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, Columbus landing in the New World - (1451-1506) Believed earth was a sphere. 4 voyages in effort to find a route to the east.
Discovered Bahamas, Hispaniola, Cuba, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica,
Central/South America. Opened western hemisphere to economic and political
development by Europeans (Spanish, English, French).
French and Indian War (1754-1763) An extension of European 7 years war. Battle over colonial territory and wealth by
French and English. Ended French cultural/political influence in N. America.
England gained land but weakened rapport with Native Americans. Led to
Revolutionary War.
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) American war of independence. 13 colonies: Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia. Wanted right of self-
governance. Treaty of Paris recognized sovereignty in US.
Declaration of Independence (1776) Author Thomas Jefferson. Adopted by Second Continental Congress. Starts with
necessity for document and why sought freedom. Laid foundation for new
government.
The Industrial Revolution (1830's) Transition from manual labor to machines. Creation of textiles, iron, and steam
The Civil War (1861-1865) Conflict between the Union and Confederacy. 11 slave states wanted to secede. It
ended slavery. 1862 Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and strengthened the
fed. Gov.
Westward Expansion (1807-1912) Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark/pioneer families swept westward. Removal of
Native Americans under Andrew Jackson.
WWI (1914-1918) Initiated by conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Between Entente (Allied)
powers: (Russian Empire, UK, France, Canada, Australia, Italy, Japan, Portugal,
US) and Central Powers: German, Austria-Hungarian, Ottoman Empire (Turkey),
and Bulgaria. Led to WWII.
WWII (1939-1945) Between Allies: Great Britain (Churchhill), USA (Roosevelt/Truman), Russia (Stalin),
France (De Gaulle), China (Chiang Kai-shek). Axis Powers: Germany (Hitler), Italy
(Mussolini), Japan (Hirohito). U.S. and USSR emerged as world superpower. Led to
Cold war for 45 years. United Nations formed to prevent further global conflicts.
Korean War (1950-1953) - Division in Korea (communist North and American occupied south) caused by
WWII. Peach treaty signed at Panmunjom.
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Ended a 100 year quest by African Americans for racial equality. Outlawed racial
segregation in US. Voided Jim Crow laws in southern states, prohibited racial
discrimination in schools, public places, and places of employment.
Vietnam War (U.S. involved 1959-1975) - Fought between communist North Vietnam and government South Vietnam. U.S
supported south until 1973 until Congressed passed Case-Church Amendment for
anti-war movement. N. Korea captured S. Korea Saigon (Fall of Saigon). Marked
end of war and beginning of reunified Korea under communist rule.
Persian Gulf War (Aug. 1990-Feb. 1991) Authorized by United Nations between Iraq and 34 Nations. Purpose to liberate
Kuwait and expel Iraqi forces. Operation Desert Storm was USA name for land and
air operations involved in war.
Alexander the Great Kind of Macedonia in 336 B.C.; Conquered Persian Empire; Founded Alexandria in
Egypt; created massive empire; Restored order to Ancient Greece.