Apush Periods 1 - 6 Major Events

Native American Societies before European Contact

Diverse, complex cultures developed across regions—e.g. Cahokia, Iroquois Confederacy, Pacific Northwest fishers, Plains nomads adapting to varied environments.

European Exploration in the New World

Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English voyaged across Atlantic for God, gold, and glory; claimed land, initiated contact.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of plants, animals, disease, technologies, and people between Old and New Worlds starting in 1492.

Labor, Slavery, and Caste in the Spanish Colonial System

Spanish imposed systems like encomienda, repartimiento, bringing enslaved Africans and establishing rigid racial caste hierarchy.

Cultural Interactions among Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans

Initial cooperation, conflict, and cultural exchange including missionary efforts, resistance, syncretism, and debates (e.g. Las Casas vs. Sepúlveda).

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Agreement between Spain and Portugal dividing New World territories along a meridian to avoid conflict.

Roanoke Colony (“Lost Colony,” 1585–1590)

Early English attempt at a permanent colony in Virginia that mysteriously disappeared.

Founding of St. Augustine (1565)

The first enduring European settlement in current U.S. territory (Florida) by Spain.

Spanish conquest of Aztec & Inca Empires

Conquistadors led by Cortés (1519–21) and Pizarro (1532) toppled native empires with superior weapons, alliances, and disease.

Encomienda System Established (1512)

Labor system where Spanish colonists forced Native Americans to work in return for supposed protection and Christianization.

Spanish beginnings of African slave trade (~1502)

The first enslaved Africans arrived in Spanish colonies, initiating transatlantic slave systems.

Martin Luther’s Reformation & European religious rivalries

Protestant-Catholic splits spurred colonial competition and missions in the Americas.

Jamestown Founded (1607)

The first permanent English settlement, chartered by the Virginia Company in today’s Virginia.

John Rolfe introduces tobacco in Virginia (1612)

Cash crop transformed economy; increased demand for labor and expansion.

House of Burgesses established (1619)

The first representative assembly in English North America, in Virginia.

First African laborers arrive in Jamestown (1619)

Marks beginning of institutionalized African slavery in English colonies.

Mayflower Compact signed (1620)

A self-governing agreement among Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower at Plymouth.

Founding of Plymouth Colony (1620)

Pilgrims establish settlement seeking religious freedom and assistance from local tribes.

Massachusetts Bay Colony Founded (1630)

Puritans under John Winthrop found colony with strict moral codes aiming for a “City upon a Hill.”

Pequot War (1636–1638)

A conflict in New England where settlers and Native allies defeated the Pequot tribe.

Maryland Toleration Act (1649)

Legislation providing religious liberty to all Christians in Maryland colony.

Navigation Acts (begin 1651)

Laws enforcing mercantilism requiring colonial trade carried in English ships to benefit the mother country.

Bacon’s Rebellion (1676)

Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon rebel against colonial elite/governor over frontier protection and corruption.

Founding of Rhode Island (1636)

Roger Williams established colony for religious freedom after banishment from Massachusetts Bay.

Anne Hutchinson’s trial and banishment (1637)

Challenged Puritan orthodoxy, leading to her expulsion from Massachusetts.

King Philip’s War (1675–1676)

Led by Metacom (King Philip), Wampanoag and allies resisted New England settlers—one of the deadliest per capita wars in colonial history.

Establishment of Middle Colonies (early 1700s)

Pennsylvania (Quakers), New York, New Jersey founded; characterized by ethnic diversity, religious toleration, and grain farming.

Growth of slavery in British colonies (1600s–1700s)

Shift from indentured servitude to plantation slavery in Chesapeake and Southern colonies fueled by transatlantic trade.

The Great Awakening (1730s–1740s)

A series of religious revivals promoting evangelicalism and challenging traditional authority in colonies.

First Enlightenment influence in colonies (late 1600s–1700s)

Spread of reason, science, natural rights ideas influencing colonial thought and institutions.

Pueblo Revolt (1680)

Pueblo peoples in New Mexico rebelled, expelled Spanish for 12 years until reconquest.

Founding of New France and New Netherlands

France established fur trade colony in St. Lawrence Valley; Dutch settled New Amsterdam (later New York) with tolerant policies.

1797-98 - XYZ Affair

Diplomatic scandal in which French officials demanded bribes to negotiate; led to anti-French sentiment.

1798 - Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws that restricted immigration and punished government criticism; opposed by Democratic-Republicans.

1800 - “Revolution of 1800”

Election of Thomas Jefferson marked a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

1803 - Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review; aligned with John Marshall’s support for strong federal government.

1803 - Louisiana Purchase & Lewis & Clark Expedition

Doubled U.S. territory; explored by Lewis and Clark under Jefferson’s orders.

1807 - Embargo Act

Prohibited American trade with all foreign nations; hurt U.S. economy.

1812 - War of 1812 begins

Caused by British impressment, trade restrictions, and support of Native attacks.

1814 - Hartford Convention

Federalist meeting criticizing war; led to party’s decline after war ended.

1815 - War of 1812 ends

Treaty of Ghent restored prewar boundaries; boosted U.S. nationalism.

1815 - Clay’s “American System”

Plan for national economic development: bank, tariffs, internal improvements.

Early 19th century - MARKET REVOLUTION

Economic changes from inventions (cotton gin, telegraph, sewing machine); transformed production and labor.

1820s - 1830s - the Height of the Second Great Awakening

Religious revival promoting social reform and individual salvation.

1820 - Missouri Compromise

Admitted Missouri as slave, Maine as free; banned slavery north of 36°30′ line.

1823 - Monroe Doctrine

Declared Western Hemisphere off-limits to European colonization.

1824 - The Election of 1824 and the “Corrupt Bargain”

John Quincy Adams elected by House; deal with Henry Clay angered Jackson supporters.

1825 - Erie Canal completed

Linked Great Lakes to Atlantic; boosted trade and settlement.

1828 - Election of 1828

Jackson used spoils system and appealed to the 'common man.'

1828 - 1833 - Tariff of Abominations and the Nullification Crisis

South Carolina tried to nullify high tariffs; Jackson opposed it.

1830s - Jackson battles the US Bank

Jackson vetoed recharter of Second Bank; believed it favored elites.

1830s - Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears

Authorized forced relocation of Native Americans; thousands died en route.

1831 - Nat Turner’s Rebellion

Slave uprising in Virginia; led to stricter slave laws.

1831 - William Lloyd Garrison founded The Liberator newspaper

Abolitionist paper that demanded immediate emancipation of slaves.

1840s - Transcendentalism Grows

Philosophy emphasizing nature, individualism; led by Emerson, Thoreau (wrote Civil Disobedience).

1848 - Seneca Falls Convention

First women’s rights convention; issued Declaration of Sentiments.

1835 - 1836 - Texas fights for its independence from Mexico

Texans, including Americans, revolted against Mexican rule; later annexed by U.S.

1842 - 1854 - Manifest Destiny and America’s territorial acquisitions

U.S. expanded westward via Oregon Treaty, Mexican Cession, Gadsden Purchase.

1846 - 1848 Mexican - American War

U.S. defeated Mexico; gained Southwest; opposed by Wilmot Proviso, Thoreau, Lincoln.

1848 - Gold is discovered in CA

Gold Rush spurred mass migration to California and rapid growth.

1850 - Compromise of 1850

Admitted California as free; included harsh Fugitive Slave Act.

1851 - Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Novel that exposed slavery’s cruelty; increased Northern opposition.

1854 - Kansas-Nebraska Act

Allowed popular sovereignty in territories; repealed Missouri Compromise.

1854 - 1858 - Bleeding Kansas/Pottawatomie Massacre

Violent conflict over slavery in Kansas; pro- and anti-slavery settlers clashed.

1856 - Sumner’s “Crime Against Kansas” & Brooks assault

Senator Sumner beaten for anti-slavery speech; inflamed sectional tensions.

1857 - Dred Scott v. Sandford

Ruled slaves were not citizens; Congress couldn’t ban slavery in territories.

1858 - Lincoln-Douglas Debates (Freeport Doctrine)

Douglas argued territories could exclude slavery; split Democratic Party.

1859 - Harpers’ Ferry Raid by John Brown

Abolitionist raid on arsenal; intensified Southern fears of rebellion.

1860 - Election of 1860 & South Carolina Secedes

Lincoln’s win led Southern states to begin seceding from Union.

1861 - Battle of Fort Sumter

First shots of Civil War; Confederate victory.

1862/1863 - Confederate and Union Conscription

Both sides drafted soldiers; Union allowed substitutes, Confederacy exempted slaveholders.

1863 - Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg

Union victories turned tide of war; split Confederacy and halted advance.

1863 - Gettysburg Address

Lincoln’s speech redefining war as fight for equality and unity.

1863 - Emancipation Proclamation

Freed slaves in Confederate areas; made war about ending slavery.

1864 - Sherman’s March to the Sea

Destructive campaign to crush Southern morale; helped Lincoln’s reelection.

1865 - Surrender at Appomattox & Assassination of Lincoln

Lee surrendered; Lincoln killed shortly after by John Wilkes Booth.

1865 - 13th Amendment and Freedman’s Bureau

Abolished slavery; bureau helped formerly enslaved with jobs and education.

1865 - KKK Established & Black Codes

White supremacist group formed; Southern laws restricted Black rights.

1868 & 1870 - 14th & 15th Amendments

Granted citizenship and voting rights regardless of race.

1868 - Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

House impeached Johnson for violating Tenure of Office Act; Senate acquitted him.

1870 - 1875 - Enforcement Acts & Civil Rights Act

Federal laws aimed at protecting Black rights from KKK violence.

1877 - Compromise of 1877

Ended Reconstruction; Hayes became president, federal troops removed from South.

1880s - Social Darwinism

Applied survival of the fittest to justify economic inequality and racism.

1880s - Technological innovations & cities

Inventions like elevators, electric light spurred urban growth.

1881 - Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee

Advocated vocational education; DuBois opposed accommodation to segregation.

1881 - A Century of Dishonor

Book by Helen Hunt Jackson exposing mistreatment of Native Americans.

1881 - Pendleton Act & Civil Service

Reformed spoils system by requiring merit-based government hiring.

1882 - Chinese Exclusion Act

Banned immigration of Chinese laborers; first major immigration restriction.

1886 - American Federation of Labor

Union of skilled workers; focused on wages and working conditions.

1887 - Interstate Commerce Act

First federal law to regulate railroads and prevent monopolistic practices.

1887 - Dawes Severalty Act

Divided Native lands into plots; aimed to assimilate Native Americans.

1889 - Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth”

Urged rich to use wealth for public good, not lavish living.

1890s - New Immigrants

Came from Southern/Eastern Europe; faced discrimination, settled in cities.

1890s - Conservationist Efforts

Debate over managing vs. preserving nature; led to national parks.

1890 - Ocala Platform

Farmers Alliance demands for inflation, income tax, regulation, and loans.

1890 - Wounded Knee Massacre

U.S. Army killed hundreds of Lakota; ended Native resistance.

1890 - Sherman Antitrust Act

First law against monopolies; used to break up trusts.

1890 - McKinley Tariff

Raised tariffs to protect U.S. industries; hurt consumers.

1892-94 - Homestead & Pullman Strikes

Labor conflicts over pay cuts; strikes suppressed by federal troops.

1892 - Populist Party & Omaha Platform

Called for silver coinage, direct election of senators, worker protections.