Historical Timeline Summary

1492 Columbus Lands

  • Marks the beginning of the Columbian Exchange, a period of cultural and biological exchanges between the New World (Americas) and the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia).

1607 Jamestown

  • The founding of Jamestown marks the start of English colonies in North America, leading to long-term English influence and eventual establishment of the United States.

1754 Start of French-Indian War

  • Beginning of the French-Indian War, a conflict between Great Britain and France (both aided by allied Indian tribes) for control of North America. A major turning point in colonial relations.

1763 End of 7 Years War

  • The end of the Seven Years War (the French-Indian War's European counterpart) results in increased tensions between Britain and its colonies due to war debt and new policies.

1776 Declaration of Independence

  • The Declaration of Independence is issued, marking the formal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain and the start of the American Revolution.

1787 Constitution Written

  • The United States Constitution is written, establishing a new framework for the U.S. government with a system of checks and balances, and a division of power between states and the federal government.

1848 End of Mex-Am War & Start of Major Sectionalism

  • The end of the Mexican-American War leads to increased sectionalism due to debates over the expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories.

1860 Secession & Civil War Starts

  • Secession of Southern states begins, leading to the start of the Civil War, a conflict fought over states' rights and slavery.

1865 Civil War Ends

  • The Civil War ends, resulting in the abolishment of slavery and the reunification of the United States, though Reconstruction would follow.

1877 End of Reconstruction

  • The end of Reconstruction marks the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws and the disenfranchisement of African Americans.

1898 Spanish-American War

  • The Spanish-American War leads to the start of U.S. imperialism with the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

1901 Progressive Era Starts (ish)

  • The start of the Progressive Era, a period of social and political reform aimed at addressing the problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and immigration.

1917 US enters WWI

  • The U.S. enters World War I, marking a shift in American foreign policy towards interventionism.

1929 Start of Great Depression

  • The start of the Great Depression, a severe economic downturn that affected the United States and the world.

1941 Pearl Harbor & entrance to WWII

  • The attack on Pearl Harbor leads to the U.S. entrance into World War II.

1945 End of WWII & Start of Cold War

  • The end of World War II and the start of the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

1989/1991 Cold War Ends

  • The end of the Cold War, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991).