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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
US History: VHS Summer: Abigail Benz
This is a timeline of United States history from 1492-1877. It is a snapshot of some of the most important events, ideas, and people from this period. -
Jan 1, 1500
Intereactions in the New World
Many European countries entering the New World thought the land was entirely empty and all for them. To their surprise the natives on the land did not have the same opinion. At first many of the interactions between Native Americans and Europeans were friendly with small trade of furs and technology but soon things became very hostile. To add in was the interaction of slave trade. The first encounters in the New World were not positive. http://www.wvculture.org/history/indland.html -
Settling of Jamestown
The settling of the colony Jamestown was the first mark of Britain in the New World.This colony was the first step for Britain to keep expanding their empire and helped make the foundations for the 13 colonies and eventually America. It also helped with Britain's trade. For more info check out the link: http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement/history-jamestown/ -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war against America and Britain. This was the culmination of many years of rebellion, anger and violence from America wanting to become independent from Britain. After a long fought Battle the Americans were able to persevere and win the revolution, but more importantly they gained their independence that they had been fighting for for so long.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history -
Birth of American Patriotism
If the colonists were ever going to be able to cut ties with Britain than they were going to have to work together and all be in favor for the independence. This common goal brought people together and made them want to fight for a cause they believed in and a country they were proud of. The shared spirit and desire to become independent were the first signs of patriotism and nationalism. http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/cms/lib3/MO01001773/Centricity/Domain/28/loyalty_patriot.pdf -
Federalism
In forming a new system of government not everyone had the same idea of how the country should be run. Some people felt the national government should play a large role and others felt it was more up to the states to be making the decisions. This is where federalism, which is the idea that there is shared power with a large influce from the federal government, was created. http://www.pbs.org/tpt/constitution-usa-peter-sagal/federalism/#.V4KmyZMrL-Y -
Ratification of the Constitution
After the end of the American Revolution it was time for the United States to form their own system of government and set of laws. After many debates and drafts that went back and forth between citizens and officials, a very close vote decided that the constitution was to be adopted as a new legal document for the American people to live by. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ratification.html -
The Jeffersonian Era
The inauguration of Jefferson marked the end of the federalist reign. The jeffersonian democracy celebrates the people and their voice, especially the rural farmers. It was always about expanding, looking into the future and how to make America more successful. http://www.byzantinecommunications.com/adamhoward/homework/highschool/jeffersonian.html -
The War of 1812
Even after the revolution, Britain was not finished with the US yet. At the time the United States was trying to expand trade and territory. Because Britain disliked this and also because they were at war with Napoleon's army, they launched attacks on America's boats. When Jefferson put an embargo act on trade, this only infuriated Britain. Despite being up against the most powerful army, the American were able to battle their way to victory. http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812 -
Jacksonian Democracy
After his second time running, Andrew Jackson finally made it into office. Andrew Jackson was a populist and believed in the voices of the people. Despite him saying this, Andre Jackson operated more like a monarch. He made irrational and unfair decisons, which is completly against the American model. In office, Jackson discussed important ideas and helped with American debt, however his method of democracy was very harmful. http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson -
The Indian Removal Act
Americans were making progress and the standard of living was increasing. It was time to expand into the lands in the west. However, living in the desired land were many Native American tribes who had inhabited the land for many years. For president Jackson this was a big issue. He wanted a cultural cleanse and so he got a law passed forcing thousands of Native Americans off their land and into reservations. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html -
Abolitionism
There had always been an underlying desire for slavery to be outlawed, but starting the in 1830s is when people started to stand up for ending slavery. Groups of people and abolitionists wrote literature, held meetings, made surveys, and gave speeches in order to all accomplish the common desire of emancipating slavery. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/abolitionist-movement -
Manifest Destiny
Once the United States had secured a vast territroy out the in the West it was time to go explore and settle down there. As Americans were making progress in many other aspects fo life, the message passed around explained that they had to fulfill their future and go out west. It was inevitable for many people when various religious groups went to honor their gods. Manifest Destiny was the motivation that really helped westward expansion.http://www.history.com/topics/manifest-destiny -
The Compromise of 1850
With the United states acquiring a lot of land it was ambiguous and a source of tension weather the land would be free or slave states. The South wanted the new territory for more cotton and slaves to help with the industry while the North felt the opposite. Once again congress debated the issue and Henry Clay came to another great compromise. It held the tension between the North and South and kept the South from leaving the Union.http://www.history.com/topics/compromise-of-1850 -
The Industrial Revolution
The second half of the 19th century was a very prosperous time in America. Many inventions and new technology was being invented. There were more jobs so the economy was boosted and the overall standard of living was improved because many of the new inventions made peoples lives easier. http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution -
The Civil War
The Civil War was the culmination of tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery for several decades. When legislation could not solve the issue the cry for freedom was too great to push it away any father. After four years of brutal fighting and casualties, the North prevailed. With more soldiers and supplies, the skilled generals brought the Union to victory.http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/overview.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/ -
The Emancipation Proclamation and The Thirteenth Amendment
After several years of the war not coming to an end, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This document changed the tone of the war. Although it do not completely free the slaves it made clear that this was a war for their freedom. Once the Union had one the war the thirteenth amendment was created and slaves were finally, officially free. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/ -
Reconstruction
After the Civil War, the country was torn apart in all aspects. The South would have to adpot a new way of life, and the entire country would work on the political system with the new amendments. Both the North and the South had yet again different ideas of what reconstruction was suppoed to look like. Many crimes were not excused and other problems arrose. Overall, reconstruction was a rebuilding time all over the US. http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/reconstruction -
The Black Codes
Despite having several amendments, many Southerns were not willing to change their way of life, meaning treating African Americans with the same repspect and equal rights as Whites. This is when the Black Codes were created. In order to make it harder for Blacks in society, Whites passed laws on property, jobs and other aspects of life, which severly limited the rights and freedom of the African American people. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-codes -
The American Identity
Since Europeans began to make interactions in the New World and many immigrated to the United States the identity and culture has been growing and changing. This a culture made up of the same ideology but a variety of different ethnicities and cultures that have formed the rich and diverse American Identity. There is no one aspect that makes American culture, but many factors that make up who the US is and what it stand for. http://www.1website.be/myamerica/php/americain.php?aID=20 -
American Identity Change
From the first colonies that were homogeneous and White to diverse cities and people, the Identity of America has taken a major shift. The first civilizations were white men who worshipped one religion. In 1877 there was a lot more diversity and equality with slaves being free and many immigrants arriving. The US made big steps in changing the culture to create a society that stayed true to its ideas of "all men are created equal". http://science.jrank.ogg-Americanization.html
