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Period: 6000 BCE to
Beginnings To Exploration
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1200 BCE
Olmec Civilization
The Olmec were considered to be one of the first, greatest civilizations developed in Mesoamerica. Olmec civilization sparked the creation of cultural and religious beliefs that have been practice throughout in the Mesoamerican region. They were good with trading with others and cultivations. Many of their religious practices were by pyramids and sacrificing. Obsess about timing and religious ritual, the Olmec developed the Calendar.Olmec also developed a hierarchical society. -
1347
The Black Death
In the 14th century, Europe suffered a catastrophic event called, The Black Death. It was a widespread epidemic of the Bubonic Plague that passed from Asia through Europe. Around the fall of 1347, the Black Plague started to occur in Europe. In the span of three years, the Black Death killed around one third of the European population. This dramatic decrease in population coming into the Late Middle Ages, caused drastic changes in Europe's culture and lifestyle. -
1350
Renaissance
In Europe, the Renaissance was a period of revival of interest in classical learning and values of ancient Greece and Rome. This was a time where Europe developed political stability, the growth of prosperity, and the development of new technologies, like the printing press. Europe sought for growth and the importance of philosophy, literature, and most importantly art. Renaissance art was portrayed to be the beauty of the natural world and prosperity. -
1492
Exploration (Christopher Columbus)
Born in 1451, Columbus became a known navigator and explorer. In 1492, he sailed west across the Atlantic, thinking he would land in Asia quicker. Instead of Asia, he set out on his first voyage to what came to be known as the New World. Funded by the King and Queen of Spain, Columbus set out to 3 more voyages, causing awareness to Europeans who soon colonized. He will always be considered a historical figure due to discovering America, which influenced national imperialism and economic growth. -
1492
Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange portrayed a period of time where cultural and biological exchanges between the New World and Old World occurred. The exchange of many goods such as plants, animals, diseases, and technology changed the European and Indigenous population. This exchange lasted throughout many years of expansion and discovery. The Columbian Exchange impacted the social and cultural beliefs of both sides of the Atlantic. It will always be a major factor on how the world is shape today. -
1517
Reformation
The Reformation was the religious, political, and cultural chaos that broke Catholic Europe. This structured the beliefs that would define the continent in the modern era. Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I sparked the questioning of Catholic Church's ability of defining Christian practice and argued for the reconstruction of powers of religion and politics. This caused triggered wars, persecution, and the so-called Counter-Reformation. -
First English Colonies
Due to experiencing a time when England had political and religious turmoil, English men and women decided to colonize in the New World in hope for a better life. These colonies were an important factor as they were the first territories that came together to form the United States. The first colonization was with 100 settlers that landed near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay area on the banks of the James River. -
Virginia Colony
Virginia Colony was the very first of the 13 colonies to developed. The name was chosen in honor of Queen Elizabeth I, who was referred to as the "Virgin Queen". The colony was founded at Jamestown by John Smith. Lack of surviving skills and conflicts with Indians destroyed Jamestown. After other settlers arrived, they learned how to adapt and soon discovered a crop that boost the economy called tobacco. Since there was a mass production of tobacco, the colony utilized slaves. -
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English Colonial Societies
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Plymouth Colony
In 1620, about 100 members of the English Separatist Church, or so called pilgrims, set sail on the Mayflower to the New World. The Mayflower landed on the shores of Cape Cod, two months later, and in late December moored at Plymouth Rock, where they made their official settlement. Many suffered and died during the first winter. The rest were able to secure peace treaties with Native Americans. Squanto was a major impact in teaching them surviving skills. That allow them to have a good economy. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Colony was a colony that made up the New England Colonies. The colony was founded in 1630, and was named after John Winthrop, a puritan. Winthrop came up with its name by an Algonquin tribe. Some major industries that the colony depended on was fishing, livestock, farming, and shipbuilding. Because of the dominance of puritans, there was no tolerance for other religions.The colony existed until 1776 when it joined in the fight for independence against Britain. -
Navigation Acts
Navigation Acts started in 1651. It required to limit Dutch trade with English colonies.The purpose for the Acts was to encourage British shipping and allow Britain to keep the monopoly of British colonial trade for the benefit of British merchants. It ensured good's importation and exportation from colonies of Britain were restrict to British ships. It also made certain for highly profitable goods to be made from natural resources and industries in the Colonies, which went in favor for Britain. -
Glorious Revolution
This revolution took place in England where the blood-less deposition that lead to the overthrow of King James II, and led the establishment of William and Mary as monarchs. The reason it was called the Glorious Revolution was due to achieving what they wanted without any bloodshed. The revolution established a constitutional monarchy, which meant that parliament had basic sovereignty over the king. This led right to the English Bill of Rights 1689. -
Salem Witch Trials
It all started when a group of young girls in Salem Village, claimed to be possessed by the devil. Hysteria spread throughout the village as the girls accused several local women of witchcraft. The first convicted was Bridget Bishop and due to being considered guilty she was hanged. 18 more people were hanged due to being considered guilty. By September 1692, the hysteria has begun to fade. It was so dramatic that they declared a day for fasting for the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials. -
Caribbean Colonies
In the Caribbean Colonies, sugar was an important growing crop. Sugar was so important that it was considered the lifeblood of their religion. Since there was a massive production of the crop, slaves were needed. A lot of its continuation for the production of sugar was because Europeans depended so much on it. Some of the largest production of sugar occurred in Barbados and Jamaica. English possessed Barbados and it had a population of 26,000, there was no legal recourse that were for slaves. -
Triangular Trade
Triangular trade was the trade occurring between England, Africa, and the Americas. They traded raw materials and natural resources such as sugar, tobacco, rice, and cotton that were found in the thirteen colonies. Manufactured products came from England and Europe, for instance, guns, cloth, beads. Slavs were the main who were used in the Triangular trade. The journeys had a large profit and full cargo. -
Slavery
Slavery in Colonial America was largely tied to European Colonies' need for labor, especially agricultural labor in their Caribbean sugar colonies. Most slaves were kidnapped to the thirteen British Colonies. First Africans to be brought to British North America landed in Virginia. In New England African and indigenous were a smaller part of the New England economy and a smaller fraction of the population. In New York and New Jersey enslaved blacks worked as farmers, fur traders, and builders. -
Period: to
Colonial America To 1763
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Salutary Neglect
Salutary Neglect was a British policy in the 13 colones which allowed the colonists to flout, or violate, the laws associated with trade. There were no effective enforcement agencies and it was expensive to send British troops to America. It was to ensure the insure that the American colonies would remain loyal. The Neglect wasn't documented. Salutary Neglect benefited the colonists boosting their profits from trade. -
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a periodical time of intellectual ferment in the 13 colonies. It led to the creation of the American Republic. The enlightenment was influenced by the European enlightenment. It applied many knowledge in scientific reasoning to politics, science, and religion.It focused on literature, art, music, and the worth of study in colleges. For instance, Benjamin Franklin was known for his work on electricity, and Sir Isaac Newton for his law of gravitation and scientific revolution -
Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was the protestant religious revival in British America. It resulted in giving listeners a sense of deep personal revelation of their need of salvation by Jesus Christ, which made Christianity intensely personal to the average person. It established authority and incited rancor between protestants, who insisted in the importance of ritual and doctrine. The famous George Whitfield was an English Anglican and he preached a series of revivals.Preaching made him recognizable. -
French and Indian War
The war was also known as the Seven Years' War. The war was about issues that Britain and France had against each other. France's expansion into Ohio River valley brought conflict with the claims of British colonies. The war referred to the two main enemies of the British colonists, which were the French forces and the Indian forces that allied with them. In result, France gave up to Great Britain its territory east of the Mississippi. -
Treaty of Paris - 1763
The treaty ended the French and Indian War/ Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France as well each of their allies. In the treaty, it states that France gave up all of its territories in North America, ending any foreign military threat to the British Colonies. During the war Britain had important overseas victories: they conquered French Canada. The British were interested in finishing the war because they would be in debt. The treaty seemed to bring success to the colonies and Britain. -
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The Revolutionary War 1763-1783
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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by British Parliament. The tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay taxes on ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, playing cards, etc. The Stamp Act was passed due to cover the Britain's debt of war. The Stamp Act Congress took action and met in Federal Hall building in New York City. In the meeting, 27 representatives attended of nine of the 13 colonies. This was considered the first colonial action against a British measure. -
Boston Massacre
On a night, a group of patriots came in and started to taunt the British soldiers who were guarding the building. The patriots were protesting occupation of their City by British troops, who were enforcing Townshend Acts passed by parliament without American representation. Colonists kept on throwing objects at the British soldiers. Suddenly, Montgomery was hit. Moments later, other soldiers began firing. In the end 5 colonists were dead, and it was the first fatality in the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a sign of protest that was against the enacted taxation of the British Parliament. Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty dressed as "Indians" and boarded 3 ships in the Boston Harbor then, threw 342 chests of tea overboard. This resulted in a punishment and the British Parliament enacting the Coercive Acts in 1774 and pushed two sides closer to war. Partial wave of resistance throughout the colonies, was due to Parliament's effort to rescue East India Company. -
Battle Of Lexington
This battle sparked the American Revolution. Over the years, the 13 American colonies and the British have had issues. On that night British troops marched near Concord. Paul Revere and others alarmed men that the redcoats were coming and militiamen began to mobilize. The chaos started when a shot was fired. The reason this shot was called "Shot heard 'Round the World' was because nobody knew who fired it. In the battle Colonists showed perseverance and proved that they could beat a strong army. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine and was published January 10, 1776. Paine argues for American Independence and why it is the best for the nation. In the pamphlet he states with theoretical reflection about distinguishing between government, society, and religion. Later he describes the issues of the colonial situation. This was a sign that Paine wanted to encourage people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government. It became the largest sale of any book in American history. -
The Declaration of Independence
John Adams was a leader who pushed for independence. It meant that on July 2nd the document was passed with no opposing vote cast. Also on this date, Congress voted to declare independence to Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolution. John Adams persuaded them to select Thomas Jefferson to compose the original draft of the document. On July 4, they announced that the 13 colonies were declared independent and no longer under the British rule. -
Massachusetts Constitution
The Constitution consists of three major parts: Preamble, Declaration of Rights, and a Frame of Government. Preamble announces the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which means that all have to agree to be under the law designed for the "common good." The Declaration of Rights protects individual rights and it restate individual freedom and equality. Frame of Gov't sets the authority and obligations of the 3 branches of the government. This influenced the U.S constitution and was drafted by Adams. -
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The Constitution
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Articles of Confederation
It was the first constitution written for the U.S. Fear of central authority and large-scale land claims by states, slowed the progress before it was ratified. Congress had authority to make allies and treaties and maintained armed forces. Congress had issues with this constitution. They didn't have enough power to enact taxes and regulate commerce. With this constitution nothing had been done. It was viewed as weak and it had no central government. -
Treaty of Paris- 1783
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 was negotiated between the United States and Great Britain. This treaty ended the revolutionary war and recognized that America gained its independence. The articles of peace were signed by Adams, Franklin, Jay, and Henry Laurens for the Unites States and Richard Oswald for Great Britain. The final draft of the treaty was signed on September 1783, and it was ratified by the Continental Congress early in 1784. The treaty got its name after the city where it was signed. -
Shay's Rebellion
The rebellion was from a rebellious act from American soldiers that were against the state and local taxation. The rebellion mostly took place in Massachusetts, where there was economic depression and a lot of high taxes. Many farmers were threatened they were going to loose their farms. The rebellion name was from a symbolic leader named Daniel Shays, he was a former captain in the Continental Army. This revolt alarmed politicians that there needs to be a revision or replacement of the AOC. -
New Jersey Plan
It was also known as the Small State Plan. The plan was presented and held at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. It consisted of 11 resolutions that proposed by delegates from the small states that consist New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Delaware. The plan emphasized on having only one house and featured equal representation in which each state had the same number of representatives. The goal was for the smaller states to have equal power as the big states. -
The Great Debate
The Great Debate was between the Federalists and Anti- Federalists debating over the ratification of the Constitution. The Anti- Federalists argued that the Constitution was giving too much power to the federal government, and not giving enough power to states. They worried that the original text didn't contain a bill of rights. However, Federalists believed that the nation wouldn't survive without the Constitution and there was a stronger national gov't was necessary after the failed AOC. -
Judicial Branch
Since the Constitution didn't direct specific powers of the Supreme Court, or explain how the judicial branch should be organized, the judiciary didn't do anything to the other branches of the government. It all changed when the trial of Marbury vs. Madison established the Supreme Court power of judicial review. The Judicial Review is another key example of the checks and balances system in action. Overall, this branch interprets laws made by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive. -
Northwest Ordinance
This 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. The Northwest Ordinance also protected civil liberties, outlawed slavery, and public education within the new territories. The south didn't contradict due to hoping that the new states would be populated by white settlers from the South. They believed that if they moved West they would not join the growing abolition movement of the North. -
Election of 1788
This was America's first presidential election. In this election only white men that owned property were allowed to vote. In result, George Washington became the first president of the United States. Washington was like a god-like figure and everyone just seemed to believe he was a good leader. The Vice President of this election was John Adams. This influenced the voting system as of today we still use the Electoral College system, established by the U.S Constitution. -
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The New Republic
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The Bill of Rights
James Madison proposed the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the English Bill of Right. The United states Bill of Rights plays a central role in American law and government, and it remained the fundamentals of freedoms and cultures of the nation. Because of Madison, the Bill of Rights officially became part of the Consitution in 1791. -
Bank of the United States
The Bank of the United States was proposed by Alexander Hamilton. It was to serve as a repository for federal funds. It conducted commercial business as well as for acting for the government.Even though it was successful, it received many critics that it was constraining economic development and the charter wasn't renewed. The design of the bank was to recall the democracy and splendor of ancient Greece. At the time, the bank had an eagle and the eagle had been the national symbol for 14 years. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was the revolt of farmers in Western Pennsylvania against the whiskey tax enacted by the federal government. Many years of aggression with tax collectors in the region exploding and confronting the President made Washington send troops to quell. The reason the tax was enacted was because during the American Rev., some states had significant debt. The Rebellion built support for the Republicans, which overtook Washington's Federalists Party for power. -
Election of 1796
The Presidential election of 1796 was the first contested American presidential election and the one to elect a President and Vice President from opposing tickets. It was the first test of whether the nation could transfer power through a contested election. The election was due to Washington refusing a third term in office. Democratic- Republicans campaigned heavily for Jefferson and Federalists campaigned heavily for Adams. In result, John Adams won the election. -
Adam's Presidency
John Adams was the second president of the United States. His presidency was taken up by foreign affairs. American trade was affected due to Britain and France being at war. Adams sent a delegation to France to negotiate a treaty but the French refused to meet with the delegates. But the French minister, Charles Maurice demanded a bribe which was known as the XYZ Affair, which boosted Adams' popularity. In 1798 he signed the Alien and Sedition Acts. It arrested anyone who disagreed with the govt -
Election of 1800
The election was between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This election was sometimes referred to as the "Revolution of 1800". It was a hard-fought campaign. No candidate received the majority of electors, the president was chosen due to the vote of House of Representatives. There was a controversy over how there was an electoral tie vote between Jefferson and Burr that led to the passage of 12th Amendment.The election's outcome became a victory for Thomas Jefferson. -
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The Age Of Jefferson
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Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, the United States purchased Louisiana territory from France, which doubled the size of the young republic. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned a Discovery Expedition, led by Lewis and William Clark, to explore the territory that acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. This was among the few things that Jefferson achieved as a president. In 1804, American expansion westward into the lands began immediately. Although it was successful, this caused many issues with the political parties. -
Hamilton Vs. Burr
In a duel, Vice president, Aaron Burr shoots Alexander Hamilton, who died the following day. Hamilton came to detest Burr, who he thought of him to as a dangerous opportunist. When Burr ran for Vice presidency in 1796, Hamilton started public attacks against Burr. According to Hamilton's assistant and witness in the duel Hamilton thought that the duel was morally wrong and decided to fire into the air. But Burr's second claimed that Hamilton fired at Bur and missed. Burr came a fugitive after. -
Madison Presidency
Madison became the fourth president of the United States. During his presidency Madison experienced problems as Britain and France has been attacking on American ships following the embargo. Britain took U.S sailors for its own navy, which was impressment and supported American Indians in battles against the U.S. Madison issued a war proclamation against Britain in 1812. As the war of 1812 continued, he ran for presidency again. Even though he won, he was criticized and blamed for the issues. -
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Cultural Changes
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War of 1812
In the War of 1812, the U.S was going against a powerful army, Great Britain. British attempts to restrict U.S trade, Royal Navy's impressment of American men, and America's want to expand the territory sparked the war. During the war, U.S suffered many defeats, including the capture and burning of the capital. In 1814, Fort McHenry withstood 25 hrs of bombardment by the British Navy. The following morning, the Fort's soldiers rose an American flag, which inspired Key to write "Star-Spangled.." -
Lowell Mills
Lowell, Massachusetts was planned to be a town for the manufacture of textiles. It introduced a new system of manufacturing and established new patters of employment and urban development. The factories employed workers known as mill girls or factory girls. The Lowell mills was a hint of the industrial revolution. For many mill girls, this was a sign of freedom. Others criticized the wage labor factory system as a form of slavery and campaigned against the harsh working conditions. -
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The American Industrial Revolution
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Second Bank of the United States
The Bank was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bank handled all the transactions for the U.S government, and was accountable to Congress and the U.S treasury. The main function of the bank was to regulate the public credit. It also established a stable national currency. It was charted by James Madison and began operation at its main branch in Philadelphia. -
Cotton Gin
In 1794, the Cotton Gin was introduced by Eli Whitney. This machine speed the process of removing seeds from the cotton fiber, since that process took a long time for slaves to do it manually. Cotton Gin revolutionized the production of cotton. By the mid-19th century, cotton became America's leading cash crop. The machine allowed for the southerners to maintain and expand slavery even as a growing number were abolitionists. He was considered as a pioneer of American manufacturing. -
Canals
The Erie Canal is a waterway of the U.S, connecting the Great Lakes with New York City via the Hudson River at Albany. Erie Canal was the first canal in the U.S to connect western waterways with the Atlantic Ocean. Its construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825. The canal construction was the essential for many of the engineers who built other American canals and railroads. The canal became a revolutionized invention that was an instant commercial and financial success. -
Adams-Onis Treaty 1819
It was known for the Florida Treaty. It was an agreement between the U.S and Spain that Florida would become a new territory to the U.S and set out a boundary between the U.S and New Spain. The treaty was named after Quincy Adams and Luis de Onis, the men who negotiated the agreement. U.S occupation began in 1821, and Andrew Jackson, was appointed military governor. Florida was organized as a U.S territory in 1822 and was admitted to the Union. -
Panic of 1819
This was a time when the U.S was in crisis in financial and economic conditions following the War of 1812. It was a time of national exuberance and the establishment of the Second Bank of America. The inept of the Second Bank of America caused the U.S panic by first extending fat too much credit and then restricting it. The bank policies led to foreclosures and bankruptcies. It was the first importat financial crisis. It resulted in the public loss of confidence in financial structure. -
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a protestant religious revival in the United States. By the beginning of 19th century, Christian believes were held less in favor by educated Americans. Christians received aid as the tremendous religious revival spread westward. The Awakening was marked by an emphasis on personal piety over schooling and theology. It stimulated the establishment of many reform movements designed to remedy the evils of society. -
Temperance Movement
The organization that occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries was an organized effort to encourage moderation in the consumption of intoxication liquors or press for complete abstinence. Women were standing to raise their voice, who with their children, endured effects of drinking men. Even in the 1830's some 6000 local temperance groups were still in the movement. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was by president James Monroe. The Doctrine became an American foreign policy. Quincy Adams developed the wording of the declaration and he influenced the doctrine's overall shape. The Monroe Doctrine obligated European powers to respect the Western Hemisphere as the U.S sphere of interest and that the U.S wouldn't tolerate further colonization. -
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Age of Jackson
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Election of 1824
John Quincy Adams was elected President after the election was decided by the House of Representatives. In this election the Democratic-Republican party split as four separate candidates. This is the 1st election where the popular vote retained for history. This election was an election where the person that got the most electoral votes didn't win the election. -
Presidency of John Q. Adams
Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States. Adams faced many unkind behavior from the Jacksonians in Congress. He proposed a progressive national program including an interstate system of roads and canals and creation of national university. Jackson's supporters argued that these type of advancements exceeded federal authority according to the Constitution. The Eerie Canal was completed while serving as president. Adam played a major role in many documents and high point in the US -
Abolitionist
This was a movement where the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. The Abolitionist movement distinguished them as anti-slavery advocates. These people fought and contradicted the pro-slavery movements. Abolitionists ideas increased in Northern churches and politics. It contributed to the regional animosity between the North and South, which lead up to the Civil War. -
Election of 1828
This presidential election of 1828 was between Quincy Adams and Jackson. Unlike the election of 1824, there was no other major candidate, resulting in Jackson easily winning an electoral victory over Adams. The Democratic party gave support to existing supporters of Jackson and their coalition with the supporters of the Old Republicans and Vice President Calhoun. Many of the issues occurring during the election was tariffs. -
Railroads
In 1830, Peter Cooper designed and built the first American-built steam locomotive. The Tom Thumb was operated on a common-carrier railroad. In 1857, George Pullman invented The Pullman Sleeping car. Pullman's railroad was designed for overnight passenger travel. Sleeping cars were being used in the 1830's on American railroads. -
Telegraph
Samuel Morse developed the telegraph in the 1830's and 1840's. The invention revolutionized long-distance communication. It transmitted electrical signals over a wire laid between stations. To help invent the telegraph, Morse developed a code that assigned a set of dots and dashes to each letter of the English alphabet. This allowed for simple transmission of complex messages across telegraph lines. In 1844, he sent his first telegraph message. -
Anti-Slavery Movement
This was call for the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. Recommending for immediate emancipation distinguished abolitionists from anti-slavery advocates argued for gradual emancipation, and from free-soil activists who thought to restrict slavery to existing areas and to prevent to spread more to the west. Society received substantial moral and financial support from African Americans communities in the North. -
New York Female Reform Society
This showed the change in emphasis from only reclaiming fallen women to shaping public opinion. Much of this moral reform society sought to do was based on the hugely successful model of the temperance movement, which convinced many people of the evils of liquor. McDowell hoped to influence public opinion enough to condemn and stigmatize the men who visited prostitutes. It detailed how and who would run the organization. It was a firm tradition in the American Public. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner was a black American slave who led bloodiest slave revolt in American history. Him and six other slaves killed the Travis family. About 75 other slaves joined his rebellious action and killed 51 white people. The rebellion put many southerners in fear. Making the outcome horrific for many. About 56 blacks accused and were executed. They ended the emancipation, resulted in even harsher laws against slaves, and deepened the schism between slave- holders and free-soilers. -
Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis was a sectional political crisis during Jackson's presidency. South Carolina declared and claimed that the federal Tariffs of 1828 were unconstitutional and null and void within sovereign boundaries of the state. They claimed the attempt to forcefully collect taxes would lead into them seceding. Vice President Calhoun argued that since the authority of the federal government derived from the consent of the states, then states could nullify any federal law. -
Election of 1832
The presidential election of 1832 President Andrew Jackson, candidate of Democratic Party, won the reelection against Henry Clay of Kentucky. This was the first national election for Martin Van Buren of New York. This was the first election where there was a Democratic convention is held as party evolves out of Democratic-Republican party. Issues were the Charter of the National Bank and the Indian Removal Act. Jackson's smashing victory in 1832 spelled the end for both the National-Republican. -
Whig Party
Opponents of Jackson organized a party that went against the Jacksonian Democrats nationally and in the states. It was guided by Henry Clay. Even though it was brief due to the Jacksonian democrats as a party devoted to the interests of wealth and aristocracy, they managed to win support from diverse economic groups. Many have viewed Whigs differently. Some see them as champions of Banks, business, corporations economic growth, the positive liberal state. It was a major party. -
Roads
The first major improved highway that was established in the United States was The National Road, also known as the Cumberland road. The road that was completed in 1834 connected from Potomac and Ohio Rivers. It was a main transport path to the West for the settlers. The road became the main street in the early settlements, earning the nickname "The Main Street of America." -
Battle of San Jacinto
On 1836, Texas fought for its independence against Mexico. Texas militia under Sam Houston launched a surprise attack against the forces of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, while they were taking a nap. Mexicans were thoroughly routed and hundreds were taken prisoner. The victory ensured Texas' independence. Santa Anna was taken a prisoner and was forced to sign the treaty at Velasco, which was Texas' gaining independence in exchange for his freedom. The treaty built tension of the border. -
Trail of Tears
In 1838, Andrew Jackson made an Indian Removal Policy. The whole Cherokee nation forcefully have to give up their lands east of the Mississippi River and had to migrate to an area, which is now Oklahoma. The horrific conditions of hunger, disease, and exhaustion, was how the forced march had it's name. Because of the bad conditions, the Cherokee named it the "Trail of Tears." It was so bad that the Cherokee lost over 4,000 our of 15,000 of its population. -
Edgar Allen Poe
Edgar Allen Poe was famous for his mystery such as "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The tell take Heart", and "The Raven." He was a widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism and in the United States and American literature. He was one of the earliest practitioners of the short story. He is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre and is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. -
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Westward Expansion
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Election of 1844
The presidential election of 1844 was between Democrat James Knox Polk and Whig Henry Clay in a contest that turned on foreign policy, with Polk favoring the annexation of Texas and Clay opposed. Polk ran on a platform that embraced American territorial expansionism. This was the last presidential election to be held on different days in different states, as starting with the presidential election -
Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny was a period of time where American expansion that the United States would expand from coast to coast. This sparked the western settlement, native American removal and war with Mexico. the term was a belief that it was Anglo-Saxon Americans' wanted to expand their civilization. Manifest destiny was the belief in American cultural and racial superiority. O'Sullivan described that majority of Americans at the time believed it was their mission from God. -
Mormon Migration
Young abandoned Nauvoo and began leading 1,600 Mormons west across the frozen Mississippi in subzero temperatures. Young planned to make the westward trek in stages, and determined the first major stopping point would be along the Missouri River. The mass of Mormons mde the journey to the Missouri River and Winter Quarters were home to 12,000 Mormons. After a long journey, Young saw a broad valley where a giant lake shimmered into the distance. He decided Great Salt Lake. -
Mexican- American War
It politically divided and militarily unprepared Mexico against the expansionist-minded administration of U.S president James Polk. A border along the Rio Grande started off the fighting. Mexican Calvary attacked a group of U.S soldiers in the zone under command of Zachary Taylor. Then laid siege to an American fort along Rio Grande. Taylor called reinforcements, with help of superior rifles and artillery the U.S was able to defeat the Mexicans at the battle of Palo Alto and Resaca de La Palma. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican- American War in favor of the U.S. The war was over a territorial dispute involving Texas. The treaty added 525,000 square miles to United States territory. Mexico gave up all claims to Texas and Rio Grande as America's southern boundary.The aftermath Mexican- American war resulted in Polk having a successful war, even though he lost public support after nearly two bloody and costly years of fighting. -
Free-Soil Party
The party was to voice views of the politicians who sought the abolishment of slavery and wanted new territories acquired by the United States to remain free states. It consisted of politicians of various parties: Democrats, the Whigs, the Liberty Party and Barnburners. The Free Soil Party eventually emerged as the new Republican party in opposition to the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act. -
California Gold Rush
The Gold Rush sparked in early 1848, when a discovery of gold nuggets was found in Sacramento Valley. As news spread, thousands of prospective gold miners traveled by sea or by land to San Francisco. Thousands of gold miners, known as '49ers. The overcrowded chaos of the mining camps and towns grew ever more lawless. Gold Rush undoubtedly sped up California's admission. In 1849, California applied to enter the union. This was one of the most significant events to shape American History. -
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Sectional Crisis
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Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1859 was a package of five separate bills. It defused a political confrontation between slave and free states on the status territories acquired during the Mexican-American War. The compromise had specific provisions.Texas surrendered its claim to New Mexico as well as its claims north. California being admitted as a free state, with its current boundaries. South prevented adoption of Proviso that would have outlawed slavery in new territories. No slavery in District of Columbia. -
Underground Railroad
It was a network of people, African American, offering shelter and aid to escaped shelter. A network of secret routes and safe houses established in the U.S.The Underground Railroad was formed as a convergence of various clandesine efforts at the time. Most operators were ordinary people. The term applied abolitionists both black and white, free and enslaved. Harriet Tubman escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist. Led hundreds of slaves along the route of Underground Railroad. -
Fugitive Slave Act
It was a pair of federal laws that allowed for the capture and return of runaway slaves within the United States. The act authorized local governments to seize and return escaped slaves to their owners and imposed penalties on anyone who helped. The Act was even more impassioned criticism and resistance than the earlier measure. States like Vermont and Wisconsin passed new measures intended to bypass and even nullify the law. -
Election of 1852
The United States presidential election, the incumbent President was a Whig who had succeeded to win the presidency. Democrats nominated candidate, Franklin Pierce. Pierce went against Winfield Scott. In the overwhelming defeat the Whig Party rapidly collapsed as a national political force as internal tensions of the issue of slavery caused mass abandonment of the party, making it the last presidential election in which the Whig party participated. -
Bleeding Kansas
Proslavery and free-state settlers flooded into Kansas to try to influence whether the are would become free state or a slave state. It was a series of violent political confrontations in the U.S. Soon, violence erupted as both factions fought for control. A raid on Harper's ferry occurred in Kansas by abolitionist John Brown who led anti-slavery fighters. It was events in the Kansas territory were a microcosm of violent forces shaping the U.S. -
Election of 1860
The presidential election was held November 6, 1860. Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell. The split between Northern and Southern Democrats had severe split due to the issue of slavery. In the months of Lincoln's election, seven Southern states, led by South Carolina seceded, setting the state for the American Civil War. -
North
The north's climate and soil favored smaller farmsteads. Industry flourished, which they had an abundant amount of natural resources than the South and many large cities were established. One quarter of Northerners lived in Urban areas. Slavery died out and was replaced by factories and immigrant labor. Transportation was much easier in the North, more than 2/3 of railroad tracks and economy was upswing. The problem they faced was that they had bad military leaders to rule during war. -
South
The soil and warm climate was made more for large-scale farms and crops like tobacco and cotton. Agriculture was profitable few southerners saw a need for industrial development. 80% of the labor force worked on the farm. Most of the ones that did exist were located on rivers and coasts as shipping ports to send agricultural produce to European/ Northern destination. Transportation was difficult. 35% of the nation's train was located there. Had no navy. They had a strong military leaderships. -
Robert E. Lee
In 1861, Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, which he would lead the Confederate for the rest of the Civil War. Lee achieved success during the Peninsula Campaign and at Second Bull Run, and Fredericksburg. Lee invaded North, and was defeated at Gettysburg. Clashes in Virginia in 1864-65 before surrendering what was left on his army. He has been known for many tactical brilliance and remains a revered figure in the American South. -
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The Civil War
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Ulysses S. Grant
When the Civil War began in 1861, he volunteered for military service in the Union army. His first command was as the colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry. Victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson gained him the nickname of " Unconditional Surrender." However, a surprise attack by the Confederate at the Battle of Shiloh yielded devastating casualties during the first day's fighting. Victory at Vicksburg was due to Grant's strategic masterpiece. After the war, Grant was named Secretary of War. -
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle was one of the major early engagements of the Civil War. The Union received a surprise attack from the Confederates. After a few success, confederates were unable to hold their positions and the battle due to the massive artillery that helped the Union gain victory. Both armies lost many of their men. Next morning, the federals had been reinforced by the Army of the Ohio under Maj. Gen. don Carlos Buell. Confederate defeat ended hopes of blocking the Union advance into Mississippi. -
Gettysburg
It was considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia to Pennsylvania. Confederates and the Union Army clashed of the Potomac, and commanded at the crossroads town of Gettysburg. Lee waited for a Union counterattack, but they never came. The battle was a crushing defeat for the Confederacy. Lee offered his resignation to President Davis, but was refused. The Battle of Gettysburg turned the tide of the Civil War in the Union's favor. -
Abraham's Assassination
On the evening, John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's theater in Washington, D.C. The attack came occurred five days after general Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Booth fired his .44-caliber single-shot derringer pistol into back Lincoln's head. Lincoln was mourned in both the North and South, and around the world. He was praised the day after his death. Many foreign gov't issued proclamations -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution gave a sign that "Neither slave nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exit within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This state that slavery could no longer exist in the United States. The amendment was ratified by the required number of states. -
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Reconstruction
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Election of 1866
United States House of Representatives were held in 1866. This election was to elect representatives to the 40th United States Congress. The election occurred one year after the American Civil war ended. It was the decisive event in the early Reconstruction era, in which Andrew Johnson faced against Radical Republicans. They were in a dispute on whether Reconstruction should be lenient or harsh. -
Election of 1868
The election of 1868 was the first presidential election to take place after the American Civil War, since the period was referred to as Reconstruction. Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia couldn't vote in the election because it was not part of the Union yet. Democrats nominated Horatio to defeat Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant. In the election Grant benefited from many advantages like the massive popularity in the North. During the election America faced issues like Impeachment. -
15th Amendment
In this amendment, granted African American men the right to vote by declaring that the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States..." The reconstruction era debated the rights of the millions of black former slaves. 40th United States Congress passed an amendment protecting black suffrage. -
Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873 gave the understanding of the first global depression brought about by industrial capitalism. It commenced as a regular pattern of boom and bust cycles that distinguish our current economic system. Unlike mercantile capitalism, industrial capitalism is controlled by access to venture capital and productivity of capital investments. This triggered a depression in Europe and North America. First symptoms of crisis financial issues in the Austro-Hungarian capital, Vienna. -
Election of 1876
The election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden was one of the most hostile, controversial campaigns. Tilden won the popular vote and led in the electoral college, but 19 votes from three Republican-controlled states remained disputed. Accusations of voter fraud forced Congress to set up a special electoral commission to determine the winner. The vote was 8-7 along party lines to award Hayes, making him the winner. -
Compromise of 1877
It was an informal,unwritten deal that settled the intense issues that occurred in presidential election of 1876. The outcome was that in United States federal government pulling the last troops of the South and it ending the Reconstruction Era. Republican Rutherford was awarded the White House over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. The compromise involved Democrats who controlled the House of Representatives. The compromise stated that South Democrats would acknowledge Hayes as president.
