Key Turning Points in American History

Flashcards covering significant turning points in American history, ideal for exam preparation.

1492

Columbus arrives in the Americas.

1607

Jamestown founded.

1619

First enslaved Africans arrive at Jamestown.

1620

Plymouth founded by Pilgrims.

1675

King Philip’s War.

1676

Bacon’s Rebellion.

1754

The French and Indian War begins.

1763

Proclamation of 1763 issued.

1775

Lexington and Concord events.

1776

The 13 Colonies declare independence.

1783

The Revolutionary War ends.

1789

The Constitution is ratified.

1791

The Bill of Rights is ratified.

1800

The Revolution of 1800.

1803

The Louisiana Purchase.

1803

Marbury v. Madison decision.

1815

End of the War of 1812.

1820

The Missouri Compromise.

1835

Texas declares Independence.

1837

Trail of Tears begins.

1848

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

1848

Gold is discovered in California.

1848

Seneca Falls Convention.

1850

Compromise of 1850.

1852

Uncle Tom’s Cabin published.

1857

Dred Scott v. Sandford decision.

1860

South Carolina secedes from the Union.

1861

The Civil War begins.

1863

Emancipation Proclamation issued.

1865

The 13th Amendment is ratified.

1868

The 14th Amendment is ratified.

1870

The 15th Amendment is ratified.

1877

End of Reconstruction.

1880

Edison promotes electric light.

1882

Chinese Exclusion Act passed.

1886

Haymarket Affair/Riot.

1896

Plessy v. Ferguson opinion.

1898

US v. Wong Kim Ark opinion.

1898

The Spanish American War.

1906

The Jungle is published.

1909

The NAACP is founded.

1914

World War I begins.

1919

US rejects Treaty of Versailles.

1919

The 18th Amendment is ratified.

1920

The 19th Amendment is ratified.

1924

Immigration Act of 1924.

1925

Scopes 'Monkey' Trial.

1927

Sacco & Vanzetti executed.

1929

The Great Stock Market Crash.

1932

New Deal proposed.

1941

Pearl Harbor attacked.

1942

Executive Order 9066 issued.

1945

Atomic bombs used to end World War II.

1948

Berlin Blockade and US Airlift.

1948

Truman desegregates the military.

1954

Brown v. Board of Education decision.

1957

Little Rock 9.

1960

JFK elected.

1963

March on Washington.

1963

JFK assassination.

1964

Civil Rights Act passed.

1968

Tet Offensive.

1968

Dr. King’s assassination.

1969

Stonewall Riots.

1969

Apollo 11 Moon Landing.

1971

26th Amendment ratified.

1974

Watergate scandal and Nixon resigns.

1989

Fall of Berlin Wall

1991

End of the Cold War/Collapse of USSR

1991

Rodney King Beating & Trial

1999

President Clinton Impeached

2001

9/11 Terrorist Attacks

2008

Great Recession Begins

2008

President Obama Elected

2020

Covid Pandemic Shutdown