Summary:
A general timeline of events occurring on the North American continent from the growth of native settlements in 1000 to the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. Events include Columbus' discovery of America, Cortez' conquest of Mexico, the founding of the first American colonies, and the Salem witch trials. A brief description of each event is included.
Cultivation of three sisters reaches the eastern 1000AD
This event leads to the flourishing of Native American settlements throughout the eastern seaboard. The food provided a steady food supply for the growing population. The crops were also very nourishing for the land allowing an abundance of food. The staple and effective diet of these crops pushed the agricultural skills of the Native Americans, and lead to the establishment of complex civilizations: the Mayans, the Incas, and most notably the Aztecs. The Native Americans never over worked the land and these crops yielded a lot of food that nourished the Native American diet.
The decline of mound builders and Anasazis 1300AD
The Decline marked the end of permanent Native American settlements. This decline foreshadowed the European invasion during the next three hundred years. The mound builder and the Anasazis where the only true major civilizations aside from the Mexican and South American empires to have truly prospered. This decline of organized people allowed for the Europeans to band together and devastates the Native Americans in the field of combat. The rich resources of North America had no real obstacles in terms of civilization and native defense; the tribes were scattered and simply not large enough, or organized enough to mount a successful defense to the Europeans.
Columbus Discovers America 1492
This discovery is crucial to the success of America as a venue to European legacy here in the Americas. Columbus though unknowingly found for the European's a window of new opportunity. The discovery of America by Columbus also marks the end of Thousands of native cultures. Although the continent is modernized by the European technologies, the cost is millions of lives. The discovery of this land would bring across the wide Atlantic a pious group of English settlers that carried with them the future of a new nation.
Cortez conquers México 1519-1521
The Conquest of México by Cortez marks the first major subjugation by Spanish conquistadores. The Spanish armed with guns and riding in horses proved an overwhelming opponent for the Aztecs. The Spanish also had the support of many of the Aztecs former subjects. The most lethal weapon in Spain's arsenal in the war against the natives was their fast spreading diseases. The conquest of Mexico proves to be a lesson for future colonizers.
Founding of Jamestown 1607
This major achievement landmarks the start of British dominance in North America. Even though Jamestown was a small plot of land this little colony provided the encouragement for future colonists to risk their lives in a harsh new environment. Although many would perish before profits took off the American dream had been born. Jamestown proved to be a good starting off point for further British expansion west, and south, creating the foundations of more colonies. Jamestown also showed a moderation of the king's power over his subjects from such a distance.
Perfection of tobacco cultivation 1619
The perfection of tobacco cultivation allowed for the stable money crop to prosper in the south. Tobacco supported the plantation owners until before the civil war. The method of extracting this crop was very land-intensive, and this motivated colonists to attain more and more land to plant even more tobacco. Tobacco greatly helped generate income for a growing nation. Tobacco has a bad legacy, in today's generation millions suffer from tobacco related illnesses. The tobacco industry began here and that is a major moment in American heritage.
First slaves brought to America 1619
The first slaves that came to America marked the beginning of an industry that would mix and destroy cultures and peoples for centuries. The Slave trade industrialized an age old belief that Africans were not human. The African culture mixed with the European culture to form a mix of the two. The slave trade also left resentment even after slaves were freed. In the first half of the 20th century the friction between whites and blacks was very rough.
The Founding of New Netherlands 1623
The founding of New Netherlands would lead to a major colonization of the middle colonies. New Netherlands also proves a good mixture of cultures where business prospered. The Dutch founded settlement would become the powerful city in the world. New Amsterdam would become New York the best and grandest of all the cities in the United States. Today New York still has remnants of its Dutch rulers, and the beginnings of New York as one of the great melting pots in the United States came from that Dutch legacy.
Founding of Mass. Bay colony 1629
The Mass. Bay Colony would mark the beginning of a new reason for settlement in the New World, religious freedom. The Mass. Bay colony also proved to show the signs of true permanent settlements in the new world. Entire villages where transplanted from England, and people set to beginnings for a more established America. The people also thought more about surviving than about the profit. It would be an influential and exemplary colony in the coming years
New England confederation formed 1643
This is the fist time a unity between colonies is formed and marks the flourishing of collaborated efforts toward prosperity. The New England confederation was an early attempt towards the necessary unity required for revolution. The New England confederation also provides evidence why the northern colonies were preferred over the south. By putting aside inter-colony competition the grounds were set for more global commerce. It also strengthened the confidence of the colonists, and allowed them to be more economically unified in their doings with other countries
Bacons rebellion 1676
Bacon's Rebellion was the first attempted tax revolt the colonists issued against British rule. Bacons rebellion was incited by indentured servants with set minds of the unjust and unfriendly attitudes the colonial government had towards them. The rebellion was fueled because the indentured servants were mostly English and that united allowed to form a worthy resistance against their masters. When the rebellion was quelled not many English indentures were allowed to come to the New World. This also propagated the harsh treatment towards laborers.
Establishment at Pennsylvania 1681
The establishment of Pennsylvania led to one of the most prosperous colonies in the new world. Pennsylvania was very tolerant and allowed flexible religious beliefs. Pennsylvania also harbored many of our country's revolutionaries such as Benjamin Franklin. The establishment of Pennsylvania was also one of the English's best attempts at colonizing.
Salem witch trials 1692
The Salem Witch trials proved the need for a separation of church and state as necessary part for a new nation. The killing of innocent people was intolerable. In New England the church was the government and there was not much reason in terms of facts when it came to church as a form of government. The lessons learned from the Salem witch burnings are crucial for the foundation of this country. It would allow religious tolerance, and sustain this tolerance through non-biased political rule.
Zenger free press trial in New York 1734-1735
The Zenger free press trial in New York proved to be a base for the first amendment in the constitution. The trial proved that big politicians could not force their will on media and that censorship would not be tolerated without just cause. The Zenger Free press trail played a vital role in the development of the young nation.
French and Indian War 1754-1763
The French and Indian War set the stage for the Declaration of independence. This war even though it was British and Americans vs. the French and Indians improved the moral of all Americans as their pride for the crown diminished. In the aftermath of the war England bankrupt, from the horrible debt of sending troops across the ocean, forced the United States to pay the bill and this angered the peasants of the young nation. This was also a training ground for future officers and soldiers during the War for Independence. It also created a rift between the American soldiers, and the high-classed British officers.
This is the complete article, containing 1,315 words
(approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page).
