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Oct 12, 1492
Discovery of America
Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas. He thought he landed in Asia and named the Island Hispanolia, this will spark future colonization efforts. -
Jamestown
Settlement in Jamestown was established and 100 men were sent to sail there. This will change how people think about the efforts of colonization and what is expected. -
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth was established as the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower and signed the Mayflower Compact before debarking. This colony helped bring together the colonists as one unit and work together. -
Pequot War
Armed conflict between an alliance of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colonies with Native American allies. These Indians were virtually wiped out and from there on violence decreased. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Led by Nathaniel Bacon because the governor would not protect the indentured servants who were poor, lacking wives, had little land, and were squatting in the west of the colony. It was the first rebellion in the American Colonies and hardened racial ines. -
Salem Witch Trials
Series of hearings to prosecute people accused of Witchcraft in Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties in colonial Massachusetts. Some were accused that were innocent and many died in prison. Witchcraft created hysteria throughout the town and scared many people who would go at great length to get rid of the crazy. -
Great Awakening
A sudden outbreak of religious fervor that swept through the colonies. It was one of the first events to unify the colonies. Jonathan Edwards was one influential preacher. This is the first of many Great Awakenings thay shape the minds of Americans during vulnerable times of need. -
French and Indian War
Fought between the French and Indian allies against the British and their Indian allies. It was fought on the colonial frontier. Britain captured Quebec. This led to a future significant taxes created by the British to compensate its debt. -
Pontiac Rebellion
Rebellion of native tribes around the Great Lakes region. The natives were dissatisfied with the postwar policies and killed 2,000 encroaching settlers. Pontiac became a symbol of Indian Resistance. In the end, peace was made with Britain. -
Townshend Acts
An import duty on glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea. It was an indirect custom duty payable at American ports. This was to compensate for the debt from the French and Indian War. Another tax that the citizens were strongly against and would lead to more resistance of taxing. -
Boston Tea Party
A band of Bostonians, disguised as Indians, boarded the ships and dumped the tea into the ocean to show their anger with the British Government with their excessive taxing. In response, Parliament composed the Intolerable Acts showing that they would not tolerate this type of behavior because of their disagreements of whether to tax the citizens or not. -
First Continental Congress
Grievances in response to the Intolerable Acts, wanted to restore the relationship they had with Britain and created the Olive Branch Petition. This was the last plea to Britain to hear their concerns. -
Second Continental Congress
Appointed Washington as the head general, created an army, and wrote the Articles of Confederation planning to declare Independence from Britain. This is the biggest decision America has ever made, for they will become a free country. -
Battle of Yorktown
Cornwallis arrived at Yorktown and the French blocked the waterways while Washington surrounded British troops. This marked the end of English control over American Colonies. Cornwallis surrendered and the treat of Paris would later be signed. -
Judiciary Act
Created the federal-court system. Managed to quiet popular apprehensions by establishing in each state a federal district court that operated according the local procedures. This largely organizes the Supreme Court. -
Bill of Rights
The first ten Constitutional Amendments, which guarantees certain rights to American citizens in all circumstances. It was put-forth by Anti-Federalists. This will continue to be part of our Constitution including today. -
Marshall Court
John Marshall is appointed as Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. It vested rights in contract clauses, expanded Court’s jurisdiction, blocked state regulations, and allowed Congress to control interstate commerce. These court cases set the precedent to how Congress will rule over the people. -
Louisiana Purchase
Land that was purchased from France and doubled the size of the U.S. It was a controversial decision of Jefferson’s part and not many people knew the boundaries of the land that was given. Future colonization would be establish such as the Lewis and Clark expedition. -
War of 1812
British ships started to harass American Merchant ships, this led to the Embargo Act. It was between US and Britain. America tried to take Canada but failed. After the war the Treat of Ghent was established and did nothing about Impressment. -
Era of Good Feelings
During Monroe’s Presidency, minimal fighting, everyone agreeing with each other. One-part system with the election of James Monroe. It concealed bitter conflicts over internal improvements, slavery, and the war on the bank. -
Tariff of Abomination
Passed by congress and signed by Adams to protect industry from foreign competitions in the northern United States which meant that the South had to pay higher prices for European goods.Southerners became furious with the taxes claiming that they shouldn't have to pay extra for European goods, this conflict will reflect over to Sectionalism. -
Indian Removal Act
Authorized President Jackson to exchange public lands in the West for Indian territories in the East. This forced the Indians to move and it covered 500,000$ of expenses for the removal. The removal of Indians eventually lead to the "Trail of Tears." -
Specie Circular
Issued by Jackson, required that only gold or silver could be used to purchse government land which lead to the Panic of 1837 because of the inflation that happened when farmers began to go to banks demanding to be paid in specie rather than bank notes. -
War with Mexico
America declares war with Mexico over annexation of Texas. Resulted in Mexican cession in exchange for 15 million. It was the first U.S. armed conflict chiefly fought on foreign soil.
