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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
US History: VHS Summer: LilyLaMarre
This is a timeline that will outline significant events in U.S. history. It will start in 1492 and end in 1877. -
The House of Burgesses Established - First Assembly Meeting
House of BurgessesOn this date, the first assemblly meeting of the House of Burgesses occurred. The House of Burgesses was quite significant because it was the first legislative assembly in the New World. Each year members would have meetings with their local governor to form laws, and decide on appropriate taxation. The House of Burgesses also allowed the colonists to practice democracy - which came in handy when the Declaration of Independence was written! -
Virginia Legalizes Slavery
Growth of SlaveryThe first British colony to legalize slavery was Virginia. This was very significant because shortly after Virginia legalized slavery, all the colonies followed its steps and soon no colony was without slaves. Thousands and thousands of West Africans were forced to work in the New World under harsh and brutal treament. They were brought over on ships under inhumane conditions. Slavery was carried through American history and took some time to be completely abolished. -
America - A Melting Pot 1700 and Present
What is the American?
America is often times referred to as a melting pot. A melting pot is the idea of many different cultures and people from different backgrounds blending to be one. One fifth of the population was African. Of the white population, particularly in Pennysylvania, there were many German and Scot-Irish settlers. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston MassacreThe Boston Massacre was very significant. Tensions were high between the Americans and the British people. A mob of 60 angry colonists gathered at the Customs House in protest to British control. The group became rowdy and threw rocks and snowballs. In confusion, the British opened fire on the crowd. Five men were killed. This was very important because this event gave the colonists insentive to unite against the British to gain their independence. -
Federalists
Federalists Federalists were those in support of the new Constitution, which discussed a loose and de-centralized governemetnt. Interestingly, "federalism" basically means a strong central governement. The federalists had a political plan in order, but a long fight in front of them. They needed to prove to the country that democracy was needed for a strong governement. -
Shayist Rebellion - 1780's
<a href='http://www.ushistory.org/us/15a.asp' >Shay Rebellion The economic crisis of the 1780's left many people in debt. Local sheriffs siezed farms and put farmers in debt in jail. Upset with this treatment, rebellion groups formed against the Republican governement in Boston under the leadership of Daniel Shays. The rebels liberated prisoners and protested. These rebellions shed light on the conflicts and issues of life after the Revolution. -
Republican Motherhood
Republican Motherhood Republican Motherhood is the idea of an educated woman. Women were the primary caretakers of children. If America wanted a well educated society, then the women needed to be educated so they could educate the children. This idea is very significant because it led to huge progress for women's rights. -
A New Capital
A New Capital In 1790 a compromise was made for the nation's new capital to be in Washington D.C. A french engineer Pierre Charles L'enfant designed the city's impressive layout to exemplify the nation's pride and power. This was very significant because not only did it fill the spirits of the Americans with national pride, but showed other nations that America was a powerful rising nation. -
Crowning of King Cotton
Crowning of King Cotton After graduating from Yale University, Eli Whiteney created "the cotton gin", a device which greatly impacted the world. The device moved brushlike teeth through raw cotton. Every 10 hours, a pound of cotton was produced. With little expense, the Cotton Gin developed to produce a thousand pounds of cotton per day. This new success in the cotton industry allowed for many opportunities. -
Manifest Destiny - 1800's
Manifest Destiny Manifest Destiny was the American idea that they were destined to expand westward to create a large American Empire across the continent. This was very significant as it touched on many things for Americans such as money, patriotism, morality, religion, and race. -
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark In order for the Americans to be able to expand west, they had to better their relationship with the Native Americans. Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on a westward expedition to do just that. In this expedition trade routes were opened up and business opportunities came about. America nearly doubled in size and national pride increased. -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise
A sticky debate occured when Missouri petitioned to join the United States as a state in support of slavery. The addition of another slave state would put cause the majority of states to be in support of slavery. Henry Clay came up with a two part solution. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state, if it was balanced by Maine - a new anti-slavery state. Second, all new states north of southern boundary of MO = no slaves -
Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad In the quest to find the light to freedom, the Underground Railroad helped lead the way for many slaves. The railroad opperated in the nighttime and slaves were carefully snuck from one rest stop to another where they could sleep and eat. Most slaves moved north where there was more freedom and the treatment of African Americans was kinder. -
Indian Removal Act - Trail of Tears
Indian Removal
Jackson's vision of America did not include Native Americans, so he demanded their removal from their native land. Many tribes such as the Cherokees resisted Jackson. In 1835 about 20,000 Cherokees were forced at gunpoint to move west along the Trail of Tears. A large portion of them died on the journey and others were left to try to survive on foreign lands. -
Gold Rush in California
Gold Rush in California
James Marchall noticed a shiny spec in the stream at Sutter's Mill and that was all it took. Once the word spread of gold in California, 80,000 people were flooding in from the east with the intent of becoming rich. The Gold Rush contributed to westward expansion as it migrated people from the east to the west. A new culture was born as well call the "Old American West". By the 1850's the life in California stabilized. -
Seneca Falls - Women's Rights
The Declaration of Independence and It's Legacy
The Declaration of Independence influenced many people in different ways and sparked many activists. In 1848 women's rights activists modeled their Declaration of Sentiments after the Declaration of Independene when they wrote " ....that all men and women are created equal". This was very significant because this event aided to the forward movement for women to gain more rights in America. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854 opened new lands opened new lands for settlement. In the early 1850's settlers wanted to move to Nebraska, however they wouldn't because they could not legally hold claim on the land. This had a direct effect on the Missouri Compromise. The purpose was to open new lands for farming. It resulted in a pro/anti slavery vote in Kansas which lead to the Civil War. -
Radical Republican Ideology - 1860's
Radical Reconstruction Radical Republicans had their own ideology. They believed that all blacks were entitled to the same rights as whites. They believed that they should be able to have the same job opportunity and political rights. They also wanted Confederate leaders to be punished for the role they played in the Civil War. Many of them were opposed to Andrew Johnso's policies. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumpter
The first Civil War engagement occurred at Fort Sumter with the fate in the hands of Jefferson Davidson the provisional president of the Confederate States, and Abraham Lincoln the president of the Union. After much tension, under the command of General Pierre Gustave T. Beauregard, the Confederates opened fire at 4:30 a.m on April 12 1861. -
President Impeached - spring 1868
A President Impeached
Impeachment is the trial and removal of any federal official accused of misconduct. In the spring of 1868 for the first time ever, a president was impeached. Andrew Johnson had 11 letters of impeachment against him from the Republican House of Representatives. Insiders knew that the Congress was happy to rid themselves of the uncooperative president.
