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Period: Jan 1, 1492 to
US History: Colonial America - 1877
These are the events that shaped the course of America's History. These events and ideas contributed to the development of America's society up until 1877. -
Slavery
More InformationSlavery is the owning of one human being by another human being. In relation to American history, African Americans were slaves to white, American plantation owners. Slaves were treated in brutal fashion, given nowhere near the same respect within society whites were given. The American South was the primary region of slavery, while the North fought the institution. -
The Establishment of Jamestown
More InformationThe colony of Jamestown was founded by the British in 1607. This was when British began to establish a serious foothold in the New World and the exploration of uncolonized areas. As the British moved in to America, they began to struggle with the Native Americans who were already there. -
The Establishment of The House of Burgesses
More InformationThe House of Burgesses was the first colonial legislature. This was the beginning of times for a colonial desire for independence. The colonies wanted to represent themselves separately from the British. This was the miniscule first step in the long process of America becoming a separate nation from Britain. -
The American Identity
More Information
The American Identity is an always evolving, always altering thing. It is more than being a citizen. It is taking pride in and believing in improving the nation. The American Identity is a blend of identities. We are a cultural, social, economic, and political force in the world, and we always work to improve. We still have work to do, but the American Identity is our common goal to make the country and the world a better place. -
The Signing of The Declaration of Independence
More InformationThe Declaration of Independence was America's formal step away from the British. Although a war over independence lasted another 7 years, this was when America truely established themselves as an independent political, economic, and societal force. -
The First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
More Information When the Declaration of Independence was introduced to the public of America, it was when they learned how our identity would begin to be formed. It was a way for the people to unite against a common enemy, and a way to force them to develop their own society and culture, so that they had good reason to become independent. When the people heard the Declaration for the first time, a search for national identity began. -
The Signing of The Treaty of Paris
More InformationThe signing of the Treaty of Paris was the official international recognition of America as an independent country. This treaty granted America the land that they had fought for during the American Revolution, and allowed them a true international political foothold. -
Federalism
More InformationFederalism is an idea that implies a strong central government. After the American Revolution, when leaders needed to draft rules for our country, they wrote the Constitution. Federalists were supporters of the Constitution, as they wanted a stronger central government. Federalists were opposed by Anti-federalists, who wanted state sovereignty. -
New Hampshire Ratifies the Constitution
More InformationWhen New Hampshire ratified the Constitution, they were the 9th state to do so, and the Constitution became legally binding. This was an important step in American history, because it was one of America's first drafted set of national rules. Although many did not like the power this gave the national government, the Constitution was important in directing the course of America's political history. -
Republicanism
More InformationRepublicanism is an idea in support of a republic form of government. Republicanism implies a desire for political influence on the state and individual level. Republicans opposed federalists in Jeffersonian America, because republicans wanted more individual state strength, and federalists desired a stronger central national government. -
The Signing of The Treaty of Ghent
More InformationThe signing of the Treaty of Ghent was the official end of the War of 1812. Although the war had been a disaster for America in almost all aspects, it gave Americans a reason to come together, and to develop a sense of nationalism. Americans gained common pride in having an independent military, and were also able to unite against a common enemy of the Native Americans and British. The War of 1812 spawned the Star-Spangled Banner, yet another thing Americans take common pride in, even today. -
Manifest Destiny
More InformationManifest Destiny was the term that represented American Westward Expansion. Americans expanded west through political means, both violent and diplomatic, and also through economic and cultural means. We fought Mexico for land, compromised with Britain for land, and moved west for gold in California. America wanted to become an international force, and they did through expanding their country. -
The Inauguration of Andrew Jackson
More InformationPresident Andrew Jackson was, and still is, one of the most controversial presidents in American history. He campaigned on the platform of democracy and public influence, fighting for the Common Man. This sounds nice, but he carried out his actions and policies in questionable ways. He discriminated racially, and generally placed himself above the rest of the government, circumventing Supreme Court or other government decisions. He had many supporters, and many haters. -
The Passing of the Indian Removal Act
More InformationAndrew Jackson established the Indian Removal Act to force Native Americans west, across the Mississippi River, off of their native lands. He went as far as to circumnavigate a Supreme Court decision that allowed Cherokees to inhabit Georgian lands, forcing them off along his Trail of Tears. -
The Publication of The Liberator
More InformationThe Liberator was an abolitionist newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison. It is a symbol of the abolitioist movement that swept America, whose goal was to remove slavery from American society. The strong economic industry that supported slavery caused an equally strong movement by these abolitionists who saw the institution as evil. This moral conflict would eventually build to the Civil War. -
The Signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
More InformationThe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the formal conclusion to the Mexican-American War. Through this treaty, America gained huge amounts of land from Mexico - parts of modern-day Texas, New Mexico, and California. This war, and this treaty, were a large part of America's westward expansion, and manifest destiny. -
The Election of Abraham Lincoln Into Office
More Information When Lincoln was elected as the 16th president, the nation was thrown into civil chaos. States seceded from the Union left and right. Opposing political views boiled over and conflict began. America was now separated, and two groups of Americans were engaged in violent warfare. -
The Fatal Wounding of Abraham Lincoln
More Information When Lnicoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth, and died the next day, it was a massive blow to a country that hadn't even begun to heal. The war had just ended, and politically, the country was still broken. It needed strong guidance and leadership, which Lincoln could have provided. This was the finishing deadly touch of the historically deadly Civil War. -
The Inauguration of President Andrew Johnson
More Information Abraham Lincoln did not fully think through his decision to have Andrew Johnson become his vice president in his second term. Andrew Johnson, and Presidential Reconstruction, held back the national healing process after the Civil War. He was racist, and too lenient towards the defeated Confederates. He created a national environment that encouraged discrimination after the war. -
The Ratification of the 14th Amendment
More Information The 14th Amendment is a great representation of Radical Reconstruction and the good it did for the country. No state could deny anyone, even African Americans, equality before the law. States lost Congressional representation if they denied African Americans suffrage. Confederates lost political power. The 14th Amendment and Radical Reconstruction were the balance of good against the unfairness of Presidential Reconstruction.
