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Aug 3, 1492
Columbus Sailed West
Christopher Columbus set sail west in search of a faster way to India. He thought the world was 20% smaller than what others thought. He demanded 10% of what he found without tax and 8% royalties for using his routes. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Reached America
Christopher Columbus reached America thinking it was India. He called the natives there Indians. He took more expeditions to America until Queen Isabella died and his funding was cut off. -
Jamestown
Virginia settled Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. -
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First Anglo-Powhatan War
Started because relations between Indians and settlers grew worse. Pocahahontas married John Rolfe which provided peace in 1614 until 1622. (The exact dates are not certain) -
First Africans Arrive in Jamestown.
First Africans arrive in Jamestown. Treated as indentured servants. Slavery took over later on. (The exact date is not certain) -
The Mayflower Compact
Made on the ship The Mayflower. An agreement for government. Resulted in town meetings. -
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Second Anglo-Powhatan War
English were winning. Peace Treaty in 1646. (The exact dates are not certain) -
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King Philip's War
Native Americans united to fight white settlers. (The exact dates are not certain) -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon led 1000 Virginians in a rebellion against governor Berkeley. He was angry because they were not being protected from Indian attacks on the frontier settlements. Rebels attacked Indians. Governor Berkeley driven from Jamestown. They burned the capital. Bacon died of a fever. 20 instigaters were hanged. (The exact date is not certain) -
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French and Indian War/ Seven Years War
British win. Results in England in debt (end of salutary neglect), French kicked out of colonies, and tension between England and colonies. (The exact dates are not certain) -
Proclamation Act
Prohibited settlement west of Appalachia. British purposes were for more control, to get involved with the fur trade, and to redirect the population. The colonists ignored this because the British couldn't easily enforce this and they thought it would only be temporary. -
The Sugar Act
Britain put a tax on sugar. This was the first instance that the colonists wanted to resist Britain. -
Currency Act
Passed by Britain. Colonies couldn't make their own currency. All taxes to Britain had to be paid in specie (gold and silver). -
The Stamp Act
Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a stamp, or British seal, on it. The colonists needed to pay for the stamp. The colonists responded in force and the stamp act was repealed in March of 1766. -
Quartering Act
Passed by Britain. Colonists were required to house British soldiers. Colonists had to pay for their upkeep. -
Townshend Acts
Taxed lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea. The colonists rebeled and it was eventually repealed except for the tax on tea. Britain sent mor etroops into the colonies. -
The Boston Massacre
British troops shot five American colonists. Deepened American distrust of the British military in the colonies. -
Gaspee Affair
The Gaspee, a British boat that ran aground, was attacked by colonists. They beat up the crew and burned the ship. England wanted to find out who did it. Had a trial in England (not a jury of their peers). The were no witnesses so there was no trial. Encouraged the formation of new Commities of Correspondence. -
Tea Act
Passed by Britain. The British East India Company was going bankrupt. Tea Act said only British could sell tea to the colonies. Reduced cost of tea, but had a tariff on it. Colonists resisted and rejected the tea. Caused the Boston Tea Party. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Indians, boarded three British ships, and dumped 342 whole crates of British Tea into Boston harbor. They wanted the British to retaliate unwisely. Eventually tea was boycotted throghout the colonies. -
The Intolerable Acts
A result of the Boston Tea Party. Boston Port Act closed Boston Port. Banned the Committies of Correspondence. Designed to punish colonies until tea was paid for. -
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The First Continental Congress
56 delegates from 12 colonies (all except Georgia) met in Philadelphia to discuss liberty. The met in response to the Intolerable Acts. The met in secret so Britain wouldn't know they were united. -
Suffolk Resolves
The colonists declared the British laws unconstitutional. A result of the Intolerable Acts. Set up Massachusetts as a free state, urged people to gather arms. -
General Gage Sent
General Gage was sent to capture the colonist's arsenal, John Hancock, and Sam Adams. Gage encountered "A Countryside in Arms". -
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The Revolutionary War
Fought between the colonists and Britain. The American Revolution solidified American Independence. The American Colonists were supported by the French, and lead by General Washington. -
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The Second Continental Congress
Took place in Philadelphia. 12 of the 13 colonies were represented (Georgia did not send delegates). Created the Continental Army and made George Washington commander-in-chief. Discussions produced the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Marines Corps. (The day of March when it ended is uncertain) -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Colonists were low on amunation. Both sides lost men. Moral victory for colonists. -
The Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson. Declared independence from British rule. The Declaration discussed ideas of natural law and the socail contract, inspired by John Locke; and it listed the griefences against King George. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Turning point of the American Revolutionary War. Brings about the French alliance. French provided troops, supplies, weapons, and a navy. -
The Articles of Confederation
Ratified on this date. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of America that told how the national government should operate. Had no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. To pass legislation a majority vote was needed. To make an amendment a unanimous vote was needed. -
Pinckney's Treaty
The US signed with Spain. Gave the US the "right of deposit" in New Orleans (The right to use the port). -
Convention of 1800
A result of the XYZ Affair. Decided to void the French Alliance. Established a commercial treaty with France. -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes President
Thomas Jefferson takes oath on March 4, 1801. House elects Jefferson after an electoral college tie with Aaron Burr. -
France Gains Louisiana
Spain transfers control of Louisiana to France, three weeks before the US gets it. -
Embargo of 1807
Passed by US. Banned all foreign trade. -
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Impressment
The British seized American ships and forced sailors to join the British navy. Between 6000 and 9000 sailors were put into the British navy. (the exact dates and months are not certain) -
Non-Intercourse Act
Passed by the US. Bans trade with England and France. Reopens trade, reinvigorates the American economy. -
Erskine Agreement
Erskine was the Enland prime minister. Agreement to reopen trade. England promised to revoke the Orders of Council. England backed out. -
Macon's Bill Number 2
Passed by US. Replaced the Non-Intercourse Act. Offered to trade with either Britain or France. Would trade with the first one to respond and would refuse to trade with the other. -
Embargo on Britain
US declares an embargo on Britain. -
War of 1812
US declared war. The vote was 79 to 49 (House of Representatives) and 19 to 13 (Senate). The vote seemed too close for a country that new. -
Battle of Lake Erie
US led by Oliver Hazard Perry. Lost 80% of their men. It was considered a victory for the US. Sets up the US to maintain control the northwest. -
Battle of Thames
Tecumseh killed. Breaks up the Indian Confederation. US could solidify control in the northwest with no Indians unified. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Took place in Alabama. The US vs the Creek Indians. The US was led by Andrew Jackson. Broke up Indian resistance in the southwest. -
Treaty of Ghent
Ended the War of 1812. If there was a problem the US and Britain would come together to discuss it. Over the next 4 years there were 4 conventions to settle disputes.