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1500
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Enslaved Africans migrated to the Americas on ships to produce crops like sugar, coffee beans, and tobacco on plantations. They were treated as dehumanized property and were often sold several times on the harrowing journey to the coast, sometimes branded, and held in squalid slave dungeons while awaiting transportation to the New World.
U.S. History -
Jamestown
It was the first permanent British colonial settlement in North America financed by a joint-stock company. During their first two years, almost half of the settlers died due to famine and disease. In 1612 they started to cultivate tobacco and had a huge influx of investment. Since tobacco cultivation is labor-intensive, mainly indentured servants planted tobacco.
History -
Slave Revolts
Enslaved people organized revolts to regain their freedom. They ran away using the Underground Railroad to Canada and the Northern states. Fled to indigenous tribes and joined them in wars against the white settlers. Some poisoned their masters and mistresses or banded together and stopped working or slowed down their pace.
Lib Com -
The Enlightenment
Was an intellectual movement that promoted the idea that human political and social arrangements could be engineered, and improved, by human action. It spread ideas of freedom of speech, equality, and popular sovereignty. It was the basis of independence that facilitated all of the Atlantic Revolutions, including the American Revolution.
[IEP](https://iep.utm.edu/american-enlightenment-thought/0 -
American Revolution
Rebellion against the British to gain independence from Europe due to their sudden imposition of taxes and tariffs on the colonists. It inspired the French Revolution and accelerated democratic tendencies which led to the U.S. to become the most democratic country through many reforms to the earlier policies of equality and freedom.
[History](https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history -
American Identity
The formation of the American Identity was most notable during the 19th century.
It stresses equality, liberty, hard work, and independence. Ideas about national identity increasingly found expression in works of art, literature, and architecture, and new forms of national culture developed in the U.S. with regional variations. These expressions were influenced mainly by European art styles and the Enlightenment. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document containing philosophical principles and a list of grievances that declared separation from Britain. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress and ended a period of intense debate with moderates still hoping to reconcile with Britain.
BA -
Federalism
Federalism is the sharing of power between the national government and the state government. During the writing of the Constitution, there were two sides, the Federalists. They supported a strong central government and the ratification of the Constitution. In contrast, the Republicans supported a federal government subordinate to the state government and opposed the ratification of the Constitution.
DS -
Ratification of the Constitution
The Constitution became the primary system of government when New Hampshire was the ninth state out of thirteen to ratify the Constitution.
Concord Monitor -
Nationalism
Nationalism is the focusing of a citizen’s loyalty on the notion that they are a part of a “nation” with a unique culture, territory, and common experience. It became a prominent element in 19th century Europe and the Americas, and it fueled rivalries among the European states in the Americas and Britain.
The Street -
The Election of 1800
In 1800, Vice President Thomas Jefferson ran against President John Adams. Jefferson represented the Democratic-Republicans and John Adams represented the Federalists. The Republicans supported a federal government subordinate to the state government while the Federalists supported a strong central government. The vote was split, and went to the House of Representatives, Thomas Jefferson.
AL -
Election of 1828
In 1824, Jackson was nominated to run for president but lost to John Adams. In 1824, about one-quarter of the electorate had voted, and in 1828, more than one-half went to the polls. Fifty-six percent voted for the Tennessee senate. Jackson’s popularity because he advocated for the common man, and his sharp temper frightened men of wealth, and he won the Election of 1828.
[Britanicca]((https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1828) -
Trail of Tears
President Martin Van Buren ordered General Winfield Scott to enforce the Treaty of New Echota. He rounded up 14,000 Cherokees and marched them 1,200mi. Along the way, 3,000 Indigenous people died of starvation and exposure. In Oklahoma, Cherokees excluded anyone of “negro or mulatto parentage” from governmental office, affirming that full citizenship in their nation was racially defined.PW -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest destiny is the notion that Americans have a God-given right to have a nation that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It facilitated westward expansion in America by accessing mineral and natural resources such as gold and silver. Economic and homestead opportunities because the land was very cheap to buy. It also led settlers to believe they needed to Christianize indigenous people and send them to reservations.
B -
California Gold Rush
After gold was found in California, thousands of people migrated to California to claim spots around the river in hopes that they would strike gold by using pans to extract gold from silt deposits. A small number of people who panned for gold became rich, and the competition during the Gold Rush intensified racism and xenophobia.
History -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act stated that enslaved people should be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state. The act also made the federal government responsible for finding, returning, and trying escaped enslaved people. If a person aided runaway slaves by providing food or shelter were subject to six months imprisonment and $1,000 fines.
Britanica -
Election of 1860
Democrats either nominated Douglas who sought slavery by popular sovereignty, or Breckinridge, who wanted slavery in new territories protected by federal code. Republicans nominated Lincoln, who sought to stop slavery from expanding into new territories. Lincoln won 40% of the popular vote and won the election without an electoral vote from the Southern states.
B -
Battle of Gettysburg
From July 1st to 3rd, General Robert E. Lee marched his army of Virginia into Gettysburg, Virginia. On July 4th, General E. Lee had to withdraw his army, and the Union won the battle. This was a major turning point during the American Civil War because it was the Confederate’s first major loss and convinced Europe to ally with the Union. During the three day battle, both armies suffered around 46,000 to 50,000 casualties.
KNG -
Reconstruction Era
Focused on bringing the southern states back into full political participation in the Union, guaranteeing rights to former slaves and defining new relationships between black and white people.
NS -
Memphis Riots
Occurred for three days where white violence and rape left forty-eight African Americans dead and dozens more wounded. Mobs burned black homes and churches and destroyed the city’s black schools. This violence led to Congress passing a Civil Rights Bill and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that stated that anyone born in the U.S. was a U.S. citizen and equally protected by state law.
BP