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John Rolfe
John Rolfe marries Pocahontas. Rolfe is still managing his tobacco plantaions, and has a child with Pocahontas, but before they could settle on their Varina Farms, Pocahontas passes away on a trip back to America from England. John made a big influence to the Americas with the tobacco business, settling back in Virginia in his last few days. -
House of Burgesses
The first legislative assembly in the American colonies was created, and assembled in the church at Jamestown. Governor Yeardley, Council, and 22 burgesses were present at the meeting.The House was to settle rules and legal issues in the ealrly settlements of Jamestown. -
Mayflower Compact
The first governing document of the Plymouth Colony was signed. The compact was to guide the settlers with rules and regulations for the sake of survival on the new land. It was signed by most of the male adults, not including crew members or servants, on the Mayflower ship during the voyage from England to the Americas. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion, an armed rebellion, was led by Virginia young Nathaniel Bacon along with many Virginia settlers against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. Berkeley had failed to to provide saftey to colonists, which ay have to do with his Indian trading allies. The people rose up, the first in which frontiersmen took part in. -
Salem Witch Trials
A series of trials conducted upon mainly women who were accused of witchcraft and sorcery in colonial Massechusetts. There were cruel and unusual punishments, along with horrible tests to see in the women were indeed witches. The belief that there were supernatural beings around at the time increased many accusements and deaths along the way. -
Zenger Case
John Peter Zenger is brought to court due to some publishment that petitions the export of a rotten royal official in Colonial America. The official's station was governor, but governor Cosby abused his power, and caused the press to look down and criticize him. Cosby then tries to bring the press to court, in which the judge says is not guilty, leaving Zenger to be free and the press rising up another level. -
Stono Rebellion
A slave rebellion that tok place in the colony of South Carolina. This was the biggest slave uprising in Brtish mainland before the American Revolution. The earliest leader, Jemmy, moved over 60 slaves into battles, which in turn inspired others to join in and rise up against cruel slave owners in the areas of Georgia and South Carolina. -
Fort Necessity
One of the first battles of the French and Indian War, where it became George Washington's only military surrender. This was a small, seven foot high, wooden fence surrounding a shack full only with ammunition. The Virginians had to hold the position by digging trenches around the fort, while Indians and Canadians stormed to attack them. In the end, there were negotiations, and Washington had to surrender the fort. -
Albany Plan
The Albany Plan is proposed by Benjamin Franklin, following the account of the French and Indian War that had come to Fort Necessity. The plan was to united all thriteen independent states into a union of one colony, governed by one general government to help supress and push back against the foreign and native threats that arose around them. -
Boston Massacre
Five civilian men were killed and six were injured by British troops had been stationed in Boston. Tensions were high due to high enforcements facing Americans by the British. There were increased amounts of troops transported to America to suppress American riots. Among the tension in the masacre, British troops were harassed both verbally and physically, until they finally took action and fired aimlessly into a rioting crowd of Americans. -
Coercive Acts
Laws passed by the British Parliment in order to supress the Boston Tea Party. The acts deprived the self-governing element in Massachusetts, which triggered outrage and resistance in the Thirteen Colonies. They were key developments in the outbreak of the American Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is signed and adopted by the Continetal Congress, which reveals that the 13 American colonies considered themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire, forming the United States of America. At war with Britian at the time, the leaders of the continetal congress, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, asked Thomas Jefferson to create the document, and announced it officially at Independence Hall. -
Shay's Rebellion
Caused by economic depression, aggressive tax and debt collection, and state fiscal policies, many military veterans decided to rebel against the state of Massachusetts. Named after Daniel Shays, a rebel leader and war veteran, their goal was to overthrow the state government, but was crushed before it got too out of hand. The state ending up reconsidering a new constitution that would be more fair to the people. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The United States Congress passed a new legal piece by taxing seven cents per gallon on whiskey. It was an effort to pay off debts that had arosen after the Revolutionary War. Many thought the tax was outrageous, and mostly farmers of Western Pennsylvania rose to decide for themselves. George Washington took it into grave matters and rode out with about 13000 federal troops and squashed the rebellion. -
Cotton Gin
The first mechanical cotton gin was created by Eli Whitney. It was then patented in 1794. Using a combination of wire screens and small wire hooks to pull the cotton through, brushes continuously remove the loose cotton lints, making it easier for cotton to be manufactured. Whitney's gin was revolutionary for the United States, but it led to the growth of slavery in Southern U.S. -
Alien & Sedition Acts (Adams)
John Adams passes the Naturalization Act, the first of four of legislative pieces known together as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Many were strongly against the ideas that included immediate deportation of aliens, which helped Thomas Jefferson to win the presidency in 1800. The acts were made on the threat of going to war with the French. -
Marbury v. Madison
Marbury requested that the Supreme Court force new Secretary of State, James Madison, to deliver commission documents. The Court found that Madison's refusal to deliver the commission was illegall. The result was a decision that helped tune the boundaries of the constitutionally separate executive and judicial powers. -
Lewis & Clark
President Thomas Jefferson issued the expedition shortly after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Led by Captain Meriwether Lewis with close friend Second Lieutenant William Clark, they journey along with army volunteers, exploring and mapping the newly acquired territory. They also had to find a practical route across the Western half of the continent, and establish territory before other foreign countries control it. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820 under the pro-slavery and anti-slavery states of America. It mainly focuses on the slavery issues in Western U.S. Prohibiting slavery in the former Louisiana Territory, it provided many former slaves havens, but the boundaries stays within the proposed state of Missouri. -
Monroe Doctrine
Introduced by president James Monroe, it was a policy of the United States stating that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, and the U.S. will take action against such acts. It also states that the U.S. would not interfere with Europe territory as long as they respect the doctrine. -
Trail of Tears
Many Native Americans were relocated. They had to move from their original homeland in southern areas of the U.S, following the Indian Removal act of 1830. The removal included many members of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations, among others in the United States. -
The Alamo
Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna assualted the Alamo mission in Texas. The Texans are remembered for their bravery, courage, and endurance, holding the Mexican army off until the last man. All Texans were killed in this 13 day seige by the Mexican Army. The Texans fended off two attacks, but on the third, they fell in defeat. -
Manifest Destiny
A period of time where many Americans felt obligated to go across the United States, expanding the nation westward and finding new opportunities. Americans demanded more territory, so they moved west hoping to find new land, and build new structures and towns. Faith in God made people believe that it was an opportunity presented to them so they made use of it and travelled across the mainland. -
Dred Scott Case
After an unfair treatment, Scott was forced back into the life of a slave, even though he was a free man, along with his wife. They tried to go to court; even the federal court would not stand with him, and he lost his case, due to the fact that he was not an original citizen of the U.S. based on the Constitution. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This was the first organization of a women's rights convention, an influential meeting in which women all over the western world got together for the first time to debate on legal and some minor issues involving women's rights and their voting options. They discussed about their moral, social, and civil rights, with Lucretia Mott as the leader and planner for the whole event. -
Compromise of 1850
Introduced by Henry Clay, it promoted California as a free state, but there were no slavery restrictions in Utah or New Mexico. Texas, losing to New Mexico's boundary agreements, gains 10 million dollars. The fugitive slave law is put into action, where any runaway slaves in the North can get caught and sent back to the South. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is published by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book focuses on the anti-slavery movements and it shws how cruel slavery can be in the U.S. Stowe, an abolitionist, made it to the second best selling novel in the 19th century, next to the bible. The book explains how life can be changed with faith in God and shows how evil the slavery system can be. -
Emancipation Proclamation
A proclamation made by Abraham Lincoln, declaring the emancipation of slaves for war and tactical efforts in the civil war. Providing freedom of slaves in the ten states that were still in rebellion, this helped the North gain more soldiers as more ex-slaves entered the war with the offer of freedom and rewards. -
KKK-Force Acts
This made state officials liable in federal court for taking away anyone's civil rights or the equal protection of the laws. Aimed mostly at the KKK's intimidation tactics, it made them into federal offenses.It also authorized the president to send out militia in the case that any groups try to rise up and take away other's rights. This enforcement act was approved by Ulysses S. Grant. -
Spanish American War
Washington D.C. officially declares war on the Spainish military subsiding in Cuba and Puerto Rico. It was cause by the mysterious sinking of an American battleship of the coast of Cuba. After sending a compromise to Spain, which owned Cuba then, they rejected and soon the U.S. wanted Cuba and announced the coming of war to the Spainards in Cuba and its surrounding areas. -
Zimmerman Telegram
British Intelligence intercepted a message from Germany to Mexico, stating that in the event that the United States decides to enter World War I, then the Mexican military would become an alliance to Germany. Mexico, unable to match with the U.S. Army, declines the proposal and officially rejected it after the U.S. joined the war. -
Harlem Renaissance
A time where African-Americans migrated from all over the world, from Paris to the Caribbeans, into mostly North America, mainly Harlem, New York, thus the name, Harlem renaissance. The movement included many cultural merges and exchanging different languages, literature, and different ideas from African-Americans. The migration spans from Northeast to Midwest U.S. -
Black Tuesday
Also known as the Wall Street Crash of 1929, it was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States. The crash was the signal for the beginning of the 10-year Depression era. Not until World War II started did the stocks begin to have a positive effect on many western countries, including the United States. -
New Deal
The New Deal were orders passed by Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in response to the Great Depression. It focused on Relief for the unemployed and poor; Recovery of the economy to normal levels; and Reform of the financial system. These are called the three "R's" to prevent a repeating depression. -
Pearl Harbor
A suprise attack by the Japanese on the U.S. base in Hawaii, it led the United States into World War II. All eight of the U.S. Navy battleships docked were damaged, with four being sunk. The Japanese planes took out many sailors, suffering little damage to themselves. -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
The first and only nuclear weapons used to this date, it was used by the United States against the state of Japan nearing the end of World War II. Nicknamed "Little Boy," it was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, and following it three days later, "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9. The bombs were utterly destruction, resulting in the death of over 150,000 people. -
Truman Doctrine
Truman addresses an international relation policy in a speech, stating that the U.S. would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent them from succumbing to the Soviets. This is believed to have been the beginning of the Cold War. This doctrine was inteneded to contain and beat all foreign threats that came from the Soviet Union. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The United States Congress made a decision that seperate schools for whites and blacks were immoral and unconstitutional. The men involved in this helped pave the future. This was a major victory for many civil right fighters, allowing racial mixing and interactions with others resulting in intergration and better education. Many accepted the new laws and soon interacial schools began developing. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Lyndon B. Johnson has automatic authorization, without the need for a formal war announcement by congress, for the use of "conventional'' military force in Southeast Asia. It allows the president to use any force necessary to aid with the allies in Southeast Asia, including using armed forces for military aid. -
Tet Offensive
One of the largest military campaigns was launched in the Vietnam War. Viet Cong forces and the North Vietnamese Army launched against South Vietnam, involving the United States and allies. It was a series of suprise attacks on civilian homes and army bases throughout South Vietnam. -
Watergate
Tape revealed that president Nixon had attempted to cover up the illegal happenings that had taken place after the break-into the Democratic National Committtee at the Watergate Complex. The FBI uncovered cash on the suspects that were used to fund Nixon's presidential campaign. Nixon was forced to resign shortly afterwards. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
Fifty-two Americans were held hostage after a group of Iranian students supporting the Iranian Revolution took over the American Embassy in Tehran. They demanded the return of their overthrown Shah to bring him to Iranian court. There was a failed mission to rescue the hostages which resulted in eight American servicemen. -
Iran-Contra Scandal
A scandal beginning as an operation to free seven American hostages being held by a group with Iranian ties connected to the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution. Planned to ship weapons from Isreal to Iran, it would resupply Israel and receive the Israeli payment. Hostages will then be freed and taken back to the U.S. Ronald Reagan was involved in this weapons to hostages scandal. -
Challenger Explosion
The Space Shuttle, The Challenger, exploded into debri after about 73 seconds into its flight. All seven of its crew members were considered deceased in the horrible accident. This case has led to may to believe that its engineering and temperal factors had been overlooked and caused many theories to expand. The outcome of this event made more security and saftery measures to be taken on future shuttles. -
9/11
A series of terrorist attacks were made on U.S. strutures by the terrorist organization known as, Al Queda. Four passenger airliners were highjacked, two had crashed into the twin towers, respectfully, the world trade centers. Another was crashed into the Pentagon. While the fourth was targeting the White House, its passengers tried to overtake the terrorists and the plane crashed on a field in Pennsylvania.
