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World History 2 Timeline
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Jamestown
England's first permanant colony in the New World. -
House of Burgesses
FIrst elected assembly in the New World. Still operates today as the Genreal Assembly. -
Start of Slavery
Although slaves were not used much at first, but by 1700, most labor needs were filled by the forcible importation of Africans. -
Mayflower Compact
A document where the Puritans agreed to obey laws created for the general good. It was the first written framework of government established in the U.S. -
French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years War, the French and Indian War was fought between French and Indians & the British and Amerian colonists. It was a war fought over land west of the Appalachians. The Americans and British won. -
Treaty of Paris (1763)
Treaty that officially ended the French and Indian War. England gained land west of the Appalachians and in Canada from France. -
Proclamation of 1763
England prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachians because it cost a lot of money to protect colonists from Indian attacks there. This proclamation angered colonists that wanted to move there. -
Stamp Act
This act placed a tax on legal documents. -
Boston Massacre
A mob of anti-British demonstrators formed, and the British troops fired into the mob. Five colonists died. -
Boston Tea Party
England put restrictions on tea, then colonists boarded tea ships in Boston, dressed as 'Indians, and threw the tea in the water -
1st Continental Congress
Convention of represntatives from all 13 colonies except for Georgia. They met in Philadelphia, and issued a statement of colonial rights. -
Lexington and Concord
1st skirmish of the Revolutionary War. British troops attacked a colonial weapon stockpile in Massachusetts. The Minutemen assembled, and fighting errupted. -
2nd Continental Congress
This meeeting created the Continental Army, and George Washington was the general. They also issued the "Olive Branch Petition", which was the final peace offer towards England. England rejected it. -
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document was issued by the Continental Congress. This officially seperated the colonies from England. -
Articles of Confederation
The 13 states united into one country, The United States of America. It was intentionally weak, because political leaders feared a strong central goverment like that of England's. -
Critical Period
The time period during which the U.S. was under the Articles of Confederation. Lasted until 1788. -
Yorktown
French General Marquis de Layfayette developed a plan. The French navy blocked the exit of the Cheapeake Bay, and the Americans & French surrounded General Cornwallis. Cornwallis surrendered, leaidng to an American victory. -
The Treaty of Paris
Treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. England acknowledged America's independence. The United States' boundries were set at the Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Established a plan for surveying the western lands. -
Shay's Rebellion
Debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts rebel due to high taxes. -
Annapolis Convention
This convention was called to settle commerce disputes among states. Only five states showed up, so they decided to hold another meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitutional Convention
Held in Philadelphia, this convention was held to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, they ended up starting from scratch. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Provided the process for the creation and admission of new states. -
The Great Compromise
This compromise created a a two-house Congress, with a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate allows each state to have two senators, and the House has represenation based on population. -
3/5ths Compromise
Slaves counted as 3/5ths of a person when determining a state's representation. -
Washington's Presidency
George Washington was the first President of the United States. His term lasted for eight years, until 1797. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
This act set up the court system of the U.S. -
Bill of Rights Signed
The first ten amendements to the Constitution that deal wiht rights and liberties. They were written by James Madison, and drew from two Virginia laws when creating it: the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. -
Cotton Gin
Invented by Eli Whitney, this invention made cotton-growing very proftiable. -
Adam's Presidency
John Adams, Federalist, beat Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, in the election of 1796. As President, he fought an undeclared war with France, and also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. -
Gabe Prosser Revolt
Attempted to lead a slave revolt in Richmond. It failed, and he and many of his men were hung. -
Jefferson's Presidency
Jefferson was in office for eight years. In the election of 1800, he beat John Adams. This was important because it was the first time a peaceful transfer of power had occured from one party to another. -
Marbury vs. Madison
John Marshall declared a law unconstitutional. This case established the power of judical review. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson bought this land from France. This purchase doubled the size of the United States. It included land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. -
War of 1812
Caused by British interference with American ships and Britian's aid to Indians in the west. President Madison called for the war. The U.S. won (sort of), and they gained shared claim of the Oregon Territory. -
McCulloch vs. Maryland
This case esablished the doctrine of implied powers. It showed that the Court could mediate between states and the federal government. -
Missouri Compromise
This divided the LA Purchase at 36°31′. Anything north of the line was a free state, south of the line was a slave state. This also admitted Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. -
Missouri Compromise
Divided the Louisiana Purchase at 36, 30. Any state north of the line was a free state. Any state south of the line was a slave state. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
The court overturned a steamboat monopoly, confirming the federal government's power over commerce. -
Monroe Doctrine
By President Monroe, it warned Europe against future colonization in the Americas, and interfering in any independent country in the Western Hemisphere. -
Age of the Common Man
It was a time when U.S. democracy expanded, and many more citizens became involved in the election process. -
Jackson's Presidency
He lost to John Adams in 1824 but won in 1828 becuase he appealed more to the common man. Jackson personified the Democratic spirit. He used the Spoils System, and challenged the economic elite. -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
This was passed at Jackson's request. It forced Indians east of the Mississippi to move to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). -
Nat Turner Revolt
Led a band of 80 slaves against four plantations in Southhampton, VA. He was caught and then hung. -
Battle of the Alamo
Texans fortified in an old mission house, and they all fought until their last man died. -
Battle of San Jacinto
Battle where Texans won their independence from Mexico. This established the Republic of Texas. -
U.S. Annexes Texas
The U.S. admitted Texas as a state. -
Mexican War
The United States easily defeated Mexico. The war lasted two years. It was eneded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Fugitive Slave Law
Part of the Compromise of 1850. This act made it easier to catch runaway slaves. Many northerners refused to enforce this law. -
Reservation System
Indians were forced off their lands onto smaller and smaller reservations. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, this book portrayed the evils of slavery. It was widely read and increased Northern support for abolition. -
Dred Scott Case
Court case in which slave Dred Scott sued for his freedom after being taken into free territory. The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans aren't citizens and Congress had no right to ban slavery. -
Election of 1860
Main issue of the election was slavery. Abraham Lincoln won against John Breckinridge. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
First battle of the Civil War, taking place in South Carolina. -
Homestead Act
This act gave a free 160 acre plots in the West. The only condition was that the settlers had to use the land for at least 5 years. -
Battle of Antietam
Robert E. Lee went North and lost at Antietam, Maryland. The effect was that Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation afterwards. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Freed slaves in the "rebelling" states. It gave the North a new war aim: to end slavery. -
Battle of Vicksburg
In Mississippi, Grant won, and it cut the Confederacy in half. -
Battle of Gettysburg
It was a three day battle. Lee had to retreat, and it was the turning point of the war. -
Gettysburg Address
Short speech by Lincoln in which he dedicated the Gettysburg Cemetery. He declared that the United States was one nation, not seperate states. -
Appomattox Court House
Robert E. Lee surrendered, and he urger Southerners to accept surrender and to unite as Americans. -
Reconstruction
Reconstruction was the process of restoring the Southern states into the Union, and determining the position of African Americans. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth shortly after the end of the Civil War. -
13th Amendment
This amendment abolished slavery. -
Recontruction Act of 1867
This act put the South under military protection. -
14th Amendment
This amendemnt prohibited states from denying equal rights to any American. -
Knights of Labor
A union founded by Uriah Stevens. -
Old Immigrants
Immigrants that came from Northern and Western Europe: Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden -
15th Amendment
This amendment gave voting rights to African Americans. -
New Immigrants
Immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, and Asia, including countries such as: Italy, Poland, Yugoslavia, Russia, China and Japan. -
Jim Crow Laws
These laws established seperate facilities for whites and blacks. -
Election of 1876
Election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden that had disputed election results. Hayes was elected. -
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
This act banned entry of almost all Chinese persons into the United States. -
Haymarket Square
A Knights of Labor protest in Chicago. A bomb went off near the police, and eight strikers were convicted. -
American Federation of Labor
Founded by Samuel Gompers, it was a "craft union", which was only for skilled workers from muliple industries. Used collective bargaining. -
Dawes Act
The goal of the Dawes Act was to Americanize Indians. It broke up reservations, and divided them into individual plots. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
This act prevented any business structure that restrained trade. It's goal was to outlaw monopolies, but it was not successful. -
Homestead Strike
Took place at the Carnegie Steel Plant. Plant manager Henry Frick called the Pinkerton Detective Agency, and there was a major gun battle. -
American Railway Union
The founder was Eugene U. Debs. This union represented railroad workers. It was an Industrial Union, which had skilled and unskilled workers from one industry. -
Pullman Strike
A strike by Pullman railroad workers. It started a nationwide railroad boycott, and the federal government had to stop it. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
South Carolina decided that seperate but equal did not violate the 14th amendment. -
Spanish-American War
The United States got involved against Spain, and defeated the Phillipines and in Cuba. -
Treaty of Paris
US annexed Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines. Cuba became free. -
Boxer Rebellion
Chinese boxers tried to remove foreign influence but failed. -
Open Door Policy
By John Hay, it gave all nations equal trading rights in China, called for fair competition, and it's goal was to end competition with Europe. -
Progressive Movement
Early 20th Century movement that used the government to institute reforms to fix problems caused by industrialization. -
Platt Amendment
The United States asserted the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Added to the Monroe Doctrine, it reminded Europe not to interfere, and said the US would use force to protect Latin America. -
Susan B Anthony
Active leader in the women's suffrage movement. -
Great Migration
Period from 1910 to 1930 where many African Americans moved to cities. -
16th Amendment
This amendment created the federal income tax. -
17th amendment
This amendment allowed voter to elect Senators, as opposed to state legislatures. -
WWI
Originally called The Great War, it was a war between the Allie (Britain, Russia, France) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) that lasted four years. -
Panama Canal
Canal that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacfic Ocean, which the U.S. built. -
Federal Trade Commission Act
This act created the Federal Trade Commission, which investigates business practices. -
Clayon Anti-Trust Act
This act expanded the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. It outlawed price-fixing and exempted unions from the Sherman Act. -
US Enters WWI
The US, while originally remaining neutral, decided to join the war after three years. They sided with the Allied powers. -
14 Points
Peace plan by President Wilson. It's goal was to eliminate the causes of the war. -
Treaty of Versailles
Peace treaty that ended WWI. Included the punishment of Germany, national boundaries redrawn and a League of Nations. -
18th Amendment
This amendment was a result of the Prohibition movement. Eventually repelled, this amendement banned all alcohol. -
Harlem Renaissance
Explosion of black intellectual and cultural life. -
19th Amendment
This amendment gave women the right to vote. -
Scopes Trial
John Scopes was tried for teaching the theory of evolution. -
Hoover
Elected in 1928, believed in Rugged indiviudalism. -
Great Depression
Time of severe economic hardship in the U.S. from 1929 to 1941. -
Black Tuesday
Day the stock market crashed. -
Dust Bowl
Drought in the Great Plains. -
FDR
Elected in 1932. Promised a New Deal. -
New Deal
FDR's program to deal with the Great Depression. -
FDIC
Insures bank deposits; created during as part of the New Deal. -
Wagner Act
Protected workers rigts to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. -
Social Security Act
Largest New Deal program. This created safegaurds for workers. -
CIO
New union that started during the Great Depression. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Set maximum work hours and minimum wages. -
Non-Agression Pact
Stalin and Hitler agree not to attack each other. -
War in Europe
WWII begin when Hitler invades Poland. Allied Powers (Great Britain, Russia, France, eventually the US) vs the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan in the Pacific) -
Selective Service Act WWII
10 million men were drafted into the military due to the Selective Service Act. -
Germany Invades Russia
Hitler violated the nonagression pact and invaded the Soviet Union. -
Pearl Harbor
Surprise attack by the Japanese on the United States' pacific fleet, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. -
U.S. declares war
Day after Pearl Harbor, we delcare war on Japan. -
Miracle of Midway
The U.S. navy beat a larger Japanese force, effectively ending the threat to Hawaii. -
V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day; Allie from the West and the Soviets from the East overran Germany. -
Battle of the Bulge
German counteroffense, but the Allies soon recovered. -
Korematsu vs US
Court case where the Supreme Court ruled that internment was allowed and constitutional. -
Cold War
Rivalry and competition between the United States and The Soviet Union that started after WWII and continued until 1991. -
D-Day
The Allied Powers landed in Germany-occupied Frace, led by future president Eisenhower. They faced heavy casualties but it was successful. -
Hiroshima A-Bomb
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the United States. Completely wiped out the city. -
Division of Germany
Germany was divided into East and West Germany, with the East becoming communist and the West becoming democratic. -
Nagasaki A-Bomb
The second atomic bomb dropped of Japan. Dropped three days after Hiroshima. -
Nuremburg Trials
Trials in Nurembrug, Germany where Nazi officials were tried for war crimes. -
Marshall Plan
Massive US Financial aid package to help rebuild Europe's economy. -
Berlin Airlift
The US flew in supplies after the Soviets blockaded West Berlin. -
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Main goal was ato prevent a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. -
Korean War
A divided Korea began. The communist North Korea invaded the South. Ended in a stalemate. -
Eisenhower
Elected twice, dealt with many Cold War issues such as the Arms Race and the Hydrogen Bomb. -
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
Couple who gave atomic secrets to the Soviets. They were both electrocuted. -
Warsaw Pact
Alliance between the Soviet Union and East European countries. -
Sputnik
The Space race began when the Soviets launched Sputnik into space. -
U2 Incident
Francis Gary Powers was shot down while spying over the Soviet Union. -
JFK
President who dealt with many Cold War issues, such as the Space Race, the Cuban Missle Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs Invasion. -
Berlin Wall
Wall that split off East and West Berlin. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
Closest the world has ever been to nuclear war. The Soviets had missles in Cuba, and JFK demanded that they be removed. -
JFK Assassination
JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while he was in Texas.
