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"Common Sense" -Society
Thomas Pains writes and publishes "Common Sense," which critisizes King George III and attacks the monarchy. It also encouages Americans to gain Independence from Britain. http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/ -
Declaration of Independence- Politics
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence for the US to be free from ties from other countries. The US officially was neutral in any alliances, and would not tie itself to any other countries in order to avoid war. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html -
Atricles of Confederation adopted- Politics
Articles of Confederation was adopted. They established the functions and purposes of the US government. The Articles of Confederation provided a basis and structure for the new government. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation -
Louisiana Purchase- expansion
President Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon for $15 million, and the size of the US doubled. http://www.history.com/topics/louisiana-purchase -
Lewis and Clarke explore LA territory- expansion
Jefferson sends Lewis and Clarke to explore the newly obtained Lousiana Territory in search of information about resources, Indians, and geography. Lewis and Clarke meet Sacagawea, and she helps them explore the territory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition -
Indian Removal Act- society
Andrew Jackson forced 5 civilized Indian tribes, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole to leave their homes and move to Oklahoma. They migratedin the Trail of Tears, in which one quarter of the indians died in the 1,000 mile march. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Indian.html -
Texas annexed- expansion
The US annexes Texas, expanding the US. Texans did not favor the rules of Mexico, and a rebellion resulted in the creation of the Republic of Texas from 1835-1845. The disputes over the border later lead to the Mexican War. http://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/TexasAnnexation -
Lincoln Inaugurated- Politics
Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as President, as the civil war starts. He promised to save the nation from its crisis, and he worked to preserve the Union. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/civil/jb_civil_lincoln2_1.html -
Fort Sumter Attacked- Society
Lincoln supplies Fort Sumter, and wants the south to fire the first shot. The battle was between the Confederate states and the US, with a victory for the Confederates. It started from the secession of several southern states and Robert Anderson tried to seize the fort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Sumter
