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Period: to
Events to Remember Up to Civil War Reconstruction
United States important events -
Estabilishment of Jamestown, First English Colony
A North American Colony founded by English men in search for gold and a new life. The Englishman managed to build a fort and gradually built the colony. During their stay in Jamestown, the Englishman faced many hardships such as diseases, contaminated rivers, and attacks from the Powhattan Confederacy. Eventually, Powhatan, the tribal chief, offered their protection and provided them with food, but periodically attacked them to show his power. -
Black Slaves Arrive In North America
African captures aboard the Dutch ship "Man of War" arrive in Jamestown. They were the first African Americans to go on record as sold as Involuntary Laborers. -
Mayflower Compact arrives at Plymouth
William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgirms landed at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The ship had 102 passengers. The colony of Plymouth was only able to prosper because of the cooperation between colonists and Native Americans. -
Salem Witch Trials
The first person is executed, through hanging, for being a witch. Her name was Bridget Bishop. 19 men and women soon joined her. This "hysteria" began when an African Slave falsely confessed to doing witchcraft on people. She then stated that there were more like her who were trying to overthrow the Puritans. -
Beginning of the French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years' War, was fought between the colonies of British America and New France. Many local indigenous forces allied with France because they were promised land that would be taken from British America. The colonies did receive support from their mother country, which made the war longer. The War ended on the 7 of January of 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. -
Boston Massaacre
An assembly of American colonists gathered at the Customs House in Boston and begin taunting the British soldiers who guard the house. The patriots, those protesting, were against the idea of the Britain Parliament taxing the colonists because the British Parliament did not have an American Representative. British Captain Thomas Preston then ordered his men to fire into the crowd, killing Crispus Attucks, Patrick Carr, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, and James Caldwell. -
Boston Tea Party
In Boston Harbor, a group of Massachussetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians came up aboard three British ships and dumped all 342 barrels of tea into the harbor. Such actions were the colonist respons to the British Parliament's Tea Act of 1773. Britain then responded with the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts 1777). -
Declaration of Independence
A written document declaring the United States a free from the wrath of Britain. It was signed by the thirteen congressional colonies in the midst of war. -
End of the American Revolution
The American Revolution ends with a colonial victory. The treaty of Paris is signed and and the Thirteen colonies declare their freedom from Britain. The treaty, however; was not ratified until January 14, 1783. -
Shay's Rebellion
A series of protests between 1786 and 1787 by American farmers, mostly in Massachusetts, since they experienced a bad year. The high taxes imposed by the state threatened the economically, which sparked their rebellion. Many saw this uprising as a a declaration that the Articles of Confederation should be replaced. -
Constitution Ratified
US ConstitutionRhode Island became the last colony to ratify the Constitution, went against it previously. The US constitution became the Supreme Law of the Land and replaced the Articles of Confederation. -
Whiskey Rebellion
A rebellion that arose because a tax was imposed upon alcaholic beverages. Violence was seen and many resisted the tax. Many of the Resistance were arrested. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis is asked by President Jefferson to explore the new land purchased from the French called the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis requests the help of William Clark. They record their encounters and draw a map of the region. On their journey, they face many hardships, such as the Indigenous groups of the region. -
War of 1812
A war between Britain and America that resulted from Britain cutting American naval trade ties. It was also a British attempt to retake America. It is considered the second Independence war, which resulted with an American victory. -
Missouri Compromise
It was passed between the Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery Factions that regulated slavery in the West of the United States. It stated that states above the 36-30 latitude would be free states and those below would be slave states. -
Texan Independence
War sparked due to issues such as Mexico abolishing slavery and making immigration illegal. This outraged the Texans, since most of the were from the South. -
Trail of Tears
A series of forced relocations of the Native Americans by the United States. This followed the approval of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The removal included members of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations. -
Mexican American War
The response that Mexico had towards Texas being annexed sinc it considered Texas it's territory. The United then invaded California and New Mexico and later, Mexico city to win the war. As a result, they bought Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, etc. from Mexico. -
Gold Rush in California
Started when James W. Marshall found gold in Calfornia. This attracted thousands hoping to make a living. In the end, $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted in California. -
Compromise of 1850
Resolved the issue of whether the new states acquired int he Mexican-American War would be slave or free states. It introduced the usage of Popular sovereignty in the new areas to decide whether a territory would be a slave or free state. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The act overturned slavery restrictions established in the Missouri Compromise. As a result, Kansas became a slave state. -
Abraham Lincoln as President
On this day, he was elected the 16th President of the United States, beating Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democrats, and John Bell of the new Constitutional Union Party. He promised to abolish slavery. -
Civil War
Civil War FactsA war between the Union and the Confederate States of America. The Union was trying to unite the two sides, while the Confederacy was fighting because they wanted to stay seceded. They feared for their economic status since Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery. -
Transcontinental Railroad completed
Completion of Trans. Railroad The completion allowed for faster transportation for those trying to expand westward. The railroad connected the east coast to the west coast. -
Reconstruction ends
Reconstruction FinaleEnded after many racial and economic issues. For one, the Ku Klux Klan tormented African Americans and African American Supporters wtih violence. Many establishments were made to protect the rights of African Americans such as the Black Codes.
