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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Lands in The Americas
After leaving Spain on August 3rd 1492, Columbus and his three small ships landed in the Bahamas. His goal was to reach the Indies via a westward route. He failed but discovered the Americas. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was the first English settlement in North America. It was established by the Virginia Company, a joint stock company that was looking for gold in the new world. The settlement almost failed, and without the help of Native Americans it probably would have. Jamestown later became the capital of Virginia until 1699. -
Pilgrims Land
The Massachusetts bay colony was an important English settlement, it was founded by Puritans and was led by John Winthrop. The Puritans left England seeking religious freedom. -
French/Indian War
War between France and Britain with Native Americans allied with France. Britain was victorious and received control of Canada, marking a time when Britain had complete control of North America. Ended February 1763. -
Lexington and Concord
The first confrontation between colonists and British troops. Both of these battles were the catalyst for the Revolutionary War, and created a need for a meeting of the Second Continental Congress to establish a military strategy to defeat England. Ended April 19th 1775. -
Declaration of Independance
This document was written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, it references many ideals of the Enlightenment and contains many of John Locke's ideas about natural rights. It also listed complaints about King George the Third and would form the basis of the American Revolution. -
Constitutional Convention
Due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, delegates met in Philadelphia to create a new constitution. The Founding Fathers composed a document that would form the guidelines for the government of the United States. Ended September 17th 1787. -
Jefferson Presidency
Jefferson became the third president of the United States, bringing the Democratic-Republican party to power. His administration brought the Louisiana Purchase to be included in the United States. This led to the country doubling it's original size. Ended March 4th 1809. -
Louisiana Purchase
This acquisition of territory was purchased from France for 11 million dollars. This doubled the size of the United States and would later add fifteen new states to the Union. The port of New Orleans was also included which strengthened the country's military, protecting southern states. -
Missouri Compromise
This compromise focused on slavery. Specifically, Maine was allowed to enter the Union as a free state while Missouri entered as a slave state. This created a balance of power between the North and the South. Slavery was not allowed North of the 36th parallel. -
Jackson Presidency
Andrew Jackson represented the "common man" and democracy grew during his time. One of his policies forced Native Americans to relocate to the Oklahoma territory. He was known for giving away jobs to his friends, he eased tension between state's rights and the power of the federal government. Ended March 4th 1837. -
Indian Removal Act
This law, signed by President Jackson, provided terms of negotiation with southern Native American tribes in order to relocate them to territory west of the Mississippi River. Many tribes including the Cherokee were forced to move. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
This was a Supreme Court case which ruled that African Americans, or slaves, could never be citizens. This ruling supported slavery and increased tension between the North and the South. -
Lincoln Presidency
Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States, and the first president from the "Republican Party". His election caused the Southern states to secede from the Union. He was faced with the most intense crisis facing the Union thus far, the American Civil War was launched right after his inauguration. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The first battle of the American Civil War, it took place in Charleston, South Carolina. Confederate troops attacked the fort and Union troops surrendered. Ended April 13th 1861. -
Emancipation Proclamation
A speech given by Abraham Lincoln, who freed southern slaves. This gave the North the emotional energy it needed to continue fighting. -
Thirteenth Amendment Ratified
This amendment abolished slavery. It was ratified by the states on December 6th 1865 and stated that slavery would be a punishable crime therefore on. -
Surrender at Appomatox
General Robert E. Lee, confederate leader, surrendered to General Ulysses Grant, ending the American Civil war. The end of the war created more power for the federal government and preserved the Union. -
Lincoln's Assassination
President Lincoln and his wife went to see a play at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. A southern sympathizer shot Lincoln who died days later on April 16th 1865. The assassin was John Wilkes Booth -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Chinese immigrants had been entering the United States in large numbers. Anti-Chinese feelings began to grow especially in California. Congress closed Chinese immigration for ten years and was not repealed until 1943. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
This law made it illegal to create a trust that negatively impacted free trade and competition. This impacted big business that had been gaining power through the formation of trusts. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court ruling stated that segregation would be legal as long as separate facilities were equal. Segregation did not violate the Constitution. -
Spanish American War
In order to protect economic interest in Cuba, which was owned by Spain, the United States declared war. With the United States victory came ownership of Guam and Puerto Rico. Ended August 12th 1898. -
T. Roosevelt Presidency
Vice President under William McKinley, Roosevelt was elevated to the office of the United States president. He was the youngest president in history and brought many changes to the country. Ended March 4th 1909. -
Wilson Presidency
Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States. He was a democrat who had been President of Princeton University, he was a pacifist and he created the League of Nations. Ended March 4th 1921. -
WWI Begins
World War I was caused by militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism. It was set off by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. -
Panama Canal
Initiated by Theodore Roosevelt. The canal is 48 miles long and connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. Originally started by France, and taken over the United States in 1904 and completed in 1914. -
Eighteenth Amendment
The 18th Amendment is commonly called Prohibition. This made it illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol. -
Harlem Reneissance
Harlem, New York was the epicenter of black cultural growth. Literature and jazz became the hallmarks of this time period, writers like Langston Hughes became famous as did musicians such as Louis Armstrong. Ended in the mid-1930's. -
WWI Ends
The War to End All Wars ended in a shift in World Power, the destruction of major cities in Europe and millions of deaths. It set the stage for World War II. -
Nineteenth Amendment
This amendment gave women the right to vote and was ratified on August 18th, 1920. It only took 145 years for women to achieve equality in voting. -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty ended World War I. Political boundaries in Europe were redrawn. The League of Nations was formed to potentially solve international disputes. Ended January 21st 1920. -
Gitlow v. New York
Gitlow was an anarchist who was convicted for anti-government speeches. His conviction was upheld and he went back to prison. He was later pardoned by the governor of New York. -
Stockmarket Crash
Also known as Black Tuesday, stock prices dropped dramatically and created panic. Many people lost large amounts of money, and the crash also marks the beginning of the Great Depression.
