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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Lands in America
Christopher Columbus landed in america on October 12th 1492, with 3 ships. His goal was to sail to the west indies. When he landed somewhere by the Bahamas in central america, discovering America. -
Period: Oct 12, 1492 to
History Timeline
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Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America. It was located adjacent to the Powhatan River in Virginia. It was established in 1607 and was the capital of Virginia for 83 years. -
Pilgrims land on America
The pilgrims landed in modern day Cape Cod after a 66 day long voyage. They were originally going to travel to Hudson Bay in modern day New York but they hit bad weather. -
The First Thanksgiving
The first thanksgiving was the first event in US history in which whites were nice and fair to natives. Not many of these events occurred and this was a early step in treating natives fairly. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War pitted the colonies of British America against the colonies of New France. Both sides were supported by military units and reinforcements from parent countries, the native american's were on the french side -
The Battles Lexington and Concord
Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary war. The battles occurred on April 19th 1775 in Massachusetts. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was the document that was written in what is now Independence hall Philadelphia was used by the thirteen colonies to declare war on Britain. The document was ratified on July 4th 1776 -
Constitutional Convention
The convention was originally planned to edit and improve the articles of confederation. It ended up taking 4 months and instead of editing the articles of confederation they drafted up a new constitution. It also vastly improved the first system of government in America. It was one of the most significant events in American history. The convention happened in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia going from May to September. -
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Election of George Washington
The election of George Washington was a the first great president of America. He lead the country through infancy and prepared it to become a new great country. -
Presidency of Thomas Jefferson
The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1809. His administration reduced taxes, government spending and the national debt. He repealed the Alien and Sedition acts and reduced the amount of Federalist acts. He is best known for the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase, purchasing Louisiana from France to almost double the united states in size. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was the acquisition of the Louisiana territory previously owned by France. The US payed a total of 68 million francs for 530 million acres of land. The purchase included 15 current US states and two Canadian provinces. -
Printing Press
Frederick Koenig invents an improved printing press making it more efficient and easier to use. This would lead to more local papers in the late 1800s and the popularity of newspaper exploding. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri compromise was the Idea congress had to solve and defuse the political conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery states. The north disagreed with the idea of making Missouri a state because it would become a slave state which is what northerners didn't want to happen in the Louisiana territory. Maine applied for statehood as well as Missouri which kept the states at 12-12 with neither the north nor the south having an advantage. -
Invention of Matches
John Walker invents matches. This would allow people to start fires with no skill and having easy access to fire. They were cheap and very light weight. The later invention of the lamp and lanterns were because of this. -
The Presidency of Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was president from 1829 to 1837. He is known for not being a very good president. He founded a political party that in the future would become the democratic party. He is best known for enacting the law that would result in the relocation of native american tribes east of the Mississippi River otherwise known as the trail of tears. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian removal act was an act signed by Andrew Jackson under his administration was signed and enforced. The act was quite opposed by multiple groups including the Indians, the northeast and the whip party. Many tribes gave up and went west but some stayed and tried to fight the government which resulted in federal troops forcing them which goes down in history as the trail of tears. -
Invention of the Wrench
Solymon Merrick invents the wrench. This was the start of modern farming and mechanical tools. This invention was the start of modern work tools and construction. -
Invention of the Telegraph
This invention of the telegraph was critical to communication. This allowed news and messages to be sent across a continent or over a ocean in a few minutes. This was the roots of the telephone and modern communication. -
Emergence of Baseball
The Emergence of Baseball helped Americans in the early 1900s cope with the first world war and it provided great entertainment. It increased the market of gambling and it later broke segregation rules as well. -
Invention of the Bicycle
Kirkpatrick Macmillan invents the bicycle which was another way of transportation during the 19th century. This was a better than a horse in some ways. You didn't have to care for it and maintain it if u didn't want to because it wasn't a horse. It was a also good for recreation and exercise. -
Grain Elevator
The Grain Elevator invented by Joseph Dart allowed farmers in the US to store a great amount of grain in a big compartment for the winter. This was a invention that greatly helped farmers. This increased production of grain in the US by a lot. -
Sewing Machine
The invention of the sewing machine by Elias Howe was a amazing invention. It allowed for clothing to be made faster and less skills to make clothes. It also would later be used in factories to mass produce clothes in the early 1900s in the US. This shaped the laws that are in place for appropriate working conditions. -
American Gold Rush
The Gold Rush shaped the belief and the fact that america was the land of opportunity. During the gold rush many people traveled to California in search of gold and a few poor people became very rich just by encountering very big gold nuggets. -
Dred Scott Vs. Sanford
The Dred Scott versus Sanford trial was the trial on whether Scott could sue for his freedom. His owner bought him in slave states and brought him to a free state. After his owner had died he filed for freedom but was denied. The trial went all the way to the supreme court. The supreme court ruled it 7-2 against Scott ruling that and African american can not be a citizen ever. It it widely known as one of the worst court case decisions ever made by the supreme court. He would try to get his fre -
Lincoln Presidency
Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the best presidents in US history. He was known for being a solemn and modest man. He was president for most of the civil war and delivered the famous Gettysburg address. He wasnt publicly against slavery but his intricate moves and laws to outlaw slavery were genius. He passed the Emancipation proclamation during the civil war which established freedom for slaves in rebellious states. He passed the 13th amendment that abolished slavery. He was reelected in. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
The Attack of Fort Sumter was the first military conflict of the civil war. It happened in Charleston South Carolina. Confederates demanded the union to evacuate the harbor and the union objected. In result a standoff occurred. Conditions in the fort decreased because of shortages of food, ammunition and supplies. On April 12th at 4:30 am the confederates opened fire on the fort. Heavily out gunned the fort shot back but lasted only 34 hours. After that the Union surrendered and left the harbor. -
Invention of Plastic
The invention of the first man made plastic by Alexander Parkes was a relatively small impact invention. But starting in the industrial revolution plastic would become the biggest used material for packaging and storing products. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was the executive order that states that all slaves in the rebellious areas and segments of the executive branch. It outraged white southerners who depended on slaves to plant, care for, and pick their crops. This improved African Americans mood and caused many to escape to northern lines and join the union army. About 25,000 to 75,000 slaves were immediately freed after this was signed by President Lincoln. -
Thirteenth Amendment Ratification
The Thirteenth amendment established freedom for African Americans. It was passed under after Lincolns death during Johnsons presidency. It passed both the senate and the house on the second vote and was the first step towards race equality for African Americans. The Thirteenth amendment was passed April 8th 1864, abolishing slavery in America. -
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
The surrender marked the end of the civil war. It occurred after the battle of Appomattox Courthouse where a Union victory would seal the Union being victorious in the war. The union strategically trapped Lees army and forced him to surrender. -
Lincoln Assassination
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln occurred on the April 14th 1865. Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. He was shot in the head as he watched Our American Cousin. He later died the following day at 7:22 AM. John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators were later hung for their crimes. -
Typewriter
The invention of the typewriter by Christopher Scholes was a tremendous invention. It would allow people to press buttons and write or type words and letters much more faster. This would contribute to the emergence of the newspaper -
The US purchasing Alaska
This was a very important purchase in american history. If we had not bought this there could have been much more military conflicts with Russia and Russia may have abused Alaska and not respected its native people and nature. -
Invention of the telephone
The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell was a major step in communication. It allowed someone to communicate with another person while being miles away. Cellphones are now a major part of technology. -
Lightbulb
The invention of the light bulb would allow easier access to electricity. Although very early in the world of electricity this longer lasting and easier light bulb still helped electricity gain popularity. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1883 was signed by Chester A Arthur. It prohibited all immigration of Chinese workers. It was the first law to target and ban all members of a specific race. It was renewed by the Geary Act and was made a permanent law in 1902. It was later repealed in 1943 by the Magnuson Act which allowed 105 Chinese people to enter the united states each year. The Magnuson Act was later banned by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 which abolished direct racial barriers. -
Barbed Wire
The invention of barbed wire by Rowell Hodge would be crucial to war in the future and to farmers. This was amazing for keeping animals in confines and keeping enemies of war our of your territory. Barbed wire was largely used in world war I during trench warfare. -
Yosemite National Park Bill
This Bill established the first two national parks in America. Yosemite and Sequoia national parks. This was the early steps of environmentalism in America. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act was an act put into place to prevent monopolies happening in industries during the industrial revolution. The act enabled the Department of Justice to bring lawsuits against violating businesses and stop merging of big businesses. It was not to stop successful businesses but preserve a competitive market and protect consumers from abuse by big monopolistic businesses. It was signed by Benjamin Harrison on July 2nd 1890 -
Plessy Vs. Ferguson
The Plessy versus Ferguson was a case that upheld the constitutionality of separation by race. It stated that separation is equal as long as public facilities were equal in quality. The ruling reestablished the laws put into place in southern states after the reconstruction era. At the supreme court level the trial resulted in a 7-1 vote in favor of Ferguson. It is known as one of the worst decisions made by the United Stats supreme court. -
Spanish American War
The Spanish American war was a war fought in Cuba colony of Spain over the treatment of Cubans by the Spanish. It turned hostile after the destruction of the US Maine. It was a war that Americans slowly began to be for after anti-Spanish newspaper propaganda. The war was fought in the Caribbean and the Philippines and lasted for 10 weeks. Around 2,400 Americans died and 16,000 Spaniards died in the war. -
Teddy Roosevelt Presidency
Teddy Roosevelt is well known as one of the best presidents in American History. He was known as the trust buster. He destroyed many trusts and monopolies. He passed the Pure Food and Drug Act and resulted in the creation of the Food and Drug Administration. He also passed the Hepburn Act. -
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Wilson Presidency
Woodrow Wilson was the first democrat elected since 1860 and the first southerner elected since 1848. Early in his term he helped pass the revenue act of 1913 that introduced federal income tax to lower tariff rates. He also passed the Adamson Act which introduced the 8 our work day. He was president throughout the first world war and the Mexican civil war. Wilson stayed neutral in the Mexican civil war but failed to stay neutral in WWI. After WWI Wilson made his 14 point principle for peace. -
Panama Canal
The project of building a canal through central America for large ships was started by France in 1881 and finished by the United States in 1914. The canal built under the Roosevelt Presidency. The US supported the Panamanian rebels who wanted to separate from Colombia. After they successfully seceded and became a country they allowed the US to resume the working on the canal. The US purchased the land from the French for 40 Million and started work on the canal. -
Beginning of World War One
WWI was fought because of many countries having many treaties with other countries and nationalist views were soaring in Europe. WWI started because Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Archduke of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand. This caused Austria-Hungary to send Serbia a list of demands which Serbia did not meet so A-H declared war on Serbia. Additionally there were 2 groups of countries who had treaties. The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente. -
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The Rise of the KKK
The KKK reemerged in the 1920s after a film called The Birth of Nation came out in 1915 about the first KKK during the reconstruction era. In the early 1920's the clan grew primarily because of moral issues like divorce and adultery increasing in young people and old people. -
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The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem renaissance was a time period between 1924 and 1929 where intellectual, social and artistic ideas and expressions exploded in the city of Harlem. The movement was mainly about African american cultural expression in urban areas. African Americans migrated north east many to Harlem which is why it was in Harlem. Black writers, musicians and actors were affected by the Harlem Renaissance. -
Wilson's 14 Points
Wilson's 14 points were his ideas on how to deal with reparations and make peace to end the war.In his speech he explained how secret treaties were one of the reasons for this war and wanted to ban them.He proposed eliminating economical barriers between nations and a world organization that would protect political independence and small states.His 14 points would be considered after the war but not utilized in the way Wilson wanted.The league of nations would eventually be formed without the US -
Treaty of Versailles
The treaty ended the state of war between Germany and the allied powers. It was signed in Versailles exactly 5 years after the war unofficially started. All other central powers had signed separate treaties earlier. The treaty stated that Germany would have to disarm and give territorial concessions and pay reparations to the allied powers. The treaty would take nearly 6 months to be written and signed. -
World War One Ends
WWI was a long, bloody war.An estimated 17 million people had died from the war. The Spanish flu killed millions. The Triple Entente was going to be the victor. Russia had fallen into political turmoil. Germany the last country left of the triple alliance signed a treaty ending the war on November 11th. In the aftermath the Russian German and Ottoman empires no longer existed.New countries emerged after the ending of empires. The war was blamed on Germany and they had to pay all debts of the war -
The Eighteenth Amendment
Known as the prohibition amendment banned the sale, purchase and production of any alcohol. It was passed because most states had already passed it at the state level.It originally sounded like a good idea but it proved to be not very effective.Speakeasies, bootlegging, and crime rose while alcohol consumption decreased. In the early 1900s people began to speak out against alcohol and organizations started calling for a ban which they would eventually get.The amendment would be repealed in 1933. -
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The Eighteenth Amendment
Known as the prohibition amendment banned the sale, purchase and production of any alcohol. It was passed because most states had already passed it at the state level.It originally sounded like a good idea but it proved to be not very effective.Speakeasies, bootlegging, and crime rose while alcohol consumption decreased. In the early 1900s people began to speak out against alcohol and organizations started calling for a ban which they would eventually get.The amendment would be repealed in 1933. -
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Prohibition
Prohibition was a time in the 1920s when the consumption,act of selling or making of alcohol was banned. Before this ban alcohol sales increases very rapidly. After this ban went into effect speakeasies started booming and gang violence increased. The rich had bought barns and filled them with alcohol before the ban and many were members of speakeasies but the poor couldn't stock up so they got prescriptions for medicinal alcohol. Many policemen were bribed with money and alcohol by speakeasies. -
Nineteenth Amendment
This amendment was long overdue and it gave women the right to vote. Women suffrage became very popular in the early 1900s and gained in popularity from 1910 to 1919. it overruled Minor v. Happersett the court case that ruled that the 14th amendment did not give women the right to vote. It was a major step in gender equality in society. -
Gitlow V New York
The case between Gitlow v New York was about Gitlow breaking the law and writing about Left wing manifesto. After the red scare of 1919 congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917 and the sedition act of 1918 which allowed the government to arrest anarchists, sympathizers of the Bolshevik's or labor activists. Benjamin Gitlow was arrested for writing left wing manifesto. His defense stated that he was writing about history not advocacy.He was convicted and spent 2 years in jail before getting bail -
The Trial of John Scopes
The trial of John Scopes against the town of Dayton was trial human evolution. Scopes a school teacher was accused of teaching Evolution which violated Tennessee's Butler Act which stated that no one could teach evolution. The trial gained national attention and the top lawyer in the country defended Scopes. It was a trial between modernists and fundamentalists. The verdict was Scopes was guilty of teaching evolution and fined 100$. -
Stock Market Crash
The stock market crash of 1929 was the biggest crash in american history. It left many people broke because prices just kept dropping and many people had bought stock on credit so banks just kept on selling the stocks. It would lead to the great depression -
Roosevelt 1st Election
Roosevelt's first election win was a pretty even won. He won as the democratic nominee beating Herbert Hoover the republican Nominee getting 39% of the votes while Roosevelt getting the majority with 57% -
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CCC
The civilian conservation corps was a relief program during the great depression to get young American's working who were unemployed. Their main goal was to rework farmland, plant 2.3 billion trees and fight wild fires. The program went from 1933-1942 and would have over 3,000 camps across the US -
Social Security Act
The social security act created a basic right to pension at someones old age and insurance against unemployment. It laid down the roots of the modern welfare system. -
FDR Court Packing Scandal
The scandal was about FDR trying to pack the Supreme court with his choice of judges who agreed with his political views. He announced that he wanted to make the supreme court 15 judges to appoint 7 choices of his own. Democrats and republicans didn't like this. His idea was shot down by congress
