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Period: 1492 to
U.S History: VHS Summer: Jacob Lasota
From 1492 to 1877 there were many remarkable events that occured and would shape the world we live. In 1492, Christopher Columbus made his first voyage from Spain to the New World in search for land. Incredibly in 1787, the constitution would be written for America, and would provide a major stepping stone for future events to happen. -
Jan 16, 1493
Module 1
On January 16, 1493 after discovering the New World, Christopher Columbus leaves and sets sail for Spain. The way back was horrible,the westerlies did indeed direct them homeward, but in mid-February a terrible storm engulfed the fleet. After securing their freedom Columbus stormbound, and the damaged ship limped to port in Lisbon. -
Module 1
"The British arrived in the New World and established their first permanent settlement at Jamestown in 1607". This was seen as a huge accomplishment and a step forward in the New World development. Jamestown was the first permanent establishment in the New World and served as guidance towards new establishments. -
Module 2
"During the 1600s, France was the dominant power on the European continent, emerging victorious from the Thirty Years War." France was considered the most powerful nation in Europe following the thirty years war. German casualties were the highest, and France was seen at the world stage as most powerful, economically and militarily. -
Module 10
"In 1733, Zenger was accused of LIBEL, a legal term whose meaning is quite different for us today than it was for him. In his day it was libel when you published information that was opposed to the government." Publishing information that opposed the government could have negative effects on the government and the people who read the information. -
Module 2
The Albany Plan of the Union was a plan that would place the American colonies under British control, into a more centralized government. "Benjamin Franklin discovered this quite clearly when he devised the ALBANY PLAN OF UNION in 1754." Benjamin Franklin was its biggest supporter, but while this was a good plan it ultimately failed due to the colonies wanting more self government. -
Module 3
"On May 10, 1776, the Continental Congress directed the colonies to suppress royal authority and to create institutions based on popular rule. As a result, the crucial Revolutionary act of creating new governments received its earliest attention at the state level where the former colonies began to make new rules for themselves." This was a driven movement for self government within the colonies, even though a government with more control was suitable. -
Module 3
"Building on a model adopted by Massachusetts in passing its state constitution of 1780, the framers suggested that constitutional law was of such sweeping significance that it would be inappropriate to have it approved though ordinary political channels." The passing of the Mass. constitution was a critical step in the individual state governments that make up the U.S government. It served as a realization that states can have their own control and power, with the federal government. -
Module 4
"In 1790, SAMUEL SLATER built the first factory in America, based on the secrets of textile manufacturing he brought from England. He built a cotton-spinning mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, soon run by water-power." Factories drove the expansion for American goods and trade and without it, America would not have been as prosperous as it was. The cotton mill was revolutionary and much of the information was brought in from the British like Samuel Slater. -
Module 5
"While staying at the Savannah plantation of MRS. NATHANAEL GREEN in 1792, the widow of the Revolutionary War general, Whitney created the device that changed the world." She was the person behind the cotton gin, which was one of the most revolutionary pieces of equipment used to increase trade and manufacturing in the New World. -
Module 10
"Even in Virginia, the move toward freeing some slaves was made more difficult by new legal restrictions in 1792." In the North even though slavery was seen less, racism was still evident because of a Massachusetts law that made it illegal for whites to marry blacks, or people of color. So even though slavery was abolished, racism still persisted in the Northern States. -
Module 4
"The War of 1812. Welcome to America under Republican rule at the onset of the 19th century." The war of 1812 was a conflict involving the U.S and Great Britain as well as its allies like Ireland. British restrictions on U.S. trade and America's desire to expand its territory was the reason behind going into war in the first place. America didn't like the restrictions the British were placing because we wanted more freedom to expand and grow. -
Module 7
"At the time Spain granted independence to Mexico in 1821, the land now comprising the state of Texas was very sparsely populated." Mexicans wanted the same freedoms that the Americans were having with the British. They wanted control over themselves and to not rely on Spain. Ultimately they wanted a sovereign government with independence from Spain as did the Americans with the British. -
Module 6
"The 1824 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION marked the final collapse of the Republican-Federalist political framework." The 1824 presidential election was the 10th presidential election in American history with its contenders including, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawford. Andrew Jackson ultimately won the election to become the 10th president of the U.S. -
Module 5
"In 1829, Walker declared slavery a malignancy, calling for its immediate termination. He cited the four evils causing the greatest harm to African Americans as slavery, ignorance, Christianity, and colonization." David Walker appeal towards slavery was brought up because of the harm that it caused to African Americans. People agreed to his argument. -
Module 6
"By the late 1820's, the north was becoming increasingly industrialized, and the south was remaining predominantly agricultural." The many inventions like the cotton gin, helped fuel the growth towards industrialization in the North with many factories. The South on the other hand were more farms, and were slavery was mainly used. -
Module 7
"On August 8, 1846, Wilmot introduced legislation in the House that boldly declared, "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist" in lands won in the Mexican-American War. This was very important legislation that was introduced for the first time. -
Module 8
"In the fall of 1854, SENATOR DAVID ATCHISON of Missouri led over 1,700 men from Missouri into Kansas to vote for their pro-slavery representative. These were the infamous "BORDER RUFFIANS," who threatened to shoot, burn and hang those opposed to slavery." This kind of behavior ultimately led to hate groups such as the KKK who supported slavery and racial inequality. -
Module 8
"In 1858, as the country moved ever closer to disunion, two politicians from Illinois attracted the attention of a nation." Stephan Douglas was a prominent politician in almost all of the U.S while battling Abraham Lincoln. These debates helped propel Lincolns career. The debates were fixated on the issue of slavery as well as the expansion of territories. -
Module 9
"In 1864, Republican Abraham Lincoln chose Andrew Johnson, a Democratic senator from Tennessee, as his Vice Presidential candidate." Its almost unusual that a Republican front runner in the presidential election would chose a Democrat to run with for President. Although they were affiliated with different political parties, they agreed strongly on many issues. -
Module 9
"In 1867 they approved the far-reaching Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibited "states from abridging equality before the law." The law called for radical reconstruction and the republicans called believed that blacks should have the same rights and freedoms as whites. Racism played a huge role in the devoplemtn of our great Country. There will always be a present divide, but the progress that was made, and continuing to be made will forever have an impact on our lives.
