Thematic Timeline by JEFFREY GONZALEZ-RODAS

1607

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Jamestown

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Jamestown, established, in 1607, was the first British colony established in the Americas. It relied heavily on tobacco as a cash crop. Jamestown resident John Rolfe would marry Powhatan's daughter Pocahontas, leading to better relations between the colonists and the natives.

1803

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Louisiana Purchase

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Purchased from the French by Thomas Jefferson. He hesitated due to his Democratic Republican belief which emphasized less government authority and more state power. The purchase doubled the size of the US which gave the nation more power.

1838

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Trail of Tears

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

The Trail of Tears refers to the trails the natives were forcefully taken on to the west. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 signed by Andrew Jackson forced the displacement of Native Americans, including the Cherokee nation which were forced to move west of the Mississippi River. Jackson defied the Supreme Courts ruling in Worcester vs. Georgia which ruled that the state of Georgia was unable to relocate Cherokees. This decision upset many groups.

1849

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Gold Rush

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Westward expansion led to Americans finding gold on the West coast, prompting a gold rush in the region of what is now California. The gold rush attracted not just greedy whites but also other countrymen such as the Chinese. The rush of immigration led to various acts to try to prevent or at least neutralize their powers/influence.

1930s

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

Dust Bowl

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:46:59 UTC

The Dust Bowl refers to a drought in the Great Plains during the Great Depression, which greatly damaged the ecology as well as farmers in the Plains. The dust bowl resulted in the displacement of many farmers in the Great Plains which led to an increase of population of farmers in California.

1916

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:57:34 UTC

1933

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:57:41 UTC

Creation of National Parks

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 20:58:04 UTC

Created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. He signed the Organic Act which established the National Park Service. The act sought to preserve natural and historical objects in nature while also promoting the preservation of nature.

Tennessee Valley Authority

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 21:00:05 UTC

The TVA is a federally owned corporation established in 1933 that provides electricity for Tennessee via the Tennessee River. The corporation contributed to economic and social growth. The TVA was created as a part of the New Deal program in order to try and combat the devastating effects of the Great Depression. The improved infrastructure of the Tennessee Valley and improved living conditions led to an increase in population.

1970

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 21:00:15 UTC

2000s-Present

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 21:00:34 UTC

Environmental Protection Agency

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 21:00:58 UTC

The EPA protects human health and the environment by setting and enforcing national pollution control, and enforcing various environmental laws. Similar to the National Park Service, the EPA encouraged the preservation of nature and environment by enforcing anti-climate change laws. It ultimately bettered living conditions for all Americans.

Climate Change

jgonzalez1638 — 2025-04-09 21:01:05 UTC

The burning of fossil fuels has led to a change in climate, an ongoing global issue. An increase in the burning of these fuels will lead to extreme atmospheric damage. Modern movements against climate change such as grassroots movements and those led by the younger generation help raise awareness against the issue.

1825

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:38:43 UTC

1869

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:39:37 UTC

1956

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:39:59 UTC

1845

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:40:32 UTC

Erie Canal

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:42:51 UTC

The creation of the Erie Canal vastly reduced the costs of transporting people and goods across the Appalachians. It also sped up transportation greatly, prompting many more settlers using the canal. As a result, trade increased in the area greatly.

Transcontinental Railroad

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:43:54 UTC

The transcontinental railroad was a railroad line that connected from Iowa to the San Francisco Bay. It was built with funding from the U.S. government. The completed railroad dramatically reduced travel time and transportation costs, leading to interstate commerce and trade.

Annexation of Texas

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:46:18 UTC

Previously owned by Mexico, President John Tyler encouraged the annexation of Texas. He believed that the annexation of Texas would help counter British influence in North America. After the election of 1844,President James Polk helped push for the annexation of Texas and the expansion of slavery into the Texas region. The annexation of Texas eventually led to a bigger conflict between the US and Mexico.

Interstate Highway Act

amata0046 — 2025-04-11 18:46:53 UTC

The Interstate Highway Act was signed in 1956 by President Eisenhower. This act authorized the construction of a nationwide network of interstate highways and spanned over 41,000 miles. It aimed to improve national defense, make transportation easier, and modernize highways. It also influenced suburban development and car culture.

1892

jhan0038 — 2025-04-11 18:48:46 UTC

John Muir Founded the Sierra Club

jhan0038 — 2025-04-11 18:48:59 UTC

John Muir and other supporters of the preservationist movement founded the Sierra Club in 1892 "to make the mountains glad." He was elected as the first president of the organization. The organization aimed to promote the preservation of wilderness areas in the U.S, specifically the Sierra Nevada Mountains and also wanted to expand the U.S. National Park system.