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Period: 30,000 BCE to
Beginnings to Exploration
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500 BCE
The Maya
The Maya society was a Meso-american civilization that was developed by the Mayan people. One major aspect of the Mayan people was bloodletting. Bloodletting was a way for Mayans to communicate with their gods & ancestors. They also earned the status of "great" artists of Mesoamerica because of their designs on temples and pyramids. The Maya society had the only fully developed writing system: scripture of hieroglyphics. They were known for their own creations of art, architecture, and calendar. -
750
Dark Ages
The Dark Ages happened in Europe between the 500's and the 1000's. During this time Europe was engulfed in complete chaos and had no political unity. The dark ages happened due to a lack of records and Latin writing outside of the Church. It was caused by the fall of the western Roman empire due to pressure from mass migration of Germanic tribes. Feudalism in medieval Europe was a way of structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labor. -
1100
Aztecs
The Aztecs was an ancient Meso-American civilization which arrived in the valley of central Mexico around the 1100's AD. It has the largest population of 20 million settlers. It's capital Tenochtitlan was a great city with pyramid temples, palaces, and large store houses. There people were very materialistic and practiced human sacrifice on a massive scale. Their caste system being ruler or high priest, council which was ruler's family, noble class, merchants and artisans and farmers and slaves. -
1125
Pueblo/Anasazi
The pueblo people were a Native American group that spread to what now called the “Four Corner regions” of the US. Their culture is best known for the stone & earth dwellings that they built along cliff walls during their eras. They lived in compact permanent locations known as “pueblos” located in northern Arizona & New Mexico. Their way of survival was living as farmers producing corn, beans, sunflower seeds & squash. If crops & meat weren’t available they’d live off nuts, berries and fruits. -
1349
The Black Death
The black death was one of the most distressing pandemics recorded in history. Its cause was Yersinia pestis. Although many people believed that rats were the cause of spreading this disease but in reality, it was humans themselves. It leads to an estimated 75 to 200 million people’s deaths in Eurasia. Due to the immense amount of bodies they created a “Plague Pit” where they disposed of all the bodies. Because of the decrease in population caused by the plague increased the wages of peasants. -
1450
The Renaissance
The Renaissance emphasized education, art and critical thinking. It was known as the "rebirth" of our society. It started as a cultural movement in Italy and later spread to the rest of Europe. Inventions such as the printing press and fast production of books helped spread the knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome and of science and medicine. This was a huge influence to many people because each new advance paved the way for further inventions which shaped our society to what it is now. -
1492
The Colombian Exchange
The Colombian exchange was the exchange of many plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World. Explorers traveled to many places for the solemn purpose to spread and collected new plants, animals, and ideas around the globe as they traveled. It happened following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Caribbean. This affected many people's lives by circulating a wide variety of new crops and diseases depopulating many cultures. Overall increased the human population. -
1500
The Atlantic Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade was the transportation of enslaved African people. The transportation of slaves was small at first, but the number of slaves needed increased as plantations began to grow and expand in other places. European countries starting to develop and there was a very high demand for many laborers. Slaves were profit for Europeans because very cheap labor was available in the form of enslaved Africans. They provided a faster source of income because of their fast work performance. -
Virginia Colony
Virginia Colony was the first of the original 13 colonies located on the Atlantic coast of North America. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America. It was settled in 1607 by John Smith. They depended on agriculture as a source of economy. The greatest profitable cash crop was tobacco. They could grow a lot since they brought African slaves with them to their colony so the work on the plantations could be done. Tobacco was mainly grown there to be sold in England. -
Period: to
English Colonial Societies
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Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was the first colonial settlement in New England.The settlers were a group of about 100 Puritan Separatist Pilgrims, who sailed on the Mayflower. The Pilgrims left England to seek religious freedom and to find a better life than their past ones. They lacked a royal charter, so they established their government by the Mayflower Compact. The Plymouth Colony is most famous for introducing Thanksgiving and for introducing self-government into America through the "Mayflower Compact" -
Navigation Act
The Navigation Act was a set of laws that restricted foreign trade & shipping with other countries.This act required all trade being done with England & the colonies to be carried in English or colonial vessels. It forbids certain raw materials like sugar & tobacco from being shipped anywhere other than England. It strictly required all imports needed by the colonies to be bought from Britain only. You could only purchase from Britain people even if there was a cheaper price in a different place -
Nathaniel Bacon
Nathaniel Bacon was born January 2, 1647. He was a Virginia planter and the leader of the rebellion against Virginia Governor William Berkeley. and the cause of the rebellion was because Governor William Berkeley's refused to do anything to protect the settlers from a series of attacks by Susquehanna Indians and other tribes on frontier settlements. Many colonists wished to attack and also wished to claim American Indian frontier land westward, but they were denied permission by Berkeley. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with William III, Prince of Orange. This guaranteed that England would have a constitutional monarchy in which Parliament had the majority of the power. This revolution is called 'Glorious' because it achieved its objective without any bloodshed. The English Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament that settled the succession in William III and Mary II following the Glorious Revolution. -
Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect was an idea that dealt with the English colonies. The idea was that the colonies benefited from being left alone as long as their loyalty remained with England. Because of this the colonies became self-governed and could make their own rules for their colony to follow. Although many like this policy, it came to an end quickly because of the massive war debt they had after the French and Indian war. In order pay for their massive debt they ended their policy of salutary neglect. -
Salem Witch Trials
Salem Witch Trials started in Massachusetts when 3 girls said to be affected by witch craft. The first women accused by were Tituba, Sarah Goode and Sarah Osborne. The Salem witch trials were not just about religion but also about where about in the land they were located. People located west accuses those in the East and vice versa. By the time the trial were over 20 people were executed. Victims of the Salem Witch Trials were instead taken to the infamous Gallows Hill to die by hanging. -
Steam Engine
Thomas Savery created a machine that could effectively draw water from mines using steam pressure. Before the creation of the steam engine, factories had to be close to a source of water but now with the steam engine factories could be place anywhere. The steam engine provided energy for factoring to run better and allowed for many new inventions to be created. This invention improved technology as well as productivity of goods faster. It also made the transportation faster and more efficient. -
William Penn
William Penn was the founder of the Pennsylvania Colony and the leader of the Quaker religious community. The king owned a large debt to William. Therefore, grants him land West of New Jersey. After receiving a charter from King Charles, he establishes a place where his people and others could live in peace and be free from persecution Being a Quaker is what lead him to seek for a place for religious freedom in America. It was called “peaceful Kingdom” due to it being used for refugee reasons. -
Triangular Trade
Triangular Trade was a exchange of goods throughout the 18th and 19th century. It was a trans-Atlantic British trade route that had three ends to it, Africa to the Americas to transport slaves, Americas to Europe to transport raw materials, and Europe to Africa to transport finished goods for sale. This trade was one of the most important factors that contributed to the wealth and power the European empires held. The most profitable goods needed were sugar, tobacco, rice, cotton, & mahogany. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a movement also known as the Age of Reason which was a philosophical movement that took place in Europe and later expanded to other countries that revolved around science and reasoning. This movement challenged traditional religious views and started to question all pre-conceived notions like the bible. This was important because of the idea that rational thought could lead to human improvement was set in place which provided a basis to inventions in present day America. -
Period: to
Colonial America
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The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a movement that took place in the American Colonies, mainly New England that emphasized emotional religiosity and to be expressive about your religion. After this movement took place, the common people controlled many of the churches in America. It affected the colonies by changing many people's attitudes towards religion. It was important because it encouraged people to renew their religious dedication and to develop a greater appreciation for God's mercy in their lives. -
Seven-Years War / French and Indian War
This war was a worldwide conflict fought between England and France. It lasted from 1754 to 1763 which is why it’s referred as the Seven Years’ War. Both the British and French wanted to extend their North American colonies into the land west of the Appalachian Mountains, known then as the Ohio Territory. Britain won and control new France (Canada) which left France with only Haiti and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. War was ended by the treaty of Paris 1763 which ends French rule in North America. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
This document was what ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France. France gave up its territories in North America to Britain. After signing this document, France was destroyed leaving Great Britain powerful & dominant in North America. After the signing of this treaty, the British received Quebec & the Ohio Valley. Since Spain allied with Britain, they ceded the port of New Orleans & the Louisiana Territory west of the Mississippi to France for their help. -
Period: to
The Revolutionary War
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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an act passed by British parliament. They placed a new tax that required all colonist them to pay a tax on any printed paper they used. Many papers were taxed on like legal documents, licenses, newspapers, and many more publications. This tax was most hard on lawyers and printers given they were the most in need of paper. This caused a lot of boycotts against the British parliament which lead to the stamp act congress where 9 out of 13 sent representatives to solve this issue. -
Shakers
Shakers are member of an American religious group, the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming. This religion is made up of 4 beliefs. Celibacy; You may not marry, have kids or sex, Communal Living; You must living with shakers, Confession of sin; You must regularly confess your sin and Utopian lifestyle: creating an ideal place or state of things in which everything is perfect. Shakers beliefs are based upon spiritualism and belief that they receive messages from the spirit of God -
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre was known as the Incident in front of the Britain Customs House. It was a conflict in which British Army soldiers shot and killed five people. The reason for this happening was because the British government were trying to increase their control over the colonies and raise taxes at the same time which many of the colonists found unfair and caused the outburst. The colonists began throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks which infuriated the red coats into shooting into the crowd. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party happened after the British government imposed a tax on the tea. The colonists didn’t like this tax leading them to get frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation.” The members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act. They lost a total of 340 crates of tea. As a result, the intolerable acts were created to punish the Massachusetts colonists for their defiance -
Dunmore's Proclamation
Dunmore’s Proclamation was a statement made by John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, royal governor of the British Colony of Virginia. He announced his plan to offer freedom to slaves who left their masters to join the royal forces and fight for the British army. This was assessed because he was given information that the colonists had begun forming armies and attacking British troops. His plan ended up failing resulting in him being forced out of the colony, taking about 300 former slaves with him. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was completed on July 2nd by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia but wasn’t signed until July 4th by John Hancock. This was made to announce their separation from Britain and make their own country. This document was important for three reasons which contained the ideals and goals of our nation, it contains the complaints of the colonists against the British king. And it contained the arguments the colonists made explaining why they wanted to be free of British rule. -
Period: to
The Constitution
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Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. This battle was a huge American victory and turning point in the Revolutionary War. This battle showed the French that they had potential in winning this war. Because of this American victory, the French became allies with the US and gave them military support during the war. This triumph over Britain troops gave Americans confidence in winning. British threat ended in New England by the US taking control of the Hudson River. -
Articles of Confederation (AOC)
The AOC was created by John Dickinson. This document served agreement for a unified government written among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as the first constitution. It stated the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. It was weak government with no central authority. Congress couldn’t get anything done, they couldn’t force taxation, relied on requisition and states simply wouldn’t comply. -
Massachusetts Constitution
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was written by John Adams. This document is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution that we have now. It was known as the Massachusetts legislature and it consists of only the House of Representatives and the Senate. This body was solely responsible for the law making in Massachusetts and has been meeting ever since 1713. Ratification of this document was on Feburary 5, 1788 -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was the treaty that ended the American Revolution. This document was signed in Paris when representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America came together to negotiate a treaty. This agreement recognized U.S. independence and granted U.S. significant western territory. Some major points of the treaty were that the colonial empire of Great Britain was destroyed in North America and the U.S. boundaries were established. -
Three Branches
The Three Branches of Government are the Legislature, Executive and Judicial. The Legislative Branch holds the power to make our laws. The Executive Branch holds the power to execute and carry out the laws. The Judicial Branch holds the power to interpret laws to know what they mean and ensure they’re constitutional. They're designed to hold checks and balances over one another and ensure one doesn’t become more powerful than the other. This is set in place to have equal balance in all branches. -
Virginia Plan
This plan wanted to create a two-house legislature: the upper and lower house. Their representation would be based on population. This was mostly in favor of the larger states which due to their population would have a much greater voice. In this plan the senate was chosen by the house from nominated people by state legislatures. Congress would chose a national executive and judiciary. It was the first document to suggest a separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. -
New Jersey Plan
This plan was introduced by William Patterson at the constitutional convention. They wanted the creation of a government where all states got an equal number of representatives in congress. It proposed a single legislature where each state had only one vote. They wanted the control of the federal government to be given to the states and wanted a modified version of the AOC. Legislature was the supreme law of the land. Their executive would be elected by congress & had a less powerful judiciary. -
Northwest Ordinance
This was a new system for the admission of states to the union. It stated how the “Northwest Territory” was to be run and governed. It also stated that as populations began to grow they would gain rights to self-government. It order to have Legislatures you’d need up to 5,000 per territory. In population you’d need 60,000 people to be considered a state. With this law any new state that wanted to join had to reject slavery. This created a set requirement for all future admission of new states. -
Election of 1788
This election of 1788 was under the new United States Constitution. In this election, George Washington was unanimously elected to run for president. John Adams became the first vice president in this election. This election was the first 4-year presidential election. During this election the voting procedure was off because they couldn’t distinguish the votes for president and vice president which meant all the candidates were technically running for president thus the 12th amendment was made. -
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The New Republic
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Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights only consisted of 10 amendments when it was first made in 1789. These amendments were made part of the constitution to protect the individual’s rights to property in the United States, their natural rights as people, and limit the Government's power over the citizens. The most important amendment stated in the Bill of Rights is the first one. It protects people’s freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and assembly, and freedom to petition the government. -
Second Great Awakening
This event was a revivalist movement that was mostly centered on religion. People expressed their ideas to the American public which led to the desire to create change in social reformation. Because the 2nd great awakening, many were inspired to lead other movements like the Temperance Movement, Women's suffrage and the Anti-Slavery Abolitionist Movement. Through this movement many were able to address injustices and lessen suffering. Many of the revivals emphasized the people’s necessity of God -
Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion was a tax that was put in order by Alexander Hamilton that set a 25% tax on whiskey. Farmers were the most affected by this because it took 25% of their extra income away. When this tax was imposed, they were met with violent rebellion but was soon put down by President Washington. This rebellion showed how strong the constitution was. It also proved that the government was able to act and demonstrate its power. Through this the Federalist Party lost the support of the people. -
Bank of the United States
This bank was created by Alexander Hamilton and was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The First Bank of the United States was needed because the government had a debt from the Revolutionary War and each state had a different form of currency. Thomas Jefferson opposed this plan because he believed the states should have their own banks that could issue money. Both Hamilton and Jefferson also believed that the Constitution didn’t give the national government the power to establish a bank. -
Personal Liberty Laws
After the Fugitive Slave Law was passed that forced the return of escaped slaves to their rightful owners, the northern states passed the personal liberty acts that forbid the imprisonment of escaped slaved. The purpose of creating these laws were to nullify the fugitive slaw laws that were passed by the South. When the North took the initiative to do this, the south were taken back because to them this action by the north showed they were intervening in the matters of the independent states. -
Cotton Gin
This invention was made during the Industrial Revolution by Eli Whitney. The cotton gin is used to separate usable cotton from cotton seeds. This invention increased slavery especially in South. It revolutionized the South by being able to produce more cotton at a faster rate. It became a faster process because one can easily perform a task in hours that would normally take a full day or longer. There was a high demand for cotton, so this invention brought a mass production & lowering of price. -
Jay's Treaty
This treaty was made by John Jay in 1764 but was effective till 1796. Representatives from the United States and from Great Britain signed Jay's Treaty. This treaty was made in order to settle a number of issues between the two countries that had been left unresolved since the American independence. Although it is to make peace, Americans were angered by this because Britain still had their military present in America because it violated the terms in the treaty that ended the revolutionary war. -
Washington's Farewell Adress
This document was 32 pages and was printed on September 19, 1796. After Washington’s two terms as president he stepped down leaving a farewell letter. He mainly addressed why he wouldn’t run for a third term. He advised people to avoid forming permanent alliances with other foreign nations because it leads to war. He also warned them of the dangers of divisive party politics because he believes they’re stronger when united. Washington's two-terms became the unwritten rule for all Presidents. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Federal Congress in 1798 and signed into law by President Adams. The Alien act stated that a person had to wait 14 years to become a citizen and the Sedition act made it a crime to write or print articles criticizing the government. Federalists feared that immigrants (aliens) living in the United States would sympathize with the French during a war. These four laws gave the power to deport foreigners and made it harder for new immigrants to vote. -
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Age of Jefferson
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Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson bought this territory from France from Napoleon in 1803. The U.S. paid $15 million for the Louisiana Purchase. Through this purchase the U.S. gained control of Mississippi River and doubled its size. They sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to gather information on the United States' new land and map a route to the Pacific. They kept maps and records of this new land acquired from the Louisiana Purchase. Along with them was Sacagawea that served as a translator and peacemaker. -
Steamboat
The 1st steamboat was created by Robert Fulton in 1807. This boat was called "The Clermont" known as the "North River Steamboat". It reached up to a speed of 6mph going up stream. This steamboat ran from New York City to New Jersey. Steamboats were used to carry materials and supplies through waterways in coastal bays, harbors and rivers in the East Coast. They could hold a lot of cargo at one time which made it more efficient since it saves time. It provided faster shipping and transportation. -
War of 1812
This war was fought between the United States and Great Britain. James Madison sent a message to Congress with grievances against Great Britain The United States declared war on Britain in 1812.They declared war because Britain refused to stop seizing American ships that traded with France and for imprisoning their soldiers. Britain kept violating American power by refusing to surrender western forts as was promised when they signed the Treaty of Paris after their defeat in the Revolutionary War -
Battle of New Orleans
This battle wasn't supposed to have taken place since news of the Treaty of Ghent being signed reached America after the battle. Since there weren't news, many Americans believed the battle won the war. This war marked Andrew Jackson as a hero for leading the American army to defeat of the British army with bi-racial ragtag army. Due to this Andrew’s name became a household name. Due to America's victory American’s pride was boosted and the Star-Spangled Banner was created. -
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The American Industrial Revolution
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Panic of 1819
The panic of 1819 was the first major financial crisis in the united states. It had to deal with a widespread of foreclosures and bank failures. This financial crisis left everyone unemployed and lead to fails in agriculture and in manufacturing. It marked the end of the economic expansion that happened after the war of 1812. Since society went into a depression & because of the financial problems they began to blame the Second Bank's policies for starting the economic crisis and Andrew Jackson. -
Missouri Compromise
President Monroe signed this compromise into law. It was an agreement made to keep a balance between slave and free states. They wanted to ensure that neither side gain more control and power and in hope that the North and South remained equal. As a compromise, Missouri was added to the south as a slave slate and Maine was added to the North as a free state in 1821. Also, all the new stated that were gained from the Louisiana purchase would have no slavery but Missouri was the only exception. -
Lowell Mills
These were created during the Industrial Revolution. The factories in Lowell employed primarily women and children from farming backgrounds. The Lowell system was designed so that the manufacturing process was done under one roof. The mills paid them 2$ to 4$ each week. They had to keep their hair pulled back, so it wouldn’t get caught in the machines and some of the machines for example the power loom would cut their hands as they straightened the threads. With this you could tend looms faster. -
Abolitionist
This is a person whom opposed slavery and wanted to terminate slavery. Most abolitionists supported legal but not social equality for black. People like William Lloyd Garrison, Fredrick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman were big abolitionists that voiced their opinion to help make slavery and blacks’ rights a worldwide issue. Although they did get slavery to be abolished, it did not improve the lives of Black Americans and whites because they developed new forms of discrimination like as segregation. -
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Cultural Changes
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Monroe Dotrine
President Monroe declared this policy in 1823 because the US and Great Britain were concerned over any possible European expansions from happening in the US. They feared that the Spanish would attempt to claim back its former colonies which had already gained their independence. This policy stated that the US would not interfere in the affairs of or the wars between European powers. It also opposed any further colonization and no more interference with nations located in the Western Hemisphere. -
Corrupt Bargain
During the election of 1824 Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams both ran for president. Many people were surprised at the loss of Jackson when they heard that the House had elected John Quincy Adams. Many believed that Adams was playing unfair because of what Clay did. Since he was a speaker of the House many believed he convinced Congress to elect Adams to gain something out of it because soon enough Adams made Clay his Secretary of State. Jackson's supporters accused this as a corrupt bargain -
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Age of Jackson
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Stephen F Austin
He was Known as the "Father of Texas" and the founder of Texas. He managed to establish the first Anglo-American colony in the Tejas province of Mexico and helped it grow into an independent republic. He colonized Texas by bringing 300 families from the US to the region. In 1833, he was sent as a representative to negotiate independence with the Mexican Government but was thrown in jail until 1835. After his release the people made him the commander of the Texan army during the Texas Revolution. -
Andrew Jackson
He was known as the "hero" of the Battle of New Orleans and the Leader of new Democratic Party. Because Andrew Jackson did many things to help the common man they referred to him as the “common man”. While Jackson was president he created nominating conventions to choose the people who would run for office in some elections. Andrew Jackson also developed the concept of the spoils system. Many of his opposers viewed Jackson as "monarch" because they saw him as an abuser of his presidential powers -
Oregon Trail
It was a trail walked by American settlers for new life & opportunities. The length of the wagon trail from the Missouri River to Willamette Valley was about 2,000 miles. It took 4 to 6 months to travel the length of the Oregon Trail with wagons pulled by oxen. Crossing rivers was the most dangerous thing pioneers did. Swollen rivers could tip over and drown both people and oxen. Indian attacks, supply shortages, weather, drowning, and disease were some of the hardships they faced on this trail. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
This slave rebellion was led by Nat Turner. Along with Nat Turner were 70 other slaves that began a two-day uprising in Southampton County, Virginia. This uprising happened because Turner believed that God had chosen him to lead black slaves to their freedom. This rebellion brought attention to the issue of slavery. Although this rebellion was an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow and kill planter families, it had a huge impact on whites because of their fear of another slave rebellion uprising. -
Election of 1832
This election was important because it was the 1st time the parties held a national convention to nominate its candidates. Andrew Jackson was nominated for democrat & running against him was Henry Clay for republican. In this election, a third-party candidate also ran for president. This election was centered around the Bank of the United States. After his win, Jackson's rejection of the bank of the united states was the main focus. The bank charter was approved but he refused to let it continue -
Nullification Crisis
Jackson imposed many tariffs that South Carolina had issues with because it affected them greatly. This was driven by John Calhoun, he claimed that these tariffs that were being imposed were unconstitutional and also argued that the U.S. Constitution gave states the right to block the enforcement of a federal law. SC threatened to succeed if the federal government tried to collect taxes. Henry clay negotiated the compromise tariff of 1833 that would lower the tariffs over a period of 10 years. -
Panic of 1837
During the presidency of Jackson, he refused to renew the charter of 2nd Bank of the US, leading government funds to be withdrawn from the bank.These banks issued paper money and financed wild speculation in federal lands. Jackson issued the Specie Circular to force payment for federal lands with gold/silver. Many state banks collapsed as a result. This panic led to failure of the Bank of the US, cotton prices fell, businesses went bankrupt, and there was widespread of unemployment and distress -
Temperance Movement
Frances Willard led this movement with a motto "do everything” in order to protect women & children from alcoholics. This was a movement against the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Due to the high consumption of alcohol, many people started to become alcoholics. People began to think that family violence, crime and poverty were happening because people drank too much. Women were a huge part in this because they believed that they’d be able to protect women & children from alcohol-related abuses -
Greek Revival
This era brought back Greek ideals and visuals. This was inspired by the contemporary Greek independence.A neoclassical style of architecture was inspired by Greek culture and it incorporated the features of Greek temples dating from the 5th century BC.This revivalism was also popular in the US and Europe in the beginning of the 19th century. they limited past Greek styles of viewing and how they basically "decorated" their house. They did this in search for a democratic architectural vernacular -
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Westward Expansion
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Telegraph
This communication device was created by Samuel Morse. Its purpose is to be able to have long distance communication. The way to communicate through this device is Morse Code. With Morse Code, signals could be transmitted through wire. The Telegraph revolutionized the way people communicated. With the telegraph, communication no longer depended on how long it took to hand-carry messages from one place to another because now it was faster and more efficient to get messages anywhere they desired. -
Manifest Destiny
The manifest destiny happened in the United States. It was a belief that settlers in the United States was destined to rule the continent, from the Atlantic the Pacific. This event had its positives that gave people enthusiasm and energy for pushing Westward but it also had negative effects towards it which many held the belief that white man had the right to destroy anything and whoever they desired to which took a toll on many Indians who tried to get in their way of expanding and moving west. -
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist which means he was against slavery. He was often referred to as the “father” of the civil rights movement. After he escaped from slavery, he became one of the leading abolitionist speakers and writers in the United States. He gained respect because he spoke out & fought for justice and freedom for all black men and women. He also helped slaves become free and also provided food & shelter for slaves as they made their journey through the underground railroad -
Bear Flag Revolt
This revolt happened throughout June and July of 1846. This was when a small group of American settlers in California rebelled against the Mexican government. With the support of John Charles Fremont, they led this revolt to declare California as an independent republic. They seized the town of Sonoma. A few time after the revolt, U.S. naval forces came ashore in California and claimed California for the United States. This revolt ignited the Mexican War and led to California becoming a state. -
Mexican-American War
This war was started in 1846 over the conflict of the united states annexing Texas. When they annexed Texas. Also, Mexico wanted the Nueces River to be the border that separated them, but the US wanted the Rio Grande to be the border. Both sides met at the Rio Grande and the Mexican army opened fire which initiated the war. By this US victory, the US increased its size by 25%. This war was ended by the Treaty of Hidalgo which gave the US New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada -
Seneca Falls Convention
This event was the start of the women’s suffrage movement. This was a meeting held in Seneca Falls, New York discussed women’s suffrage, their rights & the right to vote. They gathered here & Elizabeth Cady Stanton addressed her “Declaration of Sentiments” that stated that all men and women are equal and should be treated equal. Elizabeth made that document based on the US Declaration of Independence, which in her written sentiments demanded the fair & equal treatment to men as the law states. -
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Sectionalism
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Treaty of Hidalgo
During the Mexican and American War, there was conflict with the borders that separated Mexico and the US.This treaty added an additional 525,000 square miles to the United States and New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada. With this treaty, Mexico gave up all claims to Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as America’s boundary and the border that separated them both. This treaty was signed by Nicholas Trist (US) and Luis G. Cuevas, Bernardo Couto and Miguel Atristain (Mexico) -
Free Black Communities
These communities were composed of free blacks. Although they were free they still faced a lot of discrimination. Free blacks often found themselves working alongside the enslaved in a complex labor market. Africans Americans struggled to make money because of there limitations on their economic opportunities. In their communities most farmed as tenant farmers They were unable to travel freely as those who lived in the North. It was difficult for them to organize churches, schools or even homes. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise was a set of laws that were passed to ease the tension from arising any further between groups favoring slavery & groups opposing it. This compromise stated that California is acknowledged as a free stat, New Mexico & Utah can decide on allowing slavery, The slave trade in Washington D.C would come to an end & Texas would give up claims to Mexico. They passed the Fugitive Slave Act; this would order all to assist in the return of enslaved people who had escaped from their owners -
California Gold Rush
This started when gold was found in Sutter’s Mill. About 80,000 gold seekers came hoping to find gold. People who came in search for gold were known as the forty-niners. The method used was panning for gold in which a miller fills a bucket with dirt and then puts it under water and shakes it until gold settles on the bottom. Mining camps came about when a group of people panned for gold. The coming of the forty-niners created an up rise in population led to California becoming a state in a year. -
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that all authority & power that the government has was created by the will or consent of its people. People believed that the people were the source of all political power given to the government. The one’s who created our constitution applied this idea to it based on the people and what they wanted. It also allowed states to choose whether the wanted to be a slave or free slave state. They allowed them the choice of having slaves or not because it’s how they’d wanted to run their state -
Underground Railroad
It’s not an actual railroad but a secret system of houses that helped hide slaves. They used this to help slaves escape the south & relocate them to northern states or Canada. There were people like Harriet Tubman that were used to help slaves get to different places without getting caught. There were many hiding spots that were used to hide slaves in case they ran into trouble. Most hiding places were in homes like the attic or the basement. Through this, hundreds of slaves escaped to freedom. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
This book was written by Harriet Beacher Stowe. This book talked about what it was like to live in the south. It helped intensify the feelings of abolitionists in the north & it gave them more drive in pursuing the abolishing of slavery. Many saw this a key component as to why the civil war came to be, it created tension among people in the north & the south over slavery. Although he spent little time living in the South, he wrote about what he saw and informed many over the treatment of slaves. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act was passed by the U.S Congress which stated that people living in Kansas and Nebraska were allowed to choose whether or not they wanted to allow slavery in their lands. There was a lot of controversy because the act served as a repeal to the Missouri Compromise that specified that slavery was prohibited anywhere north of latitude 36°30° parallel. Conflict arose soon after this act since the people couldn’t come to an agreement on slavery being legal or not which led to “Bleeding Kansas” -
Spoils System
This system was the granting of power to the public offices for the members that remained loyal to a party. This concept was 1st referred to as the spoils system under the presidency of Andrew Jackson. After Jackson won his election he gave civil service jobs to its supporters, friends, and relatives as a recompense for helping him be victorious. This was also made for his supporters to keep supporting his party. In order to get rid of the spoils system, the created the Pendleton Act in 1883. -
Election of 1860
As a republican, Lincoln was seen as a moderate on slavery, but Southerners feared that his election would lead to the end of slavery. The South swore to leave the Union if he was elected. Lincoln’s main concern was keeping the Union together & promised not to interfere with the presence of slavery in the states. Lincoln did oppose the expansion of slavery into other territories & because of this southerners began to believe he was planning to eliminate slavery which caused southern secession. -
Fort Sumter
This was the 1st battle of the civil war. The conflict of ending slavery was the main reason the war happen, because of that the south seceded from the Union which lead to the battle at Fort Sumter. The Confederate attacked this fort which was located in Charleston, South Carolina where the confederate army fired the first shot of the Civil War. 500 confederate soldiers attacked 80 union soldiers which lead to the confederate army’s first win with no casualties during the attack on Fort Sumter. -
Ulysess S Grant
He was a union general that brought victory to the north during the Civil War. Not only was Union general, he later also became our 18th president for two terms in 1869 to 1877. His fame came from American victory during the war. His goal was working to put into effect Congressional Reconstruction and to remove the lasts of slavery. He was admired as a president because he fought to protect the rights of blacks. Grant also wanted to ensure the approval of the 15th Amendment & help blacks to vote -
Robert E Lee
When Virginia declared its separation from the Union, Lee chose to follow his people & state regardless of his opinion over the country to stay united. Robert E. Lee was our to be general but he refused President Lincoln’s offer to become the Union leader & soon after he agreed to lead the confederate army. He was successful in many battles but he failed to bring victory to confederate forces in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was forced to surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse -
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The Civil War
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Clara Barton
She was the first women to step on battlefield ground to treat the wounded soldiers. She was known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” by the soldiers she helped. She was admired by many for risking her life to bring supplies to soldiers in the field. She founded the American Red Cross in dedication to serve people that were in need. She was a hospital nurse who treated the wound during the Civil War. She was a self-taught nurse since received nursing education was not common or a choice for women -
Emancipation Proclamation
Through this President Lincoln declared all slaves located in the south free. Even though this announcement was made many slave owners didn’t release their slaves because confederates believed they had total control over what happens in their territory & their slaves. This didn’t free all slaves only southern slaves. Lincoln felt that he didn’t have constitutional power to enforce the freedom of ALL slaves. The purpose for this was to seize enemy resources & bring shortages to southern supplies. -
White Resistance
Slaves began to be treated more fairly & many were not happy with that since they saw black inferior which led to violence breaking out. Beatings & murders were committed by groups like the Ku Klux Klan as a way to intimidate blacks & keep them at the bottom of society. Since blacks were now allowed to vote as a way to show white resistance & supremacy, they created the Mississippi plan that had requirements needed to vote which since most blacks couldn’t meet them, it prevented them from voting -
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Reconstruction
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Lincoln's 10% Plan
The ten percent plan was a proclamation issued on December 8, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. This announcement happened during the time of the American Civil War. Lincoln proposed a plan that promised that a southern state could be readmitted into the Union once 10 percent of the voters swore to an oath of allegiance to the Union and all must agree that slavery was illegal. With this plan he promised the restoration of civil rights to all those who returned and remained loyal to the union. -
Appomattox Courthouse
This is where confederate leader Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union leader Ulysses S. Grant that brought an end to the American Civil War. It wasn’t a complete end since Lee only surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia but Since Lee already lost half of its army, he decided to surrender his army to prevent further destruction of the South. Grant decided not to take the south as prisoners but to instead invade their land & place soldiers to keep watch over Lee’s entire Army of Northern Virginia -
Freedom Amendments
The 13th, 14th & 15th amendments were known as the “freedom” amendments. These were intended to guarantee equality and fairness for everyone mainly freed slaves. The 13th Amendment banned slavery in any form. The 14th amendment approved citizenship to all who were born in the United States including slaves & guaranteed equal protection for everyone. The 15th Amendment forbid governments from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote just because of their race, color, or if they used to be slaves. -
Freedman's Bureau
This was an aid provided to help out now freed black slaves and poor whites in the South after the Civil War was over. The Freedmen's Bureau provided food and housing to help slaves transition to being freed. They helped established schools to educate blacks and offered legal assistance. Land was confiscated or land left behind during war so former slaves could have a place to settle. They also provided protection since now blacks and black supporters are being targeted by confederate white men. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was attending a play called “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theater located in Washington D.C. when he was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth. After Booth shot him he jumped over the balcony breaking his leg in the process & fled on horse. He was then found hiding in a barn, Booth refused to come out & the barn was set on fire where Booth was shot to this death. The reason booth did this was in hope to help out the south but instead it put an end to Lincoln’s intend at peace. -
Carpetbaggers
Northern people who moved to the south during the Reconstruction era. Most came to the south for beneficial reasons. Many were struggling economically & thought moving to the south was a way to take advantage of slaves & make profit from people’s disasters. No one knew who they were & their true intentions which began to cause distrust in the southern communities. Some carpetbaggers actually helped improve the economy by helping blacks that were recently free from slavery live a successful life. -
Panic of 1873
This was often referred to as "The Long Depression" because it lasted for six years. This financial crisis was due to the overproduction of railroads & factories. In order to build these, they needed money, & many didn’t have it which caused the over loaning of banks. Cooke Banking Firm went bankrupt & other business soon began to follow after & fail which cause a national panic. Banks started closing one after another, stock markets began to collapse, & a series of unemployment struck the US. -
Trail of Tears
After Andrew Jackson established the Indian removal act, he also forced the Cherokee nation to give up its lands that were located east of the Mississippi River and forced them to migrate to an area that is now known as Oklahoma. The Cherokee people named this voyage the "Trail of Tears" because of its horrible effects. This trail was very dangerous because many of them faced harsh weather, hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the journey there. Over 4,000 Cherokees died on this forced migration. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay’s rebellion was led by Daniel Shay in Massachusetts . He led thousands of colonists who protested against economic and civil right injustices. The cause to this revolt was the lack of money, They hoped this rebellion would prevent courts from taking or closing down farms of those who simply couldn’t pay the taxes. This uprising was significant because it caused people to criticize the AOC and admit they had a weak central government. It was also the first domestic test to the constitution. -
Tenant Farmers
A farmer who works in a land owned by another person and either pays rent in cash or in a share of crops grown. Many people became tenant farmers and by 1930 there were 1,831,470 tenant farmers in the South. The main reason for becoming a tenant farmers is because the South was in economic ruin so in order to make money former plantation owners began dividing up their land and renting it to others. Since they no longer had slave labor, they rented it to have a share in the crops the blacks grew. -
Jim Crow
Thomas Dartmouth Rice “Jim Crow” was a white man who devoted himself to theater. He performed an act where he painted his face black & did a song & as popularity grew “Jim crow” became a derogatory term for blacks. After this the “Jim Crow Laws” were made to segregate blacks. It was made with the beliefs of white supremacy. It was the separation of races leading to the unfair treatment of blacks. This made it acceptable for blacks to be mistreated & beaten as a way to keep blacks at the bottom.
