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Period: 1491 to
Period 1 - 1491-1607
Before Europeans arrived, Natives already had developed social, political and economic structures. The arrival of Europeans triggers massive demographic and social change. Chattel slavery begins, as does the struggle for Native autonomy. -
Period: 1491 to
CONCEPT: The Columbian Exchange.
The Columbian Exchange is the continuing process of exchanges of goods, people, plants, animals, diseases, etc. between Europe and North America. It led to the change in diet of both Native Americans and Europeans due to new foodstuff, the introduction of weaponry, European tools and horses to Native American societies, a large quantity of Native Americans being wiped out by diseases like smallpox, among many other things. This process led to the permanent change in the lives of all involved. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus lands in the Americas
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Jan 10, 1503
Encomienda System
The encomienda system was a form of forced and unpaid labour used by Spanish authorities and settlers in the colonies of the Spanish Empire. -
Jan 1, 1508
Caparra founded
Earliest European colony founded in modern day Puerto Rico by Ponce de Leon -
May 10, 1513
Bartolome de las Casas
In 1513, Bartolome received an encomienda from the king of Spain, but as he began to witness the atrocities and the abuses of the Spaniards towards the native population through the encomienda system, he renounced his encomienda to advocate of the Native Americans. -
Sep 1, 1565
St. Augustine Founded
The first permanent European settlement in North America is founded by the Spanish. -
Roanoke Founded
The Roanoke Island colony, the first English settlement in the New World, was founded by English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh -
Period: to
Period 2 - 1607-1754
Europeans developed a variety of colonization and migration patterns, influenced by imperial goals, cultures and the varied NA environments where they settled, and they competed with each other and Native Americans for resources. The colonies participated in political, social, cultural and economic exchange w England. A system of chattel slavery develops in the colonies. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Colonial Period
From the Founding of Jamestown to the beginning of the French and Indian War, America was in its' colonial period. The economy, especially in the Southern colonies, is starting to rely more and more on slavery. Cash crops such as tobacco were bolstering the economy, as was manufacturing and trade in the New England colonies. England had set up a mercantilist relationship with the colonies. Colonies furnished raw materials; mother country manufactured goods. -
Jamestown Founded
The first permanent English settlement in the North America is founded by the Virginia Company of London -
John Rolfe grows tobacco in Jamestown
John Rolfe begins to grow tobacco from the West Indies in Jamestown, establishing the first cash crop in British North America and bolstering the economy of the settlement -
First African Slaves land in British NA
In late August 1619, 20-30 enslaved Africans landed at Point Comfort, today's Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., aboard the English privateer ship White Lion. In Virginia, these Africans were traded in exchange for supplies -
Mayflower Compact
An agreement between the Pilgrims and other passengers on The Mayflower who formed their own government while the ship was anchored off the coast of modern-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts -
Plymouth Colony founded
First British settlement in modern day New England. Founded by a group of English Puritans called the Pilgrims -
Maryland settled
Colony of Maryland founded -
Roger Williams banished
Puritan minister Roger Williams was found guilty of spreading "newe & dangerous opinions" and banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Before leaving England in 1630, Williams had seen heretics whipped, imprisoned, and burned at the stake. -
Pequot War
The Pequot War was fought between the Pequot Indians and English colonists of Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and Plymouth colonies. Fighting along with the English colonists were their Indian allies from the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes. -
Harvard founded
First institution of higher learning in British NA -
Trial of Anne Hutchinson
Hutchinson criticized the Massachusetts Bay Colony for religious intolerance. In 1637, Hutchinson—several months into a pregnancy—was called to appear before the General Court, with Winthrop presiding and Cotton testifying against her. Hutchinson was proclaimed a heretic. She and her family were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
CT Fundamental Orders
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut stated the powers and limits of government. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Meant to ensure freedom of religion for Christian settlers in the colony -
First Navigation Act
Declared that only English ships would be allowed to bring goods into England, and that the North American colonies could only export its commodities, such as tobacco and sugar, to England. -
Second Navigation Act
Restricted colonial trade to England and decreased dependence on foreign imported goods. -
King Phillip's War
Native Americans' last-ditch effort to avoid recognizing English authority and stop English settlement on their native lands -
Bacon's Rebellion
Issues - Western expansion, Native policy, power of the governor. Nathaniel Bacon (Western landowner) leads rebellion against William Berkeley (governor of Virginia). -
Pennsylvania is founded
William Penn established Pennsylvania as a safe haven for Quakers. An English Quaker, founded Pennsylvania in 1682, after receiving a charter from King Charles II the year before. He launched the colony as a "holy experiment" based on religious tolerance. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement in the eighteenth century that emphasized reason over superstition and science over blind faith. Using the power of the press, Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Voltaire questioned accepted knowledge and spread new ideas about openness, investigation, and religious tolerance throughout Europe and the Americas. Main ideas - reason, natural rights and deism (god made the universe but doesn't control it -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of 20 people, most of them women. -
The Boston News-Letter
The first regular newspaper is published -
Virginia Black Code
The Virginia Black Code of 1705 is passed, restricting the travel of enslaved persons and naming them officially as "real estate." -
Slave population reaches 75000
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The Great Awakening
A religious revival that impacted the English colonies in America during the 1730s and 1740s. The movement came at a time when the idea of secular rationalism was being emphasized, and passion for religion had grown stale -
Period: to
Period 3 - 1754-1800
The French and Indian War is fought, the British tax the Americans to pay for it, tensions rise, the Revolution happens. A new government is founded and revised (Articles of Confederation into the Constitution) and the peaceful transfer of power precedent is set. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: French and Indian War
The French and Indian War established Britain as the European authority in North America, catalyzed the beginnings of an American identity, and set the stage for the American Revolution. Britain not only solidified its land claims in North America but also defeated its European enemies, which left Britain as the world’s ruling super power. The large expense of the war required Britain to raise taxes across the empire and end the salutary neglect. -
French and Indian War begins
Fought between Great Britain and France and their colonists, as well as Native American tribes. They fought over territories and expansion throughout North America. Theater of the 7 Years War. Provided Great Britain enormous territorial gains in North America, but disputes over subsequent frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government. Fails and show disunity of the colonies -
Writs of Assistance
General search warrants to enforce Navigation Acts issued to the customs officers by the colonial superior courts. They were first issued in Massachusetts in 1751 and remained fairly uncontroversial until 1761, when the old writs expired and customs officers had to apply for new ones to replace them. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Tensions Brewing
After the French and Indian War, the colonists felt like they were equal partners with the British. However, the British were in a large amount of debt due to the war and saw taxing the colonists as a natural way to alleviate this debt. A series of acts were passed that angered the colonists, leading to boycotts other protests. The colonies were not yet considering independence, but the seeds of revolution were brewing. -
Treaty of Paris signed
Ends French and Indian War. France renounced to Britain all the mainland of North America east of the Mississippi, excluding New Orleans. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac led around 300 Native Americans in a siege on Fort Detroit. This initial attack was unsuccessful, but Pontiac subsequently brought together many more warriors from multiple tribes to launch a more large-scale assault on the British in the region. -
Proclamation of 1763
No settlers were to go West of the Appalachian Mountains. Britain did this to avoid further conflict with Native Americans. This upset colonists, and was largely ignored. -
The Stamp Acts
Colonists had to pay taxes on every page of printed paper they used. -
The Quartering Act
Congress passes the Quartering Act, which declared that the colonists must support and house British troops. -
The Townsend Acts
The British tax lead, paint, paper, glass and tea -
Boston Massacre
Tensions grow between British troops and colonists, turns violent. 5 colonists die. -
Samuel Adams organizes the Committees of Correspondence
Gaspee Incident, British ship burned, attempted to collect taxes -
The Tea Act
Lowered price of tea, but gave England a monopoly -
The Boston Tea Party
Retaliation for the Tea Act, colonists dressed up as Native Americans and dumped British Tea into the Boston Harbor -
The Intolerable Acts
Acts to punish Boston. Boston Port Act - closes ports. Massachusetts Government Act - no town meetings, no trial by jury, military rule. Administration of Justice Act - ensured a fair trial for British officials who were charged with capital offenses while upholding the law or quelling protests in Massachusetts Bay Colony. -
First Continental Congress
Colonists met to decide to boycott British goods unless the Intolerable Acts were repealed. It is moderate - they don't want to split from England. They want the rights of an Englishmen. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
First shots of the Revolution are fired. -
Second Continental Congress
More radical. Issued "Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms". Appoints George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Loss for the colonists, but inflicted serious damage on British forces, provided confidence boost during the Siege of Boston -
Olive Branch Petition
Demands sent to the King as a last effort before formal war is declared. Emphasized both loyalty to the crown and their rights as British Citizens. It is rejected. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Revolutionary War
The Americans finally start to fight their war for independence. They are seemingly outmatched. The British have the strongest military in the world, the financial power and the pedigree to easily win this war. However, they are burdened by shipping troops and supplies across the Atlantic, a lack of knowledge of the land and other wars at their doorstep. They also don't have one other key thing: a purpose for fighting. It is not always pretty, and the Americans lose many battles, but do prevail. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense", arguing that the colonists should declare Independence from England. He wrote it in a prose that was digestible to all people, so the idea of independence spread throughout the colonies -
Declaration of Independence
Colonists officially declare independence from England -
Battles of Trenton and Princeton
Reasserted American control of New Jersey and provided a morale boost for Washington's army -
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point in Revolution. Allows Ben Franklin to convince France to send aid, gives legitimacy to the American cause. -
Valley Forge
Often called the "Birthplace of the American Army", Valley Forge was where Washington and co made camp for the winter of 1777-1778. It was a test of the grit of the Continental Army -
Treaty of Alliance
Treaty between US and France. Sends French army and navy to support Americans. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation laid out what would be America's government. The states were independent, free and sovereign. There was no federal court system, no national currency, no executive power and no real federal government. 9/13 states were needed to introduce new laws and 13/13 were needed to amend the Articles. The Federal Government was made purposefully weak, as to not repeat the tyranny of the British monarchy. But problems begin to arise -
Articles of Confederation are Ratified
First system of American government is ratified -
Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle of the American Revolution. Decisive battle to end the war. America will become an independent country -
Treaty of Paris signed
Independence Recognized. Fishing rights in Canadian waters. Loyalist restitution of property. Britain leaves their forts (kinda sorta not really). Free navigation of the Mississippi River -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Laid out the process for which lands west of the Appalachian Mountains were to be surveyed and sold -
Shays' Rebellion
Poor farmers were forced to pay taxes to pay for the debt the US had incurred during the War. Resentment was high, especially in New England. Through the late 1780s, mobs of angry farmers rioted throughout NE. This was a turning point in the debate of the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Ratifying the Constitution
The Articles of Confederation are not working. It is clear that a stronger federal government is needed. But there are tensions in the new country about what that would look like. People are suspicious about concentrated power, which makes ratification difficult. However, in 1789, it is ratified. There are now three branches of govt, w/ checks and balances, the government can tax and regulate trade, amendments are easier and a court system is established. -
Philadelphia Convention meets
There is a Constitutional Convention in Philly to revise the Articles -
Northwest Ordinance
Established a government for the Northwest Territory, outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states. Prohibits slavery in the West. -
The Great Compromise
2 house legislature is formed. 1 house based on population, one house equal (each state gets two members). 3/5th Compromise is included - slaves count as 3/5ths of a person. -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Washington's Presidency
George Washington was the natural choice as the first president - not the first king. He aims to set up a country in its' infancy to survive for centuries. He passes the Judiciary Act to establish a federal court system. He also picks the first cabinet - a controversial move since this was not enumerated in the Constitution. After setting the two-term precedent, he gives his farewell address. In this, he advocates against foreign involvement, political parties and N/S division. -
Washington is Elected
Washington is elected president - NOT king -
Judiciary Act passed
Established a system of federal courts, one of Washington's first acts -
Bill of Rights adopted
Ten initial amendments to the Constitution - declare individual rights. The anti-federalists insisted on this being added -
The Bank of the United States opens
Hamilton pushes for a National Bank. This bank would take in taxes and have a national debt to establish credit. Anti-Federalists were against it (strict interpretation of the Constitution) - get the Capitol in Virginia as concession -
Citizen Genet Affair
Test of US's neutrality. Edmund Genet, the first French ambassador to the US, tries to recruit American ships to fight the British. Genet meets with Washington, who stay out of foreign affairs. -
Whisky Rebellion
In order to pay debts incurred from the war, a tax on luxury goods such, such as whisky, is enacted. This upsets consumers and farmers, who found the tax excessive and harassed federal tax collectors. Washington personally led an army to confront the rebels, ending the rebellion -
Jay's Treaty Signed
Treaty with Britain - US will not trade with ports opened during war time that were closed during peace time. British will leave forts (again not really) and will allow the US to trade in Asia. -
Pinckney's Treaty Signed
Treaty with Spain - gives US access to Mississippi River and Port of New Orleans -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington gives his farewell address, advocating for strong federal govt, isolationism, no political parties and no north/ south division -
Period: to
CONCEPT: Adams Presidency
Adams takes over as the nation's second President, with Thomas Jefferson, an anti-federalist, becoming the Vice President. The Adams administration was marred by conflicts between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Both of them overstepped with the Alien and Sedition Acts and the VA and KY Resolutions, respectively. The two main issues of his presidency were how to act in foreign affairs, and the role of the Federal Government. -
John Adams Elected President
John Adams (a federalist) elected. Jefferson (dem-repub) is VP -
Alien and Sedition Acts Passed
Series of Federalist laws passed to attack dissenters of the government. Any non-citizen suspected of plotting against the govt could be deported, and anyone who spoke against the govt could be arrested. Feds overplayed their hand. -
XYZ Affair
France attacked American Ships and made unreasonable demands -
VA and KY Resolutions Passed
A direct response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by the Anti-Feds. Gave states the right to nullify anything if they deemed it unconstitutional -
Fries Uprising
An uprising opposed to federal tax on property. Adams pardons Fries -
Jefferson's Presidency begins
Jefferson takes the presidency after the 1800 election. Sets the precedent for the peaceful transition of power