US History Timeline

Treaty of Versailles

1919 BCE

Effectively ended the First World War, but left Germany with all reparation expenses and was seen as another attack by the Allies towards the Central Powers.

President Wilson Issues Fourteen Points

1918 BCE

President Wilson tries to keep the peace by issuing the Fourteen Points, which prevents the Central Powers from having to pay for all the reparations; however, many other Allied Powers wanted to punish the Central Powers and the Fourteen Points was largely forgotten, other than the League of NAtions, which was only one point of the fourteen.

US Financial Power After World War I

1918 BCE

The US became the largest financial power after World War I despite only joining for one year.

The US Joins World War I

1917 BCE

After the unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram, Woodrow Wilson decided that was enough and had the US join the war for the Allies.

The Zimmerman Telegram

1917 BCE

A German telegram was intercepted by the British military. It was telling Mexico to join World War I, attack the US, and try to take the land back they lost in the Mexican-American War. Woodrow Wilson had had enough and this directly caused the United States to join World War I.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

1917 BCE

German U-Boats were all over the Atlantic and destroyed anything that was helping the Allied Powers, including United States ships that were not even in the war. This led to the United States joining World War I.

Sinking of the Lusitania

1915 BCE

This event did not get the US involved in World War I automatically, but it did get heads turning. Two years before the United States joined WWI, German U-Boats sank the Lusitania, which had innocent citizens of the US on board and over 200 US citizens died in the incident.

World War I Begins

1914 BCE

After the assassination of Franz Duke Ferdinand, the first World War begins in Europe.

President Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

1904 BCE

Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine added that if any outside force, especially European powers, were to attack anywhere in the Caribbean, the United States would intervene.

The Philippine Organic Act

1902 BCE

The Philippine Organic Act was essentially a treaty to end The Philippine War.

The Passing of the Platt Amendment

1901 BCE

The US decided that Cuba could not handle governing itself and passed the Platt Amendment, which gave the US the right to govern the country until 1934.

Spanish-American War

1898 BCE

When News spread about the horrible Spanish rule over Cuba, many people supported a war helping Native Cubans and taking the Spanish out of the island. Due to the idea of Manifest Destiny, the US decided to start a war with the Spanish in Cuba. The US won easily in war that only around a month.

Acquisition of Cuba

1898 BCE

Once the US defeated the Spanish in Cuba, Cuba became the US's protectorate, which was basically where the people of Cuba would run the country, but the US would take care of the economy and protect from outside forces.

Acquisition of Hawaii

1898 BCE

Hawaii was owned by the Spanish, but the United States decided to annex it and it became a territory of the US.

Acquisition of the Philippines

1898 BCE

The Philippines were originally Spanish territory, but the US took down the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay and took over the Philippines.

Passing of the Teller Amendment

1898 BCE

The Teller Amendment declared war on Spain and, if they win the war, the US cannot annex Cuba and control of the island should be left to its own people.

The Banana Wars

1898 BCE

This is the conflict between the Latin American countries, including Panama and Nicaragua, and the US government intervening with them. The US added dictators into these countries, who ruled with power and brutality, so many citizens of these Latin American countries rose up against them.

The Dawes Act

1887 BCE

This act put Native Americans in independent Indian Reservations and caused more tension between Native Indians and white settlers.

Presidential Election Leads to Inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes

1876 BCE

After a crazy election where two presidents tied, Rutherford B. Hayes, ended up winning the election.

Battle of Little Bighorn

1876 BCE

This battle was part of the Indian Wars, more specifically the Great Sioux War and ended in a victory for the Native Americans.

The Great Sioux War

1876 BCE

Part of the Indian Wars and led to an ultimate victory for the United States, making the white settlers spread across the entirety of North America.

Ulysses S. Grant Becomes President

1869 BCE

After Johnson, one of the most hated presidents, Grant was elected and got the US back to what Lincoln did.

14th Amendment to the Constitution

1868 BCE

The 14th Amendment was added to the Constitution, which stated that anyone born on US soil or naturalized, is a citizen of the United States.

The Purchase of Alaska

1867 BCE

Alaska was owned by the Russians, but they seemed to not care much for it, so the US bought it for $7.2 million because they had more reasons to obtain it.

Civil Rights Act

1866 BCE

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 declared that people of all races were citizens of the United States over Andrew Jackson's veto, which was declined after Congress declared it a rightful act.

Andrew Johnson Appointed President

1865 BCE

After Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson, the Vice President, becomes president of the United States.

13th Amendment is Added to the Constituion

1865 BCE

The 13th Amendment is added to the Constitution, which bans slavery across the United States.

CSA Capital, Richmond, Falls to US Forces

1865 BCE

The Union takes over the Capital of the CSA and the CSA is highly weakened.

CSA Commander, Robert E. Lee, surrenders to Union Commander, Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse

1865 BCE

Robert E. Lee, a commander for the CSA military, surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant, a commander for the Union military, and effectively ends the Civil War after four years.

Lincoln's Assassination

1865 BCE

Shortly after the war ended, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth.

US Congress Passes Wade-Davis Bill

1864 BCE

The US Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill, which made the South only be able to join the Union once again if 50% or more people swore a loyalty oath to the Union.

Wade-Davis Bill Vetoed by Lincoln

1864 BCE

Abraham Lincoln saw the punishment of Wade-Davis Bill as too harsh and vetoed the bill.

Atlanta Falls to US Forces Led by Sherman

1864 BCE

General Sherman and his group take over Atlanta and plan their violent March to the Sea.

Lincoln Defeats McClellan to be re-elected as US President

1864 BCE

Lincoln becomes popular with others once again, and is re-elected as president.

Sherman's March to the Sea Through Georgia

1864 BCE

General Sherman led his men from Atlanta to the Georgia coast, ravaging lands throughout their journey, in order to get the CSA to surrender.

The Snake Wars

1864 BCE

This was another conflict between the Native Americans and the US. It took place in the Northwest in Idaho and Oregon. Ultimately, the white settlers won the war and these territories were taken.

Sand Creek Massacre

1864 BCE

An attack on Native Americans in the Southeastern corner of Colorado even though the US and Indians in this area made an agreement that the Native Indians could live there. This showed the racism and apathy towards Native Americans by Europeans and the US.

Emancipation Proclamation

1863 BCE

After a Union victory at Antietam, President Lincoln decided to release the Emancipation Proclamation, which set slaves free.

Battle of Gettysburg

1863 BCE

Prior to this battle, the CSA came away with many more victories than the Union and this was the turning point. Many victories for the Union over the CSA led to a Union victory in the Civil War.

USA Defeats CSA

1863 BCE

Finally the USA has had a large victory over the CSA and momentum has switched.

USA Abolishes Slavery in Washington D.C.

1862 BCE

This became the first step to ending slavery all over the country.

Battle of Antietam

1862 BCE

This was the first victory for the Union just by a little, but was enough to be declared a victory by Lincoln, allowing him to pass the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Homestead Act

1862 BCE

Encouraged immigrants from other countries to come to the United States and had homesteaders pay a fee for five years in the United States.

Six Other States Secede

1861 BCE

After the secession of South Carolina, six other Southern states, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana seceded.

The Confederacy Established

1861 BCE

The Confederate States of America (CSA) were formed in the South. They formed a government and voted for a president, who became Jefferson Davis after their election.

Lincoln Inaugurated as President

1861 BCE

Abraham Lincoln becomes president of the United States and gives his famous Inaugural Address.

Four More States Secede

1861 BCE

Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas secede from the Union as well.

CSA Forces Take Fort Sumter

1861 BCE

The Confederacy attacks Fort Sumter, kickstarting the Civil War. The CSA comes away with the victory; however, no lives were lost in the battle.

Four Slave States Decide to Stay in USA

1861 BCE

Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland decide to stay neutral and in the Union.

Jefferson Davis Elected President of CSA

1861 BCE

Jefferson Davis becomes the President of the Confederacy and is a horrible leader, especially when compared to Abraham Lincoln, the leader of the Union.

Trent Affair

1861 BCE

The Union attacks a British ship they believe was helping the Confederacy and the British threatens the United States. This almost led to a war between the Union and Britain.

The Anaconda Plan

1861 BCE

At the beginning of the Civil War, the Anaconda Plan was made by Abraham Lincoln and General Winfield Scott. This was a plan to spread a naval blockade all around the South from the Atlantic to the East to the Mississippi River at the West. This cut off imports from Europe to the CSA and separated the Southeast from the Southwest.

First Battle of Bull Run

1861 BCE

This was the first major battle of the Civil War and the CSA had a victory over the Union.

Abraham Lincoln Elected as President

1860 BCE

Although Abraham Lincoln was not a Radical Republican, many Southern states saw his being elected as an attack by the North to the South and caused South Carolina to secede from the Union.

South Carolina Secedes from USA

1860 BCE

After the election of 1860, where President Lincoln won, South Carolina and other Southern states saw this as an attack towards the South and South Carolina was the first to secede from the USA.

Raid on Harpers Ferry

1859 BCE

John Brown was a radical abolitionist and decided to raid Harpers Ferry, Virginia to show slaves that they could rise up against their owners as well. Brown was ultimately caught and hanged and while many Southerners thought he deserved the punishment because they believed he was attacking their rights and values, the North claimed that the US was founded on fighting for one's own ideas, so they sympathized with him.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858 BCE

The Lincoln-Douglas debates were presidential debates that got many people to join Lincoln's side and the South saw Douglas in a brighter light, causing more tension within the country.

Treaty of Tianjin with China

1858 BCE

This Treaty ended the first phase of the Second Opium War and allowed China to open up their trading to the rest of the world.

Dred Scott Judgement

1857 BCE

After runaway slave, Dred Scott, was captured after he got into free-state territory, he was taken back by his owners. This became a Supreme Court Case and, ultimately, Dred Scott was imprisoned for his actions. The Southern states supported the decision, but the North did not.

Lowering Tariff Rates by Congress

1857 BCE

Lowering the tariff rates was disliked by the North, where most people liked the idea of the federal government having more power, and was liked by the South, where most people liked the idea of state governments having more power.

Formation of the Republican Party

1856 BCE

The Whig Party, which was the most popular political party along with the Democrats, became less powerful and the Republican Party developed. The Republican Party were much more anti-slavery and powerful than the Whigs.

Caning of Charles Sumner

1856 BCE

After giving a powerful speech on Bleeding Kansas and abolition, he was violently beat with a cane by Southerners, further separating the country.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1854 BCE

This Act allowed Kansas to decide through popular sovereignty whether the people living there wanted slavery or not, which caused conflict.

Bleeding Kansas

1854 BCE

Due to the people of Kansas being able to vote for the state to be free or not, many conflicts arose in the elections and even people from other states would enter Kansas looking to vote towards their beliefs. Many people were killed as a result of this conflict.

The Gadsden Purchase

1853 BCE

After the Mexican-American War was over, the United States purchased the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, which was a 29,670-square-mile area in Southern Arizona that was purchased for $10 million.

The Publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

1852 BCE

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which was a book on the life of slave and got many people to see how horribly slaves were treated and got people on the Northerner side.

Compromise of 1850

1850 BCE

This Compromise was another eventual cause of the Civil War. It admitted California as a free state and other southern states were put under popular sovereignty. The Southern border if Missouri was the line separating free states to the North and slave states to the South. It also banned slave trade in Washington D.C.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

1850 BCE

The Fugitive Slave Act was strongly biased towards the South a gave fierce punishments towards runaway slaves and African-Americans in general. This caused the Northerners to become angrier and eventually the Fugitive Slave Act was taken down.

Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo ends Mexican-American War

1848 BCE

The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo is signed and the United States acquires land in the Southwest, including parts of states, like Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, and Utah, after winning the war.

Mexican-American War Begins

1846 BCE

Many Conflicts between both the United States arose, as previously mentioned, and eventually led to a 2-year war between these countries.

The Attempt to Pass the Wilmot Proviso

1846 BCE

The Wilmot Proviso was made to prevent any slavery in the new states added from the addition of the Mexican Cession. The bill was ultimately not passed by Congress.

USA Settles Dispute with Britain Over Oregon Territory.

1846 BCE

The United States threatened a war with Britain if they would not give the territory to them, but it was eventually seen as something to not go to war over and the United States peacefully got what they wanted with the Oregon Treaty.

Texas Annexed by the USA

1845 BCE

Manifest Destiny was the motivator for President James K. Polk and led to him annexing Texas, which was part of Mexico at the time. This would lead to conflicts between the US and Mexico and eventually lead to the Mexican-American War.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

1831 BCE

Nat Turner was a slave that formed a militia of around 50-60 other slaves that rose up against their owners and killed around 60 white southerners. This, of course, got Southerners angry and started dividing the country.

"The Liberator"

1831 BCE

William Lloyd Garrison was the writer of an abolitionist magazine titled "The Liberator," which many people read and made many sympathize with slaves.

Missouri Compromise of 1820

1820 BCE

This Compromise divided the country and formed and equal number of free and slave states between the North and South. It was the first major cause for divisional tensions in the United States.

American History Between 1820-1950

Period: 1820 BCE to 1950 BCE

Raid on Harpers Ferry

Feb 23, 2017

John Brown was a radical abolitionist and wanted to show how slaves could rise up against their owners, so he planned a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He was ultimately caught and hanged and the Southern states believed he was attacking their beliefs and rights, while the North sympathized with Brown and claimed that the USA was founded on fighting for one's own rights.

Four More States Secede

Feb 23, 2017

Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas