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Jamestown
Jamestown is settled - the first settlement in what is now the United States, by Europeans. -
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Colonial Era
During this era, the 13 colonies were under control of the English Crown. -
First slaves arrive
The first African slaves arrive in the Virginia colony. -
Plymouth colony founded
Pilgrims from England embark on a voyage across the Atlantic on the "Mayflower", settling in Massachusetts. -
Bacon's Rebellion
An armed rebellion by Virginia settlers who were angry with the Crown-appointed Governor of Virginia, William Berkley. It was one of the first rebellions against the Crown in the 13 colonies. -
Salem Witch Trials
Many people are accused of being witches, and are executed and put on trial in Salem, Massachusetts. -
French and Indian War
Imperial world superpowers Britain and France fight in North America (It was a part of the global Seven Years War), fighting for power and control of North America. This was a very expensive war for the English, who had essentially won most of the territory in North America, which gave them reason to increase taxes in the Empire. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty ended the French and Indian war. By this time, there was considerable tension in the colonies due to the colonists not being treated equal to Englishmen during/after the war. -
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Pre-American Revolution
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Proclomation of 1763
King George III issued a proclomation, which forbade colonists from settling in the new territories gained in the French & Indian war. The purpose was to calm the fears of Native Americans in the territories. This was resented in the colonies because it prohibited the colonists from accessing new opportunities in the fronteir, and hurt the 13 colonies. -
Sugar Act
Parliament of Great Britain passed this act to raise taxes to fund Britain's economic problems, which angered colonists, adding to the growing anti-colonial sentiment. The tax hurt the colonies' economy. This was one of the many taxes imposed in this era. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists harrass British soldiers in Boston, who then massacre the colonists, open firing on them. This event increased the colonists' desire for independence. -
Boston Tea Party
The royal governor of Massachusetts would not allow ships out of the Boston Harbor until the colonists paid their tea taxes. In response to the unfair taxes imposed by the Crown, the colonists dumb all the tea onboard into the harbor. -
Intolerable Acts
In response to the Tea Party incident, the Crown imposed the Intolerable Acts to punish the colonists. The acts took away Massachusett's self governance, and restricted colonists' rights. Parliament hoped that the acts would make an example out of Massachusetts, so colonists would not rebel again. This added to the growing Independence movement. -
Lexington and Concord
These battles were the first actions of the Revolutionary War. It marked the start of armed conflict between the colonists and the Crown. -
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Revolutionary War
The fight for independence from Britain begins. -
Declaration of Independence
This marked the colonists' formal declaration of the new country's independence from Britain. -
Battle of Saratoga
This was the turning point of the revolutionary war. It was a victory for Americans, and the French saw the colonists as being strong enough, so they decided to step in and help soon after this. This ultimately contributed to the American colonists winning the war. -
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Development of the United States
This era laid the base of the country. -
American victory in the Revolutionary War
The Treaty of Paris (1783) marked the end of the Revolutionary War, and the British recognized American independence. -
Constitution drafted
The constitution was drafted on this day. -
United States constitution comes into effect
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First Congress
The 1st US congress is established. -
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A Federalist Era
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Bill of Rights adopted
The United States bill of rights reaffirmed the rights of the new citizens who were previously denied them. -
Bank of the United States
The first government national bank was established, giving the citizens control over the fiscal/monetary policy, which was also previously denied to them. -
George Washington re-elected president
George Washington entered his second term. -
Whiskey Rebellion
People had an armed revolt to the new taxes imposed by the government under Washington's presidency. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty is created. It is a peace treaty between the United States and Britain, credited with avoiding war. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington decided not to seek a third term, and reminded the American people of the importance of national unity, fair republicanism, and the political system of the United States. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Federalist-controlled congress passed these acts to increase the waiting time for citizenship, deport immigrants that "posed a threat" to the nation, and silence speech of people who criticized the government. -
Undeclared War with France
Lasting until 1800, America and France had a quasi-war at sea, due to the French, who were previously an ally, becoming angry at the fact that America was realligning itself with their enemy, Britain. Peace with France was made in 1800. -
Jefferson becomes President
Jefferson defeats Adams for the presidency, ushering in a new era. -
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Jeffersonian Era
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Judiciary Act of 1801
This act reorganized the American court system, and gave the Supreme court/Federal government more power. -
Marbury v. Madison
This defined the boundary between the executive and judicial branches of government, it is considered a landmark case. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, giving America a large amount of new territory. It cost around $15 million. -
Lewis and Clark
Lasting until 1806, Lewis and Clark successfully explored the unknown Western United States, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. -
Embargo Act
As tensions increased, the United States launched an embargo against Britain and France. -
Madison elected president
James Madison succeeded Jefferson as president. -
Non-Intercourse Act
This replaced the embargo act, lifting all embargos except for ships bound for Britain and France, in an effort to damage their economies. -
War of 1812
The United States declared war on Britain, starting the War of 1812. This was due to impressment of Americans into the Royal Navy, British support of Anti-American expansion Indian Tribes. America had possible interest in British North America, however there were no boundary changes at the end of the war. The war resolved many post-revolution issues. -
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War and Postwar periods
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Battle of thames
This battle marked victory for the US in the War of 1812. -
British burn Washington
A British force burns Washington, DC and many buildings in the War of 1812. -
Missouri Compromise
As two groups developed: anti-slavery and pro-slavery Americans, there was increasing tension. As a result, Missouri was admitted as a slave state, and Maine as a free state. It also prohibited slavery in the Northern Louisiana Territory. -
Monroe Doctrine
Pres. Monroe declares that Latin American limits are off limits for colonization by European powers. This was an act of early American imperialism. -
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The Era of Jacksonian Democracy
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Jackson elected President
Andrew Jackson was elected president, ushering in the "Jacksonian Era". His policies would last for many years after, like Jefferson. -
Tarriff of Abominations
This was a protective tarriff that ended up severely hurting the Antebellum South's economy, leading to tensions. -
Indian Removal Act
Jackson passed the brutal Indian Removal Act. This forcibly moved Native Americans to lands West of the Mississippi river. The "Trail of Tears" was the result of this. -
Bank of United States Expires
Jackson let the Bank of United States' charter expire, reflecting his economic policy and his policy of a limited federal government. -
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The Antebellum Period
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Manifest Destiny established
The idea of "manifest destiny" - that American westward expansion was in a divine right - became popular, and justified American expansion/imperialism. -
Mexican-American War
American went into the war with hopes to gain the (what is now) Southwestern United States, and Texas. This was justified by "manifest destiny". -
Compromise of 1850
As tension between slave/nonslave states increased, a comprehensive compromise was reached, trying to maintain the balance between slavery and abolition of slavery in the United States. One of the most important parts of this legislation was a stronger Fugitive slave Act, which further divided the North & South. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel was published. It is an anti-slavery novel that exposed the harsh realities of slavery, and perpetuated anti-slavery sentiment in the North, and inspired people to desire abolition (mostly in the North) -
South Carolina Declares Secession
In 1860, South Carolina declared secession, forming the Confederacy. -
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Outbreak of Civil War
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Civil War Breaksout
On Apr 12, 1861, the civil war officially broke out between the North and South, due to conflicts over states' rights, slavery, divisions between the North and South, and tension. The Confederates (the South) attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC, officially beginning the war. -
Lincoln Starts Presidency
Lincoln begins his presidency, and immediately has to deal with the secessionary South.
