-
Period: to
Colonial North America
Thirteen colonies, such as Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, are founded. Borders between neighboring empires' colonies are decided. -
Jamestown
Jamestown is founded by London Co, as a corporate colony This marks the beginning of colonial America, as Jamestown is the first successful colony in North America. It was plagued by Native American attacks, but experienced prosperity under John Smith -
Period: to
Slave Trade in North Amerca
Slavery in the United States officially began in 1619. Slaves were brought in to help with the tobacco crop in Jamestown. As the slave trade grew, slavery grew in the Southern states, as well as some northern states. A triangular trade arose in the Atlantic. Slaves from Africa, as well as other goods, arrived into the Americas. Processed goods went to America from England, as materials collected in America went to England -
Acts of Trade and Navigation
This series of acts began in 1650 but were countinuosly implemented up until 1673. These Acts trade between a colony and foreign nation must be carried out on a British ship. Also, all goods must pass through English ports, and certain goods could only go to England. -
Period: to
The Second Great Awakening
New interpretations oif the bible arose, as well as new Christian denominations. New beliefs found in these movements conrtributed to the origin of abolition and the women's movement -
The Founding of Georgia
The colony of Georgia if founded as a royal colony. It is the last of the thirteen colonies to be founded. It was meant to buffer the British colonies from the Spaniards. -
Period: to
Rising Tensions in the Colonies
Tensions between the colonies and England rise over taxes, laws, and other events. -
The Zenger Case
John Peter Zenger is arrested for publishing libel in his newspaper. Alexander Hamilton defended his case by stating the article was true, though that was still illegal. He was acquitted, and this proves to be the first instance freedom of speech is fought for in the colonies. -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War breaks out. This was was fought in the colonies, and later internationally. After the French-Indian defeat, France was mostly forced out of the Americas. Its colonies east of the Mississippi were seized by Great Britain. The debts incurred by the war caused taxes to increase. This angered many colonists. -
The Boston Massacre
A group of angry citizens provoked british soldiers who were living in the city of Boston. The soldiers opened fire on the crowd, and five citizens were killed in the fire. This incident inflamed anti-British sentiments. -
The Coercive Acts
These Acts punished Boston for rebellious acts like the Boston tea party. They closed the port of Boston, preventing trade, and reduced the power of the Massachusetts legislative body. This angered many citizens -
Lexington & Concord
British soldiers marched on Lexington in search of illegal firearms in the possession of American rebels. They later moved onto Concord, where they encountered a group of armed rebels. After a single gunshot, the ensuing conflict started the American Revolution -
Period: to
The Revolutionary War
-
Declaration of Independence
The Americans sign the Declaration of Independece. This officialy declares American Independence, and promotes the war cause. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle became the turning point of the war. This victory boosted American morale and pushed the American troops. This also caused the French to formally support the American cause. Without the French, it can be assumed the Americans would have lost the war. -
Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
The U.S.A. and Great Brittain officially make peace, and American idependence is fully recognized. -
Period: to
Building America
-
The Constitution
The Constitution is ratified. It replaces the Articles of Confederation, which were ineffective. The constitution laid out the processes of the American government, and it helped set up a lasting system. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights were the first ten ammendments to the constitution. They protected the people's rights in America, and were pushed forward by Anti-Federalists who felt human rights would be unprotected by the constitution. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
This was a protest rebellion against the increase of taxes on the American people. Farmers in Western Pennsylvania protested the taxes on shipping their whiskey products. This was the first major test for the American Government. -
John Adams
John Adams is elected as the President of the United States. He puts forth new legislation such as the Alien and Sedition Acts -
Period: to
Jeffersonian Democracy
-
louisiana purchase
Thomas Jefferson purchases the Louisiana Territory form France. This nearly triples the size of the thriteen colonies, and allows for the use of many new, more accesible resources. -
Embargo Act
This act prevented trade between American and England and France. Due to Briths impressment of American sailors and French boarding of American ships, it was passed. This demostrated the first true test to America's nuetrality. -
War of 1812
The USA declared war on Britain after impressment and a naval bloacked. The war lasted two years, and ended with the treaty of Ghent. The war involved an American invasion of Canada, as well as the buring of the White House. The war ended with no gains on either side. -
Period: to
Economic Development
-
Panic of 1819
it was caused by the tightening of of credit as an attemot to curb inflation. This was the first major panic since Independence. People's nationalistic beliefs were shaken by the increased debt and poverty. -
Missouri Compromise
It was created to keep balance in the union between free and slave states. When Missouri attempted to enter the union, it would upset the balance. It would enter as a slave state, as Maine entered as a free state. This also opened up the debate of popular sovereignty -
Period: to
Cultural Reform
-
Gibbons vs. Ogden
This declared the New York monopoly over steamboats unconstitutional. This is the first time the governemnt exhibited control over interstate business -
Period: to
Jacksonian Democracy
-
The corrupt Bargain
John Quicny Adams becomes president after promisng Henry Clay the position of Secrtary of State. Clay had the power to decide the vote, as the popular vote went to Jackson, but electoral to Adams. This angered many American citizens. -
Tariff of Abominations
The South, specifically South Carolina, detested to Tariff. SC threatened to suceed from the Union, but Andrew Jackson sent in troops to keep peace in the state. This tested the strength of the Union, and also first brought up the idea of sucession. -
The Indian Removal Act
This allowed JAckson to talk to and therefore move NAtive American. The Act was popular among southerners, but hurth Indian culture. It ultimately led to the Trail of Tears. -
Bank of the United States
Andrew Jackson refuses to recharter the Bank of the United States. Jackson then takes money from the Bank and gave out to pet banks. It ultimatley led to the panic of 1837 -
Commonwealth vs. Hunt
This cour case declared the legality of labor unions. This would prove to be important in the lates 1800's and early 1900's, as many workers were underpaid or unsafe at work. -
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party has formed. This party promoted the containment of slaves in the South. They argued that new territory was free soil, so slavery should not be allowd there. This third party demonstartes the variance in opinion over the concept of slavery. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first organized convention of the women's movement, and marks its begnnings. Here women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott first fleshed out the goals of the movement. This helped organize them. -
Period: to
Rising Tensions
Pre Civil War Era -
The Compromise of 1850
The compromise put forth the Fugitive Slave Law as well as popualr sovereignty in new territories. This proves to be a source of controvery and hightens tensions between the North and South -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act split up the Nebraska and Kansas territories and gave them popular sovereignty. This renewed the debate of sectionalism as well as slavery. The increased tension between free and slave states led to the Civil War -
Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter begins the Civil War. The war decide the issue of slavery as well as enforce Federal Control over the states.
