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Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus Discovers America
Christopher Columbus enlisted the help of Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to grant him the resources to explore Westward, in hopes of finding a new route to Asia. Instead he found an entirely new continent which was eventually named America. -
Jamestown founded
More on JamestownJamestown was the first American settlement which was located in Virgina. The 104 men that arrived from England choose a site for the new colony on a swampy peninsula. The first 17 years the settlement struggled and barely survived. -
First Slaves in the Colonies
The first slaves were brought to the colonies onboard a Dutch ship. There was approx. only twenty or so slaves on board. The use of Africans as slaves was not widely used for some time as many colonists prefered to use indentured servants. The first slaves in the colonies was significant because it was the first step in what was to become a long period of turbulent political and moral debate and was one of the deciding factors for the Souths split from the union, which leads to Civil War. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Sir William Berkley, royal governor of Va, was driven into exile and much of Jamestown burned when Nathaniel Bacon led his band of "backcountry" men against him. Bacon lead a rebellion against Berkeley due to resentment of his unchecked powers, his treaty with the Indians. A conflict between the Indians and settlers erupted, Berkeley refused to get involved this prompted Bacon to make a militia of his own to fight the Indians. After being branded a rebel Bacon turned his army against Berkeley. -
Great Awakening Begins
THe Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening was a religious revival that started in Europe and spread to the colonies. The revival taught the idea that everyone was able to start anew in their relationship with god, regardless of their past. This is important because it resulted in the splitting of congregations and the start of new ones. Its preachings allowed individuals to start anew not only in their relationship with god but also in their own lives, to leave the comforts of familiarity and strike out on their own. -
Stono Rebellion
One hundred blacks in S. Carolina took guns and rose up against their masters,killing several white people. The rebellious slaves then attempted to flee to Florida, but most were caught and killed. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
A small skirmish between the British "red coats" and the Minutemen of Lexington. News that the British fired at the minutemen spread quickly thru the colonies and caused thousands of colonists to unite against the British, begining the War for Independence. -
Declaration of Independance Adopted
Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, is approved by Congress. The Declaration stated the formal reasons and justifications that the loyalty the colonists had for the crown and Great Britain were forfeit and that the "United" colonies are free and independent states. -
The Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris ClipThe Treaty between the British and Americans that offically ended the war for Americas freedom from British rule. The treaty was very favored the United States, granting them a vast territory from Canada to Florida, the East coast to the Mississippi. It also gave the very thing that Americans were fighting for, recognition as an independant nation and the chance to make their own goverment free from a king's rule. -
Constitution Adopted
ConstitutionThe Constitution defined the new goverment of the U.S. It answered the many questions of the time such as, How should our government be set up,defined and how much power should it have? They ultimately decided that the power should flow from the people and that the government should be set up on a system of groups , many centers of power, able to check and balance each other. The Constitution was the blueprint for creating a government in which the power would ultimately belong to the people. -
Bill of Rights
Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights was the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Nine of the ten amendments focused on fundmental rights,such as the freedom of speech, the press, religon, to bear arms, and the right to not be arrested w/o cause, that the goverment could not infringe upon. These changes known as the Bill of Rights were fundimental in getting the last two states of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union. It also defined the rights that every Am.citizen is entitled to. -
Invention of The Cotton Gin
Video on cotton gin' >Cotton Gin Video</a>Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin. This invention allowed cotton to be separated fron the seeds more quickly. I believe it was significant because what used to take a group of workers all day could be done in a few hours by one man.It made cotton farms spread across the South thus cementing slavery as a vital part of their economy. In fact their whole economy was now greatly dependant on slavery. This invention will eventually help lead the South to succeed from the union to protect slavery. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay a new tax on whiskey enacted by the federal government and began to terrorize tax collectors. The federal government overstepped the Pennsylvania state authorities and, urged by Alexander Hamilton, called out three states militia. This army of nearly 15000 men was lead by Hamilton into Pennsylvania. The rebellion collapsed. The Goverment won the rebels alligiance. It showed the people that the goverment would not tolerate rebellions. -
Marbury Vs.Madison
A supreme court case in which the Supreme Court first asserted its implied but never asserted power to nullify an act of congress.
I feel it was significant because it spoke to the Constitutional ideas of checks and balances. It allowed the court the power to check and balance the powers of congress. -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon of France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States for 15 million dollars. This greatly expanded the U.S territories giving them control of the port of New Orleans which allowed the western regions a conviniant and quick route to ship their goods and produce worldwide. -
U.S declares war on Britian(War of 1812)
Video on War of 1812' >War of 1812</a>This was the congress officially declared war on Great Britain.It was a result of increasing tensions between the U.S and England over maritime conflicts about naval policies, Britain's "friendship'' with the Indians and to increase U.S territories. It was an important part of history because it further solidified America's independence. It also allowed the circumstances for our National Anthem to be born, written by Francis Scott Key. It also pushed the Indians farther west opening new lands. -
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Erie Canal Constructed
The Erie canal was the largest construction project attempted to date in the U.S. It consisted of a canal channel with towpaths on the banks for mules, aqueducts to gap valleys and ridges and 88 locks to raise and lower boats so they could cross over areas of increased or decreased alttitude. This was an imporatant since it opened a route from New York to Chicago and the ever expanding western markets that was quicker and cheaper. It also led in part to the decline of farming in Northeast . -
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Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period a vast economic and social growth as well as a rapid rise in population. The North changed from mostly agricultural to a industrial economy, while the South was less effected. This period was significant because it constituted major changes in America. The population was increases due to both natural births and immigration. Tecnological advances like inter-changable parts made factories flourish and the steam engine made travel faster and easier. -
Monroe Doctrine
Photo gallery of James MonroeThis Doctrine stated that the American continent was not to be further colonized by any European nation and that any attempt to do so or to become involved in a intercontinental conflict would be considered a hostile act. It was significant because it showed the vast amount of nationalism that was present in the U.S. It also established America as the controller of the western continent and furthered their reputation as a strong independent country. -
Telegraph
The telegraph was a from of communication that used electrical impulses of different lengths to represent letters of the alphabet, known as the Morse Code. Its significance was numerous,allowing messages, that used to take days or months to receive, to travel vast distances in a few hours. It also made communication between conductor and station possible which cut down on railroad accidents. It caused the creation of the Association of the Free Press, making news quickly and readily available -
John Browns Raid
John Brown lead a group of 18 men on a raid to capture the U.S arsenal at Harper's Ferry. They hoped that by diverting the authorities attention with the raid it would inspire the slaves in the area to rise up. They captured the arsenal but no slave uprising occurred. Those participants in the raid either died during or were tried and put to death. It is important because it convinced Southerners that there was no safety in the union and the North would continue to attempt to end slavery. -
Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln The man, the President videoAbraha Lincoln was elected President of the United States. This was significant because it led to the immediate succesion of N.Carolina from the union and other states quickly followed. The Southerner's believed that Lincoln's election would result in the end of their state rights and their way of life. This after failed attempts at compromise led to the Civil War. Lincoln also was respondsible for affectively banishing slavery from the U.S with The Emancipation Proclomation. -
First State succeeds From Union
South Carolina was the first state to withdraw from the union in response to Lincoln's election and what many Southerners believed was the end to their way of life. This is important because they led the way for succession and were soon followed by 6 other states. The succeeded states eventually form the Confederacy which fights the Union to protect slavery which their way of life relies heavily upon. -
Civil War
The Confederate army attacks and takes control of Fort Sumter which Lincoln states is still federal property although its in a succeeded state. The Confederates, in the eyes of the Union, comitted a hostile act by attacking federal property. This begins the Civil War. The Civil War was of great importance. It caused terrible pain to families who often fought on opposite sides, it did bring an end to slavery and caused anomosity between N. and S. -
Battle of Antietam
The battle of Antietam was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Considered a Union victory the death toll could hardly carry a victory to either side in my opinion. This battle was important because the Union victory led to Lincoln issued an order that all the slaves of the Confederacy are free men, which would lead to the 13th amendment. General McClellan, union commander was relieved of duty due to the opportunity that he didn't, take to destroy a large part of the Confederate army. -
Emanciaption Proclaimation
Emancipation proclamationThe Emancipation Proclaimation freed all slaves in the Confederacy and allotted that they could never again be enslaved. This was so important because it granted freedom to the Southern slaves and allowed them to be free men and masters of their own destinies. In 1864 Congress approved the 13th ammendment which made slavery illegal in the U.S. This was the start of a long uphill battle for equality but at least the door was know open. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg is the most celebrated battle of the Civil War. Its importance is because its one of the major turning points in the Civil War. After General Meade's (Union) well defenceable position foiled three attempts by General Lee (Confederate) to assault and break thru the Union line. Lee lost 1/3 of his army and retreated South. This was the last time the South was able to threaten the North. This marked the beginning of the end to the Civil War. -
Confederate General Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee the Commander of the Confederate forces surrenders to Ulysse S. Grant. This date in my opinion unofficially marks the end of the Confederates and of the Civil War. Lees surrender speaks volumes to the phsical condition of the South, its troops and citizens. They know surrender mean the end of an era,the end to slavery and they will literally have to start to build a new economy and begin to make amends with the government that they attempted to intimidate and destroy. -
The 14th Ammendment
The Fourteenth ammendment took two year to be passed. It was extremely significant because it defined for the 1st time what it was to be an American Citizen. It stated that everyone born in America was a citizen as was anyone naturalized and that every citizen had the right to all the " privileges and immunities" stated in the Constitution. It also meant that Confederate States were not in control of their own state govermnents until new constitutions were voted on by both blacks and whites. -
Jim Crow Laws
The Jim Crow laws were a series of laws written in the South that prohibited blacks from gaining equality. The results of these laws included the segregation of blacks from whites in all public spaces such as rail cars, bathrooms, hospitals and schools. They also made voting difficult for black Americans, requiring difficult reading tests that most white voters couldn't pass or intimidating them to vote for a specific candidate. In some cases they didn't allow then to vote at all.
