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Period: Aug 21, 1492 to
Early American History
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Aug 22, 1492
Christopher Columbus reaches America
Columbus reaches the Bahamas and Cuba, believing he was in India. After returning to Spain, he mad 3 more successful trips, Columbus began to colonize the land he found. Treaties were signed between Spain and Portugal, ensuring that they would divide the western hemisphere. Columbus brought new plants and animals back with him, while leaving the native tribes with foriegn disease. -
Jamestown founded
While Jamestown wasn't the first settlement, it was the first that was sucessful. New colonists started growing tobacco, which was a high cost crop and would require laborers to tend to. Indentured servants were brought to North America from Africa or the lower class of England. Most gained freedom and were granted land after serving for 4-7 years. -
French & Indian War
After 3 inconclusive wars between the French and British, and 6 short years of peace, they started another. The French had alliences with the Native Americans. Then the British gained an ally with other Native American tribes who helped them launch a surpise attack and defeated the French. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists weren't happy with the new taxes the Bristish were issuing. Americans began to show their intolerance for the new taxes, especially the ones on tea. As a result, some colonists dumped three shiploads full of taxed tea into the harbor to make a point to the British. -
Declared Independence
America was at war with Britain for a year. Britain still would not allow the colonies to declare independence from their country. Finally, the colonies won the war and earned their independence. -
Constitution ratified
After the American Revolution ended, the government started putting together the people's rights. These rights were formally put into place on paper in 1788. The Constitution states personal liberties as well as general limits on government power. -
Washington elected
The country started putting together a government after the American Revolution. They decided that there would be a president along with other branches of government. George Washington was then elected as the first president of United States of America. -
War of 1812
Britain and France started fighting once again. Their fighting was ultimately threatening American shipping. In order to stop the threat, America went to war. -
Civil War begins
South Carolina seceeded, following by many other southern states like Texas and Mississippi. While many states believed they were fighting for slavery, another main reason was over the states' rights. The Civil War was fought between the Union and the Confederacy.The Union had many more advantages over the Confederacy. They were the cause of the "bloodiest single day in American history" -
Civil War ends
Soon the two ides started to wear down. After four years of blood shed,Confederate General Lee surrendered his army to Union General Grant. This war made it possible for the slaves to be free people.
