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1491
America Before Columbus
Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the various civilizations that lived in the Americas had developed distinct social, economic, and political characteristics shaped by the demographic differences. These societies were greatly affected upon the arrival of the Europeans, each with their own distinct interactions. -
1492
European Discovery of New World
"Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492". After months at sea, Columbus, accidently discovered the New World. He had intended to find a route to Asia from Europe for Spain's Ferdinand and Isabella, and initially believed he was in the Indies. This major discovery would set the stepping stone for colonialism and made European countries a super power. This also led to the future establishment of the United States of America. -
1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange was a system that transferred plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between Europe and the New World. The Columbian Exchange brought Europe economic wealth. The exchange of crops also brought along population growth, and new sources of mineral wealth. -
1512
Encomienda System
The Spaniards developed a system of forced labor called the Encomienda System. This would lead to the economic development of the Spanish and the increased cruel treatment of Natives and their land. -
1525
Rise of the Atlantic Slave Trade
After the Native population began to diminish due to harsh treatment and illness, a new source for cheap labor was needed. Europeans turned to Africa as that desired source. The Atlantic Slave trade arose, and the capture and enslavement of millions of Africans began. -
1550
Subjugation of Natives
Spanish philosopher, Bartolome de Las Casas, wrote about the unfair treatment of Natives by the Spanish in their Encomienda System. He believed the Spanish did not have the right to enslave Indians and take their lands. -
1555
Tobacco's arrival in Europe
Thanks to the environment in the south eastern region of the New World, tobacco was able to grow and form the souths economy. After the arrival of tobacco in Europe, europeans quickly became obsessed, and the demand grew. -
Establishment of Jamestown
The first successful English colony was founded in Jamestown, Virginia. The first settlers searched for riches but instead found illness and disease. Despite the initial loss, this colony was able to save itself thanks to the major cash crop, tobacco. -
Africans in the New World
The first captured Africans that set foot on the new World for slave labor, arrived in Jamestown in 1619. They were brought to aid with the production of cash crops for the European and eventually with the development and prosperity of European colonies. -
Mayflower Compact
The very first governing document of Plymouth Colony. Seeking religious freedom, pilgrims arrived in New England aboard the Mayflower. They signed the Mayflower compact while aboard the ship describing their agreement to establish the first self-governing colony in America. -
New Amsterdam
Establish by the Dutch, New Amsterdam was a port city mainly created for trade. New Amsterdam was one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse colonies. This colony would later be captured away by the English for its lucrative commercial port and renamed "New York". -
Massachussets Bay Colony
Boston, Massachusetts was established by the Puritans. They were not religiously tolerant. The Puritans seeked to create a republic where the people (men in the Puritan Church) would elect their own ruler. -
Half-way Covenant
As time passed, the power of the Puritan Church in Massachusetts diminished. This led to the creation of the half-way covenant, a political deal" in which intended to strengthen the power of the Church. -
King Phillip's War
Leader of the Wampanoag, Metacomet, or "Philip" led a war against New England settlers who seemed control over the native population. It was the most fatal war in American History. -
The Great Awakening
The first social movement in the British colonies, this ideological shift increased religion in the colonies. Sermons emphasized on individual religious experiences rather than those through the church doctrine. The Great Awakening was one of the long term causes of the American Revolution. -
French and Indian War
(1754-1763) Also known as the Seven Years War, the French and Indian War was an imperial(conflict over land and resources, specifically the Ohio River Valley) fight between the England and France(and Indians). This war was a leading cause of the Revolution. -
Proclamation of 1763
Even after the war, the Natives still continued to fight with the British over the encroaching British forces that sought to take more land from the Natives. The British created the Proclamation of 1763 in hopes of compromising with the Natives. The proclamation claimed that Europeans could not cross/settle west of the line that was drawn (current day Appalachian Mountains). The frontiers men decided to ignore British law, the first example of colonial resentment to British law. -
Stamp Act
After the French and Indian War, the British had accumulated a huge war time debt. In order to pay back for this debt, the enactment of the Stamp Act was put in place. The Act placed a tax on all purchased paper, this made the colonist truly aware of the impact of British taxation. The colonist did not react well to the tax. This led to groups such as the Sons of Liberty and the Daughters of Liberty. -
The Boston Massacre
After news broke out that British soldiers fired into a crowd of civilians, many colonist began to protest. This led to the development of the Committees of Correspondence, shadow governments created to help organize communication lines among the colonies. -
The Boston Tea Party
In December 17773, the Sons of Liberty dumps tons of tea bags overboard, today accumulating a worth of $1 million. As a result of this act, the British government decided to enact more acts, such as the Coercive Acts(Intolerable Acts) in order to payback the money for the loss. Boston's port was also closed, which greatly impacted Bostons' economy. -
Lexington and Concord
"The shot heard around the world". The 1st battle of the American Revolution. -
The Declaration of Independence
In Philadelphia, on the summer of 1776, the Continental Congress met. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was issued. The primary author was Thomas Jefferson. This declared independence from British rule. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation granted the majority of the power to individual states. -
Treaty of Paris
After the battle of Yorktown, and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, the Treaty of Paris was signed to formally end the Revolution. The Treaty granted the United States independence and gave control over the land stretching west to the Mississippi river. -
Constitutional Convention (1787)
After Shays Rebellion, it was clear that the Articles of Confederation had too many weaknesses and needed to be ratified. The "secret" meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 abolished the Articles of Confederation and created the Constitution. -
Washington elected president
During the elections of 1789 and 1792, Washington won by a landslide. Established precedents(e.g., establishment of cabinet (group of advisors), and a max of 2 4-year terms). -
Jefferson Elected
The Election of was an election with Jefferson and Burr. The results were equal, as both had the same amount of electoral votes. To settle the dispute, the final decision would come down to the decision of the House of Representatives, where each state had one vote. With the help of Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson secured his victory. Jefferson won the presidency and Burr was elected Vice President. -
Lousiana Purchase
In 1800, Napoleon bought the land from Spain. He later had give up on an American Empire and wanted funds to reconquer Europe, so he decided to sell the land to Jefferson. This was very controversial because it went against Jeffersons views of strict constructionism. The US gained the Port of New Orleans after the purchase, as well as doubling the size of the United States. -
War of 1812
Impressment and ship seizures were one of the major causes of the war against Britain. British refusal to lift trade restrictions and their continued impressment pushed James Madison to ask Congress for a declaration of war in June of 1812. The treaty of Ghent ended the war. -
The Missouri Compromise
Issues regarding the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired territory arose. Southern states justified slavery, as it was the foundation of their economy, and Northern states found less dependency of slavery. To maintain balance, Missouri was added as a slave state. Maine was added as a free state. The great compromiser, Henry Clay set a rule that slavery would forever be prohibited above the 36’30’ line.This “forever free” precedent would later on come in contact with challenges. -
The 2nd Great Awakening
First began in the 1790s, this religious revival movement peaked again in the 1820s with the Baptist and Methodist ministers. This movement fueled Antebellum Reform Movements aswell (e.g., The Temperence movement for the elimination of alcohol, women’s rights with the famous Seneca Falls Convention; the first women’s rights convention in US history, Abolitionist movement to end slavery, and Education Reforms with Horace Mann with public education). -
Nullification Crisis
After a tariff issued by the federal government to help with debt, states developed frustration towards the national government. South Carolina argued that they had the right to ignore certain federal laws(states’ rights)and argued that the tariff was too high. This conflict further divided the nation. President
Andrew Jackson threatened to hang leading figures and send troops. As a result, South Carolina threatened to secede from the nation. The temporary compromise lowered the tariff. -
Manifest Destiny
The belief that the US was supposed to cover the entire North American continent began to dominate society. This contributed to the westward expansion. This ideology would prove significant in later years aswell. -
Mexican- American War
After disputes against borders and the issue with Texas, Mexico was upset with the United States. The US wanted to buy California. After the war, and the peace treaty was signed (Treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalgo), the US acquired a huge amount of land called the Mexico cession. -
Compromise of 1850
Attempted to address the issue of slavery and maintain the balance of free states and slave states. The Mexican Cession was acquired after the Mexican- American War. The 1st part of the compromise declared that California would become a free state. 2nd would be that Utah and New Mexico open to pop. Sovereignty. 3rd, that the Slave trade would be abolished. And 4th, the Fugitive Slave Law would be enacted. This was a temporary compromise. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
The KN Act nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820, as it would allow slavery in the forever free land. Kansas and Nebraska would enter the Union under the popular sovereignty principle. This would prove to be a faulty decision was the failure of pop. Sov was expressed in Bloody Kansas, where violence erupted after the migration of people pro and anti slavery arose in Kansas. -
The Dred Scott Case
After Dred Scott, a slave sued his owner and his case went to the Supreme Court. The ruling decided that slaves were property and they could be taken anywhere, free or slave state. It also declared that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because no federal territory could prohibit slavery. -
Election of 1860
Turning Point. After Lincoln is given the presidency, 7 states secede from the Union. -
Battle of Bull Run
First battle of the American Civil War -
Battle of Antietam
September in 1862 in Sharpsburg, Maryland. This battle was significant because it was the costliest and bloodiest single day of fight in American History. It was the 1st major battle on Northern soil. The Union was victorious, this led to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, where he virtually “freed” all slaves in the Confederacy. His words changed the focus of the war to now include the issue of slavery. -
Battle of Gettysburg
July in 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Confederacy’s goal was to invade the North. The Union ended victorious. This was a turning point in the war because the North had regained control. Lincoln issued his Gettysburg Address in November’s of that same year. Lincoln sent out a message with a goal of preserving the Union and honoring the fallen soldiers . -
Southern Resistence
After the Civil War, a series of amendments were passed that gave more rights to African Americans. Southern resistance to black equality increased with the establishment of Black Codes and the formation of groups like the KKK. -
Lee’s Surrender
In April of 1865, Confederate General, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General US Grant. After the war, the South was economically devasted and left in financial and physical ruin. -
Lincoln’s Assassination
5 days after the Confederates surrender, president Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by man named John W. Booth on April 14, 1865. After Lincoln’s death, the question in how the Nation would “bind up its wounds” without their leader lingured. -
Presidential Reconstruction
Lincolns issued the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in 1863, in attempts to bring the Southern states back under the federal government. He issued a 10 percent rule that allowed sourthern states the ability to re-enter the Union under oath, only if they agreed to abolish slavery and provide education for blacks. After Andrew Johnson’s election, he took over presidential Reconstruction views against radical republicans who supported Congressional Reconstruction, a tougher view. -
Transcontinental railroad completed
The first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, connecting the east and the western United States with the help of chinese and european laborers that were hired to help lay 1800 miles of track. -
Farmers Alliance
Farmers had to adapt to the changing world, to the mechanized agriculture. Prices were falling, tariffs were high, cost of machinery rising, a tight money supply. farmers began to organize. The grange Movement organized social and educational activities that lobbies state legislatures for reforms. The Farmers Alliance was founded in the 1870s. They excluded groups such as tenant farmers and African Americans. This led to the rise of a 3rd party, the Populist Party in the 1896 election. -
Wave of Migration
More than 2 million immigrations from mainly Western Europe between 1871-1880. These migrants were primarily from countries such as Germany, Ireland, Britain, and Scandinavia. This lead to a rise in nativism and future quota restrictions on immigration in the United States. -
Munn v. Illinois
1872-1877 Court cased that ruled that states had the power to regulate interstate commerce. Years later in 1886, the Wabash Case overthrew that verdict ruling that states could not regulate interstate commerce. Led to the passage of the Interstate Commerce act in 1887. This was start of government regulation in US. -
Compromise of 1877
After the election of 1876 between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes(Republican), recounted over 3 states were demanded. In order to avoid conflict between Northern Republicans and Southern Democrats, the Compromise of 1877 was issued. The North was get the presidency( Hayes), and the South would demand the removal of troops from the Congressional Reconstruction, and the North promised to stop inforcing Reconstruction ideals. This ended the Reconstruction Era. -
New Immigrants
Large scale immigration based from China but changed after the 1883 Chinese Exclusion Act. Post 1880 immigration patterns shifted and a large number of immigrants started coming from Southern and Eastern Europe(Russia, Italy, Poland)who largely settled in urban areas. Led to rise in Nativism. Sum attempts made to limit migration were for example literacy test to keep southern and eastern European immigrants out, the American Protective Association, an Anti-Catholic group made up of Protestants. -
Rise of Big Businesses
Through the late 19th century, business leaders like Rockerfeller in the standard oil industry dominated the national economy through techniques like horizontal integration. Big business leaders sought to establish power and reduce competition by establishing trusts and monopolies. Other powerful "Men who built America" were Carnegie who led the expansion of the steel industry through vertical integration, and Vanderbilt in the railroad industry. -
Working Conditions
Although Industrialization brought numerous opportunities for workers and expanded the work force, low wages and working conditions continued to be a major issue. Organizations began to form, such as the Knights of labor in 1869, or the American federation of Labor in 1886 under the leadership of Samuel Gompers. This association focused their attention of "bread butter" issues such as working conditions and wages for skilled workers. -
Progressive Era Reforms
Various reforms took place throughout 1890s-1917
Economic- Ida Tarbell & Teddy Roosevelt were trust busters, led to passage of Sherman Anti-Trust Act.
Social- Ida B Wells(anti-lynching efforts),W.E.B. DuBois(civil rights & NAACP), Eli Cady Stanton & Susan B Anthony(womens suffrage), Jacob Riis("How the Other half Lives"), Upton Sinclair (Meat Inspection Act with Jungle book on horrors of meat packing industry)
Environment- TR & John Muir(National Park Service Act)
Govt. Corruption- IRR & 17th A -
Panic of 1893
After a series of continuous economic problems a major national depression began. The Panic of 1893 was the worst stock market crash of its time(worst one to come later on called great Depression). The US economy drips to historic lows and unemployment rates rose. -
Spanish American War
1898 After an attack on a US, the USS Maine in Havana harbor on Fed. 15, 1898, blame was pointed at Spain. After sum debate, Congress declared war on Spain. After Spanish-American War , the US gained 4 territories; Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, & the Phillippines. -
Theodore Roosevelt takes office
Teddy Roosevelt becomes president after the assassination of president William McKinley on September 14, 1901. -
National Child labor Committee formed
Issues during the Gilded age were being fought for through the progressive era, such as child labor and working conditions. Muckrakers in journalism took action and helped form the National Labor Committee. The very first effective child labor legislation came years later under FDRs New Deal program. -
Rooselvelt Corollary
In 1904, president Roosevelt extended the Monroe Doctrine by establishing the Roosevelt Corollary, which extended the doctrine to include Latin America with his Big Stick Diplomacy. -
WWI
After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. On August 3. 1914, Germany declares war on France. And the day after Germany invades Belgium, leading Britain to declare war on Germany. As the war progressed, further actions eventually brought the United States into the war in April 1917. Many reasons the US entered the war were because of the violation of the Sussex pledge with Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare, the Zimmerman note, and the sinking of the Lusitania. -
Espionage Act & Sedition Act
The Constitutional rights of Americans during WWI was limited with the passing of the Espionage and Sedition Acts of 1917 and 1918 prohibiting the interference with he draft or war effort and banning anybody from criticizing the government. other times in history, the government has also suspended rights of the constitution during a period of crisis. Figures such as Eugene Debs and Charles Schenck will test these restrictions. -
Red Scare
1919-1920 The first Red Scare emerged as fear of socialist and communist spread. This fear led to the Palmer Raid, a series of arrest and deportations of suspected radicals. The fear of immigrations led to the establishment of quota acts limiting immigration of certain countries and a rise is prejudice against immigrants. -
Finally!
In 1920, the 19th amendment is finally passed for womens suffrage giving women the right to vote. Even after this giant milestone, women will continue to fight for equality. -
The Roaring 20s
18th amendment- prohibition era
19th amendment- women gain right to vote, new women image arose, “flappers”
Jazz age & Harlem Renaissance- improve, originated in New Orleans, artistic & literary awakening cultural movement due to Great Migration.
Movies- motion picture camera increased leisure time
Lost Generation- F. Scott’s Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway. -
The Great Depression
In 1929 after the stock market crash millions of Americans lost everything they had. Banks shut down and America would enter an era of severe economic crisis and depression. It would take a war-time profuction to bring America out of the depression. -
WWII
The US issued a series of Nuetrality Acts during the 1930s passed by Congress. WWII begins in 1939 after Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland and by June of 1940,Hitler had gained control of most of Europe. The US remained “neutral” until the attack of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. War Mobilization began, rise in job opportunities for women in factories,bracero program opened up opportunities for Mexicans, Japanese Interment, African As in war industry. Rationing, war bonds for war time conversion. -
Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
After the capture of the city of Berlin from Germany to Soviet forced, Germany surrendered. Hitler committed suicide . President Truman dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima & Nagasaki justifying it by saying a ground war would cost too many American lives. After the bombs were dropped, Japan surrendered. -
First Levittown
As a result of the baby boom, many Americans started moving to suburban areas. With the help of the assembly line, William J. Levitt was able to build affordable homes for those migrating. In 1946, the very first Levittown was built. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman announced the Truman Doctrine in March of 1947, a policy that would keep Communism from spreading to unstable countries. World War II left parts of Europe in economic ruin and political instability, making Europe susceptible to Communism. The US invested money into Western Europe to rehabilitate and stabilize countries through the Marshall Plan, -
NSC-68
The report emphasized the need for an American commitment to fighting the spread of Communism globally and it entailed for massive defense spending. -
The Forgotten War
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. The UN and the United States soon intervened, hoping to stop the spread of Communism to the South. US and UN forces were unsuccessful in unifying the countries under South Korean rule. The conflict ended on July 26, 1953, following two years of peace negotiations that left North and South Korea divided. -
Eisenhower elected
Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president 952 with 442 electoral votes and 55.2 percent of the popular vote. In 1957 Congress approved the Eisenhower Doctrine, which extended the Truman Doctrine and provided military and economic support to the Middle East in efforts of containment. Vice President was Richard Nixon. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In the case of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court struck down the Plessy v. Ferguson “separate but equal” decision when it ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. -
Sputnik I
The Soviet satellite, named Sputnik I was launched in October of the year 1957. Marked start of space race and it prompted the US to increase federal spending on education and technology advances. -
JFK elected
John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 winning the election against Richard Nixon. With the help of televised events, Kennedy won over the American public. JFK introduced his "New Frontier", promising equality, full employment, and financial aid for the needy.
1st & only Catholic President
Youngest President -
Cuban Missile Crisis
after the United states discovered a nuclear missile in Cuba, the 13 day crisis ignited. The US had missiles in Turkey. On October 28, Khrushchev agreed to halt missile work in Cuba, and Kennedy promised to withdraw missiles from Turkey. -
March on Washington
Martin Luther King Jr. led more than 200,000 civil rights supporters in a March on Washington. He delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of Lincolns Memorial Building, declaring that “we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
After the assassination of JFK and March on Washington, President LBJ had more supporting in passing Civil Rights legislation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination of African Americans in government jobs, voting requirements, and segregation of public schools. -
Voting Rights of 1965
Extending the 15th amendment of the Constitution, the Voting Rights Act prohibited poll tax. It also instituted federal oversight of elections in states such as AL, GA, and VA. -
MLK assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed by James Earl Ray outside his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Richard Nixon elected
Representing the "silent majority", Richard Nixon won the election of 1968 signaling the start of the conservative movement. Nixon would end up being involved in scandals, like the Watergate Scandal of 1972 after his paranoia got the best of him for the upcoming election.1st and only president to step down from presidency after his reputation was ruined. One positive thing Nixon did was that he opened China up to the American Market after visiting in 1972 to discuss foreign policy. -
Roe v. Wade
gave women the right to privacy in abortions -
War Powers Act of 1973
limited presidents power in involving US in wars -
Jimmy Carter elected
Jimmy Carter was elected president after winning the election of 1973 against Gerald Ford. Issued peace agreements between Egypt & Israel called the Camp David Accords, 1st signed peace agreement between the nations of the Middle East. Iranian Revolution greatly affect US and Carters presidency with the Iranian Hostage Crisis, where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days. The crisis strengthened Anti-American sentiment in the Middle East. -
Ronald Reagan elected
Former movie star and governor, Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election against Jimmy Carter due to carters inability to put a successful end to the Iranian hostage crisis and the poor economy. Pursued economic policy called "Reaganomics", which were made to lower taxes, creating a smaller government, and a stronger military. Thought to have benefited wealthy at expense of the poor. His administration was tarnished with the Iran-Contra Scandal, where he sold weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages. -
George H. W. Bush elected
When Bush took office, Communism was under fire around the world. Remembered or guiding US through the Persian war. "NO NEW TAXES" -
Fall of Berlin Wall
October 1989 the Berlin was is torn down. Reunification of East Germany & West Germany. -
Collapse of Soviet Union
Signaling the end of the 50 year war, the collapse of theSoviet Union after Gorbachev's resignation ends the Cold war. The Soviet Union is dissolved into 15 individual republics. -
The Clinton Presidency
Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992. Clinton worked to reform healthcare & welfare. Clinton's second term resulted in a court case against him for perjury & obstruction of justice. 2nd time in history where US president impeached. Both counts fell short of the 2-3 majority requirement in the Constitution to convict & remove a president. -
George W. Bush elected
in the 2000 election, Bush won against Al Gore. received less popular votes but won because of electoral votes. 43rd president of United States. -
9/11 attack
On septembre 9, 2001, a series of attacks took place by Al-Qaeda on the US. Hijackers crashed 2 planes into the NY Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. a 3rd plane was crashed into the Pentagon. and a 4th in a field in Pennsylvania. The attack called for Bush's announcement of a war on terror. he ordered for the invasion of Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban. Impact of war on terror were the US Patriot Acts. -
Obama election
in the 2008 election, the 1st African American candidate won the election. Barack Obama became the 1st person of color to win the presidency. Best remembered for ObamaCare health care reform. Eliminated Osama Bin Ladin for 9/11 attacks.
