of the main issues of the Civil War, it freed slaves in enemy states, gave permission for freed slaves fight in the Union Army, and was a symbol of equality. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
In the span of two days, there were over fifty-thousand casualties. Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle in the civil war, and was a dramatic turning point. General Robert E. Lee planned on defeating the Union during the invasion and he thought that if he won, since it was on Union soil, Abraham Lincoln would be able to negotiate a peace treaty. The battle ended in a Union victory and motivated the troops greatly. -
Passing of the Thirteenth Amendment
On April 8th, 1864, these words were written on paper and forever changed America: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” The thirteenth Amendment was passed and outlawed slavery. It had been through months of ratification, but freedom had finally arrived for slaves and justice had been issued for the slaveholders. -
Establishmen of Freedmen's Bureau
The organization was started by Abraham Lincoln and its purpose was to assist former slaves. The reason for the Freedmen's Bureau was because America had just finished fighting the Civil War and the thirteenth amendment was passed which outlawed slavery. And although all slaves were free, hardly any had money or education. Freedmen's Bureau provided medical assistance, education, temporary shelter, clothing, and food to the freed slaves. The organization made a difference in many people's lives. -
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway act promoted the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The act put in place the blueprint for the railroad which was to be connected from the Central Pacific to Sacramento, ad from the Union Pacific to Omaha. As a result of this act and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, many people began move to the Pacific side of the United States. The trains began to be used as transportation for goods and businesses, and travel became cheaper. All due to this Act. -
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Passing of Enforcement Acts
Consisted of three bills that were set it place to protect African-Americans. And they served as a combatant to put en end to the violence against the former slaves. The bills allowed African-Americans to vote, hold a political position in office, serve in a jury, and have the same rights and protections as a white man. As a result of the Enforcement Acts, President Grant sent troops to the South in order to enforce the laws. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
During the late 1800s tensions between white Americans and Native Americans were high. The Sioux native American tribe would conduct a ritual called the ghost dance. The dance was meant to get rid of the white Americans. But the American government sent in troops to put an end to the racism and murdering of American civilians, that event was the Wounded Knee Massacre. There were women, men and children killed during the ordeal. The event was supposed to put an end to the ghost dance movement. -
Henry Ford's Model T Ford Release
At this time in America, many people began innovating old technology. Henry Ford worked in the automobile industry and successfully launched his own business. His Model T Ford made it easier for the common man to purchase a car. Henry Ford kept prices low by manufacturing each car on an assembly line; more products produced meant a lesser price. Ford's introduction of the Model T Ford paved the path for lower prices on luxury items that most could afford.
