APUSH Timeline (copy)

Columbus' arrival in the New World

1492, initiated flows of trade between the Old World and the New World. This marked the beginning of the Columbian Exchange and European colonization of the Americas.

Lost Colony

The colony sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Island that disappeared. Its mysterious disappearance symbolizes the early struggles of English colonization.

Spanish Armada defeat

1588, marked the decline of Spanish dominance at sea. This event paved the way for English naval superiority and colonization efforts.

Jamestown

1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Jamestown laid the foundation for future English colonies and the eventual United States.

Captain John Smith

Leader of the Jamestown settlement. Smith's leadership was crucial for the survival of the early colony.

Mayflower Arrival

1620, brought Pilgrims to Plymouth and established a colony. This voyage led to the establishment of a self-governing colony based on religious principles.

Toleration Act

1649, granted religious freedom to Christians in Maryland. It was an early step toward religious tolerance in the American colonies.

Glorious Revolution

1688, overthrew King James II and established William and Mary as monarchs. This event ensured Protestant rule in England and influenced colonial governance.

Salem Witch Trials

1692, a series of hearings and prosecutions of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. It represents a dark period of mass hysteria and injustice in early American history.

Seven Years' War

1754-1763, conflict between British and French over colonial territories. This war set the stage for increased British control and subsequent colonial resistance.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended the Seven Years' War, giving England control over Canada and east of the Mississippi. It significantly expanded British territory in North America.

Proclamation of 1763

Forbade colonial settlement past the Appalachian Mountains. It angered colonists who desired westward expansion.

Stamp Act

1765, taxed goods produced in the colonies, prompting boycotts. This was a key event that fueled colonial discontent and resistance to British rule.

Boston Massacre

1770, an incident where British soldiers shot into a crowd of colonists. It became a symbol of British oppression and fueled revolutionary sentiment.

Boston Tea Party

1773, a protest against tea taxes that resulted in British 'Intolerable Acts'. This act was a pivotal act of defiance leading to punitive measures by the British.

Lexington & Concord

1775, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. These battles marked the beginning of armed conflict between Britain and its colonies.

Declaration of Independence

1776, proclaimed American independence from Britain. It was a formal declaration of the colonies' decision to separate from British rule.

Battle of Saratoga

1777, a turning point in the Revolutionary War that gained French support. This victory convinced France to formally ally with the American colonies.

Articles of Confederation

1777, the first national constitution, which had significant limitations. It represented an early attempt to establish a unified government for the newly independent states.

Franco-American Alliance

1778, alliance negotiated by Benjamin Franklin for French support in the war. French support was crucial in the American victory over Britain.

Battle of Yorktown

1781, where British general Cornwallis surrendered, ending the Revolutionary War. This surrender marked the effective end of major fighting in the Revolutionary War.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Formally ended the Revolutionary War, granting the U.S. independence. Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States.

Constitutional Convention

1787, resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution established a new framework for American government.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population and equal state representation. It resolved disputes between large and small states during the Constitutional Convention.

3/5ths Compromise

Determined that three-fifths of the slave population would count for representation and taxation. This compromise addressed the issue of slavery's role in representation.

Washington’s Election

1788, marked the first presidential election in the United States. Washington's election set the standard for future presidential transitions.

Bill of Rights

1791, the first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual rights. It protects fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens.

XYZ Affair

1798, diplomatic incident between the U.S. and France leading to an undeclared war. This affair strained relations between the U.S. and France.

Jefferson’s Election

1800, marked the first peaceful transfer of power between parties. It demonstrated the viability of the U.S. constitutional system.

Marbury v. Madison

1803, established the principle of judicial review. This established the Supreme Court's authority to interpret the Constitution.

Louisiana Purchase

1803, acquisition of territory from France that doubled the size of the United States. It significantly expanded the U.S. territory and resources.

War of 1812

1812-1815, conflict between the U.S. and Britain over maritime rights. It affirmed American sovereignty and strengthened national identity.

Hartford Convention

1814-1815, meeting of Federalists to discuss grievances during the War of 1812. The convention highlighted divisions within the United States.

Battle of New Orleans

1815, a decisive victory for the U.S. in the War of 1812. This victory boosted American morale and national pride.

Era of Good Feelings

1816-1824, a period of political unity in the U.S. This era saw reduced partisan conflict and focused on national development.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819, reinforced the supremacy of federal law over state law. It strengthened the power of the federal government.

Missouri Compromise

1820, allowed Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This compromise temporarily eased tensions over slavery.

Monroe Doctrine

1823, declared that the Americas were off-limits to further European colonization. This doctrine shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades.

Indian Removal Act

1830, authorized the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. This act led to the Trail of Tears and immense suffering.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

1831, a slave revolt led by Nat Turner that resulted in numerous deaths. It highlighted the brutality of slavery and sparked fear among slaveholders.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. It fueled westward expansion and conflicts with Native Americans and Mexico.

Battle of the Alamo

1836, a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution against Mexico. It became a symbol of Texan resistance and determination.

Annexation of Texas

1845, Texas was admitted to the United States as a state. It led to heightened tensions with Mexico and the Mexican-American War.

Mexican-American War

1845-1848, conflict resulting from the annexation of Texas. This war resulted in the U.S. gaining vast territories.

Seneca Falls Convention

1848, the first women's rights convention held in the United States. It was a key milestone in the women's suffrage movement.

Fugitive Slave Law

1850, mandated that escaped slaves be returned to their owners. It intensified the debate over slavery and increased tensions.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

1852, a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that portrayed the harsh reality of slavery. This book helped to galvanize public opinion against slavery.

Bleeding Kansas

1854-1859, violent political confrontations over the legality of slavery in Kansas. It was a prelude to the Civil War, illustrating the deep divisions over slavery.

Dred Scott Decision

1857, Supreme Court ruling that declared African Americans were not citizens. This decision exacerbated tensions and moved the nation closer to civil war.

Lincoln’s Election

1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president, leading to Southern secession. His election triggered the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War.

Civil War

1861-1865, conflict between Northern states and Southern states over slavery. This war determined the fate of the Union and the institution of slavery.

Homestead Act

1862, encouraged Western migration by providing settlers land. It facilitated the settlement of the West and transformed American agriculture.

Emancipation Proclamation

1863, declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate states. This proclamation changed the course of the war and paved the way for the 13th Amendment.

Gettysburg

1863, a turning point battle in the Civil War. This Union victory marked a turning point in the Civil War.

Lincoln Assassinated

1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln's assassination had a profound impact on Reconstruction efforts.

Military Reconstruction Act

1867, aimed to rebuild the South after the Civil War. This act defined the terms of Reconstruction and federal intervention in the South.

Purchase of Alaska

1867, U.S. acquired Alaska from Russia. It expanded U.S. territory and access to resources.

Compromise of 1877

Ended Reconstruction and resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. This compromise marked the end of Reconstruction and the return of white supremacy in the South.

Little Bighorn

1876, battle where General Custer was defeated by Native American forces. It symbolized Native American resistance to U.S. expansion.

Haymarket Square Riot

1886, a labor protest that turned violent in Chicago. It highlighted the growing tensions between labor and capital.

Dawes Act

1887, aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land. This act undermined tribal sovereignty and traditional ways of life.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887, established the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad rates. This was an early attempt to regulate big business and protect public interests.

Wounded Knee

1890, a massacre marking the end of armed Native American resistance. It symbolized the tragic end of Native American resistance to U.S. expansion.

McKinley Tariff

1890, raised tariffs on goods to protect American industry. It reflected the protectionist policies of the time.

Sherman Antitrust Act

1890, first federal act that outlawed monopolistic business practices. It was an early attempt to regulate monopolies and promote competition.

Pullman Strike

1894, nationwide railroad strike that caused disruptions across the country. It demonstrated the power of organized labor and the challenges of industrial relations.

Cross of Gold speech

1896, delivered by William Jennings Bryan, advocating for bimetallism. This speech captured the populist sentiment of the era.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896, upheld racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine. This decision legitimized segregation for decades.

Annexation of Hawaii

1898, Hawaii was annexed by the United States. This expansion reflected American imperialist ambitions.

Spanish-American War

1898, conflict that resulted in the U.S. gaining territories like Puerto Rico. It marked America's emergence as a global power.

Platt Amendment

1902, allowed U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs. It secured U.S. influence over Cuba after the Spanish-American War.

Wright Brothers

1903, credited with the first successful airplane flight. Their invention revolutionized transportation and warfare.

Roosevelt Corollary

1904, expanded the Monroe Doctrine to justify U.S. intervention in Latin America. This corollary asserted U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

US enters WWI

1917, joined the Allied Powers in World War I. US entry into WWI shifted the balance of power and contribute to the Allied victory

Fourteen Points

1918, President Wilson's proposal for post-war peace and the League of Nations. These points aimed to establish a lasting peace after World War I.

Schenck v. United States

1919, established the clear and present danger test for free speech. It defined the limits of free speech during wartime.

Women’s Suffrage

1920, granted women the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. This landmark amendment expanded democracy and women's rights.

Red Scare

1920s, period of anti-communist hysteria in the U.S. It led to civil rights abuses and restrictions on immigration.

Prohibition

1920, banned the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. It led to widespread lawbreaking and organized crime.

Stock Market Crash

1929, precipitated the Great Depression. This crash triggered a global economic crisis.

FDR's 100 Days

1933, the first three months of Roosevelt's presidency, where the New Deal was implemented. These actions represented a major shift in the role of government.

Social Security Act

1935, created a social insurance program for retired workers. It provided a safety net for the elderly and unemployed.

WWII starts in Europe

1939, marked the beginning of global conflict involving the U.S. World War II reshaped global politics and the role of the United States.

Attack on Pearl Harbor

1941, led to the U.S. entering World War II. This attack prompted U.S. entry into World War II.

D-Day

1944, Allied invasion of Normandy during WWII. D-Day marked a turning point in World War II.

Hiroshima & Nagasaki

1945, cities in Japan bombed by the U.S., leading to Japan's surrender. These bombings hastened the end of World War II but remain controversial.

Truman Doctrine

1947, established U.S. policy to support nations resisting communism. The Truman Doctrine shaped Cold War foreign policy.

Korean War

1950-1953, conflict between North and South Korea that ended in a stalemate. It was a major conflict during the Cold War.

McCarthyism

1950s, characterizing the anti-communist campaigns led by Senator McCarthy. It represented a period of intense political repression and fear.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954, declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and advanced civil rights.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

1955, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. It helped spark the Civil Rights Movement.

Sputnik

1957, the first artificial satellite, leading to advancements in U.S. space program. Sputnik spurred increased investment in STEM education and space exploration.

JFK becomes President

1961, faced numerous Cold War challenges including Cuba. JFK presidency was dominated by Cold War crises and initiatives

Vietnam Conflict Begins

1961, U.S. involvement in Vietnam escalated. The Vietnam conflict became a major focus of US foreign policy

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962, a 13-day confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over missiles in Cuba. It brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

March on Washington

1963, large civil rights rally demanding jobs and freedom. This march was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

JFK assassinated

1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. JFK assassination shocked the nation, had a lasting impact on American politics

Civil Rights Act

1964, outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement.

Great Society legislations

1965, domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. These programs aimed to create a more equitable society.

MLK killed, RFK killed

1968, both prominent figures in the civil rights movement were assassinated. The assassinations created unrest, impacted the Civil Rights Movement