Key Periods of American History
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Period
Date
Markers (Begin/End)
Major Themes
Colonial Period
1607-1763
Founding of Jamestown
Challenges establishing and organizing colonies;
French and Indian War
Conflicts with Native Americans;
Patterns of life and labor emerge and differ by
region;
Origins of self-gov’t and political liberties;
Growing sense of American identity by 1763.
Revolutionary Era
1763-1783
Abandoning of Salutary Neglect
after F & I War
Revolution of “sentiments” (ideas) occurs from
1763-1775;
Treaty of Paris ends the War of
Independence
Growing unity among the colonies illustrated by the
Stamp Act Congress; the Committees of
Correspondence; the First / Second Continental
Congresses;
Challenges of waging war against the British Empire,
and how these were met.
Egalitarianism sparked by the war (women’s rights,
questions about slavery, republican government,
etc.).
The Critical Period
1783-1789
American independence secured
in the Treaty of Paris
Ratification of the new
Constitution of 1789
Despite successes (such as winning the War of
Independence, negotiating the Treaty of Paris, and
organizing the NW Territory) the overall weakness of
the Articles of Confederation became apparent in the
post-war period;
Nationalists (i.e., “the federalists”) attempt to reform
the system, then move to create an entirely new
form of gov’t, provoking resistance from those (i.e.,
“the anti-federalists”) who fear strong central power.
The “Spirit of ’76” (liberty and freedom) is replaced
by the “Spirit of ’89” (stability and order).
The Constitution is framed and ratified through
political compromises (3/5; slave trade; Great
Compromise; Bill of Rights).
The Federalist Era
1789-1800
Administrations of George
Washington and Adams
Jefferson elected in the
“Revolution of 1800”
The new gov’t grows in strength and authority,
dealing with issues including managing the national
debt, navigating foreign affairs with France, Spain,
and Britain, and establishing the framework of the
US gov’t.
After Washington steps down, political parties (the
Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans) form for
the first time under Adams over disagreements
about foreign affairs, the strength of the gov’t, and
constitutional interpretation.
Adams administration is marred by the Alien and
Sedition Acts which suppress speech in the name of
national security and the appointment of the
Midnight Judges as a way of entrenching the
Federalist Party in the judiciary.
The Age of Jeffersonian
Democracy
1800-1816
Election of Jefferson
End of the War of 1812 and the
election of James Monroe.
Jefferson’s election marks a new direction in
American democracy as he pledges to reduce the
size and scope of the government and expand
democracy.
The conflict between TJ’s ideals and his actions
becomes apparent in the Louisiana Purchase, the
Embargo Act, and the maintaining of the
Hamiltonian financial system.
Expansion results in a shift in political power to the
west. The Federalist Party becomes increasingly a
sectional party with little power and is discredited by
its opposition to the War of 1812.
Era of Good Feelings
1816-1824
End of the War of 1812 and the
election of James Monroe.
Bitter feelings arise about the
outcome of the Election of
1824.
In the wake of the War of 1812, the United States
experienced a wave of nationalism, expressed in art,
literature, economics, and politics.
The Marshall Court greatly expands the powers of
the judiciary and upholds the power of the national
gov’t.
The demise of the Federalist Party results in a period
of one-party rule called the “Era of Good Feelings,”
however, unity is threatened by debates over
slavery in Missouri, an economic panic in 1819,
disputes over internal improvements and tariffs, and
a controversial election in 1824.
The Age of Jacksonian
Democracy
1824-1840
“Corrupt Bargain of 1824”
The Hard Cider Campaign of
William Henry Harrison
The party system returns in the wake of the Election
of 1824. Supporters of Jackson (the Democrats) v.
the National Republicans (John Quincy Adams;
Henry Clay).
The “Revolution of 1828” sweeps Jackson into office
in a movement referred to as “Jacksonian
Democracy.” Universal manhood suffrage results in
an expanded electorate; the spoils system ousts
long time political appointees and puts the “common
man in politics;” the Bank of the US is dismantled;
and Native American tribes are moved west to open
lands for western settlers.
Jackson greatly expands the power of the
Presidency, sees him self as the only true
representative
Southerners, angered by high tariffs, raise the
specter of nullification (revived from the Ky and Va
Resolutions); Jackson responds forcefully.
The Antebellum Period
1840-1860
The Civil War and
Reconstruction
1860-1877
The Gilded Age
1877-1896
The Progressive Era
1901-1919
The Roaring Twenties
1920-1929
The New Deal
1929-1940
The Cold War
1945-1991
New Frontier / Great
Society
19