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1492
Columbian exchange
Exchange of goods, ideas, diseases, and people between the Americas, Africa, and Europe; each region was significantly impacted as a result of trade and contact. A phrase coined by historian Alfred Crosby. -
1492
PreColumbian Era
The period before Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World, when North America was populated by Native Americans. Americas were settled long before the first European arrived. -
1500
Role of the Spanish and Portuguese traders
Settled heavily in South America, reached West Africa. It also contributed to the development of the African Slave Trade. -
1500
Age of Discovery
Historical period between the 15th and 18th century during which Europeans made contact and sought to explore and colonize the "New World". Informal and loosely defined European historical period marking the time period which extensive overseas exploration emerged as a powerful factor in European culture and the beginning of globalization. -
1512
Encomienda system
Spanish system of granting land to colonists in the new world; exploited natives and resources; eventually, Natives were replaced with African slave labor. Created by the Spanish to control and regulate American Indian labor and behavior during the colonization of the Americas. -
1520
Small pox
Disease spread by Europeans in the Americas; led to the deaths of millions of Native Americans in North and South America. In fact, the diseases spread so quickly that in some instances Indians became infected before they even had direct contact with Europeans. -
Conquistadors
Early-sixteenth-century Spanish adventurers who conquered Mexico, Central America, and Peru (Examples Cortez, Pizarro, Francisco). Refers to the soldiers and explorers of the Spanish Empire or the Portuguese Empire in a general sense. -
Jamestown
Established in 1607 and was the first permanent English settlement, located in Virginia. This is primarily where the British Empire beganIt was the only successful after tobacco was established as a cash crop -
Mayflower Compact
Short-term partnership between multiple investors to fund a commercial enterprise, such arrangements were used to fund England's early colonial vestures. This is mostly the seal of the Virginia Company. -
Salem Witch Trials
1692 outbreak of witchcraft accusations in a Puritan village marked by an atmosphere of fear, hysteria and stress from encroaching settlers without Puritanical viewpoints. It was between February 1692 and May 1693. -
Scots-Irish Immigration
The majority of the Scots-Irish who came to America in the colonial period settled in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Many who lost their land moved to the American colonies -
Iroquois Confederacy
The Iroquois or Haudenosaunee are a historically powerful northeast Native American confederacy. Five tribes bound together: the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, in the Mohawk Valley of what is now New York State -
Great Awakening
Religious movement characterized by emotional preaching (Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield). The first cultural movement to unite the Thirteen Colonies, associated with the democratization of religion. It left a permanent impact on American Protestantism. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was a slave rebellion that began on 9 September 1739, in the colony of South Carolina. It was the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies, with 42-47 whites and 44 blacks killed. -
Albany Plan of Union
In New York of 1754 Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan that aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade, military, and other purposes. Unfortunately, the plan was turned down by the colonies and the Crown. -
Seven Years War
This battle started early of 1756 where England declared war on France. Also called the French and Indian War, French and Natives vs. England and Colonies. England wins and gains control of the Ohio River Valley -
Townshend Acts
In early 1767 a set of laws passed by Parliament after Stamp Act crisis. Concluded that new taxes would be applied only to imported goods and paid at the port of entry (glass, tea, paper, lead) and instituted the writs of assistance. -
Committee of Five
During early of 1776 5 men were joined together to draft different ideas. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were all selected to draft a declaration of independence to King George III. -
Battle of Trenton
Mostly known by everyone as "The Crossing Delaware" this was a surprise attack on the Hessians on Christmas Day 1776. George Washington led this and this battle was a significant morale boost for the continentals -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The 1785 ordinance laid the foundations of land policy until passage of the Homestead Act in 1862. Old Northwest was to be equally divided into townships and sold for federal income, also set up guidelines for funding education, and ended confusing legal disagreements over land. -
Virginia Plan
Drafted by James Madison on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. A plan at the constitutional convention to base representation in the legislature on population that benefited larger states. -
Steam Boat
Boat that had a powerful steam engine; these enabled boats to travel upstream on river. This then increased trade while at the same time improving interstate transportation. -
Cotton Gin
A machine which could separate cotton from seeds. This invention made cotton more profitable for the Southern economy. Eli Whitney created this invention and it increased the production of cotton. -
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France. Where the United States acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle in which Native Americans united by Tecumseh and Prophet fought against General William Henry Harrison's forces and lost. Americans on the frontier blamed Britain for initiating the rebellion (1811). -
War of 1812
A war between United States and and Great Britain caused by American outrage over the impressment of American sailors by the British, British seizure of American ships, and British aid to the Indians. The war strengthened American nationalism and encouraged the growth of industry. -
Missouri compromise
Compromise arranged by Henry Clay, temporary truce over slavery issue; 3 parts: Missouri added as a slave state, Maine added as a free state, above 36°30' line =free, below =slave; remained law until negated by Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 -
Indian Removal Act
Passes in 1830, authorized Andrew Jackson to negotiate land-exchange treaties with tribes living east of the Mississippi. This resulted in the emigration of tens of thousands of American Indians to the West -
Compromise of 1850
This was an attempt to seek a compromise and advert a crisis between North and South. Four part compromise that instated the Fugitive Slave Act, banned slave trade in DC, admitted California as a free state and instated popular sovereignty in Utah and Mexico. -
Gadsden Purchase
Late 1853 the purchasing of land from Mexico that completed the continental United States. Which provided the land needed to build the transcontinental railroad. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act neglected the Missouri Compromise, created Nebraska and Kansas as states and gave the people within those states the right to chose to be a slave or a free state through popular sovereignty. This act led to conflict which would be known as "Bleeding Kansas". -
Bull Run
This was the location of the first battle of the Civil War. Before this battle both Union and the Confederates were expecting a short war. After the war, the South was bent on a "90 day war". -
Emancipation Proclamation
This changed the whole purpose of the Civil War, allowed African American to fight in the Union Army. This kept Europe from aiding the South. -
Gettysburg Address
Speech given by President Lincoln following the battle, took place during the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg. The speech emphasized the sacrifice of the fallen as a means to preserve the Union. -
Battle for Atlanta
The battle of Atlanta was fought on July of 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William Sherman wanted to neutralize the important rail and supply hub. Defeated Confederate forces defending the city under John Hood. -
National Labor Union
During 1886, The National Labor Union, made up of skilled and unskilled workers, farmers, and reformers were called on Congress to order an eight hour work day. This union was created to pressure Congress to make labor law reforms. -
Transcontinental Railroad
Completed in 1869 at Promontory, Utah, linked the eastern railroad system with California's railroad system. This effort ultimately revolutionized transportation in the west. -
Women's Christian Temperance Union
This was a women's organization that opposed alcoholic beverages, worked for legislation to moderate the use of intoxicating drink despite their inability to vote. Women linked drinking to poverty, adultery, social crime and domestic violence. -
Chinese Exclusion
In 1882, additional Chinese laborers were denied to enter the country while allowing students and merchants to immigrate. American workers felt threaten by the job competition that the Chinese laborers were going to bring. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Mid 1890's, this was the first federal action monopolies, it was signed into law by Harrison. Also used by Theodore Roosevelt for trust busting, however it was initially misused against labor unions. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
1890 massacre of Sioux Indians by American cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota. Sent to suppress the Ghost Dance, soldiers caught up with fleeing Lakotas and killed as many as 300. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
During the mid's of 1896, which established the doctrine "separate but equal" which upheld Jim Crows laws in the South. Which lead to increased discrimination against African Americans, later overturned by Brown V. Board. -
Model T Car
The first production Model T Ford is created at the company's Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit. Ford would build some 15 million cars between 1908 and 1927. The first affordable car made on an assembly line and had mass production. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
A teenager Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip gunned down Archduke Ferdinand and his family in Sarajevo. This final cause ignited European tensions and resulted World War I. -
19th Amendment
During the 1920's The 19th Amendment was passed which granted women the right to vote.This was very important because it gave women more freedom and it made women more equal to men. -
Black Tuesday
Black Tuesday was when the stock market crashed during late 1929. This is when panicked sellers traded nearly 16 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Black Tuesday also was one of the cause that started the great Depression and investors lost more than 30 billion. -
Great Depression
The deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world. Took place from 1929 to 1941 in the United States and it showed how far the worlds economy could decline. -
Lend-Lease Act
In early March 1941 before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Congress passed this act and amended the Neutrality Acts so the United States could lend military equipment and supplies to any nation the president said. Which was very important to the defense team of the United States. -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941 United States military base on Hawaii was bombed by Japan. This bombing caused the united States to enter World War II. -
Brown v. Board of Education decision
During this decision African Americans and white's were attending different schools based on discrimination. So on the date of May 17, 1954 the Supreme Court ruled that students have a right under the 14th amendment Equal Protection Clause to an equal education. Which established the first time where schools will have to be integrated with different nationalities. This decision was reached at Topeka, Kansas. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The US and USSR were at crisis during October 1962, and was the closet approach to nuclear war at any time between these two. The US discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba which caused President J.FK to remove them and announced a naval blockade of the island. After a week later the Soviet leader Khrushchev cooperated with US, which is also one reason why the red phone was introduced. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The United States wanted to make an act which made racial, religious, and sex discrimination by employers illegal. After they got the government got power to enforce the law they created the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which governed all civil rights such as desegregation of schools and public places. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution was in response to a naval engagement known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. Very significant because it gave US President Lyndon B. Johnson authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress during August of 1964. This was for the use of military force in Southeast Asia. -
The Voting Rights Act was passed
This act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. This was to defeat any barriers at the state and local levels that denied the rights to let African Americans the right to vote under the 15th amendment. As this was going on more African Americans became politically active, which led to jobs and services which encouraged social equality. -
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated
In early April 1968, buzz around the world erupted when news got out that U.S civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His teachings led to movements since the mid 1950's using non-violet tactics(boycotts, sit-ins, and protest marches including the March on Washington in 1963). To fight segregation his assassination led to an onslaught of angry African Americans. -
War Powers Act
This act was produced by Congress to limit the power that the President had. This helps from the U.S getting into war and conflict as quickly as possible. It was enforced during early November on 1973 and limits the ability to commit troops to combat they have 48 hours to tell Congress when and why the troops were sent. If Congress believes that there is no need then troops have 60-90 hours to be brought back home. -
Ronald Reagan elected: Iranian Hostages Crisis ended as the hostages were realsed
During the Election day one year and two days after the hostage crisis began. Reagan defeated Carter in a landslide and on January 21, 1981 after a few hours he delivered his inaugural speech and the remaining hostages were released. After 444 days of being held captive they were released after the speech. -
Tax Reform Act of 1986
The U.S Congress passed this act during 1986 to simply the income tax code, eliminate tax shelters, and also broaden tax base. Sponsored by Democrats, Richard Gephardt of Missouri in the House of Representatives and Bill Bradley of New Jersey in the Senate. It helped tax cuts by eliminating $60 billion annually in tax loopholes and shifting $24 billion of the tax burden. -
The World Wide Web went public
On this special day the World Wide Web was made available on August of 1991 to the public and it has changed society as soon as it was introduced. It was a global system of linked hypertext documents know as web pages. Created by Tim Berners-Lee posted a summary of the project on the alt.hypertext newsgroup. It has forever given us new ways to explore and adventure though todays world. -
September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks
This was a tragic day for american and is still in the back of our minds when we think about significant terrorist attacks. On 9/11 al-Qaeda hijacked four airlines and carried out attacks on the U.S, two planes were flown unto the towers of the World Trade Center in NY, the third hit the Pentagon just outside of D.C and the fourth crashed in a filed in Pennsylvania. These attacks were very significant because he resulted in 3,000 people being killed and initiatives to combat terrorism. -
Operation Enduring Freedom was launched
Established on October 7, 2001 this operation was the effect of the 9/11 attack on the U.S. This lasted between 2001 and 2014 when Obama finally ended the operation. president George Bush announced airstrikes targeting Al Qaeda and the Taliban had begun in Afghanistan. This showed the U.S fighting back against terrorism attacks that killed thousands of harmless citizens. -
Barack Obama was elected president
2008 Election was a very historic election it changed the whole U.S history of America. President Barack Obama was elected President on November 4, 2008 but not only just a president an African American president. This had a high voter turn out of youth and minority groups which led to his massive election day. This changed America since this was the very first African American president. -
President Obama signed The Affordable Healthcare Act
This act enforced in March of 2010 was made by President Obama. This was to make affordable health insurance available to more people. It expanded the medical program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the federal poverty level. Also to support delivery methods of medical care to lower the cots of health care in general, Barack Obama wanted to make sure that everyone was taking care for during this time.
