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Jan 1, 1491
Before European Exploration
Prior to the discovery of the Americas by the Europeans, the native population had had no interaction with outsiders other than different tribes. This point in time is also significant since Columbus had begun his voyage to the Americas which would change the lives of the native population. -
Oct 12, 1492
America was discovered
America was discovered by Christopher Columbus on this day and it's sigificant since this marks the beginning of European colonization of America. -
Oct 13, 1492
Columbian Exchange begins
The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of goods, animals, and diseases between the Old and New World. Its significance is that this led to the death of most of the native population, competition, and the end of feudalism in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1525
Beginning of the Atlantic Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade was used to send slaves from Africa to the Americas and was significant since it marked a shift from the use of native slaves to African slaves and intorduced new cultures to the Americas. -
Establishment of Jamestown
Jamestown was founded in Virginia and marked the first, permanent settlement for the British and the beginning of British colonial rule. -
Colonization of New Amsterdam
The colony of New Amsterdam was established by the Dutch and was significant since it promoted religious and racial tolerance, was established as a trade center, and would eventually be taken over by the British and renamed New York. -
King Philip's War
This was a deadly war between New England settlers and the natives of the region. Its significance comes from how much of a threat the natives posed to the settlers by refusing colonial rule. -
Queen Anne's War
This was the second of four wars between France and Britian and was significant becuase France had to give over territory and end one of its alliaces with the Iroquois. -
Establishment of New Orleans
The city of New Orleans was founded by the French and managed to be one of its longest-lasting settlements. THe city is significant because it was an important trade center, was desired by the British, and was eventually sold. -
French and Indian War
This was the last major war between the British and French concerning colonialization which was won by the British and their colonies. The siginficance of this war is how colonists proved to be useful in wars, wanted to expand, and the treatment of salutary neglect from the British ended due to war expenses which led to tensions between the British and the colonists. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle of the Revolutuonary War between the colonists and the British. The significance of this battle is that it started the American Revolution and other revolutions like the French and Haitian Revolutions. -
Declaration of Independence
This document marked the official starting point of the American Revolution and was significant since the colonists were now fighting for freedom rather than against mistreatment. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the final battle of the Revolutionary War and was significant since the surrender of the British meant that the US was finally free from colonial rule. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty was the true point in the establishment of the US as its own nation and free of British control. The significance of this treaty is how the US decides to act with neutrality and ignore foreign disputes as much as possible. -
The Louisiana Purchase
With the Louisiana Purchase, the US doubled its size which was significant because its influence spread, gained new resources, and began to emerge as a larger source for global trade. -
Embargo of 1807
The US decided to place an embargo on all foreign trade in an attempt to avoid war. The significance of this was the US economy suffered more than that of France or Britain and set them back in the global market. -
War of 1812
This war was between the US and Britain fighting about British influence over American shipping. The significance was that the US would fight no matter what to protect its trade assets, but did suffer by losing many soldiers in this war. -
Tariff of 1816
This tariff was put into place by Jefferson to greatly tax all foreign trade and was significant since this meant tat te US had even less presence in the world due to less interaction. -
Texas Declaration of Independence
Texas had just seceeeded from Mexico territory which was significant since the US would be able to easily gain that territory either through convincing or conflict. -
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War was over a dispute about the US and its territorial expansion. It was significant since this showed just how far the US would go under the idea of Manifest Destiny in oreder to expand and become recognized globally. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American War and was significant since it gained the US the modern-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
This attack marked the beginning of the Civil War and was significant since the US would be limiting international trade during wartime in order to resolve the conflict as fast as possible. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
This surrender marked the end of the Civil War and was significant becuase the US would resume international trade at what it had been before the war. -
Purchase of Alaska
The US purchased Alaska from Russia which was heavily criticized. The significance was that Alaska proved to be a large source of resources for international trade which contradicted the thoughts at the time. -
Immigration to the US increases
The US had been improving industrially and underwent mass urbanization which led to immigration. The significance of this was that new cultures were introduced to the US and the US gained a larger presence in the world. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The US banned all immigration from Chna and stopped Chinese immigrants from being citizens. The significance of this act was how it was drawn from nativist ideals and represented an urge to keep America for Americans and lower the nation's presence in the world. -
Annexation of Hawaii
The annexation of Hawaii marked the end of the US's aquistion of states. The significance of this is that the US had already been looking for territories overseas and now had a popular trade port in the Pacific. -
Opening of Ellis Island
The opening of Ellis Island allowed for immigration to the US from Europe to increase which was significant in bringing new cultures, trade opprotunities, and potential expansion. -
Spanish-American War
This war concerned the US wanting to gain new territory overseas. This was significant since it showed that the US would enter conflict out of imperialism just to expand its trade industry and presence. -
Open Door Policy
The US adopted this policy mainly to gain some control of China which was significant in extending its trade to new places. -
Construction of the Panama Canal
The canal was to conect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and was significant in reducing trade time and accessing new trade points for the US. -
WWI
The first World War began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and was significant since the US got involved, and left the war was a competent force. -
WWII
The second World War egan with te German invasion of Poland and the US entered after te attack on Pearl Harbor. This war was significant since the US emerged as a global superpower and formed the UN. -
Truman Doctrine
The US adopted the policy of containment to stop the spread of communism which was significant since the US shifted from not being involved in the world to full enforcement. -
Korean War
The US got involved in Korea to defend South Korea from communism which was significant because the US made no progress by the end of the war and had almost no effect on the world in the long run. -
Immigration Act of 1965
This new act ended the quota system to immigration which was significant in allowing the US to gain allies during the Cold War. -
SALT I
This treaty disarmed both sides of the Cold War and makred the first step to peace. -
Camp Davis Accords
The US resolved conflict between Egypt and Israel which was significant in aiding the Middle East, a new part of the world that the US would be involved in. -
Reagan Elected
Reagan's election marked the shift to conservatism which was significant in the US to pressure for an end to the Cold War. -
9/11
The US suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history which led to its involvement in the Middle East. -
Afghanistan War
The US began to involve itself to end terrorism after the 9/11 attack and was significant since they were acting with full force. -
Iraq War
The US involved itself in Iraq to remove the possession of WMDs from terrorists and acted out of fear of another attack.
