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Period: 1491 to
Periods 1/2: 1491-1763
This time period covers the Age of Exploration, as well as the period of European colonialism in the New World -
1492
Christopher Columbus lands in the West Indies
Christopher Columbus first lands in the West Indies and is credited for discovering America for mainland Europe. His explorations lead to massive waves of exploration and conquest in the New World and lead to the deaths of millions of native peoples. -
1557
The "Lost Colony" is founded
In the mid 1500's, Britain attempted to start a colony in the New World. However, after leader John White had to leave for several years, he could not find any trace of the colonists. -
Jamestown
The first successful English colony in the New World. Established in Virginia in 1607. -
Mayflower Compact
Religious pilgrims fleeing from England first landed in the New World and wrote the Mayflower Compact as a written code of laws for their new establishment. -
Harvard College Founded
This was the earliest institution of higher education to be founded in the American colonies. Harvard is now one of the most prestigious schools in the nation. -
Navigation Act of 1660
King Charles II imposed these acts on the American colonies in order to increase their economic dependence on Britain. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against the government of Virginia over economic depression and political tyranny. The rebellion was unsuccessful. -
Salem Witch Trials
In the deeply Puritan communities in Massachusetts, many women were hanged on charges of witchcraft. This crusade would go on for almost 18 months. -
Molasses Act
Increased British control over colonial economics and attempted to end Salutary Neglect. -
End of Seven Years War
The Seven Years War (or French and Indian War) ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris. Britain gained all of France's American colonies and also marked an end to Salutary Neglect. -
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Period 3: 1763-1800
Covers the American Revolution, the era under the Articles of Confederation, and the early part of the Federal Period. -
Sugar Act
George Grenville believed that the colonists should pay for the debt amassed by the British Army during the French and Indian War. This taxed the colonists on sugar and attempted to prevent the smuggling that resulted from the Trade and Navigation Acts. -
Quartering Act
Britain forced American colonist to provide British soldiers with any needed accommodations during the Revolutionary War. This was enforced by local governments. -
Stamp Act
Following suit with the Sugar Act, Grenville continued to imposed taxes on the colonists to pay of the army's debt. The Stamp Act required colonists to pay a special tax to have certain documents verified. -
Townshend Acts
A tax on items such as lead, paper, and tea imposed on the Colonies by Britain. Specifically targeted port cities. -
Tea Act
A tax on tea in the American colonies. The tax was highly protested and led to the infamous Boston Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
The meeting took place in the summer of 1774 and included colonial leaders such as George Washington, John Adams and Patrick Henry. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress began meeting in 1775 and organized the colonial effort in the Revolutionary War on the national level. The group was made up of representatives from the thirteen original colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
Crafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence announced to Britain, and to the world, that the American colonists considered themselves to be independent from the British Empire. -
Article of Confederation
The first attempt at government by the newly independent United States. The Articles of Confederation did not create a strong enough national government and failed to work. Eventually replaced by the Constitution. -
Treaty of Paris
Officially ended the Revolutionary War in 1783. -
3/5 Comprimise
When deciding how to best represent people in the new government, Southern and Northern lawmakers disagreed on the representation of enslaved people. They eventually agreed that each enslaved person would account for 3/5 of a person. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The Constitution was officially ratified by enough states to become law and officially replaced the Articles of Confederation. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
Created the Supreme Court to limit the Legislative Branch and make sure that all laws are Constitutional. -
Bill of Rights
Added to the U.S. Constitution to protect the rights of the people and contain the first 10 Amendments. Many Anti-Federalists considered the Bill of Rights an essential part of the Constitution, as it helped place limits on the Federal Government. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolves
State Legislatures in Kentucky and Virginia passed laws in their respective states that said that the states did not have to enforce laws that were unconstitutional. -
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Period 4 Part 1
This time period covers early parts of the history of the United States and the internal growth of the US as well -
Judiciary Act of 1801
Created by President Adams and formed 12 new circuit courts with judges in them. However, because he left office, his notices of appointment were never given to the recipients. This led to the infamous court case, "Marbury v Madison", which established the power of Judicial Review for the Judiciary Branch and Supreme Court. -
Lousiana Purchase
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana territory from France. This added 828,000 square miles of land and inspired expeditions such as the famous journey by Lewis and Clark. -
12th Amendment
This amendment established that the President and Vice President will have separate elections. Previously, the Vice President was the runner up in the Presidential Election. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Following the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, two explorers (Lewis and Clark) ventured across and documented vast portions of the newly bought territory. -
Embargo Act of 1807
Attempted to cut off trade with British and French. However, people attempted to smuggle goods anyway and the embargo hardly effected the British economy. -
The Hartford Convention
This was a meeting of Federalists in 1814 and eventually brought about the end of the Federalist Party. -
Burning of Washington D.C.
Following an attack by the British in the War of 1812, much of Washington (including the White House) was affected by a fire. Many valuable books were burned and lost; soon to be replaced by Thomas Jefferson out of his own personal library. -
Tariff of 1816
Tried to protect American goods from foreign competition. This was also the first large tariff enacted by the United States. -
Monroe Doctrine
Stated that the United States opposed all further conversation in the Americas. The document also stated that the United States would stay out of European Affairs. -
Corrupt Bargin
Following the 1824 presidential election, Adams, Crawford and Jackson all go to the House of Representatives to decide the next president of the United States. Henry Clay, who was not in the final three candidates, backs Adams and then is awarded the Secretary of State position when Adams becomes President. -
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Period 4 part 2
This timespan covers the time period including the Jacksonian era and the beginning of the shift toward Westward Expansion. -
Andrew Jackson first elected President
Former General Andrew Jackson was first elected president in 1828. While he is rightly criticized for his treatment of Native Americans, he also increased democracy in the United States by prioritizing the common man. -
Nullification Crisis
Then Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina began backing states in disagreements over the federal government. He emerged as a lead advocate states' rights and backed South Carolina nullifying (pledging not to enforce) the tariffs enacted by the federal government. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was a ordinance put in place by the federal government and President Andrew Jackson that forced Native American people to leave their homes in the South and move to less desirable land in the Western part of the country. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Although the odds were not in there favor, enslaved people led by Nat Turner rebelled against the corrupt society in Virginia and killed 55-65 white people. This was the most fatal out of any slave revolts in the South. -
Texas Declares Independence
The Republic of Texas declares independence from Mexico and constructs a constitution similar to that of the United States. -
Trail of Tears
Thousands of Native people were forced by the U.S. government to leave valued land in the Southeastern United States and move to reservations in less desirable land. People were forced to walk the entire journey and many did not survive. -
Mormon Trek
After several visions and revelations from God, Joseph Smith founded the Mormon religion. After being forced out of the established parts of the US, the Mormons went to Utah to escape the persecution. -
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Period 5
This period covers the United States Civil War and much of the build up and aftermath of the deadliest war in American history. -
The Know Nothing Party
This was a political party built on the platforms of nativism and hatred. The goal of the Know Nothing Party was to limit the influence of immigrants on the US and "keep American politics pure". -
Free Soil Movement
This was a political idea that slavery should not be allowed to spread into the new states in the Western region of the country. The Free Soil Party was founded on the these beliefs, yet the party did not seek abolition in the states that already had slavery. Many people considered this to be a moderate or even progressive stance in the discussions involving the future of slavery. -
Wilmot Proviso
Originally proposed by David Wilmot, a Democrat, the bill would have banned slavery in all new territories acquired from Mexico. However, Southerns failed to agree on the bill's terms and the bill failed to pass. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This act made the Federal Government responsible for finding and returning runaway slaves. The enslaved people had to be brought back to the people who owned them, even if they were in a free state. -
Freeport Doctrine
Following the Dred Scott court decision, Stephen Douglas wrote the Freeport Doctrine that regardless of laws at a federal level, local and state governments could make laws that made it impossible to have slavery in the territory. -
Bloody Kansas
During this time period, many people in the Kansas territory believed in the free soil movement. However, after a pro slavery group attacked, Reverend John Brown led an response that resulted in the death of five men. -
Homestead Act of 1862
In this act, the US federal government gave away 48 million acres of land in an attempt to get people to move West. Settlers could receive 160 acres of land with very few strings attached. However, the act did not go as planned and the project was not a success. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In late 1862, Lincoln proposed a bill that would free all enslaved people in the Confederacy. In early 1863, the bill passed and slaves in the South were officially free. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution banned slavery in all states. -
Black Codes
Starting the the mid 1860's after the Civil War, many states began passing laws that limited the rights of the now free African American population. These states feared the influence of the provisional governments that the federal government would impose and the effects that it would have on race relations in the South. -
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Period 6
This period in American history covers widespread industrial growth and tension, as well as American Imperialism. The era also serves as an introduction in the era of Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressives. -
Reconstruction Acts
The executive and legislate branch had a large disagreement about how to best carry out Reconstruction in the South. The Presidency was more lenient, while Congress was viewed as more radical and strict. In the end, the process took many years with lots of different solutions being attempted. -
The Grange
The Grange (officially the The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry) was founded in 1867 and attempted to get people to work together to protect themselves and their community economically. -
Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws were laws passed specifically in Southern states that tried to further limit the influence of African Americans on society. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and forced segregation are all examples of Jim Crow laws. Additionally, many of these laws would be effective and in place until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. -
14th Amendment
In 1868, the US passed the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment promised equal protection under the law, although this would not be a reality for a long time (arguably not even today). -
National Women's Suffrage Association founded
The NAWSA was not initially successful in their deeds, but provided groundwork for the women's rights movement into the future. Later, the organization was essential to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which allowed women the right to vote in all states. -
15th Amendment
Following the passage of the 15th Amendment, people could not legally be denied the right to vote based on race or condition of previous servitude. However, this would not happen, as many states implemented poll taxes and tests to prevent people of color from voting. -
John Rockefeller founds the Standard Oil Company
In 1870, John Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company, which would go on to be on of the largest companies in the United States and the largest oil refinery in the world at that time. -
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone
Almost considered a modern necessity by some, the predecessor modern telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1875. He also went own to start his own company, which would eventually morph into AT&T. -
Compromise of 1877
In this highly controversial deal, Republicans agreed to end Reconstruction in the South and remove troops, on the condition that Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President. This heavily affected African American rights in the South and also marked the end of Reconstruction. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Lightbulb
Following the invention of the telephone in 1875, Edison invented the lightbulb, an invention that would go on to change the world. Edison also went on to found his own company, General Electric. -
The American Federation of Labor is founded
After several labor unions came together, the AFL pushed for an 8 hour workday and better conditions for workers. -
Founding of the Interstate Comerce Comission (ICC)
The ICC was initially created to regulate railroads and protect the American people. However, the ICC became corrupt and failed to properly limit the railroads and big business. -
"How The Other Half Lives" is published
The book by author Jacob Riis, exposed the corruption and social injustices in the country, specifically New York City. The book shed light on the horrific conditions in the lower class and made them visible for all to see. -
Founding of the People's Party
Coming out of the Populist Era, the People's Party represented mainly working class farmers who resented rail road owners, banks, and other upper class institutions. -
Establishment of Ellis Island
During a time where the number of immigrants was greatly increasing, the United States founded Ellis Island in 1892 to serve as an entry point for immigrants coming in from the Europe and other parts of the world as well. -
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1883 was the worst economic depression the United States experience until the Great Depression in the 1930's. Caused by the sketchy funding of railroads and bank failures, the Panic severely hurt the US economy and many citizens suffered greatly from the consequences. -
The Pullman Strike
After a corrupt owner of a railroad company (Pullman) refused to submit to employee requests, Eugene Debs and the American Railway Union started a strike to protest the conditions and Pullman's monopoly. The government filed an injunction on behalf of the government and tried to shut down the strike. Debs refused to stop and went to prison. -
Plessy v Ferguson
During the 1896 court case, the Supreme Court agued over the legality of segregation based on race. They ended up ruling that segregation should be allowed, as long as it was, 'separate but equal." In reality however, the separate facilities were never actually equal. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was a short lived fight, only lasting a couple of months and resulted in very few casualties. The war was fought in two location, Cuba and the Philippines. -
Formation of the Anti-Imperialistic League
During the buildup towards the Treaty of Paris (which would have ended the Spanish-American War) almost 30,000 people joined the Anti-Imperialistic League. The league was formed in 1898 opposed the control of foreign territories and imperialism in general. -
Annexation of Hawaii
Following the increase of US farmers growing sugar cane in Hawaii, the US militarily took Hawaii against the will of the Hawaiian leaders. In a couple years, the annexation would be complete. -
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Period 7 Part 1
Covering the beginning of the 20th Century, this period covers the Progressive Era and World War 1. -
Philippine American War
After the US gained control of the Philippines, former leader Emilio Aguinaldo formed a rebellion that takes eight years to defeat. -
President McKinley assasinated
In 1901 in Buffalo, New York, President McKinley was shot and killed. During his presidency, McKinley led the country through the Spanish-American War and promoted American industry through tariffs. -
Teddy Roosevelt First becomes President
Following President McKinley's assassination, his Vice President (Theodore Roosevelt) took over. Roosevelt is known for being a conservationist and was sympathetic to both business and labor. He also believed that some trusts could be beneficial to the economy and prosecuted the ones that he believed were not. -
Invention of the airplane
In 1903, on the beaches of Kitty Hawk, the now famous Wright Brothers invented the first motorized airplane and successfully flew it. -
"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair
The book, considered to be a muckraker, showed the inside of Chicago meatpacking operations and exposed the disgusting reality of the industry. The book was extremely influential and forced lawmakers to revaluate the current laws regarding the meat packing industry. -
Production of Model T cars
Beginning in 1908, the Ford Motor company began producing the famous "Model T' cars. Ford was a master at efficiency and his car became the first automobile to be affordable for working/middle class Americans. -
Passage of the 16th Amendment
In 1913, the United States passed the 13th Amendment, which allowed the government to collect an income tax. This allowed the country to lessen tariffs and gain revenue from taxes instead. -
Creation of the Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was created to monitor American businesses and intervene if they violated any laws regarding fair trade. -
World War I
Although the war began in 1914, the US would not join the war until 1917. President Woodrow Wilson wanted the United States to maintain their neutral stance, but was forced to enter the war following numerous acts of aggression by German forces. -
US Construction of the Panama Canal
After obtaining the land and permission to complete the Panama Canal, the US finished the project in 1914. The canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is still is use today. -
The National Women's Party is created
Formed to fight for women's rights and suffrage, the party protested in many ways to push their cause. In 1920, the United States passed the 19th Amendment, which allowed women to vote in all states. -
Creation of the National Park Service
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service within the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service began with Yellowstone National Park and and now includes over 400 parks throughout the US. Current US President Donald Trump famously has tried to cut funding to several parks. -
First Red Scare
Following the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, many Americans feared the rise of communist and socialist practices. The federal government encouraged citizens to spy on each other and urged them to report any possible suspicious activity. -
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Period 7 Part 2
This period covers the time in American history betwen 1918 and 1945. Spanning across numerous presidencies, World War II, and the Great Depression, Period 7 Part 2 covers a massive part of the history of our country. -
Ratification of the 19th Amendment
In 1920, the US ratified the 19th Amendment, which allowed women to vote in all states. Some states did allow women to vote before the amendment was passed, but not all. -
Black Tuesday
Following a steep decline in the Stock Market on Black Thursday, the market hit rock bottom 5 days later. Black Tuesday marks the beginning of the Great Depression, the worst economic crisis in American history. -
The Great Depression
Following the stock market crash in late 1929, the US was thrust into an unprecedented era of economic troubles. Then President Herbert Hoover did little to combat the depression, but the election of FDR began to turn things around with the creation of the New Deal later on. -
The Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl was a series of severe dust storms that hit the Great Plains and made it extremely difficult to farm. This greatly affected the agricultural sector of the economy and hurt many farmers severely. -
Ratification of the 20th Amendment
The 20th Amendment to the US Constitution moved the start and end of the Presidential terms to January 20th instead of March 4th. -
The First 100 Days
During his first 100 days, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed 15 bills to help his nation combat the Great Depression. This has gone down in history as the most productive and impactful first 100 days in US history, although current President Donald Trump falsely claims otherwise. -
The New Deal
Almost definitely President Roosevelt's greatest accomplishment, the New Deal helped people suffering from the Great Depression by providing work for many Americans through many venues. While the New Deal did cost a lot of money and drastically increase the national deficit, it also helped many American people survive the worst economic disaster the country has ever seen. -
Social Security Act
In 1935, Congress created the Social Security Act to provide a welfare system for the older citizens of the United States. -
World War II
The largest war in history, World War II was fought on two main fronts, the Pacific and in Europe. The Axis powers, which consisted of Nazi Germany, as well as others, were defeated by the Allies in 1945 after almost 10 years of fighting and millions of deaths. -
The Atlantic Charter
As World War II wrapped up, the leaders of the United States and Britain worked together to draft a document (The Atlantic Charter) that promised to not pursue punishment or aggression after the war, but seek to promote peace instead. The agreement was signed by multiple countries who opposed the Axis Powers in the war. -
The Bombing of Pearl Habor
In December of 1941, the Japanese Empire bombed the US naval base in Pearl Habor, Hawaii. Almost 2500 people died and the US entered World War II almost immediately after the attack. -
The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was the American secret mission to build an atomic bomb, which they used on Japan in 1945. Countries like the USSR attempted to steal information regarding the bomb so they could produce their own. -
Creation of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)
As part of Roosevelt's New Deal, the WPA was the largest work program and built highways and roads. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was a convention between the leader of the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain. They discussed the organization of post war Europe, as the end of the war in Europe was imminent. Although the idea of the conference was positive, the US and Soviet Union disagreed on the best way to set up governments in countries such as Poland. -
Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Following their success in creating and testing an atomic bomb, the US dropped two bombs on Japan in the fall of 1945. The bombs instantly killed thousands of people and many more years later through radiation poisoning. After the bombing of Nagasaki,
Japan finally surrendered, marking the end of fighting in World War II
