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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
US History Timeline: 1492-1877
This is an interactive timeline I have created that summarizes what I have learned in my VHS US History course. These include major events which occured and ideas developed between the discovery of the Americas in 1492 and post Civil War reconstruction in 1877. -
The Stamp Act
In 1765, the Stamp Tax was put into place. This was the first direct tax on colonists which required that every legal document on paper had to be stamped plus newspapers, dice and playing cards. This tax was originally created to pay back the money that was spent on the French and Indian war. The colonists became enraged that they were being taxed without representation and there was much protest in the colonies. Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/9b.asp -
The Quartering Act
Established in 1765, The Quartering Act stated that all colonists had to provide adequate shelter and food for British troops. The colonists were not pleased at all with this act while some of them could not afford to pay for the extra food and others were scared. This act was one of the Intolerable Acts. Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/9b.asp -
The American Identity
The “American Identity” refers to what an American is and what they stand for. The American identity is hard to define because “Americans” are so diverse. The only group that had been in America before colonization occurred were the Native Americans, everyone else came from different places around the world and moved to America to begin a new life. During the revolution, less than 2/3 of the population was English, 1/5 was African and the Scots-Irish and Germans made up the rest. So, the America -
The Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, 60 Bostonians came to the Customs House and harassed the guard there. It got out of hand so the guard called in reinforcements. With that, the crowed got angrier and started throwing snowballs and rocks at the British soldiers. In all the commotion, without orders, the British began firing at the crowd. Five men died and many were injured. This event made the colonists realize that the British would not hesitate to use force. Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/9e.asp -
The Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, Boston colonists boarded Thomas Hutchinson’s three ships which were loaded with tea. They were dressed as Native Americans so that they could not be recognized and dumped 343 chests of tea overboard. The Boston Tea Party was part of the Coercive Acts. After the tea party, the British closed the harbor until the tea owners were paid back for their loss. The only ships that were allowed in the harbor were the ones carrying wood and food. Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/ -
Popular sovereignty
The idea that people are of the highest authority and that they should be trusted with sovereign power. Furthermore, the people in charge of governing the people should carry out the wishes of the people. Source:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/popular+sovereignty Learn more: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/lincolns-political-landscape/ -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document that stated the reasons why the colonies wished to be free from Britain. It was also a list of things that George III did wrong. From this document, Americans hoped to gain support from British enemies (financially and military help). However, the writers of the declaration of independence (ex. Thomas Jefferson) contradicted some of the clauses in this document. Jefferson owned slaves himself but yet, he criticized slavery the most out of all his fe -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were drafted in 1777 by the members of Congress in order to organize how their new government was going to function. However, the Articles of Confederation were only ratified in 1781 by all of the states even though the statements were “modest.” Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/14b.asp -
Federalism
Belief in a strong central government. Federalism gives power to the executive but the states are also entitled to a sufficient amount of power as well. A federalist system typically has a constitution and if there are any changes to the constitution, both the executive and the states have to agree. The supporters of the American Constitution called themselves federalists
Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/16a.asp
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/fed.htm
Learn more:
http://plato.stanford.ed -
The Louisiana Purchase
Under Napoleon, France regained control of the Louisiana territory and threatened to block American access to the New Orleans Port. To stop this, the American government sent diplomats to both France and England trying to establish peace with France. In the end, the American government offered $2-10 million for the Louisiana territory. However, Napoleon wanted $15 million so the American government bought the land and 13 new states were added. Source:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/20c.asp -
Era of Good Feelings
The Era of Good Feelings was an era from 1817 from 1825 where there was only one political party dominating (The Democratic-Republicans of President Monroe) which led to cooperation among politicians. In addition, the national bank created protective tariffs to support American manufacturers and federally funded internal improvements. Sources:
http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Era-of-Good-Feelings.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/us/ -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a compromise passed by Congress to solve the dispute of whether or not Missouri would become a slave state. Missouri petitioned to join the United States as a slave state but the problem was, at the time, in 1819, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states, creating balance in the Senate. Thus, if Missouri became a slave state, the slave states would dominate the Senate. So, the Missouri Compromise was created and stated that Missouri could be a slave state but it -
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was s system of moving slaves from "station to station" at night. It was a very risky thing to do as slave catchers were looking for slaves and huge punishments would be given to anyone involved with helping a slave and an even bigger punishment for helping them escape. There were 3,200 people associated with the underground railroad including Harriet Tubman and Henry Brown. -
Abolitionists
An abolitionist is anyone that is a part of Abolitionism: “a person who wanted to do away with slavery.” William Lloyd Garrison was considered “The voice of abolishing slavery” abolitionists). Garrison founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society in 1832 and in 1833 he met with delegates in attempt to form the American Anti-Slavery Society. He inspired many free slaves in the North to become abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/civil_war/abolitionists.htm -
Transcendentalism
The idea that: “people, men and women equally, have the knowledge about themselves and the world around them that ‘transcends’ or goes beyond what they can hear, see, taste, touch, feel.” People who believed in transcendentalism belonged to the Transcendental Club and met in George Ripley’s home in Boston, Massachusetts. Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/
Learn More: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/transcendentalism/ -
Manifest Destiny
The term “manifest destiny” was coined by John O’Sullivan in 1845 to describe the hunger that the Americans suddenly had for land. It described their belief that “America had a divine obligation to stretch the boundaries of their noble republic to the Pacific Ocean.” (US History, Section 29) Source: www.ushistory.org/us
Learn More: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h337.html -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Whether or not many people know it, the Kansas Nebraska Act was virtually the start of the civil war. It was the “most significant event leading to the Civil War.” (US History, 31a) In 1850, settlers wanted to move into Nebraska but they could not move there until it became a territory. The south was against making Nebraska a territory because it was above the 36°30’ line from the Missouri Compromise which did not allow slavery above that line. However, the northerners had no problem with having -
The Battle of Antietam
On September 15, 1862, 30,000 confederate soldiers had been put into duty at Antietam Creek. The battle began when Union troops attacked “Stonewall” Jackson’s troops in a field at Antietam Creek. The North had 60,000 active soldiers while the South had 30,000. After five hours of fighting, 12,000 soldiers lie either dead or severely wounded. After the entirety of the Battle, 22,000 men were killed. “This day sits in history as one of the bloodiest single day America has ever suffered.” (US Histo -
The Military Reconstruction Acts of 1867
These acts were punishment for the states that would not ratify the fourteenth amendment to the constitution. Under this new act, the Southern states involved in the Confederacy were divided into 5 sections, each one ruled by the army. This military enforcement was put into these southern states so that free African-Americans were able to vote, put into office and
become judges and policemen. Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp -
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
In May 1868 35 Senators voted to impeach Johnson. However, 2/3 majority was needed to impeach a president and they were missing one vote. Seven Republican Senators had declared Johnson not guilty. As a result, Johnson served his last time in office. He was the first president to be impeached and the next president impeached would be 130 years later, Bill Clinton. Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/35c.asp
