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Period: 1492 to
Timespan
In this timeline I will discuss important moments and large events of US History from 1492- 1877. These events will highlight some of the United States most important and revolutionary dates. -
Encounters in the New World
During the 1600's, Spanish, French, English and Africans explored the americans for several different reasons. Major motives stemmed from money and the spread of Christianity. It was difficult for the Native Americans to alter the customs, regions and ways of life making it difficult to survive. Many diseases that came with the europeans wiped out a major population of the Native Americans. https://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/jamestown-and-plymouth-compare-and-contrast.htm -
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
During the exploration of the New World, many europeans shipped millions of slaves from Africa. These slaves were stacked on top of each other leaving no room for comfort and easy transfer of diseases. Many either died of famine or disease during their journey. The middle passage usually killed half or more of the human cargo yet, those who survived usually became plantation slaves. http://www.ushistory.org/us/6b.asp -
Slave Life & Codes
Slaves were brought to America and treated as property, with no right to freedom or equality. They worked from sunup to sundown six days a week and were given inedible food. Slave codes were written by states that wrote the acceptable treatment of slaves and rules: "Slaves could be awarded as prizes in raffles, wagered in gambling, offered as security for loans, and transferred as gifts from one person to another." These are just a few, but it was unethical. http://www.ushistory.org/us/27b.asp -
The German Arrival
At the beginning of the 18th century, Germans began filing into Pennsylvania. They were attracted by the advertisements put up by William Pen in Germany that promised religious freedom, economic opportunity and freedom from war. When germans came to America, they brought new religions, new language and cultural diversity. These people were known as the Pennsylvania-dutch. After the arrival of the Germans, cultures began to blend creating a melting pot. http://www.ushistory.org/us/7f.asp -
The American Revolution
The American Revolution was an extremely life changing event for the world. The uprisings that led up to the revolution played a huge role as well including political, economic and religious disagreements. The war finally granted independence for the 13 colonies from Great Britain becoming the United States of America.http://www.ushistory.org/us/12.asp -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was one of the main triggers to the American Revolution when major patriots began pulling people together to fight against the British. The British army shot and killed people in a mob showing their superiority against the colonists. Yet their superiority only made colonists come together to fight them even stronger. http://www.ushistory.org/us/9e.asp -
An American Identity
An "American Identity" is a combination of different cultures, religions and values that come from all around the world. America is a melting pot where every citizen has a chance to equal rights and freedom of speech despite their differences. After several years of incoming immigrants from around the world, Americans became extremely distinct from those of mother England. An American identity is brought together by the common factors and not the differences. http://www.ushistory.org/us/7f.asp -
Rise of the American Industry
Finally, the United States experienced a major shift from agricultural economies to industrial economies. They went from hand-made products to fast prodding man made products that allowed for higher production rates and higher standards of living. The factory system was the major breakthrough. Men, women boys and girls all worked in the industries yet it came with consequences such as low wages, dangerous equipment, long hours and so forth. http://www.ushistory.org/us/22a.asp -
The Constitution
The constitution caused a lot of political controversy among people and states. Yet, through serious consideration and hard work the Philadelphia Convention was finally able to craft a constitution that would provide a stronger national government. Through several series of ratification, they convinced people directly that the old articles of confederation were wearing the government. And eventually after 9 of the 13 states approved it, it became law. http://www.ushistory.org/us/16.asp -
George Washington's Election as President
In 1789, George Washington was elected to be president of the United States. He was known as the single most important figure for the success of the revolution and the stability of the new nation. He was leader of the continental army during the war and also became a political leader in the constitutional convention. George Washington was a well liked figure in the United States for his hard work, strong personality and the difference he made. http://www.ushistory.org/us/17c.asp -
Abolitionists & Underground Railroad
Free African Americans eventually became more active in the fight to end slavery. They began working with white abolitionists like Wendell Phillips and Robert Purvis to help the African Slaves. Together they developed publications and contributed money. Although their lives were at risk these people lived to fight for freedom. A major accomplishment was the underground railroad were slaves were moved from station to station.http://www.ushistory.org/us/28b.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/us/28c.asp -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a major development of nationalism in the United States. When Napoleon offered all of Louisiana to the United States their territory doubled in size, the deal was finalized but it brought with it a lot of controversy. People were worried about the disunion of the United States because of several disagreements. Some saw it as an opportunity and others as a threat. It intensified migration, trade and population growth. http://www.ushistory.org/us/20c.asp -
Andrew Jackson
As president, Jackson was committed to be a proper representative of the common people with strength. He was well known for his military skills and his defeat of the British in New Orleans. During his presidency he was responsible for the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears and extreme genocide against Native Americans. Despite his genocide, he transformed the office of presidency into a dynamic leadership and a lot more initiative based.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/24.asp -
Westward Expansion
Manifest destiny was a part of the economic and religious drives that pushed Americans to expand their land westward. Americans began to buy into the settling of unexplored western frontiers. Sooner or later, the United States increased its size by about a third. Of course however Americans faced several cultural wars as they expanded and manifest destiny touched on issues of religion, money, race, patriotism, and morality. http://www.ushistory.org/us/29.asp -
The Trail of Tears
During the Jackson Era, Native Americans faced and experienced extreme genocide. One of the major acts of genocide was the Trail of Tears when Jackson declared all Native Americans to remove all Indian tribes from their homeland. They marched westward at gunpoint and thousands perished on the way. The Trial of Tears is known as one the most sorrowful legacies of his time. http://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp -
The American Mexican War
When the war broke out, around 60,000 American troops joined and dominated the sea. Their economy was far ahead of the Mexican State. First, they began invading Mexico through Vera Cruz and eventually began marching towards Mexico City. Finally, the United States gained all of Texas, New Mexico and California after giving Mexico 15 million dollars. The war ended with the treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalgo and Mexico was stripped of half it's territory. http://www.ushistory.org/us/29d.asp -
The Civil War
The civil war was an unimaginably destructive war that was fought amongst the it’s own people. Within the four years, approximately 640,000 solider were killed. More soldiers were killed than any other American war fought combined. It became a split nation between the north and south. The south had a population of about 9 million people, 3.5 million were slaves, while the north had about 21 million people. These four years changed the United States in every way.http://www.ushistory.org/us/33.asp -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln finally issued the emancipation proclamation as a step closer to ending slavery. He figured it was time, and proclaimed that slaves "shall be then, thenceforward and forever free." Despite all his antagonists, he pushed through and made it happen. The emancipation was not necessarily the end to slavery, but it was what led the proposal to change the thirteenth amendment in the in the constitution which formally abolished slavey in the US. http://www.ushistory.org/us/34a.asp -
Reconstruction Era
After the civil war, was a period of reconstruction that brought more war and endless questions. The North continued their want to punish the Southerners who wanted to preserve their way of life. During reconstruction there were a couple of constitutional amendments that had to be enforced for the southern states to be readmitted to the union. There was continuous tension between the Southern Blacks and White confederates who always fought for supremacy. http://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp -
Andrew Johnson
Following the assassination of former president Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson took on a greater responsibility. He held the future of the United States in his hands. Similar to Lincoln, Johnson fought strongly for Southern Aristocracy and fought against slaveocracy. He believed that Southern states should have the freedom to decide what is best for them yet, believed they were unable to make that decision. His vision of reconstruction was proved lenient. http://www.ushistory.org/us/35a.asp
