U.S. History : VHS Summer : Nitsa Kanungo

Spanish Armada Defeated

1588

The Spanish "Invincible" Armada sailed into the English Channel, and was overtaken by British fleets. This marked the end of Spanish domination, and Britain became one of the most powerful countries in Europe.
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Jamestown

1607

The British arrived in the New World and established their first settlement at Jamestown. This was the start of the British taking over the area which we now call the United States, and they all expanded from Jamestown.
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Treaty of Paris

1763

After the battles, France finally agreed to sign the Treaty of Paris, giving up all their North American territory. Feeling free, the American colonists were brought closer together, and eventually, some nationalist ideas emerged. In effect, the Treaty of Paris was the event that sparked the American Revolution.
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American Revolution Begins

1775

The American Revolution was the event that allowed the independent United States to emerge. The series of battles and radical events were crucial in creating the foundation for the country we know today. Many things changed in the local society and the world. The country's thinking progressed, and ideas such as establishing women's rights and the abolishment of slavery came to be.
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Egalitarianism

1776

Egalitarianism is the idea that all people deserve equal opportunities and equal rights. This philosophy mainly started coming to be after the Declaration of Independance was signed, and it is still evident today.
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Declaration of Independence Signed

1776

The Declaration of Independence was and is an important document in American history. It signified liberty, equality, and life.
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Federalism

1780

Federalism refers to the principle of distribution of power in a country, usually between state and national government. Federalists in the United States supported ratifying the constitution.
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Constitution Ratified

1788

The constitution was finally ratified after tons of work from the Founding Fathers and the approval of nine out of thirteen states. Eventually, when the Bill of Rights was suggested, the ratification got approval from the entire nation.
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Creation of Cotton Gin

1792

Eli Whitney created the cotton gin and changed America. With a new, more effective way of producing cotton, the industry grew exponentially. This also changed the life of slaves in the cotton-ridden South, who now had to endure more tough work.
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Nationalism

1800

Nationalism is a form of patriotism, which is sometimes taken to the extreme by the thought that one's own nation is better than all others. It can be a good thing, because it can often help people of a country come together, but it can also lead to a more radical way of thinking in a negative way.
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War of 1812

1812

The War of 1812 is sometimes known as the second war for American independance. It showcased how much the country was really developing, and coming together as one to defeat a common enemy.
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Democratism

1812

After the War of 1812, the idea of a democracy began to emerge and replace republicanism. It was thought that this new form of government would be solely beneficial for the nation, and the people who opposed this were few. The growth of democracy, however, was not perfect. It was slow, difficult, and came with some consequences, as well.
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Jackson's Inauguration

1828

Jackson was an influential president -- his face is on the $20 bill, after all! He was hated by many due to his somewhat racist policies against the Native Americans, but others viewed him as a king. Either way, he was significant in American history.
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American Anti-Slavery Society Formed

1833

William Lloyd Garrison met with delegates and formed the very first Anti-Slavery society. He took the world worldwide and made his voice heard. This was one of the first events that started America on the road to abolishment.
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Imperialism

1840

It is natural for nations to expand and grow as they develop politically and culturally. After the American Revolution and the War of 1812, "The spirit of nationalism that swept the nation in the next two decades demanded more territory." (http://www.ushistory.org/us/29.asp) This mindset was dubbed the 'manifest destiny,' and, in my opinion, was one of the prime motivators for westward expansion. In addition, the expansion was motivated by religion, economy, patriotism, and a need for resources.

Mexican-American War

1846

The Mexican-American War involved many casualties, and resulted in America gaining the territory of Texas. It was a great victory for the United States, and a part of the quest to expand their territory.
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The Election of 1860

1860

The Election represented how a physical war can get politically involved, as well. It obviously had an impact: "Within three months of Lincoln's election, seven states had seceded from the Union. Just as Springfield, Illinois celebrated the election of its favorite son to the Presidency on November 7, so did Charleston, South Carolina, which did not cast a single vote for him. It knew that the election meant the formation of a new nation." (http://www.ushistory.org/us/32e.asp)

Civil War Begins

1861

The Civil War started between those for slavery, and those against it. I find this to be interesting because, in the year previous, people had more or less had a unanimous opinion. The fact that people began speaking out against enslavement shows that the country was developing, and people were starting to take a stand against what they believed was wrong.
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Reconstruction Begins

1865

"Reconstruction refers to the period following the Civil War of rebuilding the United States," according to the reading. In this time, slavery 'ended' on technical terms -- therefore, the North received the things they were fighting for. However, the South, still wanting to preserve their way of life (which very heavily included slavery) began retaliating with anti-black groups, including the KKK (Ku Klux Klan).
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Johnson Impeached

1868

This was the first time ever that a president had been impeached. It was a turning point in U.S. history, and quite an important event. After this, rules leading to impeachment were clarified and ammended.
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