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Oct 12, 1492
Discovery of America
America was discovered by Columbus on October 12 1492.The discovery of America sparked sparked political and power struggles between the European Powers. Each wanted control of the vast American continent. -
Apr 22, 1503
Encomienda System
The encomienda system was a labor system and a way of converting the Native Ameericans to the Christian faith. Instead, the encomienda system was a subjugation of the Native Americans and assured that Native Ameericans never gained power and overthrow the Spaniards -
Apr 22, 1513
conquistadores
these weRE Spanish soldiers and explorers. When they settelD IN america< The consquitadors forcefully took over the nativesa and satrted the long period of the subjugation of native Americans. -
Apr 22, 1542
New Laws of 1542
The New Laws of 1542 ened Indian slavery, halted forced labor, and began to end the Encomienda System. This provoked a and forved the King to retract some parts of the law. -
Apr 22, 1570
Iroquois Confederation
the iroquois Confederation was an alliance between five Iroquois states located in what is today upper state New York. They played a strategic role between the French and British for the domination of North Ameerica. -
Virginia House of Burgeeses
The House of Burgesses was the first democratically-elected legislative body in the British American colonies. It is significant because it shows early signs of colonists wanting the same rights they had in England in the new world. -
Mayflower Compact
this was a pledge to make decisions by the will of the majority. This compact was an early form of colonial self-governmnt and a rudimentary written Constitution. -
County governemnt
County governemnts were popular in the southern colonies because of the lack of cities unlike in the New England colonies. This type of government had a law-enforcing sheriff and other officials who served a large territorial unit called a county. This was a precursor of counties that are now in every state today. -
Bacon's Rebellion
This was a rebellion agaisnt berkeley's government. This was don through a series of raids and massacre. the rebellion was one of the first signs of colonial resistance to royal control. -
Town Meetings
Town meetings were the dominant form of government in New England colonies. People would come together to vote directly on public issues. These town meetings were mini forms of democracy that would later influence the type of governemnt the U.S would establish after gaining their independence. -
Enlightment
This was a time when educated Americans felt attracted to a European movement in literature and philosophy. John Locke was a major influence on American thinking. he believed that citizens had a right and an obligation to revolt agaisnt whatever governemnt failed to protect them. -
French and Indian War
This was the war between the British and the French over control of the Ohio River Valley. This war gave the british a ngative view of the colonie's' performance. This began a long set of disputes betwen Great Britain and the colonies and eventually led to the Declaration of independence. -
Albany plan of union
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies. It was significant because it set a precedent for later, more revolutionary Congress. -
Proclamation Line of 1763
This proclamation prvented the colonists to migrate past a certain point. Great britain did not want to spend money protecting the colonists from Native Americans. This was significant because it angered the colonists and put them in a mindset to have their independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation is significant because it was the first attempt of the U.S to establish a democratic state. it purposefully made the federal goveernemnt weak. The document was not good for the long term because America was changing. -
the Constititution
The Constitution was the document that replaced the Articles of Confederation. it gave more power to the government and created a bicameral legislature. It is significant because it brought a head of power for the executive branch called a President. -
Fugitive Slave Law
The fugitive slave laws were laws passed by the United States Congress to provide for the return of slaves who escaped from one state into another state or territory.This was significant because it drove a wedge between the North and the South which was also one of the causes of the American Civil War. -
Strict Interpretation
Thomas Jefferson led the camp that supported a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Jefferson and his followers believed that what was written in the constitution was meant word for word. this is significant because the split over a strict and loose interpretation led to the creation of political parties. -
Marbury vs.Madison
In Marbury v. Madison (1803) the Supreme Court announced for the first time the principle that a court may declare an act of Congress void if it is inconsistent with the Constitution. It is significant because it established the doctrine of judicial review. -
Fletcher vs. Peck
In this case, the Supreme Court concluded that a state could not pass legislation invalidating a contract. thi is significant because it was the first time the Supreme Court declared a state law to be unconstitutional. -
Hartford convention
A secret meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, of Federalist delegates from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont who were dissatisfied with Pres. James Madison’s mercantile policies and the progress of the War of 1812. this was significant because it significantly weakened the federalist party and eventually led to their end. -
Tallmadge Ammendment
The Tallmadge Amendment was a proposed amendment to a bill requesting the Territory of Missouri to be admitted to the Union as a free state. this was significant because it was the first step of northeners' efforts to abolish slavery. -
Popular sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives, who are the source of all political power. This was significant because it allow for newly ratified states to decid if they were a free of .slav state. -
Ostend Manifeto
The Ostend Manifesto was a document written in 1854 that described the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain while implying that the U.S. should declare war if Spain refused. This was significant because it angered th northerners who were antislavery and forced President Polk to let go of the affair which left a Spanish presence in the Western Hemisphre. -
Election of 1860
Abraham lincoln won the elections of 1860. This was significant becasue it led to the southern states seceding. -
secession
Some southern states seceded because Lincoln was elected as president and they feared that he would abolish slavery. This was significant because it led to the American Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." This was significant becaus it made way for the establishment of the 18th ammendment. -
National Grange Movement
It was organized by Oliver H. Kelley primarily as a social and educational organization for farmers and their families, but later became a sort of political movement. This was significant because it defended members agaisnt the middlemen and was successful in getting various laws passed such as reguletion of rates charged by railroads and elevators. -
Munn v. illinois
The Supreme Court upheld the right of a state to regulate business of a public nature, such as railroads. It was significant because was a watershed in the struggle for public regulation of private enterprise. Later court decisions, however, sharply curtailed the government’s power to regulate business. -
Election of 1884
Clevland won the elections because he was different from most Gilded Age politicians. This was significant because Cleveland was the first democratic president since Buchanan. -
Wabash v. Illinois
The Supreme Court ruled that individual states could not regulate interstate commerce. This was significant because it nullified many of the state regulation achieved by the Grangers. -
Election of 1888
William Henry Harrison, A Republican, won the elctions and defeated Cleveland. It was significant because the issue of tariff divided the Republicans and Democrats -
Teller Ammendment
Henry M. Teller proposed an amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain which proclaimed that the United States would not establish permanent control over Cuba. this was significant because unlike in th Phillipines, the U.S was forced to leave Cuba. -
Lochner vs. New York
The Supreme court ruled agaisnt a state law limiting workers to a ten hour work . It was significant because it was destined to become a symbol of judicial interference with the democratic process, and Holmes’s dissent became a rallying cry for the Progressive movement in the United States. -
Muller vs. Oregon
The Supreme Court ruled that the health of women needed special protection from long hours. It was significant because it enabled the Court to approve some state reforms. It showed the powers of the Supreme Court. -
Seventeeth Ammednment
The Seventeenth Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution established the popular election of United States Senators by the people of the states. It is important because it allowed the people of each state to choose who would represent their state in the U.S. Senate instead of state legislators choosing who would represent their state -
19th ammendment
The 19th amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. This was significant becaus the women suffrage was over , and women could now focus on equal rights in the workplace. -
Election of 1948
Even though people expectd Dewey to win, truman won the elections of 1948. it was significant because it is considered as the greatest election upset in American history. -
Mapp vs. Ohio
This Supreme Court decison decided that illegally seized evidence could not be used in court agaisnt the accused. It was significant because it limited the power of the police or lawyers and attorneys -
Miranda vs. Arizona
The Supreme Court ruled that detained criminal suspects, prior to police questioning, must be informed of their constitutional right to an attorney and against self-incrimination. It is significant because the ruling is still in effect today. it shows that arrested criminals have some type of power. -
Watergate Scandal
Watergate was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States in the 1970s, following a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. and President Richard Nixon's administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement. This was significant because it caused the public to trust the government even less. -
War Powers Act
This act stated that the president must report to Congress within 2 days of putting troops in danger in a foreign country, and there would be a 60 to 90 day limit for over seas troop presence. It was significant because it limited the power of the President as the commnder in chief. -
Latino Voters
Latinos are the fastest growing demographic group in the nation. They are important bcause thy enabled President Obama to win the 2012 Presidential Election. -
2013 nement Shutdown
Thee governemnt was forced to shut down the governemnt because of the Affordable Care Act. This was significant because the approval raiting of the governement dropped ten percent, and foreign nations questioned the leadership role of the U.S. -
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton was the wife of ex-President, Bill Clinton. She is fighting to win the Democratic Presidential election of 2016. It is significant because if she wins, she could become the first women President of the U.S. -
election of 2008
Barack Obama fought wone Democratic nomination; John McCain as the Republican. The failing economy was the centerpiece of the ectionelection. This was significant because Barack Obama became the first African American President -
Sarah Palin
She ran alongside McCain in the election of 2008. She is significant because she bcame the second woman to run for the vice presidency on major political party ticket. Also, today, she is advidly supporting Donald Trump.
