The document summarizes major events and developments in American history from 1492 to 1968. It discusses early European exploration and settlement by Spain, France and England. It then covers the formation of the 13 colonies, the American Revolution, establishment of the US, westward expansion, the Civil War and abolition of slavery. It also discusses industrialization, immigration, the Great Depression, World Wars, and the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to combat racial discrimination and segregation.
2. Early settlers Christopher Columbus was dispatched to find a route to Asia through the Pacific. In 1493 he came to Puerto Rico The new continent was named 'America' after Amerigo Vespucci, another explorer with a claim to the discovery of North America
3. The first settlers 1492-1600 The Spanish explores after Columbus were the first to settle in the US. Mainly along the Californian coast or the Santa Fe River in New Mexico
4. French Colonies New France (French colonization 1534 - 1712) extended from The Gulf of Mexico to Canada Divided into five colonies, Canada, Acadia, Hudson Bay, New Foundland and Louisiana
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6. First English colonies The East coast became occupied with British settlers during the 17th century First colony: James Town Virginia 1607 New England colonies 1620s (today New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware) The thirteen colonies (British America)were established in 1733
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8. Formation of the United States of America Boston Tea party 1773 a direct action to protest against British colonization 1775 the 13 colonies began a rebellion against British rule 1783 the acknowledgement of the United States as an independent nation
9. Independence of America 4th of July 1776, Declaration of Independence 1789, first American president, George Washington 1791 Bill of rights ratified to guarantee the individual rights such as freedom of speech and religious practice, as well as the first ten amendments of the constitution.
10. The Civil War During the 1840s and 1850s 4.5 million immigrants came to America. The nation underwent several economic and cultural changes as industrialization and the transportation revolution changed the economics of the north and west 1861-1865 the Civil War, dispute over long and bitter issues of slavery and states rights The North won and in 1865 slavery was abolished in all states the 13th Amendment , "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
11. After the Civil War United States remained divided as reconstruction failed Southern whites despite the treaty denied the black population their civil rights -keeping them in economic, social, and political second class status.
12. Industrial growth 37 million people immigrated to America between 1840-1920 Natives were forced onto reservations White farmers and ranchers took their lands By the late nineteenth century, the United States had become a leading global industrial power building on new technologies and transportation (telephone, telegraph, iron, steel, oil, rail work etc)
13. Post World War I In 1920, the manufacture, sale, import and export of alcohol was prohibited. During most of the 1920s, the United States enjoyed a period of sustained prosperity. The Immigration Act of 1924 restricting the Southern and Eastern Europeans, especially Jews and Italians
14. The Great Depression In 1929, The Wall street crash - the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States. Recovery was slow and the 1930s were poor years for the Americans 1941, Attack on Pearl Harbor - the US entered the Second World War. Italy surrendered 1943, Japan and Germany in 1945. USA stood as winners and rescuer of Europe
15. The Civil Rights Discrimination remained widespread in the South through the 1950s From 1955 to 1965, "direct action" was the strategy - primarily bus boycotts, sit-ins, freedom rides, and social movements. The modern civil rights movement was designed, led, organized, and manned by African Americans, who placed themselves and their families on the front lines in the struggle for freedom
16. Martin Luther King Malcolm X advocated black power and black separatism while Martin Luther King, Jr, American activist andprominent leader in the African- American civil rights movement advocated non-violent methods. Delivered his” I have a Dream Speech” in 1963, raising consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest public speakers in U.S. history. King was killed in 1968
