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1492
Columbus Arrives
Christopher becomes the first European Explorer to land in the “New World.” -
1526
Slavery begins in the English colonies
The first slaves arrive in the colonies. -
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Sir Walter Raleigh Roanoke Island settled and disappears
Sir Walter Raleigh established Roanoke Island and then it “disappeared” (everyone was gone). -
Jamestown established
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, is established. -
Plymouth established with Mayflower Compact
Plymouth is establish by pilgrims looking for religious freedom from England. -
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Life of Anthony Johnson in Virginia
Anthony Johnson was one of the first property-owning slaves in the colonies. -
Pennsylvania Colony established
Pennsylvania colony (a Quaker colony) is established. -
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Salem Witch Trials
Many people are accused of being witches and are executed (very controversial and infamous). -
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First Great Awakening
A time of spiritual revival. -
Albany Plan by Ben Franklin begins to unite American Colonies
The Albany plan got the ball rolling on unifying the colonies to make the US stronger. -
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7 Years War (French-Indian War)
A War over the colonies against Britain and France. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act put a tax on stamps in the colonies... this was the first tax imposed by the British on the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
Armed confrontation between British soldier and colonists that was the “tip-off” of the Revolutionary War. -
Boston Tea Party
Protest against the British tea tax; patriots dressed up as Native Americans and threw British tea into the harbor. -
First Continental Congress does NOT seek independence
The Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American Colonies. Acts are passed by Congress. No taxation without representation. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These were the first battles in the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress DOES seek independence
America declared its independence in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was passed and signed. -
Articles of Confederation
This was the first “constitution” of the United States of America. -
Britain surrenders Revolutionary War
The British surrender to the patriots at the battle of Yorktown. -
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Shays’ Rebellion
American citizens (mainly farmers) revolt; they were given little compensation for fighting in the war and therefore could not make payments, so the government was taking away a lot of their property. -
Constitutional Convention
The constitution is written. -
Constitution Ratified
New Jersey becomes the 9th state to ratify the constitution, ratifying it for the whole nation. -
George Washington becomes first president
Commander of the continental army, George Washington, is elected the first president of the United States of America. -
Washington’s Farewell Address
Washington writes to his fellow countrymen before he retires from serving the nation. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a set of laws passed that limited immigration and led to the deportation of many people. -
Thomas Jefferson elected president
Thomas Jefferson was the third president and he was the first peaceful transfer from one party to another. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson buys the Louisiana Territory from the French, doubling the size of the US. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark set off to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. -
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War of 1812
The US engages in a war against Britain over trade restrictions. -
Missouri Compromise
Compromise between the northern and southern states that declared Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe doctrine is established, stating that any attempt to colonize in North America would be seen as a threat. -
Andrew Jackson as president.
Andrew Jackson is elected the seventh president of the United States -
Frederick Douglass joins the Abolitionist Movement
Frederick Douglass, a huge leader in the abolitionist movement and an escaped slave, joins the abolitionist movement. -
Fugitive Slave Act passed
Part of the Compromise of 1850 that stated that fugitive slaves must be returned to their masters (even in a free state). -
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Compromise of 1850
A set of five bills that attempted to settle the dispute of slavery in the new territories. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin published
This book was an extremely popular book anti-slavery that kind of started the Civil War. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Set of conflicts in Kansas over whether it would be a free state or a slave state. -
Dred Scott Decision
Controversial court case of two slaves suing their masters. The suing was unsuccessful (even though the law should have been on their side) and it infuriated abolitionists. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln, the man who would lead the fight against slavery in the Civil War, is elected president of the United States -
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Civil War
The US engages in a civil war over slavery... this becomes the bloodiest and ugliest war in America’s history. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclamation by president Lincoln that declared all slaves in the confederacy free. -
Lincoln Assassinated
President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while in a theater. -
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13th-15th Amendments pass, become law
These amendments are the first to be passed in 60 years and they abolished slavery, gave citizenship to blacks, and prohibited states from discriminating based on color or race.
