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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
1492-1877
This timespan ranges from the times of early colonization of North America in 1492, through American Independence, until the end of the Civil War in 1877. -
Britain's first colony: Roanoke
Roanoke Colony description
Once Sir Walter Raleigh organized for John White and others to return to Roanoke to live in harmony with the Indians in 1587. However, the Indians were not so forgiving and John White went back to Britain for Raleigh's help. However, once he returned in 1590, after the war with Spain, no one was to be found. Only the remains of the village and "CROATOAN" engraved on a tree were left. -
Southern Code
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Jamestown Colony
Jamestown Colony description
Sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, the voyagers’ single goal was to find gold. This unattainable goal led to starvation due to no one farming. Luckily, John Smith took control with strict discipline and rules. The colony ultimately ended as a failed business venture and the Virginia Company went bankrupt in 1624. -
The First 'Melting Pot'
PA: Melting Pot
Many different cultures immigrated to Pennsylvania, generally for religious relief. Quakers fled prosecution from England. Germans searched for religious freedom and born out of confusion are the Pennsylvania-Deutsch. -
The Tea Act, 1773
The role of the Tea Act
This is a tax on tea imported to the thirteen colonies, which would lower the price of tea, and the tax would be maintained. However, the colonists saw through Lord North’s plan and began boycotting the tea. Soon, more radical actions were taken, a burned down ship in Annapolis and the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dressed as Indians dumped 342 chests of tea into the sea. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence desciption
This is a document drafted initially by Thomas Jefferson and later on edited by Congress to produce a final version. It stated that the thirteen American colonies considered themselves as independent states and no longer apart of the British Empire. -
Our first President: George Washington
George Washington
George Washington took his oath as our first president April 30th 1789 in New York. He was unanimously elected.
Washngton took his first term as president from 1789-1792, but he only served two.
He died at his home on Mount Vernon at the age of 67. -
The Bill of Rights (The beginning of the Constitution)
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights makes up the first 10 Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. It was ratified December 15th 1791. It lists some the most important rights a US citizen has. -
King Cotton
Cotton Is King
The invention of the Cotton Gin by Eli Whitney boosted the southern economy. The gin removed the rough seeds from the raw cotton, which saved time and effort. This invention pushed back the possibility of freeing slaves sooner because they now could work in the fields to produce cotton. -
Lewis & Clark
L & C
Jefferson sent Lewis & Clark to travel Northwest along the Missouri River. This journey began with unknown results in the occurrence of new importance of undiscovered territory to US Citizens. Lewis & Clarks’ famous expedition started May of 1804. Sacajawea, a Mandan, served as a guide to the travellers’ starting mid-October of 1804. They reach the Pacific Ocean by winter of 1805. They were the first U.S. citizens to succeed in a trans-continental cro -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812
A second battle against British and allied Native Americans against the American settlers. It is also known as the Second War for American Independence. The war lasted for three years. Post-war developments moved into the direction of a self-governed American society. During this war, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” which later became the official National Anthem of the United States. -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri CompromiseThe Missouri Compromise started because Missouri wished to declare itself as a slave state. However, the congress did not wish want to grant them because there would be an unbalance between slave and free states. Henry Clay helped by presenting a two-part solution, the Missouri Compromise. First, Missouri would be admitted as a slave state to Maine, a free state, and slavery would be excluded from any new states brought from the Louisiana Purchase. This soon was replaced by the Kansas-Nebraska A -
Indian Removal Act / The Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
The Indian Removal Act legally removed Indians from their land. It started with the Cherokee from Georgia and continued on into to Florida and etc. The Cherokee fought the act legally. The Supreme Court sided with the Cherokee; however, Jackson refused to accept it and forced them from and farming land aswell. In 1835, the Treaty of New Echota was signed and it gave them land in Oklahoma called Indian Territory where the tra -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was phrased used during westward expansion of the America. For many, it justified their actions through the belief that it was their God-given right to expand. They also believed if they converted the Natives they could save their heathen souls. Others used the expansion for the profit they would receive for the new land and settlers. -
California Gold Rush
CA Gold Rush
James Marshall first discovered gold nuggets in the American River in Coloma, CA in January of 1848. His discovery led to others finding gold all throughout California. This also peaked over half a million migrants to move to CA in search of gold and by 1852, there was an annual income of $81 million. The gold rush ended in 1864. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin and was published in 1852. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is an anti-slavery novel that became the best-selling novel of the 19th century. It is known for boosting and inspiring many people towards the abolitionist movement. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was where The Civil War began. The morning of April 12, Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter and the Union surrendered three and a half days later. Not one man had been killed making this a bloodless battle starting the bloodiest war in America. -
Emancipation Proclamation in 1863
Emancipation Proclamation Document
The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 stated that all slaves living in the “rebellious states” (Confederate) are now free. Abraham Lincoln issued this January 1st 1863. However, this only applied to states, which have seceded from the Union and it also depended on the victory of union military. In addition, this proclamation did not end slavery but it did inspire many -
Radical Reconstruction
Radical Reconstruction
Radical Reconstruction is the initiation taken by the Radical Republicans from their belief that blacks disserved the same political rights and opportunities as whites. Also, it is from their belief that Confederate leaders should be punished because of their position in the Civil War. They approved and overturned Johnson’s veto in the Civil Rights Bill and also had -
The First Impeachment
1st Impeachment
The Radicals from the House of Representatives impeached Andrew Johnson in 1688 on “high grounds and misdemeanors”. Johnson was also the first president to ever be impeached. 11 articles of impeachment were drafted and approved. The trial in the Senate required 2/3 to agree for his removal as President; however, this did not happen. They were shy one vote for his removal.
