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Period: 1492 to
TimeSpan
This Timeline is going to feature significant events in US history between 1492 and 1877. -
English Settlers Arrive in Jamestown
The first permanent English settlers arrived in North America. They Arrived on three ships: the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. The Englishmen were sent by The Virginia Company to seek business growth. Jamestown was at a good defensive position in case of possible attacks and named after King James. Source: https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm -
Defining "American"(Theme of Cultural Indepence)
America started to become a melting pot of different countries, and the country started to establish its identity separate from the British Empire days. Settlers brought new religions and ideas. (Source: https://www.ushistory.org/us/7f.asp) -
Start of the Revolutionary War
In Lexington and Concord, British troops and colonial militia clashed. This event sparked the "the shot heard round the world," which officially brought on the revolution. (Source: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history) -
Declaration of Independence Signing
This signing officially declared The United States of America as an independent nation from The British Empire. Most of the monumental document was written by Thomas Jefferson. This document is a symbol for America's Indepence. (Source: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence) -
Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness((Theme of Independence)
Something that is quite prevalent when looking at history from afar is the constant conditions that were made. A classic example would be Thomas Jefferson, who was the sole writer of the Declaration of independence, who wrote famous words about freedom, but still owned slaves. The legacy of the Declaration founded American Ideals and provided inspiration for equality. -
Treaty of Paris
This document officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Some of the key agreements met in the treaty include England's recognization of the independence of the United States of America, outlined America's borders and land rights, and addressed debt. This was a monumental success for the colonies, as they were now internationally seen as a nation. (Source: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris) -
Washington DC is Born(Idea of Nationalism
Washington DC was founded, and it was symbolic in honoring the government, and democracy. It is still the capital of America and houses the White House, The House of Representatives, as well as other places of high political importance. Many say the district is a symbol of early Nationalism in America. (Source: ushistory.org) -
Louisiana Purchase
This deal nearly doubled the size of the United States. The French Government was desperate for Cash and sold the large territory to the US for just $15 million. Not only did this purchase expand the new nation in size, but also showed economic growth later on. (Source: ushistory.org) -
Lewis and Clark Expedition(Idea of Westward Expansion)
Jefferson planned for a journey to discover more of the continent. About 50 Americans were led by Meriweather Lewis and William Clark along the Missouri River. They found Mandon Villages and a lot of the country that Americans had never seen before. They tracked the geography of the West and observed natural resources. On the way, they met Sacajawea, who taught them much about the West. They arrived back to their starting point of St. Louis in Late 1806. (Source: ushistory.org) -
War of 1812
Often referred to as "the second war for independence," the war erupted between the young nation of America and Great Britain. The sole cause was British restrictions on US trade. There wasn't necessarily a clear "winner," rather the British were tired from their war with France. It was officially ended with the Treat of Ghent in 1814, which didn't effectively change much. (Source: ushistory.org/us/21f.asp) -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri wanted to join the United States as a slave state. However, The US already had an exact balance between free and slave states, making it fair in the senate. They instead proposed that Missouri would join as a slave state, and they would separate Maine from Massachusetts as a free state. They also decided Louisiana Purchase states north of the southern boundary would be free states. (Source:https://www.ushistory.org/us/23c.asp) -
The Underground Railroad
The "RailRoad" helped to bring fugitive slaves to safety. Operating at night, slaves would travel to "stations." These stations provided a safe place for them to rest before continuing the journey to either a free state or Canada. One of the key figures was Harriet Tubman. It lasted quite a while and ended at the towards of the civil war. (Source: ushistory.org) -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner was an enslaved person who organized a group of about 70 other slaves and rebelled against the Slave Code. They traveled to different plantations and killed around 70 white southerners. At the end of their revolt, they were captured and punished. In response, the South tightened the Slave Codes and enforced more patrols. (Source: ushistory.org) -
Trail of Tears(Term)
President Jackson was persistent in removing Native American tribes from their Ancestral Land so that settlers could profit off land sales. He passed the Treaty of New Echota, and after this, the army marched around 20,000 Cherokees off their land at gunpoint. Many did not survive the journey, and the surviving had to find life somewhere else. The path they took is referred to as "The Trail of Tears." (Source: https://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp) -
Mexican-American War
President Polk wanted to buy California Port Areas from Mexico. Mexico Declined his offer, and Polk decided to start in the war in response. (Source: https://www.ushistory.org/us/29d.asp) -
California Gold Rush
James Marshell found gold at a stream in California, and word spread around the world. People flocked from around California, China, Mexico, and east America. Racial Discrimination between the miners became a huge problem in the American West. (Source:https://www.ushistory.org/us/29e.asp) -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Settlers wanted to move to the land in Nebraska. However, it was not a territory so legally they could not claim the land. The Southern States wanted to see it made into a territory. This Act allowed states to decide if they would permit slavery based on a popular vote. Many say it went against the Missouri compromise. (https://www.ushistory.org/us/31a.asp) -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln issued this order that all slaves in the rebellious states would be free. It did not actually free all slaves, but it was made to take away resources from the confederate states. Until that point, the Civil war was not strongly focused on just freeing slaves. It was a step towards the ratification of the 13th amendment. (Source: https://www.ushistory.org/us/34a.asp) -
Reconstruction Period
Reconstruction occurred post-civil war. It was about rebuilding the way things were run, now that the South had lost. It was a time of new amendments enforcing equality, but it was also a time of pain for many. Southern states continued to do everything they could to prevent African-Americans from being truly free. It did not introduce enough radical changes because of poor leadership by Johnson and racist institutions. [https://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp] -
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
This was the first-ever Presidental Impeachment in the US. Andrew Johnson had 11 different articles of impeachment against him. He did not end up being convicted and removed from office. He was uncooperative with congress on certain acts. (Source:https://www.ushistory.org/us/35c.asp)
