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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Discovers America
Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 12th, 1492. His famous journey is one of the most honored and revered. This is, it was until now. Some people are saying that Columbus is a "fake," and a "cheat." The fact that they intruded on Indian Lands sparks hate for Columbus and his followers. But, again, think of all the good Columbus has done for us. Without him, would we have this land of freedom? No one's perfect, after all. -
Period: Oct 12, 1492 to
US History A Timeline by Daven Jackson
This is my Timeline for US History A. I've tried to find pictures that go along with the dates on this, but some are a little off-topic. I've also tried to give descriptions to the dates on here, but I may have missed one or two, and I might be off on several things. Please correct me if you notice anything wrong. Thanks, and enjoy! -Daven -
Jamestown is Settled
Following Columbus' discovery of America, more and more settlers sailed across the sea to settle this land of promise. Some of those settlers founded Jamestown, Virginia. They consisted of 104 Englishmen, and they named their town after their ruler, King James I. -
The French-Indian War Begins
This war was between the American Indians and the French. The Indians were fighting to "maintain control of their land and their cultural future." The French wanted to control the sea and trade with the Indians. But doing so would threaten what the Indians wanted. Thus, the war began. -
The French-Indian War Ends
In the end, Britain and the American Indians won the war, causing the French to flee North America. This victory gave Britain and the Indians massive amounts of land as a prize. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party occurred at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. American Colonists stormed ships and threw crates of tea into the sea. In total, they dumped over 300 crates, before being interrupted and stopped. Though The Boston Tea Party was meant as a complaint to the King for over-taxation, it was a the first major act of defiance, and got the stone rolling for the Revolutionary War. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
This Battle was the first of the Revolutionary War. The British, hearing word of a possible revolt, marched to Lexington and Concord to disarm the settlers. Instead, the people attacked, surprising the British. In the end, the Americans won, forcing the British to retreat and marking the start of the Revolutionary War. -
The Declaration of Independence is Ratified
July 2, 1776. It was on this day that Congress voted for freedom. Exactly two days later, they approved the Declaration of Independence. -
The Battle of Yorktown Begins
This battle lasted for three weeks. American troops, led by General George Washington, marched to Yorktown, Virginia, with several of their French allies. The plan was to lay siege to Yorktown with their backs to the sea. They were hoping French reinforcements would come across the sea and assist them in the siege. -
The Battle of Yorktown Ends
Their plan worked. Together, France and America outmanned and outfought the British, forcing them to withdraw. Another win for America! -
The Constitutional Convention Begins
The Constitutional Convention took place in an old Pennsylvania State House, now named Independence Hall.
The Convention set out to "revise the league of states and first system of government." However, some people didn't want this. Namely James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. They wanted a "new frame of government." -
The Constitutional Convention Ends
Hamilton and Madison got their wish. General George Washington was elected President of the United States of America. -
The Cotton Gin Invention is Created
Eli Whitney was the inventor of this marvelous invention. The Cotton Gin separates "cotton fibers from their seeds." This may not seem hard, but it was the first step into the Industrial Revolution. With his invention, Whitney sped up the production of cotton clothing, and inspired others to chase their dreams. -
The Alien Sedition Acts are Ratified
These acts were a violation of our right, the Freedom of Speech. They were, however, repealed in the 1800's.
These acts were designed to give the President the power "to deport 'aliens,' and permitted their arrest, imprisonment, and deportation during wartime." -
The Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson was the man who obtained for the USA, the Territory of Louisiana. He paid 15 million dollars for it, which makes this purchase one of the most expensive in all of history.
The Territory was originally owned by France and it was filled with Native Americans.
This Territory was what got Jefferson to enlist Lewis and Clark to map out the new land he had purchased. -
The War of 1812 Begins
This war was fought by Britain and America. However, Britain had made an alliance with the Native American Tribes. America's own people were turning on them! -
The War of 1812 Ends
Britain negotiated a peace treaty with America. But this treaty was delayed, as Britain and sent more troops over to assist with the revolutionaries. When word came back that America had won, Britain signed the treaty. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a pact made between America and Missouri. The deal was that Missouri could become apart of America, but they had to follow the rules. Those rules included:
-No slavery.
-Equal footing (no state is higher than the other in terms of power).
-Honor the Declaration of Independence.
Missouri complied, and is now the 24th State to join the USA. -
Andrew Jackson is Elected President of the USA
Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, statesman, and general. He was our seventh President, beating his opponent, John Adams, by 95 electoral votes.
Jackson had originally served as a General in the United States' army. His time in the army won him fame and power, and he used that as a stepping stone to achieve the office of President. -
The Trail of Tears Starts
Upon being elected President, Andrew Jackson forced Indian tribes off their lands. He made them travel to the other side of the Mississippi River, clearing more land for American Settlers. -
The Panic of 1837
Following the War of 1812, a panic arose among the American people. Unemployment skyrocketed during this time as banks failed, prices were cut, and trade went down. This panic was caused by "poor banking practices" and "land speculation."
This panic continued for months until the "global community adjusted." -
The Trail of Tears Ends
Jackson displaced over 6,000 Indian people. While walking across to the plains to the Mississippi River, many people died because of exposure and starvation. The path they walked is now known as "The Trail of Tears." It is called this because of the hardships and sorrow the Indians went through while traveling.
of the 6,000 Indians walking the trail, more than 4,000 of them died. -
Morse Invents the Telegraph
Andrew Morse didn't actually invent the telegraph. Instead, he made key improvements to it, changing it to what it is now.
Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1791. The invention of the telegraph paved the way to devices that we have now, namely the telephone. It also inspired other inventors into sharing their ideas with the world. -
The Mexican-American War Begins
This war was an invasion of Mexico by the American Army. This intrusion followed the "annexation of Texas." Mexico, still considering Texas as it's own, because the treaties claiming Texas as America's were signed by General Santa Anna while he was held prisoner by the Texas Army.
Texas also wasn't eligible to join the USA until it accepted the "no slavery" rule.
James K. Polk sent an emissary to Mexico in an attempt to by California from them. Mexico refused. -
The Mexican-American War Ends
Following Mexico's refusal to Polk's offer to purchase California, Polk sent 80 soldiers to evict the Mexican army. Mexico attempted to retreat, but Polk ignored their demands to withdraw. Mexico interpreted this as an act of war, and fought back. Polk brought this to Congress, and, together, they declared War on Mexico.
The War lasted two years. Eventually, Mexico was defeated. California then joined the United States of America. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was like a package. In it, five separate bills were passed. These bills
-Approved California's petition to join the USA as a free state
-Banned slavery in Washington D.C.
-Defined borders for Texas and the Territory of New Mexico
-Established government for Utah -
The Firing on Fort Sumter Starts
Fort Sumter officially marked the start of the Civil War. Held by the Union, Fort Sumter was manned by General Robert Anderson. Together, he had about eighty men to man the fort.
The Confederates attacked from all sides, bombarding the fort with cannon and gun shot alike. -
The Firing on Fort Sumter Ceases
The Confederate General, P. G. T. Beauregard, had put forth 500 troops to take Fort Sumter. Needless to say, the Confederates won, chasing Anderson and his men out of the fort and into New York, where they remained for a time. -
President Abraham Lincoln Gives the Emancipation Proclamation
Three years since the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln gives the Emancipation Proclamation. This speech addresses what the Civil War was all about: slavery. The proclamation states "that all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free."
This was a bold move, especially since it not only applied to the states that the Union held, but also the Confederate States. Every slave on America was now free. -
The Reconstruction Amendments are Passed
These Amendments, the Reconstruction Amendments, are numbers 13, 14, and 15. -
The Surrender at Appomattox
The Surrender at Appomattox marked the end of the Civil War, though some people kept fighting, clinging to their hope that the Confederates had a chance. This hope, however, was futile. The Union had beaten General Robert E. Lee's troops, leaving only a small amount left. Lee, realizing his battle was over, surrendered, ending the Civil War and reuniting the United States of America. -
President Abraham Lincoln is Assassinated
Five days after the Civil War ends, President Abraham Lincoln attends a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington D. C. Lincoln, sitting on a small, elevated booth, was shot in the back of the head. His murderer, John Wilkes Booth, was a Confederate sympathizer. Upon shooting Lincoln, Booth fled on horseback. He was later found in a barn, where he made his last stand. A Union soldier, Boston Corbett, shot him in the neck, ending Booth's life.
Lincoln, severally wounded, died the next morning. -
Andrew Johnson is Impeached
Our seventeenth President, Andrew Johnson, was impeached on February 24th, 1868. His reasons for impeachment include "high crimes and misdemeanors." However Johnson's term was not over. The Senate failed to validate the Impeachment terms and Johnson remained President. -
The Organization of the Standard Oil Trust
The Standard Oil Trust "created a network of Standard Oil companies throughout the country." In the 1880's, Standard Oil controlled most of the oil population. This, however, went against several Antitrust acts, and Standard Oil was split into 34 different companies. -
Alexander Bell Invents the Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell was a US citizen, credited with being the first person to invent and patent the telephone. When Bell first invented the telephone, he wanted people to say "ahoy" as a way of greeting. Thomas Edison, Bell's competitor for the telephone, wanted people to say "hello." Bell stuck with his decision, and, in the end, Edison got the greeting, but Bell got the telephone. -
Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb
Thomas Edison is not the first person to invent the light bulb, but he did provide a massive improvement to the invention.
Edison failed at making a light bulb 1,000 times before finally creating an actual working one. This light bulb only lasted for a few hours, and needed improving, which would come much later.
After Edison's invention, you could purchase a light bulb for a dollar. Today, that's twenty-three bucks for a single bulb. -
The Homestead Strike
This subject was an interesting one to study. There are many websites and such that give really good info on this. Here's one (sorry, I can't attach links, but copy and paste this into your browser and it should come up.) https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-events/1892-homestead-strike -
The Pullman Strike
The Pullman Strike was a "widespread railroad strike." It "disrupted rail traffic" in the US. The workers from Pullman Palace Car Company made up the body of the strike. They protested the wage cuts, firings, and layoffs of Pullman Company was making.
President Grover Cleveland had to send troops to calm down the angered workers. The result was a violent outbreak. After this was resolved, the strike shrank and returned to work. -
The Spanish-American War Starts
The first part of the war started with Cuba. Revolutionaries were fighting for Cuba's independence. The US kept a careful eye on this, watching for any signs of intrusion from Cuba. After a Battleship, the USS Maine, sunk in Havana Harbor, America suspected "Cuban intervention," and sent forces over to Cuba. Spain, seeing this, declared war on America. -
The Spanish-American War Ends
Jules Cambon, a French Ambassador acting in behalf of the Spanish Government, traveled to America to negotiate. On August 12th a cease-fire was signed. The war ended four months later, resulting in America's victory and Cuba's independence. -
Theodore Roosevelt is Elected as President of the USA
Following President William McKinley's Assassination, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was elected 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt got 336 votes, beating his opponent, Alton B. Parker by 196 votes.
Upon obtaining office, Roosevelt spent "the first week of his presidency dealing with a month-long series of bank closures that were ruining families nationwide." -
The Wright Brothers Invent the Airplane
Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first people to ever make an air-borne craft. Their plane, the Kitty Hawk Flyer, only was airborne for 12 seconds at a time and travelled at a 180 in a single flight. But the plane proved that humans could fly.