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Period: 1462 to
US HISTORY
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1492
Christopher Columbus
An Italian explorer sailing for Spain who believed that Asia (India) could be reached by sailing west from Europe. His first voyage was in 1492, wherein he discovered North America (Caribbean islands) and named it the West Indies. He will make four voyages to the new world without fully realizing what he had discovered. -
1518
Middle Passage
The middle passage was a voyage across the Atlantic to the New world. Slaves were forced on the voyage to later work on plantations. Many slaves died on the ship. -
Jamestown
Jamestown was a colony in Williamsburg Virginia, established on May 14, 1607. They chose it because of the advantages the land gave them, this included deep waters for ships, unoccupied, and was easy to defend. Local Native Americans traded with the colonists but they weren’t always friendly. In winter months food supply was low this lead to starvation and resulted in cannibalism. Pocahontas from the Japanese tribe became close with John Rolfe, and were later married. -
Plymouth
Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, they left to gain religious freedom. Natives showed pilgrims how to hunt and plant crops. The pilgrims and Natives had the first Thanksgiving feast. -
New England Colonies
The New England colonies were known as the thirteen colonies which made up the first part of the United States. It was later expanded on with the buying of new land. -
Middle Colonies
The territory between New England and Virginia was land given by King Charles ll. New York was later established, named, and became one of the most prosperous colonies. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony settled in 1630 a group of puritan refugees from England. This allowed trade between rivers. The Puritans established many of the communities and towns. -
Southern Colonies
The southern colonies stretched from Virginia to Florida and to the Pacific Ocean. The colonies relied on farming for food. Many farmers had slaves for labor and this split some states in half. -
Great Awakening
Between the 1720's and 1740's the Great Awakening was a religious revival in the British American Colonies. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war lasted for 7 years. Taking place in 1756 to 1763. Started with the expansion of land and had ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Stamp Act
The British had attempted to add taxes to all paper products. This caused riots, disagreements, and destruction of stamps. -
Boston Massacre
In 1770 British troops and patriots fought on the street, this was known as the Boston Massacre. 5 men were killed. The British had fired shots at the Americans which caused war to break out. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place in 1773. 342 chests full of tea were dumped into the Boston harbor by American patriots who had been disguised as Indians. The Americans were mad at the British for taxing. This only made things worse between the British and Americans. -
Battles of Lexington & Concord
These battles took place in 1775 between British and Americans. This was known as the beginning of the American Revolutionary war. British troops marched to Lexington to battle, it is unknown who fired the first shot that started the war. The Concord battle took place after, Americans won the battles. -
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War took place in 1775 and lasted until 1783. The 13 colonies made up the first part of the U.S. and France sided with the United States to help them win the war. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was approved by the continental Congress in 1776. This separated the United States from Great Britain. On July 4th the declaration was adopted. In 1777 the document was signed. -
Valley Forge
George Washington led troops to a winter quarters. This site was named Valley Forge and had been located near trade routes and supplies. -
Articles of Confederation
After independence from Great Britain the U.S. created a written document to establish the government. The first U.S. constitution was the Articles of Confederation. -
Battle of Yorktown
The battle of Yorktown was the last major battle in the American Revolutionary War and had been the start of the nation's independence. This battle was led by George Washington in 1781. -
Abolitionists
Abolitionists were those who believed in equal rights and began to try to end the slave trade. They often helped free slaves and brought them to safety in the North. -
Constitutional convention
This convention was a group of people who created the constitution of the United States. Constitution was signed by this group. This took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was drawn up to establish how to govern America. -
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was important because it was the transition from hand making things to using machines. This established large factories and a growing economy. -
Bill of Rights
The bill of rights was established in 1791 and written by James Madison. It holds the first 10 amendments in the constitution. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was land west of the Mississippi river bought from France for 15 million. The purchase was made by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark were sent to lead an expedition, to explore the Louisiana Purchase and Pacific Northwest. Thomas Jefferson had sent Lewis and Clark. Throughout the journey they met many Native American tribes, some which were helpful to them. They named rivers and landmarks. -
Underground Railroad/ Harriet Tubman
The underground railroad was a system to help slaves in the south to gain freedom by going north. Slaves left during the night, and were often helped by former slaves like Harriet Tubman. -
War of 1812
The war of 1812 was fought between America and Great Britain. Great Britain had won Canada and America had redrawn borders with Spain. -
Missouri Compromise
North and south worked out an agreement to allow Missouri to become the 24th state. The conflict between slavery started which had led up to the American Civil War. -
Election of 1824
In the election of 1824 Andrew Jackson had won the majority of votes, but the House of Representatives voted John Quincy Adams. John Adams had won the election. -
Indian Removal Act
In 1830, the government made land exchanges with the Indians in order to allow peaceful relations, legal, and political rights. The Indian Removal Act was set in place and tribes were forced to move west. Some tribes were not happy and fighting had begun. “Trail of Tears” was established due to the Indians' move. -
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a war between Texas and Mexico. Texas had attempted to gain independence from Mexico and won. It was named Alamo because its meaning is “symbol of freedom”. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny is the idea that the United States was destined by god. It was the expansion of territory and state boundaries. -
Mexican American War
The Mexican American War was fought in 1846 and had started after the United States fought for Texas independence from Mexico. Mexico then tried to claim the Rio Grande and land expanding to the Pacific. The Americans won the war and took the land. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was discovered in California in 1848 and was supposed to be kept a secret, but word spread quickly. Many people moved to California in search of gold. They brought diseases over and miners were often killed in accidents. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 was 5 laws established to figure out the conflict between slave states and territorial expansion. California was accepted as a state, which brought gold to the U.S. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This novel gained popularity quickly and described life as a slave. This caught the attention of many abolitionists and helped people realize black people are not property. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was violent outbreaks of war between those for slavery and those against slavery. Taking place in Kansas territory after becoming a state. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott decision was a law case involving the U.S. Supreme court in 1857. Dred Scott was a slave living in the north, where slavery was not allowed, although was not entitled to his freedom as a U.S. citizen. -
Lincoln- Douglas Debates
Series of 7 debates between senator ( Douglas) and president Abraham Lincoln. It concerned the issue of slavery and territories. Lincoln was against slavery and douglas was for it. -
Fort Sumter
South Carolina seceded from the U.S. and arguments over who owned Fort Sumter started war. This was the start of the civil war. -
Confederate States of America
The 11 states which seceded from the Union were known as the Confederate States of America or the Confederacy. These states believed that all men were not created equal and they could establish their own laws. War was won by the United states, in the civil war. -
Civil War
The civil war lasted for four years and was fought between the United States and the Confederates. Slavery was the main reason for this war. Americans had won the war and took over the Confederate states. -
Emancipation Proclamation
After the civil war had been won by the United States, president Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. This document allowed all slaves to be freed. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was part of the American civil war. It lasted 3 days between the Union and Confederates. It is often referred to as the bloodiest battle ever fought in America. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech that had been delivered by president Abraham Lincoln after the Battle of Gettysburg. The speech’s main points focused on the United States coming together again and allowing every slave to be free. -
Battle of Appomattox
The battle of Appomattox was fought at the Appomattox courthouse in Virginia. The south surrendered to the Union. This was the final battle of the Civil War.
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