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Period: 1492 to
Timespan
United States history from 1492-1877. This timeline encompasses the colonists first arrival in the New World through the creation and sustainment of the United States of America. -
The Colonists' Arrival in Jamestown
In 1607, a group of English colonists arrived in Jamestown, VA. They came in search of economic opportunity, and to promote religious tolerance. Despite many setbacks, colonists managed to adapt to their new environment and harbor the first permanent colony in the New World.
https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm -
Signing of the Mayflower Compact
In 1620, the colonists signed the mayflower compact. The Mayflower Compact was the first document in which the English settlers established their self-government in the New World. The compact allowed for the pilgrims to create a new society which stressed law made by the people. The compact was the first formal federal document created in what is now the United States.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/mayflower-compact -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred when colonists grew angry with the Townshend act of 1767 which imposed taxes on the colonists by British Parliament. Mobs gathered outside the Customs House and rioted. When British reinforcements came, the mobs began to hurl snowballs and rocks at the guards. The British soldiers then began to fire without command from their captain, resulting in 5 deaths.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place in 1776 when the colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor while disguised as Native Americans. This political protest took place to oppose taxation on their people without representation in the British Government.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Boston-Tea-Party -
The Economic Crisis of the 1780s
The Economic Crisis of the 1780s occurred when the revolutionary war disrupted the American economy. The British navy was destroying American ships which negatively impacted trade and therefore the economy. On land, armies stole food from local farms causing farmers to suffer.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/14d.asp -
Federalism
Federalists believed in laser state governments, and a stronger central government. They also believed in indirect elections and and representative democracy.
https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1184/federalists -
Anti-Federalism
Anti-federalists were against the ratification of the constitution. They believed that a strong central government resembled tyrannical Britain which was a threat to sovereignty.
https://www.ncpedia.org/anti-federalists -
Nationalism
Nationalism promotes the belief of that nation. It is based on an individual's sovereignty and loyalty for their nation.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/nationalism -
The Election of 1800
Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and John Adams all ran in the election of 1800. Burr and Jefferson tied leaving the vote to the House of Representatives which elected Jefferson president and Burr vice. This election was important because it was responsible for the 12th amendment which outlined electoral procedures and changed the process of the Electoral College.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/20a.asp -
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, the United States (led by Jefferson) purchased the territory of Louisiana from Napoleon of France. This caused Napoleon to completely give up on building an empire in North America. The Louisiana Purchase also gave the United States an opportunity to gain control of the Mississippi Trade Route which helped strengthen the economy.
https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/louisiana-lewis-clark/the-louisiana-purchase/ -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state, while simultaneously admitting Maine as a free state. Congress passed this legislation as to maintain a balance in congress between free and slave states.
https://www.history.com/topics/abolitionist-movement/missouri-compromise -
The Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears started in 1831 and remained until 1850. During this time, Native Americans were forcefully relocated from their homes to make way for White colonists wishing to use their land for cotton. These Native Americans were forced to walk hundreds of miles on foot to reach their government-appointed territories. This journey was given the name "The Trail of Tears" because many Native Americans died during it.
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears -
Abolitionism
Abolitionists believed in ending slavery. They saw it as a disgrace to the nation and did everything in their power to eradicate it including running for office and putting out petitions.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=what+did+abolitionists+believe&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 -
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American war was fought during the Westward Expansion for Mexico's territory in North America. The United States won numerous battles during the war. Due to their unpreparedness to fight a war, Mexico lost a substantial amount of land. These lands include present day California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. The US ended up paying Mexico a settlement of $15 million.
https://www.history.com/topics/mexican-american-war/mexican-american-war -
The Compromise of 1850
Congress enacted 5 bills after the Mexican-American War regarding the new territories. 1. California was given to the Union as a free state. 2. New Mexico and Utah were established without the mention of slaves. 3. New Mexico receiving a portion of Texas for a $10 mil settlement. 4. The Fugitive Slave Act (allowed for people to capture runaway slaves to return them to their owners) 5. Buying and selling of slaves became illegal in the District of Columbia.
https://guides.loc.gov/compromise-1850 -
Publishing of Uncle Tom's Cabin
In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the anti-slavery novel of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Intended for a White audience, the novel highlighted slavery as a problem as it went against human dignity. Stowe highlighted the fact that slavery was against the morality of Catholics which appealed to religious readers and helped them to see her point more clearly.
https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/harriet-beecher-stowe/uncle-toms-cabin/ -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a huge contributor to the start of the Civil War. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty in each territory. This left the decision of whether the territory was pro or anti slaves to the people living in each territory. This act led to even more tension between pro and anti-slavery activists which grew violent, eventually leading to the civil war.
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/kansas-nebraska-act -
Civil War
The Civil War was fought from 1861-1865 between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South) over the issue of slavery. The South believed that it was their right to own slaves, where as the North agreed that it was unconstitutional. The war started when the Confederacy attacked the Union at Fort Sumter, and ended when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.
https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Civil-War -
American Identity
The American Identity is a collection of center beliefs that make up the values of our nation. While there isn't one single "American Identity", the identity itself may be that our nation is a boiling pot of different races, cultures, and backgrounds, which is what forms our nation.
https://www.colorado.edu/center/benson/western-civilization/summer-institute/summer-institute-essays/one-american-identity-two-distinct -
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 marked the end of the Reconstruction era. It was an agreement to settle the outcome of the 1877 election.
https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/compromise-of-1877