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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands in America
Columbus lands in the Bahamas and claims it for the king/queen of Spain. This is the first case of a European country claiming American territory. -
Nov 22, 1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange was the trading of goods between Europe, America, and Africa. A variety of things were transferred such as food, animals, and diseases. This system ultimately benifited Europe by giving them maize and America by sending domesticated horses. However, they were both damaged by means of disease. -
Apr 22, 1512
Encomienda System Established
The encomienda system was a grant for conquistadors to Christianize the Native Americans. However, the real use of this system was to take the goods from the Natives and use them for slave labor. -
Apr 2, 1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon claims Florida for the king of Spain. This is a major reason for the Spanish influence that can still be seen in Florida today. -
Apr 22, 1525
Atlantic Slave Trade
This year introduced the first account of the Atlantic Slave Trade. This was a system in which Africans were forcefully taken to America for slave labor. This was the beginning of an extremely inhumane system against Africans that left an impression (racism) which sparked several movements from the 1800s leading as far as the Civil Rights Movement. -
Apr 22, 1555
Tobacco in Europe
Tobacco was used in the mercantile system by English settlers. It was one of the most major cash crops of this time and even today. -
Jamestown Founded
The 2nd permanent English settlement in America in the colony of Virginia. Jamestown was an important starting point for colonies in the Chesapeake area. -
Pilgrims Landing
Pilgrims were seeking religious freedom and migrated to the Americas. They landed in New England on the Mayflower. They were one of the first European settlements in America that made a lasting impression. -
Metacom's War
Metacom (aka Philip by the Europeans) was the leader of the Wampanoag tribe. His colony waged war against the settlers in New England, as they were invading on previously owned Native space. The war resulted in the destruction of nearly half the New English towns. -
Pueblo Revolt
An uprising of the Pueblo people. They revolted against the Spanish, destroying churches and other various buildings. Over 400 Spanish people were killed. -
Salem Witch Trials
A multitude of accusations against women in the Massachussets Bay Colony. Nearly 20 people died, mostly by means of hanging. This set of accusations is the most notorious in our history, despite the fact that witch accusations were fairly common. This event revealed the weakness of American society and how he said/she said situations can cause such a drastic result. -
The Middle Passage
A part of the Triangular Trade in which Africans were brought to the Americas as slave labor. This was a major reason for the large quantity of African slaves in America which leads to the abolitionist movement and many others in the future of America. -
Indentured Servitude
Indentured servitude gained popularity in this year. This was a way for poor Europeans to migrate to the US. Their travel would be paid by the rich American settlers, but the poor would have to give back by providing labor. This significantly increased European immigration to the US for a long period of time. -
French and Indian War
Seven year war between the British and French/Natives. This war was essentially a fight between two European settler nations over the Ohio River Valley. The battle was won by the British, furthering their influence in the US while pushing the French out even more. -
Proclamation of 1763
This prevented British colonists from claiming territory past the Appalachian mountains. Colonists were very bitter about this act (as well as many others) which sparked the anger that led to the American Revolution. -
The Sugar Act
An act placed on colonists by Great Britain which taxed the colonists on their purchase of wine, coffee, etc. This angered colonists and fueled the lead up to the American Revolution. -
Start of American Revolution
The fight between British colonists (Patriots) and the British people (Loyalists). This war ultimately resulted in the British colonists becoming their own nation (America). This is significant, obviously, as it is the official start of the country we are living in today. -
Declaration of Independence
The official statement that declared America's independence from Great Britain. This officially created the America we live in right now. -
Louisiana Purchase
British colonists purchased the Louisiana territory from France for $10 million. This is significant because it doubled the size of US territory. -
Embargo of 1807
The US tried to prevent war by placing an embargo on foreign trade. It did not sit well with Americans and was also unsucessful in its purpose. Its main significance was the widespread poverty it caused in the US. -
Ending of Slave Trade
The government bans the international slave trade (finally). This was one of the first steps to ending slavery. -
War of 1812
America waged war against Britain for interfering with American shipments. This war was, in some sense, the 2nd war for independence from Great Britain. -
Battle of New Orleans
General Andrew Jackson prevented a British attack in New Orleans. The US won, which built up Jackson's reputation. -
Texas added to the US
Texas was added to the Union in 1845. This was one of the first seen events in which Manifest Destiny was implemented. -
Mexican American War
A war against Mexico over territory. Mexico lost nearly half of its northern territory, ultimately giving even more land to the US. -
Purchase of Alaska
America purchases Alaska for $7.2 million. It added 20% to the present day United States in terms of land. -
Immigration Increase
More than 2 million immigrants entered the US between 1871 and 1880. Most were from Western Europe and China. This eventually raised anti-immigrant sentiment. -
Panic of 1873
An economical problem that was internationally spread. It caused a depression within the US as well as Europe. This caused Congress to pass the Resumption Act. -
Resumption Act of 1875
Restored the nation to the gold standard. It reduced inflation for the time being, but caused issues during the Gilded Age. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The nation's first law that banned any type of immigration. The act was in place until 1943, not allowing them to become citizens. -
Annexation of Hawaii
The US feared the Hawaiian queen's plans and revolted against her. She eventually surrendered and the US claimed Hawaii. -
Opening of Ellis Island
A place which immigrants had to pass through to get to America. A series of examinations (health, etc.) were done on the immigrants here to prevent any issues. -
Spanish American War
Cubans fought for independence from Spain. An explosion from this war affected US property, causing them to wage war on Spain. This was significant as we assisted Cuba in becoming free. -
Philippine American War
A Filipino general declared independence, putting pressure on the US to annex the Philippines. -
US annexes Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico
Spain gave up the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the US after the Spanish American War. This gave the US even more territory. -
Open Door Policy
In fear of China being divided by European countries, the US sent an open note saying to keep China open for trade. -
Containment
A US diplomat in Moscow proposed the idea of Containment, which was meant to prevent the spread of Communism. This policy influenced the US throughout the Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman announces the Truman Doctrine which states that the US would aid (financially, militarily, etc.) any country trying to escape communism. -
Marshall Plan
(European Recovery Program) was an American initiative to help Western Europe. -
Korean War
The war began after North Korea invaded South Korea. The US intervened in order to prevent the spread of communism, but ultimately no progress was made. -
Boland Amendment
Prohibited the US from helping Nicaragua in an anti-Communist rebellion. This led to many Americans being upset, as they felt the US should be involved in these things. -
Invasion of Panama
After over a year of conflict, the US invaded Panama. It was hugely condemned, but many excuses were made by Bush to justify it. -
NAFTA
Created an alliance with Canada, US, and Mexico. NAFTA got rid of most of the trade barriers between them. -
9/11 Attacks
Terrorist group al-Qaeda takes over 2 planes and sends them against the Twin Towers. This forever changed America in many ways. Airports are now far more secure and 9/11 is currently the deadliest attack made on US land. -
Persian Gulf War
After Iraq refused to leave Kuwait, Bush sent a series of air-led attacks onto Iraq and Iraqi-controlled areas within Kuwait. The tension between Iraq and the US can still be seen today.
