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Period: 1492 to
US History: VHS Summer: Alex Haag
This timeline documents the important events from each module of the US History course. It will cover important events from 1492-1877 -
The establishment of the Jamestown Colony
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/2c.asp)
The establishment of the Jamestown Colony was a hugely significant event because it was the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and impacted both the Europeans who gained a profitable settlement from it and the Native Americans whose land was taken from them. From this first colony came both incentive to English people to colonize the New World and the foothold for further expansion that would become the modern state of Virginia. -
The Institution of the Slave Codes
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/6f.asp)
The institution of Slave Codes happened in response to the fear of slave rebellions in America. After a major rebellion in Manhattan, slave codes were imposed in the colonies in an effort to prevent more. These codes varied between colonies, but most forbade slaves to assemble in groups without a white person present or own property, and placed a curfew on all slaves not living on a plantation. These codes significantly and unfairly restricted slaves' rights. -
The Institution of the Townshend Acts
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/9d.asp)
The Townshend acts further divided between the American colonies and the British monarchy by further taxing the Americans. The British government levied multiple taxes against the colonies, and though each met resistance, a new tax was usually instituted right after one was abolished. The Townshend acts taxed glass, paper, lead, and tea, and was cited as a major grievance by the colonies near the brink of war. It was one of the final straws for the Americans. -
The American Identity
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/7f.asp)
The American identity, which really has no date associated with it, as it formed over time on its own, is a complex idea about what it means to be an American. With the amount of immigrants who contributed to the culture and diversity of America, the American identity become on of diversity and freedom. While these ideas have not always been present in society, at the heart of America lies the ideals of liberty, respect for others, equality, and diversity. -
The First Continental Congress Convenes
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/10d.asp)
The First Continental Congress convened in 1774 in order to address the grievances of the colonists. Every state but Georgia sent delegates to discuss the transgressions of the British and to decide on a course of action. They sent an agreed-upon outline of deserved colonial rights to the British government but no change occurred, angering the colonists. The convening of this congress was a major step toward revolution and occurred near the start of the war. -
The Consent of the Governed
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/13a.asp)
The Consent of the Governed came well before America signed its Declaration of Independence from the British monarchy, but it was perhaps the first largely successful application of it. The Consent of the Governed refers to the idea that the people of a nation have a right to overthrow and reconstruct their government when it infringes on their rights. When this idea was successfully realized by America, it inspired other countries to find their own freedom. -
Manifest Destiny
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/29.asp)
The idea of Manifest Destiny swept America in the decades following the War of 1812. It was a major part of the American expansion, and the term refers to the prevalent idea that America was destined to expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean across America. Many people also believed that the land had been given to them by God, and that it was theirs for the taking. This idea had a major influence on the expansion, emboldening the drive West even further. -
The Constitutional Convention
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/15d.asp)
The Constitutional Convention was a monumental event because of the way that the state delegations came to a compromise and drafted the founding document of our nation in just 40 days. The Constitution created the framework United States government and was one of the greatest compromises in the history of the United States. The many delegates debated and reasoned with each other until an agreement was reached and the constitution was drafted. -
The final ratification and signing of the Constitution
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/16c.asp)
When the US Constitution was ratified and signed by all the states, it established the framework and structure of the national government that exists today. One of the most revolutionary parts of the Constitution was the fact that it was designed to be amended to evolve with the ever-changing world around us. Amendments were not only allowed in the Constitution, but expected by the Founding Fathers who designed the government to protect future Americans. -
The invention of the cotton gin
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/27a.asp)
The cotton gin was a significant invention because it furthered slavery. Before the invention of the cotton gin, the seeds had to be removed from picked cotton by hand, a lengthy process which delayed production and made the entire process more expensive for plantation owners. It appeared that slavery would slowly end due to the inefficiency of cotton production. But the cotton gin made the process faster and less expensive, making slavery more profitable. -
The election/presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
(www.ushistory.org/us/20.asp)
Thomas Jefferson's election represented a monumental change in the US government know as the Jeffersonian revolution. The election of 1800 saw power shift from the federalist party to the Democratic Republican party, representing a shift in policy that switched from attempting to make the national government stronger to attempting to ensure the rights of states, farmers, and working-class people. It also ended a large divide by ceasing debates over these issues. -
The War of 1812
(www.ushistory.org/us/21.asp)
The War of 1812 between Britain and the newly established United States was a critical event because it proved that America would withstand whatever challenges it faced. After winning their independence from Britain in the Revolutionary War, the American people were not about to give the liberty they had fought so hard for without a fight. Despite terrible odds and a major string of failures at the beginning of the conflict, America once again proved its resilience. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/24.asp)
Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the US, was a controversial figure. It was the first time that a common man, one who was not born into or holding a title of wealth became president. His campaign centered around the idea that he was a "man of the people," a claim that brought many commoners to participate in the election. Though he committed atrocities during his presidency, the role he had in interesting common people in politics was revolutionary. -
The Indian Removal Acts (Trail of Tears)
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp)
The Indian Removal Acts forced Native Americans to leave their lands and move west across the Mississippi River. Their journey is referred to as the "Trail of Tears" due to the horrors they faced along the way, with an estimated one quarter of their population perishing. Legend has it that in every spot the tear of a Native American fell, a Cherokee Rose bloomed, thus gaining the title "Trail of Tears." It was a terrible period in history. -
The Mexican-American War
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/29d.asp)
The Mexican-American War was very one-sided, and resulted in a major loss of territory for Mexico. A dispute over land near Texas inspired further conflict when combined with other factors such as the Americans' desire for more territory which was under the control of Mexico, and ultimately led to war. The US won every engagement, and claimed vast territory from their victory. Most of Southern California, Texas, New Mexico, etc. was won from this conflict. -
The Compromise of 1850
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp)
The compromise of 1850 was pioneered mostly by John Calhoun and Henry Clay, and was a diplomatic move which delayed the civil war for another few years. Many deals were struck through the years, attempting to preserve the Union to avoid a Civil War. The compromise gave the North California as a free state, and outlawed the slave trade in D.C. The south got the Fugitive Slave Law and the Utah/New Mexico territories as slave states. -
The publishing of Uncle Tom's Cabin
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/28d.asp)
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was a revolutionary novel that shed light on the horrors of slavery. It enraged the Northerners who were appalled at the atrocities of slavery and the Southerners because they argued that the graphic descriptions were inaccurate. The novel was popular in the North and illegal in the South, and it increased already-high tensions between the North and South. It called the North to action to end the horrors of slavery. -
The Dred Scott Decision
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/32a.asp)
The Dred Scott case of 1857 was about a slave, Dred Scott, who resided in free states for a prolonged period of time, and was suing for his freedom. The ruling of the Supreme Court in this case was not only that he should not be free, but that African-Americans do not count as citizens and thus cannot bring suit. In addition, outlawing slavery in any territory was considered unconstitutional. The decision enraged the North and was a major cause of the war. -
The Secession of the Southern States
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/32e.asp)
The Secession of the Southern States signaled the beginning of a new era in US history. The American Civil War began shortly after the secession, a war that would be the deadliest in American history and tear the country apart. The combat inspired innovations in warfare that made it deadlier than ever. The infrastructure of the United States was crippled from damage caused by both sides. The war still leaves a cultural divide between the North and South. -
White Supremacy
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp)
The idea of White Supremacy was present well before 1865, but the actions of White Supremacist groups such as the Klu Klux Klan became more pronounced following the end of the Civil War. These groups fought against the societal change brought by the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, which gave more rights to African Americans. These groups used terrorist tactics in an attempt to subjugate African Americans because of their newfound rights. -
The idea of Reconstruction
(http://www.ushistory.org/us/35.asp)
Reconstruction was the movement and idea of reforms made following the American Civil War. During this period, many amendments to the Constitution were made, know as the "Civil War Amendments," which granted new rights to African Americans and restricted the power of the South to infringe their rights. In order to be readmitted to the Union, Southern states had to accept these amendments. The Reconstruction of the US was much more ideological than physical.
