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Origins of the American Tradition
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The founding of Jamestown
In 1607, Captain John Smith and 103 other English men sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle a town in the London Company's Virginia territory. The party consisted mainly of businessmen who were not used to working with their hands, so progress on the town was slow at first and the lack of shelter in the winter cost many their lives. Captain Smith took charge and stated that every man would work for his food. -
Protestantism is outlawed in France during the Reformation
After Protestantism spread through Europe as part of the Reformation movement, French Huguenots (Protestants) had to flee from Catholic France and find haven in Germany and neighbors territories. A law was passed during that time that allowed German princes to choose the religion of their land and many chose Protestantism which gave the Huguenots a place to be free in their beliefs. -
The Salem Witch Trials
In February 1692, two girls accused people of cursing and possessing them with witchcraft. The hysteria led to "witch hunts" and people being hung for their actions or put behind bars, many of them innocent. -
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New England Renaissance
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Lewis and Clark embark on their Western expedition.
From May 1804 to September 1806, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark went out west to investigate the territories of the newly-purchased Louisiana Purchase. They discovered wildlife never seen before and made peace with Sacagewea and her tribe. They were able to journal and sketch what they saw to bring back and show President Thomas Jefferson. -
The Trail of Tears begins.
Native Americans were forced from their homelands so that American settlers could profit off of western expansion and the fruitful land. The "trail" was authorized by Andrew Jackson as part of the Indian Removal Act. -
Slavery is abolished in the British Empire
Slavery was a hot topic in the British Empire at the time and it was finally abolished in 1834. America saw the change but chose not to notice in order to keep her own ways. Britain's stance on slavery contributed to the empire later withdrawing assistance to the South in the Civil War. -
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Slavery, Civil War, and the Transition to Realism
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The passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which clarified which American colonies could be pro-slavery and abolitionist in order to remain balanced. The law caused tension between both sides and led to rebellion. -
Charles Darwin presents his theory of evolution
In 1858, Charles Darwin presented his now very famous theory of evolution to the London Linnaean Society. His theory eventually led to social Darwinism (survival of the fittest) in politics and the issue of slavery. -
The Civil War begins.
In 1861, Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Union troops stationed in the fort had to surrender which caused them to realize their true purpose for fighting and it made them stronger. The battle started the Civil War in America. -
American Reconstruction begins under President Andrew Johnson
After the American Civil War, the nation needed to get herself back together and deal with the aftermath of the war. Efforts were made to improve civil rights and the control of the South. -
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Expanding Frontiers
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The Boxer Rebellion breaks out in China
A rebellion broke out in China and the result in America was the Chinese Exclusion Act. Chinese immigrants were turned away during a wave of nativism. -
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Early Twentieth Century
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The Supreme Court rules Standard Oil a monopoly and orders John D. Rockefeller to dissolve the company
During the industrialization of America, Rockefeller grew his company so large that he became the richest man in America. After the passing of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, he was ordered to go to court and it was ruled that he had too much company and power. -
Archduke Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated, leading to WW1
The Archduke was assassinated by rebels which spurred many nations to enter the first world war. America was initially not involved, however, they joined to aid the UK and dominate as a world power. -
The 18th amendment prohibits the sale, transport, or manufacturing of alcohol in the US
Due to huge debt, the US government prohibited alcohol. However, it led to increased crime and underground speakeasies. When the law was passed, more alcohol was sold then before. -
The Great Depression begins
Due to excessive spending on credit and money in the stock exchange, the stock market crashed and people were left with nothing. It opened an era of poverty and cries to the government for assistance. -
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Depression and World War II
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduces the New Deal
To help with the Depression in America, FDR introduced a series of programs to help get the nation back on her feet. Unfortunately, most of them did not work and were replaced. -
Hitler and Stalin sign a nonagression pact between Germany and Russia
At the beginning of WWII, Germany and Russia signed to be nonaggressive against each other. However, Hitler broke it against the Ally powers later in the war and invaded Russia with the other Axis powers. -
Japan admits defeat and surrenders, ending World War II
After the dropping of the atomic bomb, Japan was unable to recover from the hit and surrendered, ending WWII. The defeat of Japan allowed the nations to meet and discuss the consequences of the war. -
Japan surrenders ending WW2
The Us dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which prompted Japan to surrender. The surrender of Japan made the axis power collapse and World War II ended. -
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Postwar Era
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Korean War begins
Communist forces invaded South Korea which prompted the US to send troops. The war became a fixation of military and media focus. -
Fidel Castro gains control of Cuba
Fidel Castro took lead in the Cuban revolution as a Communist leader. He led the nation to protest for Communism and was hated by the US for his Communist ideology. -
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Early Contemporary Era
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
Due to protest from prominent leaders like Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which was supposed to protect African americans against discrimnation. -
Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon
As NASA became stronger, they launched the first successful rocket to the Moon and Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. -
Nuclear weapon production and use is halted
Fifteen countries signed a treaty stating that they would not be spreading nuclear warfare any farther. These included the United States and the Soviet Union among many.
