Continuity and Change in American History

  • Colonial History

    First settlement created in Jamestown, Virginia
  • Colonial History

    20 African Americans arrive by ship to Jamestown for sale as indentured servants starting slavery in Colonial America; House of Burgesses in Virginia holds its first session as the first legislative assembly in the colonies
  • Colonial History

    Pilgrims arrive on the Mayflower and founded Massachusetts
  • Colonial History

    Colony of Rhode Island founded by Roger Williams
  • Colonial History

    the first Constitution in the US colonies (the Fundamental Orders) adopted in Hartford, Connecticut
  • Colonial History

    Alice Young is hanged for witchcraft, was the first person in America to be executed for witchcraft
  • Colonial History

    Maryland Toleration Act grants religious freedom to all Christians living in Maryland
  • Colonial History

    Bacon's Rebellion which occurred because of little protection from Indians and resulted in the burning of Jamestown
  • Colonial History

    John Peter Zenger who was accused of putting "false information" (opinions critical of the governor) in his New York Weekly Journal found not guilty; became symbol for freedom of the press
  • Colonial History

    Beginning of the 7 Years War
  • Colonial History

    The Treaty of Paris ended the 7 Years War and granted Britain control of all land East of the Mississippi River
  • American Revolution

    Treaty of Paris, French and Indian War ends, Pontiac's Rebellion, Proclamation Line of 1763
  • American Revolution

    Stamp Act, first direct tax, The Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions
  • American Revolution

    Townshend Revenue Act, duties on tea, glass
  • American Revolution

    Boston Massacre occurs where troops in Boston and a crowd of sailors- crowd knocked 1 soldier and soldiers then fired and killed 5.
  • American Revolution

    Tea Act, Boston Tea Party formed in reaction to the Tea Act
  • American Revolution

    American Revolution begins, Battle of Lexington and Concord, Battle of Bunker Hill, George Washington commander in-chief of Continental Army , Second Continental Congress
  • American Revolution

    Declaration of Independence is approved in 2nd Continental Congress of US in Independence Hall PN (July 4) and also Thomas Paine's Common Sense is issued.
  • American Revolution

    On Nov 15, Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union are adopted by Continental Congress- serves as 1st constitution of US.
  • American Revolution

    France recognizes US independence
  • American Revolution

    Bank of North America incorporated in Philly by act of Congress (purpose: to help stabilize the issuance of paper currency.
  • Confederation to Constitution

    Following the siege of Yorktown, General Charles Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia, ending the armed struggle of the American Revolution; Articles of Confederation officially ratified by all states
  • American Revolution

    Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War, beginning of USA under the Articles of Federation
  • Confederation to Constitution

    The Treaty of Paris was negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ending the American Revolutionary War and granted the United States independence from Great Britain
  • Confederation to Constitution

    Shay's Rebellion - Daniel Shays, a former Revolutionary War veteran who went bankrupt, led a group of farmers in an armed uprising against perceived economic and civil injustices
  • Confederation to Constitution

    Delegates convene a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to amend the Articles of Confederation; however, a new Constitution is produced
  • National Period

    US Constitution in effect
  • Confederation to Constitution

    The Articles of Confederation were superseded by the United States Constitution
  • Confederation to Constitution

    President George Washington delivers first States of the Union Address; Washington DC established as US capital; Benjamin Franklin dies
  • Confederation to Constitution

    The states ratify the first ten amendments, creating the United States Bill of Rights
  • National Period

    Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 states that fleeing slaves must be returned to their master
  • National Period

    XYZ Affair- An American diplomatic commission was sent to France to negotiate problems that led to the Quasi War
  • National Period

    Louisiana Purchase- The US bought Louisiana territory from France and doubled the size of their land
  • National Period

    Embargo Act of 1807 passed by Thomas Jefferson to force Great Britain and France to end their policy of impressment and respect US neutrality. Resulted in an economic and diplomatic loss for the US
  • National Period

    War of 1812- "Second Revolutionary War" between US and Great Britain over Great Britain's impressment policy and strict trade
  • National Period

    Treaty of Ghent settles the War of 1812
  • National Period

    Compromise of 1820- Missouri enters as a slave state and Maine as a free state
  • National Period

    Monroe Doctrine- Opposed European colonialism in the Americas
  • National Period

    Andrew Jackson is elected and the era of the common man starts.
  • National Period

    Trail of Tears begins forcing Indians to move from east coast and go west. South Carolina convention passes the Ordinance of Nullification, which was against the institution of permanent tariffs and threatened to withdraw from the union of US.