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1492
Christopher Columbus Embarks on his Expedition to India
Christopher Columbus, after six months of campaigning, convinced The Spanish monarchs to finance an expedition to find new trade routes through the Atlantic Ocean. He crossed the Atlantic in just over two months, making landfall in the West Indies. He proceeded to colonize several small islands before returning to Spain to spread the word of the discovered landmass and new colonies, leading to the European colonization of the Americas. -
Jamestown is Established
During the early years after the Americas were discovered, the idea of permanent settlement and colonization, while desirable to burgeoning empires, was difficult. The only people willing to attempt this impossible task were companies, hoping to capitalize on the resources of the Americas and the desperate who were employed to move across the Atlantic. Most failed, until the Virginia Company established Jamestown, proving the feasibility of the Americas as a new prospect for Britain. -
Cash Crops in the American Colonies
In Jamestown, John Rowlfe imported Trinidad Tobacco to the colony to start production. This marked the beginning of the colonies as valuable assets to Britain with the tobacco grown later being the first to be sent to the island. The colonies' perception as a simple way for the British to expand their wealth and influence would echo throughout their history and would eventually result in much conflict between them and Britain as the British inevitably sought to tighten their control. -
Smallpox Devastates Massachusetts Bay Native Population
When two isolated groups suddenly intermingle and when one group stands to gain at the downfall of the other, the consequences are often great. When the Europeans came to the Americas they brought with them smallpox which the Native Americans had never been exposed to and as such had building up immunities and resistance. This population decline enabled settlers to colonize the region with little consequence and began the Native's decline. in Massachusetts Bay alone 90% of the population died. -
First Slaves Arrive in the British Colonies
While slavery was fairly common in Europe and was prevalent in the Caribbean, it took longer for the slave trade to spread to the British colonies, primarily due to the lack of cash crops grown in those colonies. The rise of slavery also started a trend that would last long in America's future, the relative relationships between Americans and the slaves, as those in the North primarily used slaves in domestic roles, being more intimate., the South used them for farming and being more detached. -
The First Thanksgiving
In Plymouth, Massachusetts during the Autumn, 90 members of a local indigenous tribe gathered with 52 English colonists to celebrate their successful harvest. The tribe had been helping the colonists by teaching them to work on foreign American soil and which crops would grow. They met to celebrate a successful harvest, the first they had had, and the first of many. This marked a turning point where colonists first started making the land their own and living, instead of simply surviving. -
The Commission of Trade
With the colonization of the Americas, Britain strived to maintain control and access to the colonies' resources. To effectively manage their holding Parliament in 1625 established the Commission of Trade to manage its colonial holding and manage their resources. This control the Crown held over the colonists was often loose but still rankled some in the New World. Furthermore, the Commision's lax control led to complacency in the colonies that would be inevitably angered by sudden enforcement. -
The Cambridge Agreement is Signed
In Cambridge England, the Massachusetts Bay Company created an agreement with its Puritan stockholders, which entailed that they would emigrate to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This agreement resulted in a large number of new colonists, serving a significant boost in population for the, at that time, sparsely populated New England region of the Americas. This also greatly increased the amount of religiosity in the New World, shifting away from pure mercantilism to more religious Faith. -
Harvard is Established.
One of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., Harvard was also the first university in the colonies. The first institution allowing for the furthering of education, the most influential figures in early American history went to Harvard. The establishment of a college also legitimized the colonies as not just a backwater mercantile venture, but a legitimate place to live and make a living, with the educated having a place in the new society. -
The Bay Psalm Book is Published
The most significant aspect of creating a notional culture and identity is art and literature. A nation's published and displayed pieces of art demonstrate their value and national pride, and the first works created and disseated are incredibly important and valuable. The Bay Psalm Book was published and distributed by Cambridge College, and it showed the colonies' burgeoning culture. The book expressed the religious faith of the tie, being a translation and written by the colonists. -
The United Colonies of New England
The British Colonies in America were weak, having little means to defend themselves outside of small and local militias. To properly defend themselves, four New England Colonies resolved to support and defend each other's military interests. However, the New England Confederation fell into the same potholes that all confederacies in American history suffered, they lacked a strong leader and couldn't effectively use their combined resources. -
The Maryland Toleration Act is Passed
One of the many things that made the colonies, and eventually the USA, unique was its composition of numerous different sects and beliefs. These differing Christian religions largely coexisted peacefully in the colonies and the New World offered a safe haven for those fleeing religious persecution. The first act officially guaranteeing religious toleration and protection to practice was passed in Maryland, and it was an extension of the colony's leader's ideals and own Quakerism. -
The Population Grows
In 1650 the English population of the British Colonies expanded to be greater than 50 thousand. This was a momentous occasion in U.S. history. The colonies were holding more and more families, not just individual agents seeking to make their fortune but to make a life for themselves and their families in the New World. Furthermore, this population growth started an inevitable trend, the colonies with their greater space would inevitably outgrow both Britain's population and control. -
New Sweden is Claimed by the Dutch
The Swedish held a loose foothold in the New World, their colony held a measly 200 colonists and constantly held too little manpower to protect the colony. However, despite the colony's brief tenure, it still left its impact on history, with the Swedish building some of the New World's first churches, preaching Lutherism, and the continent's first log cabins. However, in 1655 the colony was officially annexed by the Dutch and was subsumed by the larger New Netherland colony. -
Minting Coin is Declared Treasonous in the Colonies
During the interregnum, while England was a republic, Massachusetts was facing a shortage of coins and was given the ability to mint their own. This helped bolster the economy, however, the act was deemed treason when the monarchy was reinstated and was forbidden. However, the decree was ignored and the colony continued to mint their currency. This was one of the first acts of overt rebellion found in the colonies, and that mentality would only fester and grow. -
The English Claim New Amsterdam
The New Amsterdam colony was founded by Dutch settlers to protect the Dutch beaver trade. However, the area was highly desirable, and Britain sought to claim it. Afterward, New Amsterdam was renamed New York, eventually becoming one of the most important ports and populous cities. New York would even later become the capital of the U.S. New Amsterdam would forever be a highly important port city, later becoming an industrious powerhouse. -
The Hudson Bay Company is Founded
Great Britain gave charter to hunt for pelts in the Hudson Bay, in part to attempt to outcompete the French in the same trade. The company was significant in its demonstration of the economic system employed by the British. The Hudson Bay Company was a government-endorsed entity and utilized military force to pursue profits. The company reflected the purpose of the colonies, to be forces of government and military to harvest the natural resources of the New World, and to make money. -
The Creation of New York
In 1674 the British took control of the Dutch New Netherlands, turning the colony into New York and the city of New Amsterdam into New York City. New York went on to become one of the largest cities in the colonies and one of the most active ports and economic hubs. New York also went onto become one of the foremost proponents of the revolution and the burgeoning nation's capital city, the root of all its political decisions. -
Nathaniel Bacon Rebels
The first uprising in the American colonies, Bacon's Rebellion was against the British Governor Berkeley and sought to push the Native Americans out of Virginia. The Governor wanted to broker peace, but that was a highly unpopular sentiment and the Rebellion was supported by people from across class and racial lines. Bacon's Rebellion has been seen as the first patriotic rebellion againts the British and their tyrannical control over the colonies. -
Pennsylvania is Formed
Pennsylvania has been monumentally important for colonial history in the US. The colony was founded by the Quakers and was based in the ideal of religious toleration and freedom. The Quakers had fled from Britain due to the religious persecutionthey faced, and their experience wasn't unique among the colonies. The Quakers' philosophy of religious tolerance spread and greatly influenced later America culture and the Bill of Rights. -
The Massachusetts Charter is Revoked
In the early history of the American colonies, the land was owned by private companies which were allowed to own and work the land in exchange for trading those resources to Britain. However, as time passed this arrangement grew more and more impractical, due to both the growing British population as well as the numerous violations in contracts made. In 1684 the charter afforded to the Massachusetts Bay Colony was revoked and placed under a Royal Governer, beginning official British rule. -
Two Treatises Concerning Government is Published
An early and influential work of the Enlightenment period, Treatises sets a framework for the relationship between government and the people. The ideas discussed include influential ideals to the American Revolution including the social contract and the role of government, Locke was certainly an influential figure in the minds of American Revolutionaries. It detailed the idea of the social contract which would give us the idea of consent of the governed to be ruled. -
The Salem Witch Trials Begin
The Salem Witch Trials resulted in the death of 25 people and demonstrated the paranoia and religious fervor present in America's early history. Executed by the Puritans, the trials came about due to paranoia and petty grievances that the colonists possessed, further exacerbated by the Puritans' strict laws and fervent religious beliefs. The trails displayed how much horror and atrocities can be justified in the public's eye by their religious faith. -
Britain Restricts Colonial Trade
In the 1600s, the practice employed by all the European powers was Mercantilism, and the biggest colonist empires flourished because of it. To ensure strict adherence to the system and to prevent England's rivals from enjoying the wealth found in its colonies, the country passed The Navigation Acts, which limited the colonies to trade with Britain, only buying British goods and shipping out all resources they gathered. This strict restriction was only the seed of the Colonies' resentment. -
The Move to Williamsburg
The first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World was Jamestown, the capital of the Virginia colony. However, eventually, the capital building burned to the ground, which forced the legislature to relocate, and gave them an excuse to leave behind the swampy lands of Jamestown for the more amiable area of Middle Plantation, which was then renamed Williamsburg to honor the then-king, William III. -
The American Press
While notices of important news and publicized opinions were always common, continuously published newspapers were rare and difficult to create, as they required a large number of engaged readers ready to purchase them, as well as a way to mass-produce and deliver the letters. The first newspaper to achieve regular publication was the Boston News-Letter, which started the long American tradition of the free press and the ability to publish current news and opinions thereupon it. -
The Slaves Revolt in New York
There were notable differences between the slavery present in the North and the South. Northern slaves were primarily present in cities and held domestic duties, whereas Southern slaves were typically farm laborers and were held in large plantations far from others. This was present even in the early 1700s, where the Slave Revolts were easier to organize in the North. This is notably reflected in the New York Slave Rebellion, where slaves in close contact with each other organized. -
The French Found New Orleans
New Orleans was founded by a French man by the name of Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, and the original name for New Orleans was La Nouvelle-Orleans. The reasoning behind the founding of New Orleans was in hopes of discovering more gold and other valuable resources. The discovery of New Orleans also led to the line “Bienville cut the first cane”, which shows how it was thirty convicts who cleared the canebrake that covered a part of New Orleans. -
European Settlement in Missouri
In the early 1700s, the French and British were in fierce tension over borders in the Americas. Both built various forts and encampments along the border. incidentally establishing semi-permanent populations in henceforth-ly uninhabited (by Europeans) areas. These settlements not only established precedent, proving that populations could live in various untested areas but also created the basis for infrastructure and encouraged settlers to move around the areas the government already controlled. -
The Yamasee War
The European colonists held little regard for the Native Americans who inhabited the land before them. They forever expanded into inhabited lands and committed atrocities upon the Natives, with the tensions resulting in the Yamasee War for South Carolina. The Yamasee with their allies successfully managed to almost destroy South Carolina, and end the Native American slave trade. The removal of British influence in the area also allowed the French and Spanish more power in Southern North America. -
The First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening reinvigorated American faith, changed, and defined American religiosity for centuries. The Great Awakening marked a shift in the way that Americans perceived God, with him taking a much more intimate role in their lives. The importance of worship and prayer was shifted from group mass to one's personal relationship with Him. God's personality also shifted, with two primary beliefs developing, one of an angry God that despises sin, and another of a kind a loving God. -
Zenger is Acquitted of Libel
One of the most closely held rights of the American people is the Right to the Press. This right for the people to publish and read criticism and opinions about the government is deeply important for the conservation of the Republic and democracy. This right was first cemented in the American identity with the acquittal of John Zenger, a New York man who co-owned a newspaper and who had published criticisms of the governor in his paper, for he sued and lost in the New York Supreme Court. -
The Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was a slave revolt that is considered the largest slave rebellion that took place in United States history. The rebellion was led by an illiterate man by the name of Jemmy, whose place of enslavement was near the Ashley River and north of the Stono River. The rebellion consisted of around sixty slaves, who were able to kill around twenty white people by they were intercepted and defeated by South Carolina militia. -
King George's War Begins
The French and Indian Wars were bloody affairs where both Mother countries fought for very little. King George's War in particular was highly redundant, with both winning very insignificant holdings and both growing tired of the conflict rather quickly. The war resulted in a treaty returning all of their conquered lands and defaulting to the status quo. This war marked a notable weariness on both sides, with the combatants growing tired of the bloodshed and little result. -
Franklin's Kite
Benjamin Franklin, like some others at the time, believed that lightning was electricity, and he sought to prove this connection. By creating a simple kite and attaching some metal to it he sought to attack the lighting of the kite, which it did. Franklin's discovery of the link between the two natural phenomena proved to be a massive step forward in the understanding of the natural world. The experiment also allowed for the lighting rod, to prevent lighting strikes from causing massive damage. -
George Washington Attacks the British
Before the French-Indian War, the borderline between French and British colonial holdings in the Americas was loosely defined, and constantly supervised and guarded. Leading one of these border patrols was George Washington, a lieutenant in the British army. Washington's patrol stumbled across a similar group of French patrolsmen, which led to a skirmish. Washington lost and the conflict escalated from British retaliation and French defense, leading to the French-Indian War. -
The End of Britain's Salutary Neglect
For almost 70 years the American Colonies were allowed to function as a more or less autonomous entity, with few of Britain's laws being enforced, and loosely at that. However, after the French and Indian War, Britain was deeply in debt, which they blamed resoundingly on the Colonies. Britain saw the responsibility of the war as belonging to the colonies, and that they should pay for it as it was for their benefit. As such they started enforcing long lax rules, rankling the colonists. -
The Treaty of Paris is Signed
The French and the British colonies had been fighting over land for many years, but the British colonies finally triumphed in truth. The Treaty of Paris granted the British much of the French's holdings and resoundingly kicked them out of the Americas for good. However, despite their new landholdings, the British were not interested in actually settling it, angering many of the colonists who felt that the war was pointless if they didn't get to enjoy the fruits of it. -
The Townshend Acts are Passed
Despite repealing previous acts enforced upon the colonies, such as the Sugar and Stamp Acts, the British government still desired to assert its authority in their colonies. With the Townshend Acts the British sought to affirm to the colonies that their resistance would not be accepted and that the British government had supreme authority to tax the colonies in any manner they deemed necessary. These acts were the precursor to the Coercive Acts, with Britain continuing the battle out of pride. -
The Boston Massacre Etching Published
The Boston Massacre killed three men, injuring 8 others, and was a British response to a crowd forming and attacking the soldiers. However, the etchings and drawings made afterwards, such as the one made by Paul Revere, portrayed much more lethal and antagonistic British soldiers. This was a catalyst in the road to the American Revolution, cementing Britain in the mind of many colonists as violent oppressors and necessitated the need for independence and the removal of the soldiers. -
Samuel Adams' Speech
Across the British Colonies, the question was how to resolve the issues with Great Britain, and whether to succeed. The greatest minds in the colonies would meet in assemblies to consult on this pondry. One such mind was Samuel Adams who gave his speech, "Give me liberty, or give me death!," capturing the zeitgeist of many Colonists of the time. This quote spread through the colonies and acted as a rallying cry that resonated with the feelings many felt, but lacked the words to express. -
Abigail Adams' Letter
John Adams was highly influential in the writing of the United States Constitution, having written prior the Massachusetts Constitution and having well-known and important thoughts on the role of government. However, famously, his wife wrote him a letter imploring him the "remember the ladies," this letter is one of the foremost examples of early American feminism, with Abigail Adams encouraging her husband to help create a government better for women than the one they held under Britain. -
The Surrender of Cornwallis
The decisive battle in the Revolutionary War, Yorktown spoke to the ingenuity and valor of George Washington, outsmarting the British's ploy, Washington managed to defeat the odds and win a war with the foremost global power, Great Britain. Despite Britain's overwhelming advantages, the Revolutionary Army with the aid of the French Navy triumphed over Britain, showing the world the might of American conviction. Cornwallis, the general of one of Britain's armies, held no choice but to surrender. -
Daniel Shay's Revolt
After the war, the colonies functioned under the Articles of Confederation, a document made with the fear of dictatorship imbued in every American. The document left little room for federal power and resulted in the nation having no recourse for violent conflicts, especially due to the lack of a standing army. So when ex-soldiers, embittered from no compensation for the war and outrageous debts, rebelled, the states had no way to fight back and quell it, showing the need for a new constitution. -
The Residence Act is signed
For the beginning of US history, the de-facto capital resided in New York City, the largest metropolitan area in the country, but soon after the unpopular creation of the Bank of America passed with the Democrats, the Residence Act followed, moving the home of US politics away from the Federalist North and closer to the democratic south. Although the move would not be completed until 1800, the capital was temporarily located in Pennsylvania until Washington could be completed. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
With the creation of the Constitution, many Anti-Federalists were concerned that it would gather too much federal power and would inevitably lead to another tyrannical leader. However, after the failure of the Articles of Confederacy, the need for more centralized power was evident, even to the staunchest Anti-Federalists. To reconcile both the need for an Executive Branch and the need to protect the liberties of the people, one of the most influential pieces of literature was implemented. -
Pinckeny's Treaty Signed
As Americans spread westward, they faced a problem, lack of access to trade. West of the Appalachian mountains lay much wealth and opportunity, but once there it was lengthy and expensive to ship goods back east for trade, stifling potential prospects. The best solution was to sail down the Mississippi, but that was impossible for Americans due to its Spanish control. Recognizing this problem and its potential rewards, Washington signed a treaty giving Americans access. -
The Revolution of 1800
The first presidential election with two candidates of distinct politics, the election of 1800 was notably dirty, marked by attacks on the First Amendment and smear campaigns, the election killed most's belief that a democracy could survive. However, when Jefferson's victory was declared by the House, Adams conceded defeat and peacefully transferred power. This proved to decorators from around the world that democracy was a functional and sustainable system. -
Marbury V. Madison
Of all the cases decided by the Supreme Court, none is as important as this one. In it, the court decided that, though not expressed in the Constitution, the duty of the court includes judicial review of cases, meaning it can ultimately make decisions on the laws passed by Congress. This fundamentally altered the way laws would be tried, as well as giving the court considerable power to decide constitutionality. -
The Embargo Act of 1807
During the Napoleonic Wars, America was stressed. The nation wished to maintain neutrality in the affair but British ships kept impressing American shipping vessels, rumpling feathers. To try and assure America's neutrality and to punish Britain, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act to prevent all American trade in foreign ports and to restrict British trade with the U.S. This policy was an utter failure, minimally impacting either France or Britain while decimating the American economy. -
The Defense of Fort M'Henry
Aboard a British vessel after having negotiated the release of an American civilian, Francis Scott Key witnessed the British attack Fort McHenry. He wrote a poem while watching the battle which was published under various names. The poem was seen as a demonstration of American perseverance during the war. One of the verses was later set to the tune of a drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven," and grew further in popularity, as a testament to American Tenacity, becoming the National Anthem. -
The US Capitol Building is Designed
Washington DC is the symbol of American politics, it shows the heart of the US's political values and its goals, and at the head of that representation is the US Capitol building. Work on the design began in 1818 by Charles Bulfinch, the Architect assigned to work on various designs for high-profile buildings in early American history. The Capitol Building was not finished under Bulfinch's administration, but its design continued to grow, remaining largely unchanged to this day. -
The Missouri Compromise Becomes Policy
Published on March 6 1820 the act tried to lessen tensions and appease North and South. Maine and Missouri were added to the Union as free and slave states respectively, and along the 36-degree latitude states to the north would be free and to the south would be slave states. This act succeeded only in stalling the conflict of slavery in the United States, acting as a stopgap solution to a problem that would persist further. -
Election of 1824
With no Federalist candidate, the election of 1824 was primarily between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, both Democratic-Rebublicans. Andrew Jackson initially won the popular vote and more electoral college votes, but the election was eventually brought to the House of Representatives. Before the House's vote Henry Clay, another presidential candidate who dropped out, met with Adams and afterward supported him in the House where he held considerable sway, leading to much controversy. -
The Abominable Tariff of 1828
After the War of 1812, the U.S. economy was struggling. In response, various tariffs were imposed on manufactured goods to discourage Americans from purchasing cheap foreign goods. These tariffs were later raised even further by Adams in a move that, while benefitting the Northern industries, deeply impacted Southern agricultural societies, which didn't benefit from the increase in industry. Furthermore, Britain, whom the tariffs targeted, stopped buying Southern cotton in retaliation. -
The Force Bill's Enactment
The Nullification Crises posed the greatest threat to the preservation of the Union that America had faced to that point. South Carolina, where the Tariff of 1828 was highly unpopular, elected that the tariffs were unconstitutional and as such could not be enforced within state borders. Jackson implored Congress to pass a bill allowing the use of the military to enforce taxes, which greatly expanded the Executive Branch's power and authority. The Crisis was resolved through the bill. -
John Deere's Revolutionary Plow
Farming in the Great Plains for a long time was highly impractical, with the Native Americans of the region instead living by surviving through hunting of the Buffalo. However, when Americans started to move West, especially in response to encouragement from the U.S. government, they sought to farm the area. This was, however, nigh impossible for a long time due to the thick layers of sod, however, John Deere's invention allowed the removal of this thick layer to the fertile soil beneath. -
Missouri Allows Women to Own Property
The Married Women’s Property Act was passed in Missouri, and allowed women to own but not control property in their name. Other states followed this example and permitted women similar ownership over property, some even allowing them control over it in certain cases. It wasn’t until New York passed a law later in 1848 that allowed women to own and manage their property along with keeping their income, that became the primary template for other states to allow women the right to own property. -
The Annexation of Texas
Mexico offered free land to settlers in Texas to encourage economic growth of the region, but the Americans who moved to the region eventually strained against the government's laws and declared independence. America eventually supported the rebellion, under the Polk Administration, which was concerned with the expansion of the U.S. The American government annexed the territory of Texas, even setting up a territory dispute in the interest of absorbing as much new land as possible. -
The Knickerbockers Create the Fist Baseball Uniform
While the official baseball uniform didn’t get finalized until 1849, this first baseball uniform created in 1847 led to the creation of the iconic and well-known uniform style that is still worn to this day in baseball. Showing off the deeply embedded history of baseball here in the United States. The symbol of American identity that baseball represents would go on to be used for various great causes, such as desegregation. -
Mormons Move West to Salt Lake
Like many utopianist and religious movements in the mid-1800s, the Mormons faced much pushback and criticism. To flee ridicule and persecution, many Mormons left for the sparsely populated West, settling in the Great Salt Lake region. Here, Mormons were left largely on their own until the U.S. started to encourage more migration to the West, which benefitted Salt Lake City as many chose to settle there or stop and trade on their way to the various opportunities in the West. -
Commencement of The Bleeding Kansas Massacre
The Compromise of 1850 declared that any U.S. territories to become states would hold a vote on whether slavery would be permitted. What was intended as a method to diffuse the rising tensions between abolitionists and pro-slavery instead created tense competition between the two factions, both moving in droves to the territory of Kansas before its election, abolitionists the apparent forerunners, but on the eve of the vote pro-slavery "border ruffians' came and attacked abolitionist towns. -
The Birth of Transatlantic Communication
For a long time, the only way to transport messages across the Atlantic Ocean was to send a message with a courier who would deliver it to the proper recipient. However, this was very impractical and time-consuming, with it taking weeks to cross the passage to and from the Old World. This also greatly affected governments, as a war could be decided but take months for final negotiations to take place, but with the laying of the telegraph messages could be sent in minutes, not days. -
The Lincoln Inauguration
Lincoln managed to win the Electoral College in the election of 1860 despite not showing up on the ballot of several states, which made many Southern states contemptuous. Terrified that Lincoln would work to abolish slavery, despite his not having plans to do so, South Carolina succeeded only 9 months later, starting a chain reaction that resulted in the entirety of the South, bar a few border states, succeeding as well. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 is Passed
After the American Civil War, Congress faced a dilemma: how to protect the freedmen in the South? The Federalist supermajority passed several laws and initiatives, such as the Freedmen's Bureau and the Civil Rights Act, which sought to affirm all freedmen as citizens and as entitled to all that title entailed. However, while this law did fulfill Federalists' desires to franchise Blacks fully, they feared that it to be a temporary solution and would be appealed, leading them to seek permanence. -
The Eternal Union
While the South seceded during the Civil War to protect the right to own slaves, the North went to war to preserve the Union. After the war, the Federal Government's primary concern was how to reunify the Confederate states smoothly, but many Federalists also sought to punish the South for their disloyalty, and both were questioning whether the South had succeeded properly and had created a separate state. Texas V. White decided that no, the Union had always and would always be united as one. -
Ex-Confederates Granted Amnesty
After the Civil War, the Federalists wished to punish the Confederates for their rebelling against the state, with most of the being passed with the 14th amendment, which in itself served to punish the South for slavery and the War. However, the Amnesty Act of 1872 reversed most of the consequences granted to them, a trend after the Reconstruction, with the realities of punishing a large portion of the country and a bulk of its politicians being highly impractical. -
The Great Upheaval
After the Panic of 1873, the economy was in a major downturn, and many companies turned to wage cuts to maintain their profits. This was particularly noticeable in railway work, with it being dangerous and poorly paid. The B&O Railroad announced two steep wage cuts in a short period, which angered the workers, who started to hold the trains captive until the wage cuts were rescinded. The anger was further fueled by the lack of unions, as those had been broken by the companies. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
The first significant law restricting immigration in the US, the law initially served an absolute ban on Chinese laborers based on their work being a threat to the good of the nation. The law was extended by the Geary Act, which made the law indefinitely active. The law harshly restricted Chinese immigration to barely any per year, and was a blueprint for later restrictions on immigration throughout the nation's history, using various methods of restriction like quotas and requirements. -
Dawes Act is Passed
The the late 1800's, the U.S. faced a problem, with so many Americans moving West they were getting involved in more and more conflict with the Native tribes. Furthermore, there was a growing desire to "civilize" the Natives. To do this the Federal government divided much of these reservations into private land to be given to the Natives in hopes they would adopt 'White' ways of living. This greatly reduced Native land, which decimated their culture and identity, with aid from Boarding Schools. -
Anti-Saloon League Founded
Influential in the rural areas of the country, particularly the South, the League drew support from religious institutions, particularly Protestant congregations. The league was greatly supported by women, who saw it as their civic due to exert their control over their sphere of influence. The organization quickly became the foremost force for Temperance in the country, lobbying for it. It was greatly influential in the passing of the 18th amendment, although it was later appealed. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
When the Reconstruction Era ended, the South rebelled against the civil rights acts that had been passed and enforced by the Federalist governments, which they saw as unjust and illegitimate in their jurisdiction. As such, they discriminated against Blacks as much as they could, giving them subpar amenities and treatment. While this practice was continued in unofficial capacities, the decision of Plessy V. Ferguson allowed this discrimination to become encased in law, and enforced as such. -
America Enacts an Open Door Policy Towards China
After the economic depression of 1890, the US’ interest in foreign markets was greater than ever, and China served an especially ripe opportunity. However, at the time China was weakened from recent war and European powers were scrambling to claim exclusive access to various Chinese ports. The US enforced open trade for all countries in China in 1899, an aggressive trend of demanding open trade that would continue to the modern day and was especially important to the nation joining WW1. -
The Shame of Cities is Published
The early 20th century is famous for its "muckrakers," investigative journalists part of the progressive movement who sought to expose the contemporary horrors of urban life. Lincoln Steffens was the self-proclaimed "first muckraker," and his claim to his title came from his book "The Shame of Cities," in which he detailed the working of "Political Machines," who bought the loyalty of poor immigrants for the sake of power, holding massive sway and corrupting city governments across the country. -
The NAACP is founded in New York City
In 1908, a deadly race riot occurred in Springfield, appalling Civil Rights activists. Some 60 activists, seven being Black, banded together to form the NAACP in the riot's wake. The NAACP is dedicated to removing all barriers for African Americans to live equal lives to White people, and the organization was pivotal in several of the most important victories for civil rights, especially through their legal support and lawyers. It was a NAACP lawyer who argued Brown v Board of Education. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Throughout American history, the nation has been one of industry. American industry has been a powerhouse since the beginning of the industrial boom and invent of the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the country, reliant on industry for the economy, often let the companies utilize unsafe practices. None demonstrated this permissive attitude than the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The fire resulted in 143 deaths and caused New York City to enforce stricter building codes in its aftermath. -
Martha Dies in Captivity
The most abundant bird in North America, the Passenger Pigeon’s numbers rapidly decreased during the 1800s due to human action. Martha was thought to be the last remaining member of her species and was housed at the Cincinnati Zoo. When she died she was rapidly preserved in a block of ice and taxidermied at the Smithsonian. The death of the passenger pigeon inspired an entire generation of conservationists and continues to impact conservation ethics today. -
Germany Telegrams Mexico
At the outbreak of the First World War, the United States was content to remain uninvolved, maintaining its long-held belief that Europe could handle its own affairs. However, WWI was beginning to grate upon various aspects of American life. Travel and trade were both limited upon the continent and grated upon the private sector, but the Federal government was still convinced to stay neutral. However, the Zimmerman Telegram was the final straw, an imminent threat to American security. -
The First Magazine of Time is Published
As the world grew, many people struggled to keep up, especially with the vast amounts of information that could prove relevant to their lives at any moment. As a result, short, digestible articles were the best way to disseminate information, which TIME magazine, the US' first weekly news periodical, took advantage of. TIME magazine delivered news and culture to the public in potent concentrations, and it quickly grew a reputation of reliable and authoritative reporting, which is still holds. -
The State of Tennessee Vs. John Thomas Scopes is Decided
In 1925, evolution as a theory had been around for half a decade, but was still blazingly controversial. Schools in the US were still largely protestant, teaching the bible directly or functionally through their curriculums. At the same time, Christians felt under attack in a way, that social progression was going against classical Christian morality, and many feared that Jazz, sexual promiscuity, and the adoption of science would destroy tradition, an idea demonstrated by the "Monkey Trial." -
The Dust Bowl Aggravates the Depression
When the John Deere plow was invented, it revolutionized American agriculture. The soil of the Great Plains was perfect for bolstering the economy through international trade. However, the promise of money and an ignorance of sustainability lead to unhealthy practices, those which brought consequences at the worst possible time. The Dust Bowl was an ecological disaster that shoved farmers out of their homes and also destroyed a crucial fallback for the US economy, worsening the Depression. -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is Sworn in as American President
The role of the federal government has always been under debate, with each president holding their thoughts on what their role should be, but few have managed to completely change the role of government like FDR. FDR was president during the Great Depression, a time of desperation that allowed him great sway in the government, power that he used to implement sweeping policies that shifted the role of government to that of welfare, taking care of its citizens, a role that it continues to hold. -
The Hoover Dam is Completed
FDR implemented an array of infrastructure projects to bolster the economy during the Great Depression, the largest of which was the Hoover Dam. The dam was the tallest in the world when it was created and demonstrated the incredible ability of the US, being able to create such a megastructure even during an economic depression. The dam was also part of a larger plan of FDR to bring power to rural America, allowing even more of the country access to modern comforts. -
The Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
The beginning of US involvement in the Second World War was much the same as the First World War, the country initially wanted to stay uninvolved, simply trading with the foreign powers until the war came to the US. The bombing of Pearl Harbour forced the US to recognize its significance in global politics, and that it doesn't hold the luxury of neutrality. World War 2 was also significant in that it forced the US to adopt a more proactive approach to world politics, as seen during the Cold War. -
American Troops Come Home
The Baby Boom is a fascinating thing that directly affects American life today. Society tended to evolve and grow with the Boomers and they came to age and eventually took control of the power of the world in mass. Major historical figures, past and present, were born in those post-war years and many would look back on those years of economic success with great nostalgia impacting choices to this day -
The Battle of the Pusan Perimeter
A large portion of the Cold War took place in Asia. The USSR saw Asia as the logical location for communism, not only was it close in proximity to the USSR, but many of the countries directly suffered under colonialism, not only them wary of Western help but also providing volatile governments and revolutionary groups ready for communist support. The US efforts during the Cold War were demonstrated during the Korean War, being unable to defeat Communism, but being able to prevent its spread. -
The Korean War reestablishes the Border and Fighting Ends
The Korean War was a war that started around 1950 but was stopped around 1953, just as Eisenhower was inaugurated as the 34th president of the United States. While the war itself didn’t completely resolve the divide found between what is now North and South Korea, an armistice was signed and ended all organized combat operations. This also strengthened President Eisenhower’s time in office since it showed the United State’s willingness to combat aggressively. -
Eisenhower Build the Interstate
Amid the Cold War, paranoia was at a high, and the US was desperate for civil infrastructure to protect and prepare for war. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in response, created the Interstate Act, not only as a boost for transportation and commerce but also to act as escape routes in case of bombings and as emergency runways for US planes. Despite their original intentions, the interstates continue to dominate American transportation and shipping across the country. -
The First Televised Presidential Debate
The first televised debate irrevocably changed American politics. With a large portion of US households owning TVs, and watching the debate live on them, Kennedy was able to win due to his masterful ability and control of appearances, becoming one of America's most beloved presidents. Everything Kennedy did as a president was done with an awareness of its optics. which was both his greatest strength and his weakness. After Kennedy, appearances became very important in politics, even today. -
Martin Luther King Jr. has a Dream
Martin Luther King Junior was a visionary during the Civil Rights movement. He took inspiration from Gandhi for nonviolence, but still held a backbone of steel and refused to compromise his morals and his fight. The pinnacle of his career was his emotional I Have a Dream speech during the March on Washington. The speech conveyed the hope of African Americans and their resolve to refuse to abdicate until their children could live as good of lives as White children. -
Protesters March on the Pentagon
The Vietnam War was one of the most unpopular wars in American history and was met with ardent protests throughout its duration. The war was seen by the public as a complete failure and unnecessarily wasteful of both federal funds and human lives. s. The MArch on the Pentagon was the largest protest against the war, and its most famous photos helped support the anti-war movement. The protest helped prove to politicians that the war was unpopular and needed to be ended. -
A Riot Erupts at Stonewall Inn
In the 1960s most gay bars were owned by the mob, the only group wealthy enough to pay off the police and prevent the clubs from being shut down, however, these establishments were still regularly the subject of raids, and the patrons the target of harassment from the officers. One night in June, a police raid was unexpectedly met with resistance, and the ensuing riots continued for 5 days. Following the riots, various organizations and activist groups formed for the goal of equal rights. -
The US Launches Skylab
The Space Race between Russia and the US was highly contentious, being an extension of the Cold War. The Space Race started with explorations into how to utilize space for weapons but slowly transformed into a matter of pride and technological advancement. In 1973, the US launched its first space station and occupied it from May to February of the following year. Skylab served as an important test for manned flight, especially for prolonged exposure and maintenance. -
The Senate Organizes the Church Committee
The Church Committee was formed in 1976 to investigate alleged abuses of power and illegal activities in the various branches of government. The investigation discovered multiple illegal and inhumane activities, especially from the CIA and FBI. These activities included the torture of US citizens for experiments on interrogation and brainwashing and the Family Jewels program, which was designed to covertly assassinate world leaders. The investigation destroyed trust in the government. -
Smallpox is Eradicated
One of the most prolific diseases in the history of mankind, smallpox had ravaged the world for thousands of years. However, the world in the late 20th century was rapidly developing and one of the biggest goals was the simple betterment of the quality of life. This was finally accomplished in 1980 when smallpox was finally banished to the recess of pathological labs. This was a revolutionary event, not only protecting millions from getting infected by the disease but also proving humans' might. -
The Remains of the Titanic are Found
The Titanic sinking was one of the greatest international tragedies to ever occur. However, recovering the wreckage was nearly impossible for decades, due to difficulty finding where it sank as well as technological difficulties in reaching it. However, in 1985, one of its boilers was spotted and that eventually led to the rest of the wreck being found as well. The exploration and salvaging of the wreck is one of the greatest representations of the preservation of historical artifacts ever. -
The Morris Worm is Released
The Internet is the defining invention of the Modern Age. The unparalleled ability to instantaneously communicate, access information, and manage machines and entities is a revolutionary advancement. However, the decentralized nature of the internet also allows unsavory activities to take place, which was largely unconceived in the 80s. In 1988 10% of the machines connected to APPNET were affected and stopped working, a devastating a devestating blow by one of the first internet viruses. -
Jeffery Dahmer is Sentanced to 15 Life Terms
Jeffery Dahmer was an infamous serial killer and sex offender who was charged and found to have murdered nearly twenty males between the years of 1978 through 1991. While diagnosed with several disorders during and after being in custody, Dahmer was legally sane during his trial and as such was convicted of fifteen out of the sixteen homicides he committed in Wisconsin and was convicted for another homicide in Ohio in 1978. -
The Summer Olympics are Bombed
In Atlanta, Georgia, a bomb went off in the “town square” of the Olympic Games, resulting in the death of two and the injuring of 111 more. The bombing was politically motivated and was followed by a bombing of a Lesbian club and an abortion clinic. The bombing represented a new form of warfare and violent civil political action, domestic terrorism as Eric Rudolph, the bomber, sought to make a statement and condemn the US for its access to abortion, and his method continued to be replicated. -
The September 11 Terrorist Attacks on New York City
The greatest American tragedy in the 21st Century, the attack on the Twin Towers was a horrifying act of terrorism. The entire nation watched the towers be attacked and fall, allowing the entire country to witness the horror. The attack resulted in a frantic increase in patriotic fervor and demands for immediate action that led to the Wars in the Middle East for the next two decades. 9/11 became a national trauma that continues to impact the nation’s identity.