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1492
Colonialism
Colonialism describes a nation's control or governing influence over a dependent territory/people. It can also be defined as an idea or custom that is specific to a colony. https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america -
Period: 1492 to
US History
This timeline represents select events and concepts from the discovery of the New World to the Civil War. These ideas and events shaped America as we know it today. -
The Founding of Jamestown Colony
Jamestown Colony, the first permanent British colony in the New World, was founded on May 14, 1607. Though the colony struggled with famine, illness, and conflict with the Native population, it managed to prosper by exporting mass amounts of tobacco. The success of Jamestown allowed for many aspects of current American culture (government, customs, religion, language, etc.) to flourish.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america -
Nationalism
Nationalism is defined as a deep devotion to the interests and culture of one’s nation. American nationalism became a more prominent idea to American colonists in the 1770s, especially the Sons of Liberty in Boston.
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/9028 -
The American Identity
The American Identity is what America and its ideals mean to its people. It is different for everyone, but it has two foundational principles; the idea that the nation is a melting pot built on many different cultures, and the belief that Americans should be committed to human equality.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/7f.asp -
The Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, an angry group of colonists who called themselves Patriots assembled at the Boston Customs House to protest the British troops occupying the city. After some taunting and throwing of snow, the Soldiers opened fire and killed five men. These murdered men are considered by some to be the first casualties of the Revolutionary War, and the event helped to stir up dissent amongst the American colonists.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-boston-massacre -
The Approval of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson with the help of a few other men such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, was a legal document detailing why the thirteen colonies made the decision to separate from the British Empire. Within it is a list of grievances against King George lll, as well as a pledge that America would be committed to human equality. The final draft of the document was approved by congress on July 4, 1776.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/13a.asp -
Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which there are two levels of government controlling the same territory. American Federalists called for a strong centralized government and ardently supported the Constitution.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federalist-Party -
Shays' Rebellion
The economic crisis of the 1780s was a difficult time for rural farmers who suffered from crushing debt. Unlike other state legislatures, Massachusetts did not forgive debt and lots of farmland was seized while those who couldn't pay were imprisoned. This sparked the first large scale armed rebellion carried out by American citizens since the Revolutionary War. It was led by Daniel Shays, a former Continental Army captain, hence the name of the rebellion.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/15a.asp -
The Invention of the Cotton Gin
While staying at a plantation in Savannah Georgia, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. His new new invention combed the seeds out of raw cotton in record time. The cotton gin produced a thousand pounds of cotton in a day for little expense. Before the cotton gin, it was believed that slavery would die out, but this new invention made slavery more profitable for Southern plantation owners. The cotton gin was responsible for reviving slavery in America.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/27a.asp -
The Election of 1800
The election of 1800 pitted John Adams and Thomas Jefferson against each other in an intense campaign. Adams, a Federalist, and Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, had very different views and agendas. Each believed that if the other were elected, the nation would fail. Supporters from both sides ruthlessly bashed the candidates. In the end, Thomas Jefferson emerged victorious and was inaugurated in January 1801.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/20a.asp -
The Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson was very keen on western expansion, but his plans were threatened when France gained control of Louisiana and blocked off New Orleans. Napoleon Bonaparte, French leader at the time, offered the full Louisiana territory (which was massive at the time) for 15 million dollars, which he intended to use to fund his war with Britain. The deal was struck, and the Louisiana Purchase became a historical transaction.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/20c.asp -
The Election of 1828
The Election of 1828 pitted Andrew Jackson against John Quincy Adams. Jackson had lost to Adams before in 1824 based on a technicality, but he emerged victorious the second time around. Andrew Jackson was the first President who was from humble beginnings and did not come from Virginia or Massachusetts.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/24a.asp -
The Trail of Tears
During his presidency, Andrew Jackson pushed for the re-location of Native Tribes in order to make room for settlers. Though the Cherokee people fought back, the conflict eventually caused some of them to resign and sign the Treaty of New Echota which gave them payment in exchange for their removal. Others who did not give up the fight were escorted westward at gunpoint on the Trail of Tears. Nearly a quarter of the 20,000 Natives who traveled the trail died.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny became a prevalent idea in America in 1845. It was the mindset that Americans had a duty and divine destiny to expand their empire westward. At the heart of this idea was American nationalism and belief of racial superiority. White Americans thought that they should "civilize" the natives and absorb their domain to promote American culture.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/29.asp -
The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War began in May of 1846. Mexican leader Santa Anna was angered when Texas became a part of the United States, because it meant he would not be able to take back the territory he once possessed. Border disputes escalated tension until violence broke out. The United States emerged victorious from the war in 1848 and gained the disputed territory in Texas along with New Mexico and California.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/29d.asp -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam Creek is the bloodiest the United States has ever seen. More than 22,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or lost. As many casualties as the entire Revolutionary War were suffered in this one battle. Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis hoped that victory would inspire European nations to aid the South, but their hopes were crushed when the Union army defeated them. This battle changed the course of the Civil War.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/33e.asp -
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
While attending a British comedy play at Ford's Theater, Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head by white supremacist John Wilkes Booth. After two failed attempts at kidnapping the President, Booth and a few of his comrades hatched a plan to assassinate the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State in the same night. The attacks on the other two men failed, but Abraham Lincoln was successfully killed. Booth was eventually captured and shot.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/34f.asp -
The Adoption of the 13th Amendment
This amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Though this was a step in the right direction, the African American population still had a long way to go before social equality was achieved.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/ -
The Impeachment of President Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the first president to ever be impeached. Eleven articles of Impeachment were brought against him, nine of them in relation to him violating the Tenure of Office Act. His defense was that these violations were not clear. He was saved from removal by one vote and was able to serve out the rest of his time as president.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/35c.asp -
The First African-American Governor
Reconstruction after the Civil War gave newly emancipated African-American slaves many opportunities. They could own their own land, vote, and hold political office (among other freedoms). In December of 1872, P.B.S Pinchback became the first Black Governor. This was a very important step towards racial equality in America.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/35d.asp
