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Jamestown
Jamestown was founded as the first permanent American colony in 1607 by those looking to find wealth in the new world. Tobacco was grown as a cash crop by the colonists, but the growing process was labor intensive. -
Plymouth
Plymouth was founded in 1624 by Puritans looking to escape the religious persecution of the English church. They had limited cooperative exchanges with the American Indians, which helped them to survive. -
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Period of Salutary Neglect
A period of time in which Britain did not actively enforce many of its trade laws upon the Colonists. The Colonists grew accustomed to a relatively large amount of economic freedom, as a result. -
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French and Indian War
The British and French began warring over territory as each wanted to expand into new territories they both desired. The Native Indians sided with the French initially as they believed they would win, but began to switch sides as Britain's victory became more certain. -
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British Colonial Tax Acts
A period in which the British imposed several steep tax acts upon the Colonists to help pay off the debt accrued by the French and Indian War. These acts include the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and Tea Act. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting of Colonial delegates meant to address the issues with the crown the Colonists were facing. It led to Colonists boycotting British good, and ultimately furthered the Colonists on their path to revolution. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution. Revolutionists were defeated at Lexington, but forced the Redcoats to retreat at Concord. -
Second Continental Congress
After the First Continental Congress delegates met to discuss and determine steps to be taken toward independence from Britain. -
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American Revolution
Revolt against British rule resulting in the American colonies gaining independence as a country. -
Articles of Confederation
A document drawn up with the intention of governing the war for independence, and to structure the new country. The document ultimately had many shortcomings which caused its efficacy to fall apart when put into practice -
Declaration of Independence
A document from the Second Continental Congress formally announcing the intention to wage war with Britain for independence, and supply reasoning for doing so. -
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Critical Period
The period after the Revolutionary War in which the new country's ability to succeed as an independent nation was tested as they were onset with new problems associated with their newfound independence. -
Shays's Rebellion
A rebellion led by the farmer Daniel Shays in Massachusetts over the debt faced by him and fellow farmers which they blamed on state economic institutions. Ended in defeat for the rebels and led to to a constitutional convention. -
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Washington's First Term
The first term of George Washington's presidency. He helped establish an image of what a US president should be. -
Constituational Convention
A meeting to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately spawned the Constitution of the United States of America, establishing a new foundation for the country. -
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Washington's Second Term
Washington's Second term as president. During this term war between England and France broke out, by secretly sending John Jay to negotiate a treaty allowing the US to remain neutral. -
Washington's Farewell Address
The address Washington delivered when resigning from the presidency. He included points of advice saying make no foreign alliances, trade and remain on friendly terms with all, and avoid political factions. -
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The XYZ Affair
As tensions grew with the French from our neutrality in prior conflict, Adams sent a secret group to talk peace, however the French demanded bribes as condition for peace talks. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Adams passed the Alien and Sedition acts following the XYZ affair to keep the press from publishing pieces against his administration. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson made the purchase from France for $15 million, greatly increasing the area of the United States. -
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War of 1812
James Madison asks congress for the first U.S. declaration of war against Britain. British raid D.C. and burn the President's Mansion. Ended in punishing defeat for U.S. -
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Era of Good Feelings
Era during James Monroe's presidency when only one political party (the Democratic Republicans) existed. Many accomplishments, such as the Mississippi Compromise, acquisition of Florida, etc. -
Monroe Doctrine
U.S. policy to prohibit further European affairs and colonization in the Western Hemisphere. -
John Quincy Adams and the Corrupt Bargain
There was a tie for the presidency between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, when taken to the house the speaker of the house, Henry Clay, voted in favor of Adams after agreeing to make him Secretary of State. -
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The Jacksonian Era
Period in which presidents following Andrew Jackson strove to be like him. -
Andrew Jackson Presidency
Andre Jackson was elected into office in the "common man" election. He was the first Democrat, after shortening the party name, and enacted the spoils system, firing those who opposed him, and hiring those who agreed with him. -
Closing of Bank of the United States
Andrew Jackson forced the Bank of the United States to close, moving currency instead to smaller state banks. -
Martin Van Buren Presidency
Martin Van Buren took office in 1837. He was seen as a sort of "wannabe" aristocrat in office, and wasn't able to accomplish much due to his noncommittal attitude toward important issues. -
Panic of 1837
A financial crisis which occurred during Van Buren's presidency following Jackson's bank war. High unemployment, high prices, and low wages. -
John Tyler Presidency
John Tyler was Harrison's vice president, and took over office following Harrison's death in 1841. His plans did not align with Harrison's campaign promises he had made with his party prior to his election, and so his part ejected him as a member. Annexed Texas in 1845. -
William Henry Harrison's Inauguration and Death
William Henry Harrison ran against Van Buren and won the election of 1840. On the day of his inauguration he gave a two hour speech in the cold with not overcoat, and consequently caught pneumonia, dying shortly after. -
Webster Ashburton Treaty
A treaty negotiated between the US and Britain under Tyler's presidency. Resolved border disputes between US territory and British colonial territories in modern day Canada. -
Manifest Destiny
Philosophy of James Polk which placed importance on expanding into new westward territories for the purpose of creating national and personal prosperity. -
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Mexican American War
War started by Mexico over southern territory in Texas. Mexicans were very outmatched, and unable to win. -
Compromise of 1850
Bills which made compromises to settle disputes between slave and non-slave states. Proposed to Taylor, who planned to veto, but was passed by Fillmore following Taylor's death. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
An act signed by Franklin Pierce allowing the states of Nebraska and Kansas the freedom to choose to become slave states. -
John Brown's Raid
A very unsuccessful raid mounted by pro-abolitionist John Brown. Painted pro-abolitionists as violent trouble makers. -
Abraham Lincoln's Presidency
First president to run as a Republican after his creation of the party. Pro-abolishion -
Initiation of Civil War
The Confederacy fired upon Fort Sumter in South Carolina, igniting tensions and definitively beginning the Civil War. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, a military order which freed slaves behind Union lines. -
Assasination of Lincoln
Following the South's surrender and his second term inauguration, Lincoln was shot while attending a play at Ford's Theater. -
Surrender of the South
General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, resulting in the end of the war. -
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Reconstruction
Period after the Civil War in which the South was to be rebuilt as a part of the Union and the results of the Union's victory would be followed through. With the freedom of former slaves being granted citizenship, etc. -
Andrew Johnson Impeached
During his presidency following Lincoln's death, the House of Representatives made moves to impeach Johnson for high crimes and misdemeanors. However, it was not passed. -
Ulysses S. Grant's Presidency
Ulysses S. Grant was greatly favored when running for president as a war hero and great general. His presidency, however, was seen overall as a failure due to the great deal of corruption surrounding members of his administration. -
Rutherford B. Hayes
Hayes was elected with the promises of ending reconstruction, and not serving a second term. He upheld both promises. -
Assassination of James Garfield
Garfield was assassinated at the Baltimore and Potomac train station by an individual upset with his actions. His vice president, Chester Arthur, became president following his death. -
Pendleton Act
An act signed by Chester Arthur which aimed to reform the spoils system which civil service was built upon -
Panic of 1892
Following Ben Harrison's implemented import tariffs, the fragile economy collapsed. -
Panic of 1893
An economic crisis incited by the bursting of the bubble created by the American industrial revolution. Cleveland made a deal with J.P. Morgan to bail out the U.S. treasury. -
Sinking of USS Maine
McKinley sent the USS Maine to Cuba to protect American interests, but it was sunk by a mysterious (now understood to be accidental) explosion, putting pressure on McKinley to declare war on Spain. Initiating event of the Spanish American War. -
Assasination of William McKinley
After his reelection, McKinley was shot. Theodore Roosevelt, his Vice President, took office following his death. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Issued by Roosevelt to give the US the authority to police Western nations. -
Start of WWI in Europe
The beginning of fighting in Europe marking WWI. -
US Enters WWI
The start of US involvement in WWI after Germany began attacking US shipping. -
Treaty of Versailles
A treaty reached which marked the end of WWI. -
Stock Market Crash
Crash of the stock market, initiating the Great American Depression. -
End of the Roaring Twenties
The end of a period of economic and social boom following WWI. -
End of Progressive Era
End of a period of social improvements, and political and labor reform. -
New Deal
Programs set in place by Franklin Delano Roosevelt meant to help bring an end to the Great Depression. -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Reelected
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's reelection for an unprecedented third term. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
A Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which pushed the U.S. to declare war on Japan and officially join WWII. -
The Truman Doctrine
A doctrine from Truman's presidency aimed at containing the rise of communism so that it would not spread. -
Start of Cold War
Beginning of the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union. A period of high tension which put the world on the brink of nuclear war. -
Korean War
A U.S. involved conflict with against communist North Korean invasion into South Korea. -
Launch of Sputnik
U.S.S.R. launches Sputnik, the first man made satellite in space, initiating the space race with the U.S. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A crisis of 13 days between the U.S. and the Soviets after receiving intelligence that the Soviet Union had installed nuclear capable launch facilities in Cuba. Keeping us on the edge of thermonuclear war. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
A resolution passed allowing the U.S. forces to wage battle against a communist power in Vietnam. -
Moon Landing
A manned mission sent by the U.S. successfully landed on the moon for the first time in history. Brought a close to the space race. -
Nixon's Resignation
Richard Nixon officially resigns from the office of the president prior to his expected impeachment after the Watergate Scandal.
