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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus discovers America
More info Navigator for the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Columbus mission was to find a new route to India in order to avoid the Muslim control over the Silk rout. With 3 ships: “La Niña”, “La Pinta” and “La Santa María” he arrived at one of the islands of actual Bahamas on October 12th 1492. The discovery of this continent changed the course of Occidental history that began colonizing the “New World”.Fun fact: Columbus died thinking he made it to Asia, and didn’t know he had discovered a new continent. -
Period: Oct 12, 1492 to
Colonial America - 1877
This is my interactive timeline on US History starting from Colonial America and ending in 1877. It will show 15 main events and 5 ideas of the period the timeline concerns. -
The English battle against the “invincible” Spanish Armada
2nd link1st link Spain’s king Philip II engaged in a battle to invade Queen Elizabeth I’s England. The so far “invincible” Armada sailed to the island defended by the so-called Sea dogs. Queen Elizabeth's decisive defeat of the Invincible Armada marked the beginning of the English settlement in the New World. -
The House of Burgesses
More info The House of Burgesses was the 1st legislative assembly of elected representative (of Virginia) in the colonies. It was established at Jamestown, Virginia and held it’s first meeting on July 30th 1619. From 1619 until 1643, the elected burgesses (such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson among others) met in unicameral session with the governor and the royally appointed governor's Council. -
Virginia & the slaves’ law
More info Virginia was the first British colony to legally establish slavery. Marking the legal beginning of a new era in American History. The transformation had begun, but it wouldn't be until the Slave Codes of 1705 that the status of African Americans would be sealed. -
Stamp Act, beginning of rebellions
More info The stamp act was a measure taken by the British parliament to impose direct taxes on their colonies is North America. It required them to pay a tax on printed-papers (newspaper..), to be produced on stamped paper. Taken as an offense by the colons because of the standard it seemed to set, the colonies responded: “No taxation without representation” thru the Stamp act congress in October 1765. It was the first time the colonies came together against England. The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766. -
What is the American?
More info American Identity could be defined as several cultures coming together and living the American dream. Even since its beginnings America played the role of the land of freedom (economic, religious…) which attracted immigrants from the four corners of the world. But as a contradiction of the role it played, part of the melting pot is due to African Americans brought through the slave trade and to Native Americans who’s land was stolen from them time after time. -
Declaration of Independence
More info On July 4th 1776 the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson is approved by the Continental congress. The resolution had been introduced a moth earlier: on June 7th by Richard Henry Lee. The declaration includes a statement of intent; the list of grievances and it finally dissolves ties with Britain. The Declaration’s most important diplomatic effect was to allow for recognition of the United States by friendly foreign governments such as France. -
The Treaty of Paris
More info This treaty marks the end of the Revolutionary War between the US and Great Britain, but most importantly it recognize America as a free and independent country. -
The Virginia Plan
More info Written by James Madison and proposed by Edmund Randolph both Virginia’s delegates at the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Plan proposed would become the Constitution. The idea was to have a strong central government with 3 distinctive branches that would avoid the abuse of power. The people would vote for the lower house of representative that would vote for the upper house: this would constitute the bicameral legislature. Together they would vote for the executive & judiciary power. -
Federalism
More info Federalism is a system of government in which two levels of power control a same territory. Federalist were those who supported the Constitution proposed by Madison. To them it was necessary in order to safeguard the liberty & independence awarded by the American Revolution. -
Washington, 1st president of the USA
More info George Washington is elected as the first president of the USA. He is inaugurated on April 30th in the temporary capital of NYC. He had to administration the first from 1789 to 1792 and the second from 1792 to 1797. In his first administration he proceeded with great caution and named Jefferson secretary of state, Hamilton of the treasury and Knox of war. He managed to enhance the legitimacy of the modest new government. -
Invention of the cotton gin
More info When Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, it is right to assume, he change the course of US history. Cotton became the “King” of growing in the south. This invention increased the exportation of cotton by 10 in two years! But it didn’t come free, slaves became even more necessary to the plantation and a second wave of slave trade began. -
Victory of Democratic-Republicans in 1800
More info The elections of 1800 marked the beginning of the Virginia Dynasty (1801-1825). Jefferson was elected in 1801 and was the first president to inaugurate the new capital of Washington D.C. The Jeffersonian democracy was a remarkably successful political movement. He believed the will of the people was the most appropriate guidance for directing the republic. Therefore he was to reduce national authority. His major flaw was with no doubt the support & embrace he gave to slavery. -
The Louisiana purchase
More info Jefferson’s plan was to use he western expansion in order to access international markets for American farm products. When Napoleon regained control over Louisiana this vision was threatened. The French Emperor needed money to continue the war against the British and offered the American president to sale the land for 15 million dollars (which equaled less that 4 cents per acre). Here Jefferson violated the Constitution which did not allowed the government to purchase new land. -
War of 1812 (-1815)
More info In June 1812 the American congress declared war to the British, it did it with divided votes; the Republic entered a war as a divided Nation. This war is often called “The 2nd war for American Independence” since American fought Indian and their British allies. The 3 years the war lasted is often considered to be the boundary between early Republic & early National periods. This war was a military and political disaster for the US and it almost ended with the independence of the state of NE. -
Missouri Compromise
More info The Missouri Compromise was introduced by one of the 3 Senatorial Giants: Henry Clay. When the admission of Missouri as a slave state to the Union threatened the balance between free states and slave states, the compromise brought a two-part solution. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state to balance the Union. Slavery would be excluded from all new state of the Louisiana Purchase north of southern boundary of Missouri. It was the 1st compromise of many to come. -
Jackson’s election
More info The election of Andrew Jackson as the new president of the USA marked the beginning of a new era known as “Jacksonian Democracy”. He proclaimed himself to be the “Champion of the Common Man”. Although he did order the Indian removal an killed thousands of them, he is known for putting democracy at the top of his concerns and was very popular in both his terms. -
Abolitionism
More info The modern Abolitionist movement in the US emerged in the early 1830s as a by-product of religious revivalism popularly known as the Second Great Awakening; was an effort to end slavery in a nation that believed that “all men are created equal”. William Lloyd Garrison author of The Liberator war considered to be the voice of Abolitionism. This movement gathered white, free blacks and slaves of all ages, and that were willing to take all kind of measures such as “The underground Railroad”... -
Indian Removal Act
More info The Indian Removal Act was a law passed by the congress during Jackson presidency to authorize the president to negotiate with Indian of the South/West for their removal. Although it is quite hard to call the measures taken by the “Common man” a “negotiation”. The policy implied removing Indian tribes from their ancestral lands and make room for settlers. The march westward was called the “Trail of tears” and ended with thousands of lives. -
Nat Turner’s rebellion
More info Nat Turner was a slave who claimed to have had visions and spoken to god. These visions led him to organize a group of 70 other slaves that went from plantation to plantation killing over 75 white people. He had actually succeeded in killing white southerners, which increased fear among slave-owners whom took measures to make slave codes even stricter. This is not the only rebellion that happened but it was for sure one of the most significant. -
Manifest Destiny
More info Manifest Destiny was a term used by John O’Sullivan to describe the American mindset of the 1840’s. Pioneers believed it was America’s divine obligation to expand form coast to coast. This belief came along with the faith in American cultural and racial superiority. Although it wasn’t free: Native Americans were removed from their lands, infrastructure was needed and even war happened; the expansion west gave America great benefice both cultural and economical. -
“American blood on American soil” the Mexican-American war
More info (& interactive map!) After annexing the state of Texas the previous year the USA engaged in a territory war with his newborn neighbor Mexico. Stronger in every aspect possible the American managed to take over California, New Mexico and the disputed territory of Texas for only half of the initial proposal: 15 million USD. Treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalgo officially concluded the war on February 2nd 1848. -
Declaration of Sentiments
More info In 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott held a conference at Seneca Falls to address their concerns about Women’s rights. It’s there where the Declaration of Sentiments was born, strongly inspired by Jefferson’s declaration of independence, quoting “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and WOMEN are created equal” -
Republicanism
More info After the Kansas Nebraska Act passed the Wing party spited. Northern Wings along others non-slavery interest became the Republican Party (the party of Abraham Lincoln). It stresses liberty and "unalienable" rights as central values. -
Formation of the Confederate States of America (CSA)
More info After Lincoln’s election South Carolina seceded from the Union calling a convention; within 3 months six states joined South Carolina and together they formed a government called the CSA. This act set the lines for the Civil War. America had been divided, states had chosen their side: it was all a matter of time before guns were fired. -
CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)
More info The American Civil War was by far the bloodiest event of America’s history. The tragedy opposed north and south: the Union versus the Confederacy. It seemed to have started because of the slavery situation on both parties, but it was much more than that, slavery faded in the background, it was almost 4o years of cumulated rancor that was being unleashed. Some fought because of honor. The most important figure of the war was A. Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st 1863 -
The Reconstruction Amendments
More info The Reconstruction Amendments are the 13, 14 and 15 amendments of the US constitution adopted between 1865 and 1870. The 13th amendment prohibited slavery in all territories. The 14th prohibited stated from depriving male citizens of equal protection under law, regardless of race. The 15: gave the right to vote to all males. This ratification became a requirement for southern states to be readmitted to the union. -
Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
More info The reconstruction Era was the Transformation of the US history mostly in the south at the end of the Civil War. Its purpose was to rebuild the society and economy of the country. The Radical Republicans, mainly, led the Reconstruction. The idea was to apply reconstruction to every aspect: military, presidential, social… Giving rights to freedmen and establish new condition in the south for its readmission to the union. Reconstruction ended with the Compromise of 1877. -
Impeachment of President Johnson
More info On February 24th 1868 A. Johnson became the first president to be impeached. He had reached his status after the assassination of Lincoln, but even if he was with the Union his roots were in the south. The often opposed to the bills proposed by the Radical Republicans who aimed to guarantee rights for freedmen. His position towards white man supremacy led congress to charge him with violation of the Tenure of Office Act. -
Compromise of 1877
More info As soon as the results of the 1876 elections were announced the Republicans started contesting them. Since the Constitution was no equipped to solve the problem on January 1877 an Electoral commission bill was passed. A committee was to determine the victory. The Compromise established Hayes as the winner of the election after a negotiation with the southern democrats for the troops to be removed from Florida Louisiana & South Carolina.
