History 221 Timeline Part 2

Major Event/Epoch in American History Time Period/Date(s) Description and Significance of the People/Event(s) to American History
1) Describe three different American Indian cultures prior to colonization.
A) California Culture
B) The Mississippian Culture
C) The Clovis Culture A. Mid 16th Century B. 800 to early 15th Century C. 9500 BC to 8000 BC A. The California Culture of Native Americans contained an estimated 300,000 members (more than any other culture). The California area included 100 different tribes and more than 200 dialects. These early California natives did not practice agriculture. They instead formed small family based groups of hunter-gatherers known as tribelets.
B. The Mississippian Culture was existed the Midwestern, Eastern and Southeastern United States. They were a mound-building based group whose cultural traits included maize based agriculture and shell tempered pottery, the development of chiefdom and the adoption of the paraphernalia of Southeastern Cermmonia Complex (SECC). They had no writing system or stone architechture.
C. The Clovis Culture is recognized as one of the oldest prehistoric cultures. The Clovis spear point, an early tool used by Ice Age people has been found in Alaska, California and even Maine. But are especially common in Ohio and other eastern states. The Clovis were big game hunters and were scattered across the Great Plains. They lived in small camps along rivers and streams. They abruptly vanished around 10,500 years ago.
2) The effects of British colonization on the Native Americans. Early 1600’s British Colonization had many effects on Native Americans including: loss of land, disease, laws which violated their cultures (including aggressive attempts to convert to Christianity), food shortage and loss of life from numerous battles.
3) The evolution of the socio-political milieu during the colonial period, including Protestant Christianity’s impact on colonial social life. 1600-1700’s Although Puritans came to America to find religious freedom, they were the majority and were not open to other religious groups and their views. Eventually, other religions began to gain popularity. These new formed religions attracted many different people from all walks of life. As such, Religion became a dominant factor in American politics and was even addressed in the First Amendment.
4) The effects of the Seven Years’ War. 1756-1763 The Seven Years’ War was a conflict between England and France in which Britain was ultimately victorious. It ended with the Treaty of Paris, in which France lost all claims to Canada, and Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada and various French oversee holdings. Britain’s control of colonial America eventually led to the Revolutionary War, in which France intervened on the side of the Patriots.
5) The evolution of the concept of “God-given freedom of the individual” stemming from the Protestant Reformation and developing through the American Enlightenment and the Great Awakening, and culminating with the Declaration of Independence. 1600-1776 Many of America’s early settlers included people who came to America seeking freedom from religious persecution. Protestantism was one of most popular religions at the time. A series of revivals known as the “Great Awakening” were sermons aimed at colonists, encouraging them to live according to the will of their own God. As it turned out, the right to God-given freedom was one that colonists demanded when declaring independence from Britain.
6) The evolution of the socio-political and cultural milieu that created the conditions necessitating and including the formation of the:
a) Declaration of Independence
b) U.S. Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) 1776 * * * * 1786-1788 A. Declaration of Independence – Increased taxation including the Sugar Act, the Currency Act, Tea act and finally the Intolerable Acts implemented on colonists after the Seven Years’ War led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
B. U.S. Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) – After the Second Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation which increased voting rights, money management and land holdings, but neglected to include taxation, the idea for a new document arose with a list of guaranteed rights.
7) The character of George Washington and his precedent-setting impact for future presidents. 17869-1799 Not only was George Washington the first U.S. President, he was also a General in the Revolutionary War. During his tenure, he supported Bank of America, introduced a foreign war policy which remained in effect until World War I, and two term limits for Presidency.
8) The evolution of Jeffersonian Democracy and its legacy, including:
a) The Louisiana Purchase
b) The Second Great Awakening
c) The Embargo Act
d) Issues with the courts 1790-1820 A. The Louisiana Purchase- Although Thomas Jefferson spoke of wanting a government with limited power in regard to purchasing large tracts of land, the Louisiana purchase was vital to uniting the colonies and opening up the West to settling and farming.

B. The Second Great Awakening- Jefferson’s ideals included religious freedom and equality and therefore he allowed for revivals by a many different religious groups including Mormons, Baptists, and Shakers. These revivals encouraged democratic ideals including abolition of slavery and raising the standards of the common man.

C. The Embargo Act was enacted against Great Britain and France in order to attempt to maintain the Jeffersonian ideal of American neutrality. Prior to the act, the United States was selling supplies to both sides when U.S. servicemen were pressed into service in the British navy.

D. Issues with the courts- President Adams signed in the “Midnight Judges,” in an attempt to keep Federalist control of the Supreme Court and lesser courts. Jefferson ordered the appointments held up to avoid packing the judicial branch. Thomas Jefferson’s failed attempts impeach lead justice Samuel Chase, led to independence of the judiciary branch and separation of powers in government.
9) The War of 1812 1812 The War of 1812 was a battle between the U.S. and Britain also known as the Second Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Ghent was produced from the Battle of New Orleans and another battle of this war inspired the Star Spangled Banner.
10) The Monroe Doctrine 1823 The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. Policy which stated that the U.S would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. It was inspired by Napoleonic Wars.
11) The evolution of Jacksonian democracy and its legacy including:
a) The Nullification crisis
b) The bank crisis
c) The Trail of Tears
d) The socio-political effects of Manifest Destiny 1832-1833 * * * * * * 1832-1837 * * 1830-1838 * * * * 1840’s A. The Nullification crisis- (1832-1833)- In response to high tariffs on manufacturing, South Carolina declared that the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and therefore null and void in South Carolina.

B. President Jackson vetoed BUS bill in 1832, removed federal deposits from BUS and put them into state banks.
C. The Trail of Tears signifies the forced relocation of Native American tribes including Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw and Choctaw members. This took place following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Over 4000 Native American’s died from exposure, starvation and/or starvation.
D. Jacksonians supported the concept of Manifest Destiny as a means for yeoman farmers to expand American landholdings. The issue of slavery in these territories was used as a means to justify War with Mexico. The term Manifest Destiny suggested that American expansion was destined to take place.
12) The causes and effects of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). 1846-1874 The Mexican-American war was caused in part by Texas breaking away from Mexico and the U.S. annexing the state. A U.S. offer to purchase Texas was refused, and a further border dispute finally resulted in the U.S. declaring war on Mexico. The end of the war saw Mexico signing the Treaty of Hidalgo and handing over California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada to the U.S.

References: history.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippian_culture, http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/anth7_hist1.html, http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2044, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-seven-years-war-begins, http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw27colonizationeffects.htm, http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/george-washington-precedent-president, http://www.libraryindex.com/history/pages/cmxyrd6l4z/nullification-crisis-jacksonian-democracy.html http://americanhistory.about.com/od/declarationofindependence/a/declaration_sg_2.htm http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_III/nullificat_bj.html, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=640http://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp, http://www.historyguy.com/Mexican-American_War.html#.T5rcb9lrXKc

References: history.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippian_culture, http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/anth7_hist1.html, http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=2044, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-seven-years-war-begins, http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw27colonizationeffects.htm, http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/george-washington-precedent-president, http://www.libraryindex.com/history/pages/cmxyrd6l4z/nullification-crisis-jacksonian-democracy.html http://americanhistory.about.com/od/declarationofindependence/a/declaration_sg_2.htm http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_III/nullificat_bj.html, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=640http://www.ushistory.org/us/24f.asp, http://www.historyguy.com/Mexican-American_War.html#.T5rcb9lrXKc