US History Timeline

  • Period: 1436 to May 20, 1506

    Christopher Columbus

    Christopher Columbus is most well known for "discovering the Americas." When he arrived in the Americas he killed billions of people.
  • Aug 3, 1492

    Christopher Colubus Lands in America

    Christopher Columbus led a fleet of 3 ships when he discovered the America's. This resulted in a lot of agony for the American there.
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    Mercantilism

    This was a theory or decision that aimed at controlling the colonies and their trade. This made it so that Britain was the Mother Country and the colonies had to give her resources.
  • Jamestown

    This was one of the most popular places for European trade and ships. It was a very important place in the development of America.
  • First Americans Enter North America

    These people came to America, settled, and started to develop a new community. This lead to the colonies of Ameirca.
  • Navigation Act of 1651

    This was an act that was supposed make it easier for the government to control the shipments to the English. English colonies were only allowed to ship goods on English ships.
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    The Enlightenment

    This was a time period in Europe where a new way of thinking came about. This included the ways of science, philosophy, and polotics were thought of in society.
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    Benjamin Franklin

    He was one of America's Founding Fathers. He was a man of many skills such as writing, printing, politics, science, and inventing. He invented the "lightening rod."
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    George Washington

    Before becoming the first President of America, George Washington was a general in the American Revolution. He was a very big contributor to gaining Americas independence.
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    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson was one of America's Founding Fathers. He was also one of the writers of the Declaration of Independence. He was the third president of USA from 1801-1809.
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    French and Indian War

    This was a war between the an Colonies and the French. The Native Americans were allies of the French during this war.
  • Proclamation of 1763

    This was a proclamation that King George II made in order to prevent colonies from moving past the Appalachian Mountains. This was made because of the previous war against the Native Americans.
  • Stamp Act

    This was an act that required colonists to pay a tax on all the printed paper that they used. This resulted in many controversies and uproars.
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    Andrew Jackson

    Andrew Jackson was the 7th president of the USA. He led the "Jacksonian Democracy" and a new type of government.
  • Boston Massacure

    This event started as an argument between the colonists and British soliders that quickly escalated and became violent. British soliders killed 5 people.
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    Lewis and Clark

    Lewis and Clark were two explorers who contributed to the start of the Westward Expansion. They explored the Western side of America and started an uproar in fur and trade.
  • Boston Tea Party

    This was a protest against the governments efforts to get colonies to spend more money. This was initiated by Sons of Liberty
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    American Revolution

    This was a war against Great Britain by the colonists in America. This war resulted in the independence of the colonists and America.
  • Deceleration of Independence

    This was a document that declared the independence of the USA from Great Britain. This was the result of the American Revolution and was signed by numerous historical figures and representitives.
  • Signing of the US Constitution

    This was a document signed in order to identify the rights of American citizens and what their role in society entailed. This was signed by many men including 2 presidents.
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    Dred Scott

    Dred Scott was an African- American man who was also a former slave. He was apart of the Dred Scott vs. Sandford.
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    Westward Expansion

    This was the movement in which the colonies decided to move West in the country. This resulted in wars and the loss of many lives
  • Louisiana Purchase

    This purchase was made by America from France. It allowed America to gain a large portion of land that France decided that they no longer needed or wanted.
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    Lewis and Clark Expeditions

    This was an expedition in which Lewis and Clark traveled towards Western America in search of a better life for citizens. Their journey took them from Missouri to Washington.
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    Abraham Lincoln

    He was the 16th president and during his time serving, the Civil War was going on. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth because Lincoln tried to give African Americans equal rights during this time.
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    Fredrick Douglas

    He was an African American man who fought for African American rights. He is known as an abolisinist and much more.
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    Abolitionist Movement

    This movement's goal was to end slavery. It was especially strong in the South where slavery was more frequent than the North.
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    Jacksonian Democracy

    This was the time period Andrew Jackson was president. He presented a new, slightly controversial way to govern that was more liberal. But many thought of him as a king instead of a president.
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    Election of 1828

    This was a presidential election between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, in which Andrew Jackson won. This resulted in a new way to govern which was very contrversial and called the "Jacksonian Democracy."
  • Indian Removal Act of 1830

    This was an act imposed by the then- President Andrew Jackson. This was made so that America could expand West while forcing Native Americans out of their homes.
  • Manifest Destiny

    This was the belief that it was the God-given right for Americans to continue moving West in the USA. This idea resulted in the Westward Expansion.
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    Mexican American War

    The war between Mexico and America where America won. This made it so that Mexico signed a treaty giving America the land in which they debated over.
  • Compromise of 1850

    This was a series of solutions/resolutions made by Henry Clay in order to avoid a major conflict between the North and the South. Part of this, was ending Slave Trade in Washington, DC and amending the Fugitive Slave Act.
  • Dred Scott Decision

    This was a legal case in which the Supreme Court decided that a slave who lived in a free state was not entitled to his freedom. This therefore brought the civil war, along with numerous other reasons, to the North and South of America.
  • Election of 1860

    This election was mainly between Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A. Douglas, Lincoln won. Lincoln went on to support African American rights and help the North win the Civil War and abolish slavery, while also being assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
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    Civil War

    This war was between North and South America.This war was mainly over African American rights and slavery; the South was pro-slavery, while the north was anti-slavery.
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    Era of Reform

    This was an era where government, social, and economical reform occured. It was in the USA.