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Oct 1, 1492
Columbus lands in the Bahamas
Landing in the Bahama islands in 1492, Christopher Columbus was assured he had just found a new water route to Asia; however, the explorer did not realize that the continent he had run around on was unknown before the age of exploration and would be the site of mass cultural exchanges. -
Oct 1, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas between Spain and Portugal
The Treaty between Spain and Portugal divided the New World down an imaginary line, Little did Portugueese rulers know, the line clearly gave the advantage to Spain, whom would soon accumulate the largest empire in the world. -
Jamestown settled
-1606, Virginia company sends 3 ships accross the Atlantic - landed at Jamestown.
-Settlers died by the dozens
- "Gentlemen" colonists refused to work, instead looked for gold
- Awful relations between the colonists and native tribes
- John Rolfe: introduced tobacco, saving the Jamestown colony and making it prosperous -
Virginia becomes a royal colony
King James I grew hostile toward Virginia and with a growing distrust of the colony in 1624, he revoked the charter so he could control the colony himself. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony established
-1629, a group of non-separatists get royal charter to form Massachusetts Bay Colony
-1630, 1,000 people set off in 11 well-equiped ships; they would establish a colony around Boston -
Maryland receives royal charter
Granted a royal charter in 1632, Maryland became a proprietary colony in 1634. It became a haven for Catholics and excercised religious freedom to an extent. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict in 1634-1638 between Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies with Native American allies against the Pequot tribe. The result was the elimination of the Pequot tribe in what is present-day Southern New England. -
Charles II grants New Netherlands to Duke of York
Previously purchased by Peter Minuit and named New Amsterdam, the King of England granted this land to his brother the Duke of York. In 1664, English soldiers arrived in New Netherlands and renamed it New York. -
Proclomation Act of 1763
-Prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
1. Maintain control of colonies through centralization
2. Fur trade; British wanted to stay atop the wealthy market for furs
3. Redirect population into Nova Scotia and feed into mercantilism -
Paxton Boys
The Paxton Boys was a group that murdered twenty Native Americans in an event sometimes called the Conestoga Massacre. The group is said to have acted upon retaliation against Pontiac's Rebellion that took place in 1763. -
Sugar or Revenue Act
Purpose; to pay for war debt from the French and Indian War
Provisions; tariff on molasses and sugar, trials for people accused of smuggling moved to Nova Scotia-no juries, guilty until proven innocent
Colonial protests; violated rights as Englishmen, didn't think Parliament had right to tax to regulate trade -
Quatering Act of 1765
Restrictions; British troops were allowed to stay anywhere, including colonial homes and were expected to be fed and provided for (colonial assembly forced to pay for expenses) -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed official documents, playing cards, paper, pamphlets, so everyone was afftected. In protest, the Loyal Nine (Boston) transform into the Sons of Liberty and lead protests against the taxes. -
Townshend Acts
Purpose; tax on tea, glass, lead, paper, paint, all of which are common goods and were necessary to the colonists, established a customs office in Boston, put governors and judges on British salary (taking power away from colonial assemblies)
-275,000 pounds over 10 years
-Repealed March 5, 1770 except for tax on tea -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killing of five colonists by British regulars on March 5, 1770. It was the culmination of tensions in the American colonies that had been growing since Royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts in October 1768 to enforce the heavy tax burden imposed by the Townshend Acts. -
Gaspee Affair
In June of 1772, a British trade ship ran aground off the coast of Rhode Island. In a brave act of defiance, American patriots attacked, boarded, looted, and torched the ship. -
Tea Act of 1773
Purpose; to save the British East India Company from bankruptcy
Effects; gave company a monopoly on tea in the colonies, hurt other tea traders/smugglers, committees of correspondence begin to wrok together, mass protests in New York, Charleston, Boston Tea Party -
Boston Tea Party
Organized by John and Sam Adams, the Boston Tea Party served to protest the British taxes and draw a reaction from Parliament. Members of the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians, boarded British tea ships and dumped 10,000 lbs of tea into the harbour. -
Battle of Lexington
British troops led by General Gage ordered to seize colonial aresenal that the colonists had been stockpiling. 1,000 British troops march on Lexington. Gage had to fight his way back into Boston where he faced the "countryside in arms". -
Second Continental Congress
Met May 1775, actions:- Debated giving Native Americans a treaty proposing an indian nation as a 14th colony.
- George Washington given continental troops
- Authorized attack on Canada
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Battle of Bunker Hill
In this Battle, the colonial army was greatly outnumbered. Running low on ammunition, the colonists were ordered to hold their fire until they could "see the whites of the enemy's eyes". The colonists, suprisingly, were victorious and the British army vacated Boston. -
Olive Branch Petetion
Attempt from colonies to settle disputes between the two sides, but it was far too late for compromise. The King declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion in August 1775. -
Period: to
Revolutionary War
War between the American colonies and Britain following a declaration of independence issued by America in 1776. The British had a strong navy, an existing army and experienced leadership, but were foreign to the American terrain. Advantages for the colonial armies included fighting for their own land, not having a central urban center, fighting under a philosophically supported cause, and they were geographically isolated from England. -
Prohibitory Act
Drafted by Parliament in December of 1775, the act officially cut off trade with the colonies. -
Declaration of Independence
Formally stated that the colonies were free of British rules. The document was divided into three sections:
1. An introduction stating why the colonies should be able to revolt (natural rights)
2. A list of specific grievances
3. A formal declaration of independence -
Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
This colonial victory is known as the "turning point in the war" because the French knew that they would be aiding in a successful war effort if they helped supply the American forces. -
US and France sign Franco Alliance
Following the Battle of Saratoga, France and the United States entered into an alliance that would continue past the Revolutionary War; however, during the war, France supplied American forces with money, supplies and most importantly a navy. -
Alliance of 1778
An alliance between France and the U.S. that secured additional resources for the Americans and helped to win the Battle of Yorktown. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
Proposed in 1777, drafted by 2nd Continental Congress. By 1779, accepted by every state except for Maryland..1781 Maryland adopts. Set up for a government with the following:
-1 branch (legislative)
-No power to tax
-No power to regulate interstate trade
-No power to enforce laws
-2/3 majority to pass legislation
-Unanimous consent for ammendment -
Treaty of Paris
Signified the end of the Revolutionary War and recognized American indepedence. The western boundary of U.S. was set at the Miss. River. Also, Britain promised to evacuate important forts in the Mid West -
U.S. Constitution signed
The members of the Constitutional Convention adopted and signed the newly constructed Constitution of the United States, an eventful day that would produce a plan for government lasting over 200 years. -
Jay's Treaty
While on the verge of conflict with the US, the British agreed to leave the forts they occupied in the Northwest, and the Americans agreed to pay off war debt. -
Barbary Pirates
The North African pirates, raiding American ships led to the development of a U.S. Navy. Six ships were commissioned to be built; however, only three were finished. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Frustrated frontiersmen were frustrated by the tax placed on whiskey and decided to rebel against the goverment revenue maker. The rebellion was put down by Washington's army in Pennsylvania. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Agreement between the United States and Spain, settled the issues of right of deposit at the port of New Orleans and gave the US territory in northern Florida. -
XYZ Affair
Under John Adam's administration, he sent delegates to France to settle disputes. Three lowly French officials bribed Americans to see the desired French official, Tallyrand. The American delegates refused to pay the bribe and returned to the states with the motto, "millions for defense, not a cent for tribute." -
Convention of 1800
Between America and France - ended Franco-American alliance and established a commercial treaty between the two nations. -
Louisiana Purchase
The U.S. purchased a massive portion of land, previously controlled by the French. Originally just wanting to secure the port of New Orleans, American diplomats eventually offered $15,000,000 for the Louisiana territory. The purchase doubled the size of the U.S. and encouraged westward expansion. -
Marbury v. Madison
Marbury, appointed to serve in the cabinet by John Adams in the last day of his presedency, wasn't acknowledged when Jefferson took over the presidency. Marbury sued the new administration to the Supreme Court where it was decided that he would not get his appointment. This case established Judicial Review to determine the constitutionality of all laws passed. -
Chesapeake Incident
British navy seized a ship off the coast of U.S. (within sight of the shore). When the American commander refused to hand over accused British deserters, the english ship fired. -
Embargo of 1807
This embargo attempted to stop impressment- congress passed the embargo to put an end to all trade from Britain and France. Jefferson, in proposing the embargo, overestimated the importance to the global economy and the embargo was repealed because it ended up hurting the American economy. -
Election of 1808
Preseidential election between Madison (Republican) and Pinckney (Federalist) where Madison took an overwhelming victory. -
Non Intercourse Act
American embargo only against France and Britain. It was planned to open international trade for the U.S. -
Erskine Agreement
Treaty signed with Britain. Conditions:
1. England would revoke Orders of Council
2. U.S. would drop embargo Britain went back on their promise, and the Orders of Council remained in place. -
Adams-Onis Treaty/ Florida Purchase Treaty/ Transcontinental Treaty
Transfer of ownership of Florida from Spain to America, with the U.S. taking on $5 million of Spanish debt.
