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Jan 1, 1491
Pre-Columbian America
Native civilizations existed prior to Columbus. Approximately 11,000 ago some humans crossed a land bridge over the Bering Straits into North America and other bcame by boats inot South America. By 10,00-B.C., complexed organized societiesemerged. THe most noteable of these were the Inca in Peru and the Maya/Aztec in central Amercia, many different tribes in Amercia and the Eskimo (Inuit) in the Artic Circle. -
Aug 1, 1492
Christopher Colombus
Christopher was an Italian who spent years in service to the Portuguese before getting Queen Isabella of Spain to finance a westward voyage to Asia. Ten weeks later he discovered the New World. It was not until his third voyage in 1498 that he realized theat he had discovered a seperate continent. -
Jan 1, 1497
Incentives for Colonization
As to population of Europe increased there was a growing need for land for growing food. With Mercantilism came a need for new sources of raw materials and markets. Also the Protestant Reformation in 1517, Calvinism and the English Reformation in 1529 lead religious nonconformists to seek reglious freedom.by the early seventeenth century. -
Founding of Jamestown
Jamestown Video Jamestown, the first English colony in North America, stuggled to survive for its first three years. After 1611 they got their first governor who established order and disipline. In 1612 John Rolfe introduced tobacco as a cash-crop. This lead to rapid expansion of the colony resulting in bothg the headright system and slavery in August 1619. On July 10, 1619 they established th -
Slavery
About twenty slaves were brought to the British owned American colony of Jamestown. Slavery continued until the Thirteenth Amendment was passed by the Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified by the states on December 6, 1865. -
Pilgrims Establish The Plymoth Colony
The pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower in hopes of reaching Virginia. In fact they landed at Cape Cod, MA. and settled further North at Plymoth Rock. The Mayflower Compact was then signed, establishing a government for the colony. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon due to anger towards lack of retaliation towards Indians. Poor planters banded together after a series of Indian attacks to fight back. This was considered the first rebellion in the American colonies in which discontent frontiersmen took part. -
The Salem Witch Trials
In New England, many young women were accused of witchcraft in the early 1690's. Most of these women were middle-aged, widows and of low social status. They rejected and punished these women based on strong religious beliefs. -
Triangular Trade
Ships would start in England and get goods like salt, cloth, weapons, hardware, beads and rum, which they would thentake to Africa to trade for slaves. Slaves would then be transported to America, and were traded for sugar, molasses, tobacco, rum and cotton. The Ship would then return to England to trade goods from America to begin the cycle again. Some 10 million slaves were supplied this way. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a widespread cultural movement of the early colonies. Many scientific and intellectual discoveries were made that sparked the age of reason. Americans began to think rationally and become focused on their own individual lives. -
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Industrial Revolusion
The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1750 to 1850 where changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. It began in the United Kingdom, then subsequently spread throughout Western Europe, North America, Japan, and eventually the rest of the world. -
The stamp act
The stamp act- Great Britain was forcing the colonies to pay a tax on all printed documents. This was a tax that fell on everyone and it started in 1765.This was an attempt by Britain to raise revenue from the colonies without the consent of the colonial assemblies. -
Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga- This was an imperative battle during the war. This battle was the major turning point because the colonists received aid from the French after winning this battle against the British. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord- These were the first two battles of the Revolutionary War between Great Britain, and the colonists. Only a few soldiers were killed between both sides, and it all began from a misfire. This was, “ The shot heard around the world.” -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion – Daniel Shay was a person who issued a set of demands that included paper money, tax relief, a moratorium on debts, and the abolition of imprisonment for debt. This caused the courts and sheriffs from selling confiscated property. They decided to form an armed rebellion against the government of Massachusetts. -
The Boston Tea Party
In Boston, colonist's were angry that the East India Tea Company was taking over the tea Industry. Patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped all the tea from the cargo ships into the harbor. This was an act of resistance against the effects of the Tea Act. -
The Virginia Plan
During the Constitutional Convention, James Madison represented Virginia. He came up with a plan to form a new government. The main objective of Madison's Virginia Plan was to divide national legislature into a two house system. The lower house would be represented based on population, while members of the upper house were elected by the lower house. -
Constitution of 1787
Drafted at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, included a preamble and seven articles, created a stronger federal government,first ten amendments and protects individual rights and freedoms. -
George Washington
First president of the United States of America, who helped establish the American governement after defeating the British in the Revolutionary War. Helped establish the Constitution, and found the country. -
The Bill of Rights
A Bill of Rights was also drafted during the Constitutional Convention. Twelve ammendments were created by congress, which later became ten ratified by the states. Nine out of ten ammendments in the Bill of Rights placed strict limitations on the government. -
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Quasi War with France
An undeclared war between the United States and France over disagreements with treaties. -
The Marshall Court
John Marshall served as Cheif Justce of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835. His court strengthed the power and importance of the judicial branch of the government, increased the power of the federal government and advanced the interests of the property and commercial classes. -
Western Expansion
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased the territory of Louisiana from the French government for $15 million. The Louisiana Purchase stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to New Orleans, and it doubled the size of the United States. -
Lewis andClark
Between spring 1804 and late autumn 1805 Lewis and Clark and 48 men and the Shoshone women,Sacajawea, explored the northern part of the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. They blazed a trail that would lead the westward expansion of the United States. -
The War of 1812
While British forces were tied up in Napoleon's campaign against russia, America wanted to finalize independence from Great Britain. The British did not intend to fight, but but America was fed up with the British navy overpowering the seas. Two memorable victories for America were the battles of Put-in Bay and New Orleans. The War of 1812 showed America's powerful navy. Later, a peace treaty known as the "Treaty of Ghent" was signed by America and the British to end the war. -
Second Bank of the United States
The War of 1812 underlined the need for a strong and sound central bank. The bank had amonoply of federal deposits, provided credit and issued bank notes that were a dependable medium of exchange and provided a restraining effect on less well-managed state banks. However, Jackson hated the bank. -
Cult of Domesticity
The emerging middle-class created by the industrial revolution developed a distinctive female culture. In this culture women were focused on work inside the home and increasingly detached from the outside public world. Other than teachers and nurses work by women outside the home was considered for the lower-class. -
Cotton Economy
The entire economy of the south depended on cotten, Cotton represented 2/3rd's of the exports on the United States in the mid 1800's.This resulted in an increase in slavery and a disconnect from the industrial revolution taking place in the norrth. Rich and poor alike were directly or indirectly tied to the success of cotten production and sale. -
The Corrupt BArgain
The Corrupt Bargain
The “King Caucus was overthrown in 1824 by a man named William H. Crawford from Georgia. John Quincy Adams was his rival in the votes, and ended up becoming the President. He elected Henry Clay as the Secretary of State and this made the Jacksonians angry. Due to Andrew Jackson losing this group became angry at John Quincy Adams and called this whole topic “The Corrupt Bargain” The Jacksonians were angry that their leader lost in his run but more so of their belief that with -
The Lowell System
Factories had a difficult time hiring workers because most Amercians at the time still lived and worked on farms. They needed a clever system of recruitment to bring workers to the cities. The Lowell System focused on bringing young women (daughters of farmers), to work in factories. The Lowell workers were well taken care of, and greatly boosted the textile industry. -
Middle Class Life After the Industrial Revolution
After the Industrial Revolution, the middle class was expanding rapidly through cities and towns. Although wealth was earlier determined strictly through land ownership, the rise in commerce and industry allowed many middle class Americans to prosper. Middle class women were mainly housewives, who took advantage of many new household inventions available to the Middle class. -
Tecumseh And The Prophet
Tecumseh
Tecumseh the Prophet
Tecumseh was a Native American that had a major role in the Indian movement against the Colonists. He believed his people had virtues and the new colonists were evil in their sinful ways of life. The Indian tribes began to join together to increase the hope level to save their territory. The tribes began to attack the white settlers after being attacked by 1,000 white soldiers at the battle of Tippecanoe. The Prophet and his brother led this Indian army to raid the white se -
Hayne/Webster Debate
Haynes/Webster Debate
A man named Robert Hayne was enforcing the idea of moving westward. He believed that the slowing down of the growth in the west was a way for the east to keep its political and economic power. Then a man named Daniel Webster argued against Hayne saying it was an attack on the Union. A debate was challenged by Webster and after this both sides waited for what the president had to say. -
Two PArties
Two Parties
The Democrats and “The Whigs” were the two parties. The Democrats were led by Andrew Jackson and “The Whigs” were the wealthy and more aristocratic back round based men. The Democrats were “the honest workers” and “The Whigs” were the ambitious farmers, business men, and also wealthy planters from the south. The German Irish Catholics tended to go with the Democrats and the Protestants tended to side more with “The Whigs.” -
Trail of Tears
Trail of tearsTrail of Tears
The Indians were removed and they were sent to North Carolina where a reservation was held for them. Most however went to the Oklahoma area and this trip was called “The Trail of Tears” Between the years of 1830 and 1838 the five civilized tribes fled to the Indian territory and the Choctaw were the first to leave. The Cherokee and Chickasaw left after. In the end the Seminole of Florida were the last rivals and had black slaves as some of their warriors also. It eventually ended -
The panic of 1837
Caused by Jackson's drastic movment of federal bank deposits to state and local banks. Led to relaxed credit policies and inflation. Specie Circular (Land paid for in hard money. Recession lasted into 1840's -
Manifest Destiny
THe idea tht America was destined by God and by history to expand its bounderies over vast areas, not just geographicaly but also its' social ideas of freedon and demoncracy for all people (white men). -
Westward Migration
The Oregon TrailHundreds of thousands of white and african americans into the far regions of the U.S. between 1840 and 1860. Many of the migrants traveled as families in search of labor and new land. A large portion of these migrants traveled upon the Oregon Trail, which of course led them to Oregon and parts of Texas. -
Fighting for Control
Workers in factories wanted to improve their lots. Commonwealth v. Hunt in 1842 declared unions lawful organizations and the strike a lawful weapon. However, immigration made workers easy to replace and the idustrial capitalists had the political and social power to resist the unions and remain in control. -
James K. Polk
No president expanded the bounderies of the U.S. more than Presdent Polk. Following assuming office in 1844, Texas became a state in December of 1845, The British accepted his proposal to divide Oregan alon the 49th parallel and Calf and New Mexico were ceded to the U.S. on Feb. 2 1848. This land was acquired by hostal action or threat of hostal action. -
Mexican War
Having failed to acquire California, New mexico and Texas through diplomacy from the Republic of Mexico, President Polk provoked a border incident that resulted in Congress declaring war on Mexicoon on may 13, 1846. The war lasted until Feb. 2, 1848. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed that day ceded Calf.and New Mexico to the U.S. and set the Rio Grande as the Boundary of Texas. -
California Gold Rush
After a lone sawmill worker stumbled upon traces of gold, hundreds of thousands of people from America and other parts of the world traveled to California in search of gold. Many people left their jobs, families, and homes in hopes of making a fortune.The gold rush allowed California to grow and thrive. -
Kansas-Nebraska Contreversy
Stephen A. Douglas naturally wanted the transcontinental railroad for his own section. He introduced a bill in to organize a huge new territory known as Nebraska. Since it was also above the Missouri Comprimise line and closed to slavery. Southerners did not accept this and demanded the new territory to be split. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown's RaidWith private encouragement and financial aid from prominent abolitionists, John Brown made plans to seize a mountain fortress in Virginia to promote a slave uprising. He and a group of 18 followers attacked and seized Harpers Ferry, VA. Brown was later attacked by citezens and local militias and surrendered. He and 6 of his men were hung after trial. -
Civil War
Civil War-The American Civil War began with both sides having high levels of confidence. People on both sides believed that the war would last a few months, but it ended up taking four years to end. By the time it was over 600,000 men had been killed, and this was the most bloodiest war in American history. In the beginning of the war the confederates were winging due to the fact that they were fighting on their home turf. Also the men fighting for the confederates had a better reason to fight a -
Slavery In The South
Slavery- In the south the people completely relied on their plantations to live. Most of these plantations if not all had slaves growing the cotton. Cotton was the main agricultural good in the south and between the years of 1820 and 1860 the cotton growth rapidly increased. This means that the number of slaves had to increase as well. Between 1820 and 1860 the slave population had rapidly increased. Before this increase cotton was mainly along the South Carolina and Florida coast. Eventually, t -
Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation- President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. On January 1st 1863 he signed saying all slaves in the confederacy were freed. However this proclamation did not have control over the union states or any states controlled down south by the union. This showed that the war was being fought for preservation of the union and also the freedom to the slaves. In 1865 the Congress approved and all the states ratified the thirteenth amendment. Slaves were
