-
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776, is the day that the U.S. adopted the Declaration of Independence, when the thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain. Primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document outlined problems that King George III caused. This date is now celebrated in the U.S. with fireworks and festivities honoring the nation’s founding. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781. It created a weak central government that prioritized state sovereignty, requiring unanimous approval from all thirteen states. However, its limitations, like the inability to tax or regulate trade, led to calls for a stronger federal framework -
1st Presidency
George Washington was elected as the 1st president who established key examples, such as the Cabinet and two-term limit, while facing challenges like the Whiskey Rebellion and promoting unity and neutrality. His leadership set the structure for the future government of the U.S. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, and has the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which is used to protect individual liberties and limit government power. It includes rights like freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to bear arms, and protections against unreasonable searches and trials. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in 1803 where the U.S. acquired approximately 828,000 square miles from France for $15 million. It doubled the size of the U.S., giving it valuable land for settlement with the resources upon it. Negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson, it highly influenced westward expansion and growth. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain from June 18, 1812, to December 24, 1814. Key causes included impressment of American sailors, British trade restrictions, and support for Native American resistance to U.S. expansion. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was an attempt to balance the slave and free states together upon the expansion of the United States. It allowed Missouri to enter in as a slave state and Maine to enter in as a free state, keeping the balance. Although this temporarily soothed tensions over slavery, it underlined the rapidly growing divide that would eventually cause the start of the Civil War. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 made native tribes to forcibly relocate to the eastward side of the Mississippi River to western lands largely now known as Oklahoma. Under President Andrew Jackson, it had opened up land for white settlers, giving way to the infamous Trail of Tears, where many Native Americans were sent on forced marches with many suffering and dying. -
Texas Independence
Texas declared its independence from Mexico, due to tensions between American settlers and the Mexican government, ending in the Texas Revolution. The decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, led to the capture of Mexican President Santa Anna and the recognition of Texas as an independent republic. -
Compromise of 1850
A set of laws trying to lower tensions between slave and free states, admitting California as a free state, enforcing a stricter Fugitive Slave Act, and allowing New Mexico and Utah to decide on slavery. It sought to maintain a balance of power between North and South and temporarily delayed the Civil War.