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Important Events:
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Establishment of Jamestown
The founding of Jamestown was America's first permanent English colony in Virginia, which they named after their King, James I. Was surrounded by water from James River, the first step in the New World. -
First Tobacco Crop Planted
Tobacco saved the Jamestown colony and opened the door to future British settlement. The struggling colony had been unable to find a way to support themselves, until tobacco was planted by John Rolfe in the colony and soon became a large-scale export to European countries. The wealth of tobacco also brought more colonists to the area and replenished the population. -
Beginning of Thirty Years War
It was one of the longest and bloodiest wars in human history. Were a series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including religious, dynastic, territorial, and commercial rivalries. -
Arrival of Slaves
Slavery in America started in 1619, when a Dutch ship brought 20 African slaves into Jamestown, Virginia. Throughout the 17th century, North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful source of labor. -
Mayflower Compact
This compact was created by the English settlers who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower, as a form of self-governance in the New World. Was an agreement which established a unified sense of purpose. -
King James I Death
The king died, probably of a stroke, on March 27, 1625. He was succeeded by Charles I. -
Navigation Acts
The English Parliament passes a series of Navigation Acts. They were created for the American colonies, dealing with trade and commerce, which later caused much conflict within colonies. -
King Philip's War
War fought between Native Americans and Colonists. The colonists fought this war without the help of the English government, so it helped give them a sense of identity and as strong independent Americans. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Led by Nathaniel Bacon, taking some back woods farmers to court to threaten the judges, which led to the establishment from indentured servants to African american slaves. Major turning point ! -
French and Indian War
Known best as the 7 years war, a conflict primarily fought between Britain and France over New World territory. Began over the conflict of the Ohio River valley being a part of the British Empire. Ended in great loss, and lots of debt. -
Salem Which Trials
More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. 20 people were executed, but trials later were admitted a mistake. -
The Royal Proclamation
Issued by King George in hopes to protect the Indians lands. Instead, it was the beginning of what would lead up to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act
This act was passed without debate by Parliament, pushing the already enraged colonists over the edge by imposing a direct tax on them. -
Boston Massacre
A deadly riot that occurred on March 5, 1770, on King Street in Boston. Conflict between American colonists who were angry at the series of acts being established and British soldiers. One of the most important events leading up to the Revolutionary War. -
Boston Tea Party
A political protest where enrages colonists boarded a British ship full of tea barrels and threw them overboard while disguised as natives. -
First Continental Congress Meeting
Meeting of the thirteen colonies in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Was called to address grievances against the British government and to discuss how they should handle the Intolerable Acts. -
The Fourth Of July
The Second Continental Congress created the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies break up from Great Britain. -
Valley Forge
In the freezing cold of winter, General George Washington and his men camped at Valley Forge. Hundreds died from poor conditions and not enough supplies. -
Siege of Yorktown
George Washington and the Continental Army won the Battle of Yorktown, with help from the French Army. General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty was signed on September 3, 1783, between American colonies and Great Britain. It ended the American Revolution, and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation -
Our First President
After the new Constitution was ratified, due to his great leadership George Washington rose up to become the first president of the United States. -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes President
After beating John Adams, Jefferson tied with Aaron Burr, so it was up to the House of Representatives to decide who would become the next president. Jefferson and Burr campaigned against each other for six days. Finally, Thomas Jefferson won the support of Congress and became the third president of the United States. -
War of 1812
The United States declares war on the British for interference in their expansion to the west. War brought the United States onto the world's stage due to conflict that ranged all around the world. Ended with the exchange of ratification of the Treaty of Ghent. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which permitted the forced removal of Native American Indians from their lands on the West, cased lots of change due to many migration to west. -
Manifest Destiny
The idea that the United States is believed to be 'destined by God' to expand its dominion and spread democracy/capitalism across the entire North American continent. Appeared first in a magazine by John L. O'Sullivan. -
Annexation of Texas
On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the United States as a slave state, admitted to the Union as the 28th state. This caused America to end up gaining a huge expansion of territory. -
Mexican War
After Mexico had claimed land as its own territory and accused the American military of having invaded, the U.S. declares war on Mexico due to many conflicts and confusion about barriers. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, is published and becomes a pushing force toward abolition. The book focuses on the problem of slavery and the treatment of humans as property. Stowe became a leading voice in the anti-slavery movement. -
Civil War Begins
Claiming this United States fort as their own, on April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter, Union forces surrendered. This event marks the beginning of the Civil War. -
Confederate States of America
South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana secede from the Union and form the Confederate States of America, due to their desire to keep/protect the idea of slavery. -
End of Slavery
Congress passes the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery for good in the United States, and immediately freed more than 100,000 enslaved people. -
Civil War Ends
After the South realized they stood no chance, the Union won the Civil War, and Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.