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Colonization
1492 - 1764
The 15th to the 20th centuries, Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal overpowered parts of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Colonizers took over the land and imposed foreign systems of governance, education, and religion.
Colonization brought global trade cultural exchange, but caused long-lasting harm—including wealth disparity, loss of indigenous sovereignty, and social unrest. This unfortunately is still affecting people. -
Independence Day
In June 1776, a committee led by Thomas Jefferson, along with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, was tasked with drafting a formal declaration. Jefferson wrote most of the document.
July 4, 1776, was when the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted which fully explained why America was breaking ties with Britain. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 started in 1812 and ended in 1815. The cause was because of unresolved issues that occurred during the American Revolution and this caused issues between the two nations. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent (signed in December 1814, ratified in 1815).
There was no clear winner and the territory boundaries remained the same. -
Urbanization during the Industrial Revolution
Many people made the transition from working on farms to working in the cities in factories. This caused a surge in urban growth. Factories made mass production easier and faster and cheaper. This caused trade to be more rampant and easily accessible - this caused trade to expand. -
The 13th Admendment
The 13th Amendment was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865 ratified by December 6, 1865 was when legal slavery officially ended. The 13th Amendment was a significant step forward in the fight for civil rights and freedom in the United States. -
The 15th Amendment (ratified)
Black men in the United States gained the legal right to vote in 1870 with the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. There were clauses to this, they had to pass a literacy test, poll taxes, and intimidation tactics such as the KKK were used to make it difficult for black men to vote. -
The Model T
The Ford Model T was the first affordable mass produced car created by Henry Ford. The car was reliable and was able to handle rough roads. These cars were created on an assembly line making it easier and cheaper to build as well as less time to make them. -
Battle of Somme
The Battle of Somme was a deadly battle during World War I, fought between July 1st and November 18, 1916, mostly between British French forces against Germany. This battle resulted in over 1 million casualties. On the first day there was over 70,000 casualties. This battle was labeled one of the bloodiest battle of all time. It took MONTHS for the Allies to gain a few miles on foot. The British introduced a tank for the first time during this battle marking new technology being introduced! -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise military strike against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There were 2,400 Americans killed and 8 battleships were damaged during the 2 hour attack. Japan's goal was to weaken the U.S. Pacific Fleet to stop the United States from interfering with its expansion throughout Southeast Asia. The attack brought the American public together and became a major turning point in the course of the global war. "A date which will live in infamy,” quoted by President FDR. -
Students Activism
Students would participate in Civil Rights Support. They would do sit-ins, voter registration drives, freedom rides. Many students were against the Vietnam War and would participate in campus protests and demonstrations. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) were also formed which promoted anti-war work and support. Students wanted more academic freedom curriculum that reflected diversity as well as the social issues. -
Education in the 1980s
This decade marked a change toward educational reform as well as accountability. In 1983 we were a nation at risk with test scores declining, academic rigor was not where it should be. This called for a national push with educational reform. Schools began to push for a stronger baseline of basic skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, and science. Schools that were deemed low-income or minority communities typically received less or fewer resources of support. -
The Cold War
The Cold War was an extended era of political tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, beginning from the late 1940s to the early 1990s. It was termed "cold" because the two superpowers never actually engaged in direct military combat, but instead fought through threats, propaganda, an arms race, and proxy wars (indirect conflict) across the world. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 is when the Cold War ended. -
Technology has Advanced
Technology from chat rooms, to virtual classrooms and different online learning platforms have emerged and expanded. When the Covid pandemic occurred, virtual classrooms is what helped with education while children were home and disassociated from the "normal" world. Policies were aimed to provide equal access and quality education to all. Standardized testing has made a comeback and is holding schools accountable for the scores that their students receive.