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Origins of the American Tradition
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The First Form of Slavery in America
In the newly formed colony of Jamestown the first form of slavery is created when 20 African Americans were sold as “indentured servants”. -
The Great Plague
At this time, a deathly sickness called the Great Plague preyed on the people of London. Roughly 15% of the population died of the disease due to rats who carried the fleas that caused it. -
The Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary War begins in 1775 between Great Britain and the colonies. At this point, Great Britain has had a tight grip on the colonies, enforcing countless taxes and acts that were unfair. The colonies declared their independence from Great Britain a year later. -
The US Constitution
The Constitution established the government of the United States and foundational laws. It also gave basic rights to citizens. This document was signed at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. -
The Rise of Napoleon
In 1799, Napoleon acclaimed political power after a "coup d'état", or overthrow. He later crowned himself emperor. -
The Industrial Revolution
Great Britain was being transformed by the use of machinery and other inventions in the early 1800s. Improvements made in Great Britain revolutionized cultural, social and economic conditions. An example of one of these improvements is the steamboat and factories. -
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New England Renaissance
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Abolition of Slavery Overseas
In 1834 Great Britain abolished all slavery. The Slavery Abolition Act was proposed and was later put into effect in 1834. However, they continued to trade with America, not knowing that the nation had not abolished slavery quite yet. -
The Underground Railroad
The National Antislavery Society designed the Underground Railroad and it became fully organized in 1838. Many slaves escaped from the South using this. Roughly 100,000 slaves were freed. -
Samuel Morse's Electric Telegraph
In 1844 Samuel Morse sent the first electric telegraph. The message was sent from Baltimore to Washington D.C. This invention worked by transferring signals over a wire laid between different stations. -
The Great Potato Famine
The Great Potato Famine in the 1840s was caused when a "fungus like organism" quickly spread through Ireland, tarnishing the crop. This sparked mass immigration to many countries such as America -
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Slavery, Civil War, & the Transition to Realism
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The Transatlantic Cable
The Transatlantic Cable in 1858 was the first of its kind to actually give practical feedback. It was a cable that ran below the Atlantic Ocean that was used for telegraph communications. -
The Beginning of the American Civil War
The Confederate States Troops attacked the Union Army at Fort Sumter. This act sparked the Civil War between the North and the South. -
Slavery is Finally Abolished in America
After the American Civil War came to a close, the 13th Amendment was ratified by Congress. This addition stated that it is illegal to own slaves/indentured servants anywhere on US soil.
