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Period: Apr 22, 1491 to
Period 1
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Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The treaty was made to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Castile (Spain) in the new world essentially with a line. The lands to the east of line would belong to Portugal and the lands to the west to Castile. Connection to POL: It is significant because it is the interaction between two country's governments and an agreement over where their respective domains would be and where they would have political rule. -
Jun 25, 1512
Encomienda System Established
The encomienda system was established by the Spanish government to control and regulate American Indian labor and behavior during their colonization of America. The system gave out grants in the form of Indians to conquistadors and other leaders (encomenderos) whom could take tribute from them in the form of gold or labor. Connection to Politics and Power: It was an excercise of power/authority over the Indians by the Spanish government in order to consolidate their political power in America. -
Mar 24, 1521
Aztecs Conquered by Spanish Hernan Cortes
The Aztec civilization was a Native American empire that controlled present-day Mexico until 1521, when the civilization was conquered by Herna Cortes. The Aztec civilization had a form of government where its vast empire controlled its large area by imposing a system of trade and tribute and human sacrifices in religious ceremonies. Connection to POL: The Spanish came and conquered the Aztecs and changed the whole political landscape of the area and changed the society by enslaving Aztecs etc. -
Jun 21, 1540
Spain authorizes Coronado's Conquest
A letter was written (on behalf of King Charles V) by Francisco Garcia de Loaysa, the president of the Council of the Indies. The letter authorized Coronado to explore present-day New Mexico to search for gold and resources. In addition, Loaysa wanted Coronado to bring natives under the rule of Spain and teach them Christianity. Connection to POL: It is significant because Spain attempted to exert its authorty/power in North America and subjugate and assimilate natives through this doctrine. -
Charter of 1606 (Virginia)
Document from King James I of England to the Virginia Company assigning land rights to colonists for spreading their influence including their religion, Christianity. The land itself would remain the property of the King. Connection to Politics and Power: The Charter of 1606 is significant to POL because it guaranteed the settlers of Jamestown and other Virginia settlements that they would have the rights of Englishmen. -
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Period 2
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Virginia House of Burgesses
It was the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. The House of Burgesses eventually represented the entire official legislative body of the Colony of Virginia, and later, after the American Revolution, the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Connection to POL: It was significant because it was the first democratically elected legislative body in the British American colonies, showing a shift from the political structure of monarchy. -
Mayflower Compact
It was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It was created by Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower, seeking religious freedom. The compact was drafted to prevent disagreement between Puritans and non-separatist Pilgrims. Connection to POL: It was significant as it was the first written framework of government established in the United States. The document and its governmental structure/laws maintained the order of society and made it organized politically. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The orders describe the governmental structure established by the Connecticut River towns, setting its structure and powers. It is similar in essence to a written constitution. The document established connecticut as a self-ruled entity. Connection to POL: It is significant because it is considered, by some, as the first written Consitution in Western tradition. The Orders of Connect structured society politically therefore fits into POL. It also declared self-ruled entity status of Connecticut -
Navigation Act of 1663
It was a series of laws that requried all European goods bound for America or other colonies to be shipped through England first. It governed trade between England and its colonies. The acts basically prevented colonists from trading with other countries in a way. Connection to POL: The British federal government passed political processes to benefit its conditions at home (Britain) while iignoring local governments of colonies, creating a govenrmental struggle between Britiain and its colonies -
Glorious Revolution
The event was the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians led by William III of Orange-Nassau. William III and his wife Mary II jointly began to rule the English throne. A Bill of Rights was drafted to state rights and liberties of the British and how King James had invaded them. Connection to POL: It was significant because it essentially began modern English parliamentary democracy. The revolution was a struggle to fight the government's oppressing power. -
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Period 3
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Declaration of Independence
Is the document adopted by the Second Contintental Congress, which declared that the thirteen American coloines, at the time at war with Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and not under British rule. The thirteen new nations formed the United States of America. Connection to POL: During the Revolutionary War, the colonies felt that the federal government of Britain was harming them, so they decided to break off to maintain local sovernity. -
Articles of Confederation
It was an agreement among all thirteen original states in the United States of America and served as a first constitution. It asserted the sovereignty of each state. The federal government barely had any power and taxes were not enforced. The document led to much debate to change it and eventually it was replaced by the current US constitution (more federal power). Connection to POL: It was the first constitution of the US and thus the first attempt to organize government in US after revolution -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Set up a standardized system by which settlers could purchase title to farmland in the undeveloped western frontier. Congress under the Articles of Confederation, did not have power of direct taxation, so these sales provided an important stream of revenue. Connection to POL: This illustrates how the government was changing society by intoducing new areas of opportunity to citizens and had exerted their power in areas such as they did with the west instead of allowing settlers to freely settle. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The act created the Northwest Territory, the first organized territory of the US, from lands between British Canada and the Great Lakes. The Northwest Ordinance established the precedent by which federal government would be sovereign and expand west with admission of new states, instead of expanding the current states. It also prohibited slavery in the territories. POL: It structured wild lands and organized them under government power.Also the government started to advocate liberty for slaves. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights provided a solution to the heated debate by Anti-Federalists (opposed strong central gov) and Federalists, political parties that interpreted the Consitution diffferently. Both sides were pleased with the Bill of Rights added to the constitution which clearly stated the rights of state's and the limitations of the central government's power while recognizing the crucial role of central government in uniting US. Connection to POL: Political party debates over govt structure. -
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Period 4
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Marbury v. Madison
A landmark US Supreme Court case in which the Court formed the basis of judicial review in the United States. The decision helped to define the boundary between the constitutionally separate executive and judicial branches of the American government. Connection to POL: It decided the balance between different branches of the federal government (executivie and judicial) so helped to organize structure of US government more and really make an efficient system of checks and balances. -
Embargo Act of 1807
A general embargo that made any and all exports from the US illegal. The goal of the embargo was to force Britain and France to respect American rights during the Napoleonic Wars and the US decision to remain neutral. America also wanted to use economic coercion to avoid war and punish Britain. Connection to POL: It illustrates that government regulates society's economic activities. The event also created a new debate among political parties, neutrality or not. -
Tariff of 1816 (Dallas Tariff)
It was the first tariff passed by Congress and its role was to protect U.S. manufactured items from foreign competetition. It received much support from Northern states. Connection to POL: It shows that the government can control the economic activities of the country. The Tariff led to debate among political parties. -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
The law authorized the president to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal to federal territory west in exchange for their ancestral homelands. It recieved strong support from Southerners who were eager to gain access to Indian lands. Connection to POL: It illustrated how a government could change a whole society completely. The US government completely changed Indian society by moving them west, leading to lots of suffering. The event also created debate in politics. -
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Period 5
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Texas Annexation of 1845
The Texas annexation was the incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States of America. The state was oficially admitted into the Union as the 28th state. Texas joined after declaring their independence from Mexico in 1836 and not being able to support self-rule (so joined US). Connection to POL: The leadership of both major American political parties argued over the annexation. There was a political division such that the north were against annexation (because Texas had slavery) -
Compromise of 1850
It was a package of 5 bills that defused a four-year political arguement between slave and free states on the matter of the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. The compromise reduced sectional tensions. Connection to POL: It illustrates the political division in the nation as one side is pro-slavery, whereas the other is anti-slavery. Also, it shows that the government can control the lives of its people by instituting laws to prevent a certain activity (slavery). -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
A bill, introduced by senator Stephen Douglas, that divided the land west of Missouri into two territories, Kansas and Nebraska. Popular sovereignty was instituted, which would allow the settlers of the new territories to decide if slavery would be legal there. Connection to POL: Democracy was being upheld with this decision as states got to vote for whether they wanted to allows slavery. Showed that political division was in the US over the matter of slavery. -
Convention of Kanagawa
The first treaty between the US and the Empire of Japan. It effectively meant the end of Japan's 220 year old policy of national seclusion, by opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American vessels. Connection to POL: The US was started to assert its authorty globally and started develop a foreign policy that made it be more involved globally such as shown in this event with the negotiation of a treaty for trade. -
Ex Parte Merryman
It is a U.S. federal court case which happened from the American Civil War and tested the authority of the President to suspend "the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus" under the Constitution's Suspension Clause, when the Congress was recessed and unable to do so themselves. Connection to POL: It defined the powers of the executive and legistlative branches more. It showed that sometimes the branches of US government could conflict in its decisions, etc. -
Emancipation Proclamation
A presidential proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln that changed the federal legal status of enslaved people in the designated areas of the South from "slave" to "free" Connection to POL: It showed that liberties were starting to be earned for African Americans and a true democracy was forming. The president asserts his executive power and shows that he is able to use his authority to change the political atmosphere of the nation quickly. -
13th Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Consitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitutde. It was one of the first of 3 post-civil war Reconstruction Amendments adopted. Connection to POL: It illustrated that the union (federal government) had suceeded to assert its power/authority over the state governments and showed that the federal government was the greatest power in the US as shown by the abolishment of slavery which southern state's did not want but had to do basically. -
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Period 6
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Reconstruction Acts
The Reconstruction Act defined the process of readmitting Southern states back into the Union. It had amendments to the constitution within it such as the 14th and 15th amendments. It established a temporary military government of 5 districts in the south commanded by a general. Connection to POL: The union was exerting its authority and federal power over the states in attempts to readmit them. The federal government made an example that it had more power over the state/local branches of govts -
Fourteenth Amendment
The amendment addressed citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. It was proposed to help solve issues related to former slaves following the Cvil War. It declared every US born, US citizen protected by the laws and government of the US. Connection to POL: A turning point was happening where the government was starting to become like today's modern democracy which emphasizes liberties. African americans started to gain more rights and liberties and citizenship was defined. -
Compromise of 1877
Was an informal unwritten deal that settled the disputed 1876 presidential election and pulled federal troops out ofstate politics in the South, ending the Reconstruction Era. Connection to POL: It is significant because it showed that States were starting to gain their balance of rights again in respect to the federal government. It showed that the US was starting to unite politically again. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Federal law signed by President Chester Arthur restricting Chinese immigrants. It banned Chinese labor immigration for ten years and made limitations for other Chinese immigrants. Connection to POL: It shows that the government can institute political policies to prevent people from comming into the country. The government during this event excercised their political authority and developed foreign policies with China to get them to prevent Chinese immigration. -
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Period 7
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Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a Supreme Court decision that upheld the state laws requiring segregation in public facilities such as schools and said it was constitutional as long as there is "separation but equality" Connection to POL: It showed that the country was politically divided over the issue of segregation, with the north opposing it and south supporting it. It was a demonstration of how the US was starting to begin a "war" for African Americans to gain liberty and rights. -
Platt Amendment (1901)
Established the terms under which the US would stop its military occupation of Cuba and essentially leave Cuba to its people. It basically allowed America unilateral influence in Cuban affairs and Guantanamo Bay. Connection to POL: It is connected to politics because the US during this time started to persue an aggressive foreign policy in order to be more invovled globally and benefit economically from exploiting poor countries such as Cuba for their resources diplomatically. -
Roosevelt Corollary
It was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine and essentially expanded it to allow the U.S. to intervene in Latin America to protect its interests and benefit economically, etc. Connection to POL: The U.S. government was starting to pursue an agressive political policy now, whereas they were previously neutral. They did so in order to be invovled in global affairs to protect their interests abroad and exploit economically unstable countries. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
It was one significant consumer protection law enacted by Congress. It lead to the creatino of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its goal was to ban foreign and interstate traffic in adulterated or mislabeled food and drug products and directed the US government to inspect products, etc. it required labeled ingredients lists. Connection to POL: The government excercised its authority and power over the markets and shaped society by making the American marketplace safe and friendly. -
Nineteenth Amendment
The 19th Amendment prohibits any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. It was the culmination of the women's suffrage movement going on during that time. Connection to POL: The American government was starting to form the perfect democracy that allowed all of its citizens rights, liberties, and true representation by being allowed to vote. -
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Period 8
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22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution set a limit of 2 terms for election to the office of President of the United States. It was passed after FDR's unprecedented 4 terms of presidency. Connection to POL: The United States wanted to maintain its democratic status and not become like a monarchy so it limited its president's terms to 2. It also basically weakened the executive government just a little by making the term limit. -
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark US Supereme Couty case in which the Court decided that state laws establishing separate public schools for blacks and whites were unconstitutional because they were inherently unequal. It overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896. Connection to POL: It basically favored the federal government's power over states to overrule the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. In addition, it showed that liberty and rights were close for African Americans. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first civil rights legislation passed by congress. It empowered federal prosecutors to obtain court injunctions against interfering with the right to vote. It prevented Black's from being discriminated from voting. Connection to POL: It enforced the word of the federal government whereas previously states that had segregation or were racist could prevent blacks from voting, now it was difficult as the federal government started to lay down their authority. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)
Authorized President Johnson to take any measures in retaliating and promoting maintainence of international peace and security in southeast Asia. Led to Johnson using conventional force to assist the South Vietnamese against north, so US entered Vietnam War. Connection to POL: The US during this time was trying to become the dominant global power and wanted to surpass the Soviet Union by getting Soviet Union innfluence (Communism) to diminish by persuing aggressive foreign political policy. -
Twenty-Sixth Amendment
It extended the right to vote to citizens eighteen years and up. Orignially, you had to be 21 to be able to vote. This was fueled by student activism movements protesting the Vietnam War. Connection to POL: It is connected to democracy and the fact that the political atmosphere was becoming more democratic by allowing a wider range of citizens to excercise their political voting power of representation. The government was becoming more representative and so changing society for the good. -
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Period 9
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Americans with Disabilities Act
This law prevented employers from discriminating against qualified candidates with disabilities. It is a wide-ranging civil rights law that intends to preotect against discrimination based on disability in general. Connection to POL: The US was increasing seeking liberties and rights for its citizens during this modern era. It was working to pursue the idea of the perfect democracy, representing all of its people and providing life and liberty for all. -
USA Patriot Act
The act basically expanded provisions for law enforcement and other agencies to be able to investigate citizen, immigrant, and financial records in order to limit terrorism. Connection to POL: It showed that the government during certain times could change society by cracking down on them and even denying some liberties in exchange for protection and control. -
US invasion of Iraq
The US invaded Iraq with the intent of eliminating Saddam Hussein and his government. The US involvement in the War was questioned heavily and led to debates. The US government states that they also invaded Iraq because it was said to have dangerous WMDs Connection to POL: The US during this time had recently faced a terroristic attack so they tried to secure the Middle East and tried to prevent the WMDs from causing any damage -aggressive foreign policy - exerting power in Middle East. -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
It was basically a stimulus package in response to the Great Recession. It was to save and create jobs almost immediately. Connection to POL: It shows that the Government has the power to change the economy of the US by instituting political domestic policies (acts, etc) This is the essence of liberalism which is going on during this time, where the government believes in participating in fixing the economy, rather than letting it run its course. -
Obama announces date for Afghan Withdrawl
President Obama announced that he wanted to draw down thr number of troops in Afghanistan to normal embassy presence by the end of 2016. Originally, the US was trying to protect its political interests in Afghanistan by instituting aggressive foreign policy and keeping military there in order to prevent terrorism and encourage democracy. Connection to POL: The US government, as a global power, exerted its political scope to Afghanistan in order to fight terrorism, persuing aggressive policy.
