Important Dates in Early American History

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering important dates and historical events in American history from 1519 to 1837.

Spanish Arrival (1519)

The year Spanish arrived to “New World”.

Slave trade

The trade period spanning the 15th-19th century.

Hernan Cortes (1519)

In 1519, landed 600 men on the coast and founded town of Veraeruz.

Founding of Plymouth and Massachusetts

Founded in 1620 by English colonists.

Massachusetts Bay

Colony founded in 1630.

Slave Codes (1662)

Codes in 1662 that made blacks and children property for life of white people.

King Phillip’s War

War that took place in 1675.

Bacon’s rebellion (1676)

Conflict in 1676 involving Frontier Settlers vs. Tidewater Planters.

Salem Witch Trials

Trials that occurred from 1692-1693.

The First Great Awakening

A religious revival movement that occurred during the 1730s-1740s.

The French and Indian War

War that took place between 1754-1763.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Line of 1763 stating that colonists cannot go past line of territory.

Townshend Acts

Acts passed in 1767.

Boston Massacre

Event that took place in 1770.

Tea Act (1773)

Act where parliament grants a monopoly on tea to a British Company.

Boston Tea Party

Protest action that occurred in 1773.

Intolerable Act

Act passed in 1774.

Lexington and Concord

Battles/engagements that occurred in 1775.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle fought in 1775.

Articles of Confederation

Governing document established in 1781.

Independence won

Won in the year 1783.

Constitution

Formed/ratified between 1787-1788.

Second Great Awakening

Religious awakening movement that took place in the 19th century.

Louisiana Purchase

Territorial purchase completed in 1803.

Embargo Act (1807)

An 1807 act that prohibited all exports.

First great age of emancipation

Period that took place during the 1810s-1820s.

War of 1812

War fought in 1812.

The Market Revolution (1815)

1815 shift where water and steam power changed the way Americans could manufacture and move products.

The Missouri Crisis (1819)

Event in 1819 where the balance of political power between northern and southern states became public debate.

Monroe Doctrine (1821)

Foreign policy doctrine in 1821 that declared us hostility to europe.

Andrew Jackson elected

Occurred in 1825.

First Major Reform (1829)

1829 reform focused on removing “corrupt” officials from federal positions.

Indian Removal Act

Act enacted in 1830.

Cotton Revolution

Era occurring throughout the 1830s-1840s.

Southampton Rebellion

Rebellion that occurred in 1831.

Panic of 1837

Economic crisis in 1837 after which whigs will emerge in the 1840s.