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Jamestown
Jamestown was the first successful British colony and it paved the way for English settlement in America. Settlers traveled to the new world in search of riches like gold, religious freedom, and adventure. -
Period: to
Founding Era to 1920's
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Pocahontas and John Smith
Although people believe that Pocahontas and John Smith were in love they were actually many years apart in age. Their friendship helped to bring peace between the colonizers and the Native Americans. Pocahontas married another settler named John Rolfe. -
French and Indian War
French and the Indians fought against the British and the Colonists over land control. The War cost the British a lot of money which resulted in the taxation of the colonies. Ultimately, this led to the Revolutionary War. -
Stamp and Sugar Acts
After suffering major financial downfalls from the French and Indian War, Britain started taxing their colonies. These unfair taxes on necessary things like sugar led to rebellion from the settlers and the Revolution. -
Boston Massacre
British army soldiers opened fire and killed 5 civilians after being provoked by the Sons of Liberty, which created much higher tensions between the British and the colonies. This also led to the Revolution -
Boston Tea Party
To rebel against tea taxes, Colonists disguised themselves as Indians and boarded tea ships in the Boston harbor. They proceeded to dump all of the tea into the water. It put American merchants out of business and led to the revolutionary war. -
Battle of Lexington
British soldiers marched to steal American Supplies which led to the first shot of the American Revolution. It is unknown who fired the first shot, but many historians believe it was the British. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was fought to gain freedom from Britain. It was caused by unfair taxation and violent acts of British soldiers. The Treaty of Paris ended the war. This document called Britain to recognize American Independence. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to encourage the colonists to act against the British. It provoked both violent actions and Patriotism. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers drafted this monumental document to declare the official breakaway from Britain. It stated America’s reasons for leaving British control and gave American citizens their rights. The day it was ratified is celebrated as Independence Day. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation attempted to establish America’s government. It called for a limited national government, giving most of the power to the states. However, the system was unbalanced and led to economic crisis and disagreement. -
Constitution
The Constitution was created at the constitutional convention and is the law our government still uses today. This Document declares the supreme laws and government organization of the United States. The major disagreements while drafting this were how states should be represented, who would have the most power, the people’s rights, and if slaves were to be included in the population. -
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments of the Constitution are called the bill of rights. They list the rights of the people. These rights include freedom of speech and religion. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson used the national government to expand west. Napoleon wanted to sell the land in order to fund his war. Jefferson was therefore able to purchase the land for a very small price. The Louisiana Purchase was the beginning of American expansion. -
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark and their “corps of discovery” team set out to explore the west in search of the Northwest Passage. They travelled all the way to the Pacific Ocean and brought back to the east new war tactics and resources that they discovered and learned from the Native Americans. -
War of 1812
The British had been trying to persuade Native Americans to attack the Americans this and British interference with American shipping led to the start of the war. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent. This war proved America has a military strength and gained territory. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise decided where slavery would be allowed in the United States. This was a problem as the country expanded west and new territories were added. The government had to stay balanced between anti-slavery and slavery states. The 36’30’ line was the boundary they set. -
Triangle Trade
When slaves were traded, they were sent from Africa to the Americas and then to New England. The Africans were selling their own into slavery. This was the start and expansion of slave trade in America. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian removal Act was created by Andrew Jackson. The act forced Native Americans west and broke previously made treaties. The effects of displacing these people from their native lands still create tension. -
Mexiccan American War
The annexation of Texas prompted a dispute over the southern boundary of the state and provoked the war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed to end the war giving the US New Mexico, California, and Texas. The United States was able to continue expansion. -
Crisis of 1850
California wanted to be a free state, but adding them as such would upset the balance of power. America had to decide whether or not slavery should expand west. -
Fugitive Slave Law
This law required the return of runaway slaves or free blacks without the right to a trial with a jury or the right to testify. The North opposed this law, but the South considered anything else unconstitutional. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act added these two states to the country, but also determined that each state could choose based on popular sovereignty if slavery would be allowed there. It created new political parties and destroyed others. -
Bleeding Kansas
The North and South fought over making Kansas a free or slave state. This led to stealing and violence. Kansas ended up having 2 legislatures, one for and one against slavery. -
Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott sued for his freedom when he was a slave living in a free state. They ruled that he didn’t have the right to sue and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown wanted to raise money and recruit men for an invasion of the South. He wanted to restore the principles of the Declaration of Independence. He ultimately failed, was captured, put to trial, and hanged. He became a martyr for the cause of freedom. -
Civil War
The Civil War was provoked by disagreement about slavery. The North had more troops and resources, while the South lost all the money of slave labor and the area was destroyed. -
Battle of Fort Sumpter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the first battle in the war. It was a bloodless start to the bloodiest and deadliest war in America. It made many soldiers excited to join and gain the glory and honor of the war. -
Battle of Antiedam
General Lee went to Maryland to launch a surprise attack but McClellan received his battle plans. He attacked Lee and forced him to retreat and the Union won. Le had wanted to drag out the war as long as possible until both sides gave up and slaver could come back in the Union. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Union was beginning to lose hope and even thought about making peace with the South. The battle lasted a long time and had many casualties. It inspired Lincoln and Everett to dedicate a cemetar to honor Union soldiers. They spoke to remind people of the reasons for war, giving the Union hope to preserve itself. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The emancipation proclamation freed all of the slaves in the states but people were skeptical. They were afraid that it would increase the unemployment rate. This concern made France and Great Britain want to join the war. -
10% Plan
This allowed states to make a new constitution after 10% of the population swore allegiance to the Union. It pardoned Confederates who accepted the federal policy on slavery. -
Radical Republican Plan
This plan put the South under military rule, allowed men to vote in the states, garanteed equal rights, ratified the 14th amendment, and barred confederates from voting. -
Wade-Davis Act
The Wade-Davis act was made thinking that Lincoln’s plan was to lenient on the South. This act required people to swear to an oath that they never willingly bore arms on the U.S.. Lincoln let this act die in a pocket veto. -
Lincoln's Assasanation
Lincoln was assassination by John Wilkes Booth, a confederate that wanted the war to go on. He was killed days after the war ended and it cause panic in the North. -
Johnson's Plan
He pardoned southerners who swore allegiance to the Union and after that, he allowed states to hold constitutional conventions as long as they abolish slavery and avoid secession. -
13th Amendment
This made slavery illegal in the United States. Lincoln was afraid that people would see the Emancipation Proclamation as temporary since it was part of the war and it didn’t actually make slavery illegal. -
Freedmen’s Bureau
This was a U.S. federal government agency that helped freed slaves to be able to go to school, have jobs, and get training to become more involved successfully in society. -
14th Amendment
This stated that everyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is to be a citizen and should be treated as such. This reinforced the idea of equality among the people. -
15th Amendment
This allowed all citizens of any race to vote in the states. It was another step closer to gaining equality for everyone. -
Imperialism
America wanted to expand their trade, become more patriotic, and protect American security. We wanted to show our power to the rest of the world through acts like the Spanish American War. -
End of Reconstruction
Reconstruction was mostly a failure, because many African Americans were still treated horribly and like slaves even though they had political success. Sharecropping and black codes limited their ability to succeed in life as equal citizens. -
Big Business
The U.S. during the Gilded Age began monopolies and businesses to gain more power and become bigger. They ended up exploiting workers and nothing much was done to stop it because the government didn’t pay attention to them. -
Panama Canal
France originally tried to create it, but failed miserably. The U.S. decided to create the shortcut between oceans to enhance trade. It was very dangerous because of the disease and hard labor. -
Spanish American War
The war started with the sinking of the Maine, the de Lome letter, and Mckinley’s war message triggering patriotism. Cuba wanted independence but Spain refused to give it to them. So we stepped in to help them and ended the war quickly. It impressed many who saw our immense power. -
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German submarine sank the British passenger ship and killed many people, including some Americans. We were warned to be on the watch and carefully travel across the water. The death toll angered Americans to the point where they had to step in. -
Zimmerman Note
Germany tried to convince Mexico to attack the U.S. and distract us so we wouldn’t join the war. This only angered Americans more and made us want to join to fight back. -
US in WWI
We tried to remain neutral while countries were focused, but we started to favor our allies when Germany angered us. The U.S. came in to save Britain and France very quickly. It showed how America is a world power. -
Scopes Trial
This was also known as the “scopes monkey trial.” Citizens who were involved in the religious movements in the U.S. wanted to ban the teaching of evolution in schools. They believed in the literal truth of the Bible. A “trial” was started against a man who was hired to teach evolution. The trial was laughed at and made fun of. -
End of Harlem Renaissance
During the great migration, 1.5 million African Americans moved north to escape racism and find jobs. African American literature, art, music, dance, and social commentary flourished in Harlem. They celebrated their heritage and history. They began to find their identities.