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1492
The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange is described as a mass transfer of different resources from various parts of the world. As Columbus traveled to the New World, he brought a lot of uncommon things that the Indians didn't have. This exchange sparked the beginning of an immense exchange across the Continents. Even though the Spanish didn't enjoy the New World because of the difficulties, the voyage had a drastic effect on others. -
1517
The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther was a German Monk who questioned the accountability of the Roman Church. He was the author of the book, Ninety-Five Theses, which stated that he did not support the contemporary practices of the Roman Catholic Church. As Luther became more well known, the Protestant religion was on the rise, and nation-states were given the choice of which religion they chose to follow. Patterns would gradually develop and affect further settlements in the New World. -
Sep 8, 1565
St. Augustine, Florida
Juan Ponce de Leon was the first to explore Florida in 1513 in search of the Fountain of Youth. Over fifty years later, Menedez de Aviles founded the oldest European city in the United States called St. Augustine. King Phillip the second wanted to secure possession of this new found territory, so he ordered every inhabitant that wasn't apart of their voyage to be executed. -
1st Permanent Settlement-Jamestown
A hundred and five men were sent by the London Company to construct a new colony in the New World. Their journey was not quite a success. The men faced starvation, dehydration, disagreements, and diseases. They failed to establish peace with the Powhatan tribe which were the natives. The new land did not have drinkable water, and no one wanted to take control and lead the expedition until John Smith agreed to. As a result of the disorganization, many men lost their lives. -
Slavery in Jamestown, Virginia
As tobacco was becoming more widespread, workers were needed to tend the fields in the South. To solve this dilemma, slaves were brought into Jamestown. The main job of the South slaves was to work in the fields, and the slaves in the North did house work. This concept quickly spread across the New World. -
King Phillip's War
The Plymouth colony was known for keeping peace with the local Indian tribes such as the Wampanoag until members of their tribe were executed for the murder of a Native American. King Phillip immediately called for war which resulted in a large number of colonists being killed. The colonist got revenge by attacking a variety of Indian villages. This war had an extravagant effect on the New England colonists. -
The Glorious Revolution
The fear of Catholics led to the discharge of James the second as the King of England. The citizens demanded more rights, and as a solution, William and Mary co-ruled with no heirs to the throne. People who supported the Catholic religion endured challenges with holding office in Maryland. As a product of King Jame's removal, legislative powers could be withdrawn of power if they were not trusted. -
Growing Cities
Following the year 1700, cities around the USA blossomed and experienced rapid growth rates. Cities such as Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and Charleston all were home to deep harbors that were magnets for trade and income. The British West Indies took interest in their well organized trade centers. These areas were home to many different culture centers, and the dominant trade source was the British. The harbors in the cities were safe because they had access to small pox vaccinations. -
Stono Rebellion
The slave trade was in progress at this time, and the voyage on ships from Africa to New England was horrific. Slaves were packed up in the ships like sardines, and many that boarded the ships didn't make it off alive. As the demand for slaves was rising, an illiterate African man took a stand and began to rebel by resistance and escaping. The slaves rebellion frightened the slave owners, and they tightened their ownership laws. They couldn't risk the slaves pursuing a successful outrage. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac made an attempt to capture a British Fort but failed. Following the French and Indian War, Pontiac was still trying to gain possession of the British land, so the British called for war. Pontiac's main goal was to eliminate all the whites, and the British were determined to eliminate all the Indians. After a series of feuding, the British called for peace and Pontiac signed a peace treaty. -
The Boston Tea Party
As taxes were becoming common, people decided to rebel against the new tax laws. A tax law was placed on tea and the colonists were completely outraged. In order to show their aggression, the colonists disguised themselves as Indians and threw gallons of tea over board at the Boston port. The British closed the port as a result of their actions. They also established the Intolerable Acts in response to the Tea riots. -
Declaration of Independence
The New World was on its way to independence, and to top it all off, the government formed the Declaration of Independence as a goodbye letter to King George. In the summer of 1776, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston composed the document. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft, and on July 2nd of the same year, the document was voted and approved. The Declaration of Independence was officially signed on August 2, 1776 -
The Crisis of the 1780s
The Articles of Confederation was an argument that the thirteen states signed as a Constitution for themselves. During the crisis of 1780, the Articles failed. There was no means to tax, and it officially ended in 1787. Following the articles fail, the Annapolis Convention assembled a team to try to glue the nation back together. -
Shay's Rebellion
Following the many wars, the soldiers and residents in Massachusetts endured challenging economic struggles. They desired guidance from the legislature officials, but they denied. After they didn't get the assistance they desired, the former soldiers and residents teamed up and shut down the courts to cease the forecloses. -
Ratifying the Constitution
The Constitution was signed and delivered to be ratified by the states. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalists paper to back up the ratification. The Anti-Federalists didn't support the Constitution because they thought it would take power away from the states. The states also didn't support it because it didn't contain the Bill of Rights. -
The First President
As the United States was coming together, they decide to inaugurate a president and adopt the Bill of Rights. By an unanimous election George Washington was selected and refereed to as Mr. President. John Adams was the first vice president. The Cabinet members they selected was Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph. George Washington was a great selection because he led many successful armies. -
Erasing a Series of Debt
Following the Revolutionary War, the country was left in a pool of debt. Alexander Hamilton decided that the Federal Government should fix the problem by enforcing taxes. They moved the capital from New York to the Maryland/Virginia border. Hamilton pursued the idea of getting a national bank that would take control of the economy and provide loans. Thomas Jefferson was not a supporter of this decision and greatly opposed it. -
New Political Parties
Alexander Hamilton was a federalists and Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic Republican. After George Washington's run, both men decided to run. Hamilton was focused on a stable central government that promotes manufacturing and industry, and a government that reflects the British. Jefferson leaned more to the states having more control, farming, alliance with the French, and the support of slavery. -
Religious Freedom
The government was not sure that they should be involved in the subject of religion. A few states still had state assigned religions, but most allowed the citizens to have a free choice. After some of the states decided to change their regulations, a second great awakening happened. Everyone began to attend churches and travel to spread their religions. -
Lewis and Clark
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were explorers. They journeyed along the pacific coast in search of new land because the United States was getting crowded. Sacajawea was a Shoshone who guided them on their journey. She helped them find more land that the US would eventually end up purchasing. -
The Expansion of America
Daniel Boone sparked a movement by migrating to the new land. Following his actions, other civilians began to move to the frontier. The Indians in Florida had a problem with goods being shipped out of their port, so Andrew Jackson called for war. We were successful in the war as many Seminole Indians were murdered a long with Europeans. -
The Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented a device that would dramatically change the country. His invention improved cotton production in the South and textile production in the North. The only down side to this invention was that slavery became more common, and picking cotton was not an easy job. Slaves were being forced to migrate to pick the crop and were not treated with respect. -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri was trying to be admitted as a state, but the North and South had controversy over whether they would be a free state or not. This decision led to the beginning of the abolitionists, and it would alter the balance of power in the Senate to the South. The resolution was Missouri would stand as a slave state, but Maine would rise as a free state -
The American System
Henry Clay came up with the concept of an American system that would consists of protective tariffs and a national bank. The bank would provide funding for roads, canals, and education improvements. He hoped that his system would provide economic stability and make him more attractive in the coming up election. -
Kitchen Cabinet
The spoils system was created to allow political supporters the opportunity to have government jobs and support the president. Andrew Jackson was the first to come up with this idea and it helped him stay on track. -
Manifest Destiny
A newspaper editor named John O'Sullivan gave this era in time the term Manifest Destiny. Their current mission was to explore the remaining undiscovered land and expand the country. They also wanted to spread the Protestant religion to different areas of the country that may have not heard it yet. God was fully present during this mission. They truly felt blessed. -
Prison Transformations
The prisons system during this time were not the best. The amount of sympathy for criminals was very low. The prisons were a very harsh place to be thrown into. As time went on the government tried to make the prisons a more pleasant place. They did so by including dining areas, workshops, and religious centers. A woman named Dorothea Dix even attempted to make the government considered who they put in prison and why. -
Immigration to the USA
As America was rapidly developing, immigration from various places such as Ireland, Germany, and China was becoming normal. Many people migrated in hopes of job opportunities to support their families, and in search of more successful farming land. America also had a healthy birthrate and that influenced many of the twenty-three million people who migrated. -
Underground Railroads
Slavery was becoming more widespread in the South, and abolition was growing in the North. The Southerners attempted to make slavery seem as if it was beneficial for the slaves. They changed the way slaves were being treated and made their living quarters more livable. The slaves then adapted passive and aggressive resistance. Harriet Tubman came along and started the underground railroad system and was fully supported by white abolitionists. -
The introduction of Education
During Andrew Jackson's presidential run, the school systems made some improvements. They opened colleges for women so they could gain knowledge and become teachers. States around the country began to have regulations for schooling. Even through all of this positive action, people still opposed to what was going on. -
Annexing Texas
The United States had just captured the Mexican general which led to Texas independence. They wanted to add Texas as a state, but they feared war from the Mexicans. If they added Texas, they would also be adding another slave state which would probably spark some wars as well. To prevent all conflict, the US decided to let Texas be independent for a nine year span. -
Seneca Fall's Convention
Women were viewed as minorities back then and were not given many responsibilities. This Convention was organized so that women could gain the respect they deserved. They met at a chapel in New York and began by reciting the Declaration of Independence. Sarah Grimke was a writer who spread the news of equality for men and women. Their main focuses were allowing women to be educated, ownership of property, and the right to file for a divorce. -
California Gold Rush
James Marshall was the first to find gold in Sutter's Fort. Following his discovery, people went crazy to find gold wherever they could. Miners from different lands came to join the search party and began mining camps. The businesses that assisted the miners instantly got rich because they were high in demand. During all of this chaos, California became a slave less state and the ports in California were very popular. -
Separation between the North and South
The Fugitive Slave Act was put into place to cease the continuation of runaway slaves. The slave catchers were attempting to find out who was helping them so that they could be punished, but their attempts failed. The amount of runaway slaves began to increase when California was brought into the country as a free state. The slaves would runaway in an effort to be free or reunite with their families. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scot was a slave from Missouri who sued because he thought he was a free man because he lived in a free territory. His case was presented to the Supreme Court, and they made the decision that he was still considered a slave because his master had not properly freed him. This case would later rule the Missouri Compromise as Unconstitutional. -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown was a full on abolitionist who spent most of his life trying to lead a slave revolt in Virginia. The revolution was quickly ceased by the US Army, but that did not stop John Brown. He would later be killed for what he believed was right. This murder made the North realize that extreme measures would need to be taken in order to eliminate slavery. The southerners used these violent acts to prove to the government that the North needed to be controlled. -
First Battle of Bull Run
This was the first battle between the Confederate States of America and the Union. The CSA came to fight and they defeated the Union. The citizens found this war very entertaining because they gathered around the battle field and had picnics. This battle made the Union realize that the war would be an easy one to win so they continued to get stronger and better. -
Emancipation Proclamation
As the Union was struggling through the war, the president sent out the Emancipation Proclamation. This proclamation called for all slaves to fight in the war if they chose to for their freedom. A large amount of slaves joined the Union to fight for their freedom. They formed the Massachusetts 54th. -
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-Picket's Charge
The war was on its way to take a much needed turn around. The iconic turn around was sparked by Picket's Charged. The Southerners charged against the wheat field and many southerners lost their lives. -
Freedman's Bureau
Abraham Lincoln was a voice for the slaves during his time in office. He organized this system to help the slaves have an opportunity at success. The president would choose the administrator and the workers would help the slaves understand the contracts they were given for their jobs. They would make sure they didn't need any serious medical attention, provide a meal, clothing, and temporary housing. -
Andrew Johnson
The government was on its way to reconstruction following all of the disagreements with Lincoln's belief in slavery. Andrew Johnson was a radical republican who believed that he would side with the Union because he despised wealthy white southerners. But, he did not care for slaves and would deny any chance of success to the former slaves. -
The Ku Klux Klan
Violence was on the rise due to all the previous elections. The KKK was targeting all the former slaves along with white republicans and educators. There was loads of violence previous to this specific group but the KKK was most the outrageous. They would murder innocent people for no reason and they preformed their murders in the most brutal way. -
The Comanche
The Comanche Indians were brutal warriors who lived in the Southwest. They had a reliable cattle trade with the Comancheros, and they were an independent settlement. General Sherman believed that they had too much power, and he enlisted them with a set of rules that they had to follow. The general made them spend most of their time on their reservations with scheduled hunting hours. The Indians did not agree with their new standards so they attacked Sherman's army. -
The West's Conversion
The west was transforming into large cattle farms. The Texas longhorn was showing up all over the west, and Abilene, Kansas became known as the first cattle town. Along with the rise in population of cattle, cowboys became more prevalent. They were known to be very rebellious and spend most of their time getting drunk in saloons or playing games. The cowboys came from very many different types of backgrounds. -
Transcontinental Railroad
This railroad was the very first to travel from coast to coast. With this new invention, travel became cheaper and people focused more on time. The amount of trading also increased because travel was more accessible. -
2nd Industrial Revolution
Many inventors were designing things that greatly affected who we are as a country today. Alexander Bell developed the telephone which completely transformed communication around the country. Thomas Edison kept America updated with stocks and kept us out of the dark with the light bulb. Westinghouse and Tesla also assisted with the needed electricity so the light bulbs would function. Transportation also got easier with the help from Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers. -
JP Morgan
The US was enduring yet another economic crisis. They got through this one with help from JP Morgan. He donated 65 million dollars in gold in exchange for a 30 year bond. Morgan also made a wise investment with the purchase of a steel company that is still currently successful. -
The Victorian Era
A middle class was beginning to emerge out of the society. The class brought along with them the celebration of Christmas and the increase of department stores. All parks and buildings promoted success, and the areas were cracking down on diseases transmitted through water. People began to actually commute to work, and the Protestant religion was on the rise. Missionary work over seas slowly became normal.
