APUSH Summer Assignment

1491

Native Americans and Europeans exist in two separate "worlds"—they haven't made permanent contact yet. In the Americas a variety of different indigenous societies (both large and small scale) have their own way of life, while in Europe factors are converging to promote trans-oceanic exploration and conquest.

1607

Jamestown founded, signaling the beginning of British colonization of the Americas

1754

French and Indian War begins, signaling the height of rivalry between European powers for dominance in the Americas, and ultimately creating tensions between the colonies and the Crown which culminate in the American Revolution

1800

·Thomas Jefferson elected president, ushering in an era of the "common man"

1844

The "Era of Manifest Destiny" begins with the election of our 11th President, James K. Polk.

1848

Two things: the Mexican-American War ends, with the US acquiring the land known as the "Mexican Cession" (including California); also, activists converge at the Seneca Falls Convention to demand women get the right to vote.

1865

the Civil War ends with the North's victory over the South—ends slavery, "Reconstruction" begins

1877

Reconstruction ends, leaving the newly freed African Americans at the mercy of Southern states

1890

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act is signed into law signaling a new concern in American life—the growth of massive corporations with enormous (perhaps too much?) power.

1898

The Spanish American War begins and ends, symbolizing America's embrace of a new foreign policy trend--imperialism

1945

World War II ends, with the Allied Powers (including the US) victorious over the Axis Powers (led by Germany). However, the Cold War begins between the US and USSR, a foreign policy trend which dominates the next 45 years.

1980

Ronald Reagan is elected to the presidency, signaling a shift from the liberal politics of the post-war era to a re-emergence of conservative social and economic policies.