-
English Settlers Arrive
In 1607, the first English settlers arrived in America and founded Jamestown. They were sent by the Virginia Company of London in search of natural resources but had difficulty establishing a settlement and faced problems with the Indians.
<P>
Jamestown Settlement -
Indian War
In June 1675, war broke out between the Indians and English settlers due to the Indians growing resentment of land sales for manufactured goods. The war broke out just one month after talks between Indian tribe leader King Philip and Rhode Island Attorney General John Easton proved ineffective. -
American Revolution
In 1775, approximetaly one-third of the colonial population remained loyal to the British crown. This population is referred to as Loyalists. While living on now American soil, they wanted to remain under British rule, and fought for the British crown. Another one-third of the population wanted to break free from British rule and form their own country. The remaining one-third was not commited to either side. -
America Claims Independence
On July 4th, 1776, America claimed its independence from the British and their King with the signing of the Declaration of Indepedence. This event took place over a year after the start of the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson drew up the Declaration, and wrote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
"
<P>
<a href='http://ht -
Naturalization Act
Due to an large increase in the number of people immigrating to America, the Naturalization Act declared that any "free white person" could become an American citizen provided they meet several requirements.
<P>
Naturalization Act -
Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty
The signing of the Guadalupe-Hidalgo treaty on Febuary 2, 1848 brought the end of the US/Mexico war. The United States recieved parts of now-States California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado after Mexico surrendered. This saw "80,000 Mexicans living in the territory are allowed to remain and receive citizenship.
Treaty<a href='http://http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/guadalupe-hidalgo/' >2 -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Chinese Exclusion</a>The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first major law that restricted immigration into the United States. It was passed May 6, 1882 by President Arthur. The Act excluded those “skilled and unskilled laborers and Chinese employed in mining" and affected Asians already in America as they would require a certificate for re-entry.
<P>
<a href='http://http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=47' > -
Phoenix Indian School
In 1891, prior to the construction of Phoenix Indian School, Indian Commisioner Thomas Morgan claimed "It's cheaper to educate Indians than to kill them." After Indians were confined to their reservations in 1880, the government built schools in order to conform Indian children and have them deny their culture.
Indian School -
Border Patrol Act
On May 28, 1924 congress passed the Border Patrol Act in response to a growing number of illegal immigration. While there had been border patrol for years prior, it was in 1924 that securing the border between inspection stations was officially established.
<P>
Border Patrol -
Period: to
Mexican Repatriation
During the Great Depression, President Hoover authorized removal of Mexican Immigrants and Americans of Mexican descent. The Mexican Repatriation Program an estimated 500,000 emigrated back to Mexico as the results of raids and intimadation that was not warrented. The program was authorized at a time jobs were difficult to come across and Mexicans were seen as part of the problem. <BR><a href='http://http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2010/06/mexican-repatriation-the-great-depression-and-immigratio -
Japanese Internement
President Roosevelt authorizes sending tens of thousands of Japanese Americans and resident aliens from Japan to internment camp under Executive Order 9066. He claimed national-defence and protection against espionage in his written order.
<P>
Executive Order 9066 -
Operation Wetback
Operation Wetback</a>In 1954, President Eisenhower deported 13 million Mexican Natives over a two year period in a process known as Operation Wetback. The purpose was to create more jobs for Americans.
<P>
<a href='http://http://readmyblog.hubpages.com/hub/Operation-Wetback' > -
Human Rights Conerns Along US/Mexico Border
In Sept 1997, Amnesty Interntional published a study spanning a 3 year period that indicated concerns of mistreatment including "that persons detained by the INS have been subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including beatings, sexual assault, denial of medical attention, and denial of food, water and warmth for long periods". -
English Arizona's Official Language
English Official Language</a>Voters elect to make English Arizona's official language. Supporters claim this measure will encourage immigrants to learn their new States language and promote unity.
<P>
<a href='http://http://phoenix.about.com/b/2006/10/03/on-arizonas-november-ballot-english-as-the-official-language.htm' > -
State Bill 1070 Passes
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signs SB1070 into effect. The controversial bill would uphold the law and require immigrants to carry documentation with them. It would also allow law enformcement to stop and question those who they had "reasonable suspicion" of being without papers.
<P>
SB1070
