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Lexington and Concord
On April 18, 2012 british troops came marching in to Concord and destroyed the colonists supplies and killed eight colonists. On their way to march to Boston british troops were attacked and 250 of their men were kiled by "amatuer fighters." -
Second Continental Congress
The Congress was divided into two groups ; one group who wanted to declare independance and another that wanted to negoiate peace with Great Britain. After meeting for a year the congress began to favor independance and started to introduce the Decleration of Independance. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
This was a true battle fought between the British and the Americans near the outskirts of Boston. A colonial militia of Massachusetts farmers fortified Breed’s Hill, which was next to Bunker Hill. The battle was named incorrectly. The British took over the hill but the Americans considered it a victory of sorts because they inflicted heavy losses on the British. -
Olive Branch Petition
The colonists sent England the "Olive Branch Petition" that said they would remain loyal to Great Britain, but they demanded that their rights be protected and to intercede with Parliment to secure peace. Great Britain dismissed the colonies petition and responded with Parliaments Prohibitary Act which decalred the colonies in a rebellion. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamplet written by Thomas Paine that inspired the colonies to demand indepedence from Great Britain. Thomas Paine believed that it was contrary to common sense for a small distant country to rule a large country and for people to obey the rules of a king who's government was corrupt and laws unreasonable. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted which gave America its independence from Britian. The declaration drafted by Jefferson listed specific grievances against George III’s government and also expressed the basic principles that justified revolution -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution in America. The document had a lot of problems , but it was mostly known at the first attempt of a centrailized government. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point for the Colonies because they superised British Troops in Saratoga and forced them to surrender. Because of this win , France decided to become America's ally which helped the colonies tremendously. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the final battle of the American Revolution and led to the surrender of General Cornwallis. This battle the American colonies their independence from England. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris made Britain recognize the United States as an independent nation. -
Shay’s Rebellion
Poor farmers led an uprising in Massachusetts againest high state taxes, imprisonment for debt, and lack of paper money. The uprising was quickly ended , but it showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. -
Northwest Ordinance 1787
The Articles of Confederation set a rule for making new states. The Northwest Ordinance granted limited self-government to the developing territory and prohibited slavery in the region. -
Constitutional Convention
The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution. -
Judiciary Act
In 1789 Congress passed this Act which created the federal-court system. The act managed to quiet popular apprehensions by establishing in each state a federal district court that operated according to local procedures. -
Marbury vs Madison
The 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress, (the Judiciary Act of 1789). -
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening started the religious movement within the United States. The liberal implementation of Christianity's to improve aspects of society would permanently make the United States a secular nation constitutionally but a religious nation societally. -
Chisholm v. Georgia
Two citizens of South Carolina brought suit against Georgia to recover British-owned property which had been confiscated by Georgia during the Revolutionary War. State officials refused to appear in court and vigorously denied the Court's jurisdiction. The Court's decision provoked widespread criticism, and two days later the Eleventh Amendment was proposed in Congress -
Whiskey Rebellion
In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, and several federal officers were killed in the riots caused by their attempts to serve arrest warrants on the offenders. In October, 1794, the army, led by Washington, put down the rebellion. -
XYZ Affair
An insult to the American delegation when they were supposed to be meeting French foreign minister, Talleyrand, but instead they were sent 3 officials Adams called "X,Y, and Z" that demanded $250,000 as a bribe to see Talleyrand. -
Alien and Sedition Act
These consist of four laws passed by the Federalist Congress and signed by President Adams in 1798: the Naturalization Act, which increased the waiting period for an immigrant to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years; the Alien Act, which empowered the president to arrest and deport dangerous aliens. -
Revolution of 1800
Jefferson's name of 1800 election; signaled changed from Federalists to Jeffersonians -
Louisianna Purchase
1803 purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. Made by Jefferson, this doubled the size of the US. -
Embargo Act
This act issued by Jefferson forbade American trading ships from leaving the U.S. It was meant to force Britain and France to change their policies towards neutral vessels by depriving them of American trade. -
Nonintercourse Act 1809
A law passed in 1809 replacing the Embargo Act, allowing Americans to carry on trade with all nations except Britain and France -
Macon’s Bill No. 2
Forbade trade with Britain and France, but offered to resume trade with whichever nation lifted its neutral trading restrictions first. France quickly changed its policies against neutral vessels, so the U.S. resumed trade with France, but not Britain. -
Fletcher v. Peck
Sate had tried to revoke a land grant on the grounds that it had been obtained by corruption. The Court ruled that a state cannot arbitrarily interfere with a person's property rights. -
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War of 1812
A war between the United States and England which was trying to interfere with American trade with France. -
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty ending the War of 1812, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814; agreed to a halt in the fighting, the return of all conquered territory to the previous owner, and recognition of the boudary between Canada and the US. -
Second Bank of United States
it could not forbid state banks from issuing notes, but its size and power enabled it to compel the state banks to issue only sound notes or risk being forced out of business -
Election of 1816
Election when Rufus King was brutally defeated by Monroe. Rufus King was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery. His loss signified the 'death' of the federalist party -
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
New Hampshire had attempted to take over Dartmouth College by revising its colonial charter. The Court ruled that the charter was protected under the contract clause of the U. S. Constitution -
McColluch v. Maryland
Supreme court upheld power of the national government and denied right of a state to tax the bank. Court's broad interpretation of necessary and proper clause paved way for later rulings. -
Johnson v. McIntosh
Established that Indian tribes had rights to tribal lands that preceded all other American law; only the federal government could take land from the tribes. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
his case involved New York trying to grant a monopoly on waterborne trade between New York and New Jersey. Judge Marshal, of the Supreme Court, sternly reminded the state of New York that the Constitution gives Congress alone the control of interstate commerce. -
Election of 1824
In this election, four candidates from the same party competed for the nation's highest office. In the end, Andrew Jackson received the most popular votes and the most electoral votes but he was not elected. Because no candidate won a majority of electoral votes, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. -
Election of 1828
In this election, four candidates from the same party competed for the nation's highest office. In the end, Andrew Jackson received the most popular votes and the most electoral votes but he was not elected. Because no candidate won a majority of electoral votes, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. -
Indian Removal Act
Ordered the removal of Indian Tribes still residing east of the Mississippi to newly established Indian Territory west of Arkansas and Missouri. Tribes resisting eviction were forcibly removed by American forces, often after prolonged legal or military battles. -
Nullification Crisis
South Carolina nullified the federal law requiring an increase of protective tariffs. This is an example of conflict over states vs federal rights. -
Texas Independence
It solved the military conflict between the government of Mexico and Texas colonists that began in 1835 and resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Texas. It was finally after the Mexican American War that led to the annexation of Texas to the United States. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
In the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, the disputed territory was split between Maine and British Canada. The treaty also settled the boundary of the Minnesota territory. -
Election of 1844
After a deadlock between Martin Van Buren and John Calhoun, the Democratic party nominated James K. Polk who won the election. -
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War was a dispute over the Mexican-American border and also the United States wanted to purchase California and New Mexico. Mexico lost the war and it resulted in the United States gaining New Mexico and Southern California. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848
This treaty was signed by the Americans and Mexicans after the war. The treaty included: Mexico would recognize the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas, and the United States would pay $15 million for New Mexico and California. -
Wilmot Proviso
In 1846 David Wilmot proposed a bill that forbid any slavery in the previous owned Mexican territories. His bill the Wilmot Proviso , passed the House twice but it was defeated in Senate. -
Panic of 1857
A financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy and an over-expansion of the domestic economy. -
Gadsden Purchase
Mexico sold thousands of acres of land to the United States for $10 million. -
Ostend Manifesto
This was a document that was stated the offer from the U.S. to purchase Cuba from Spain. The details were leaked which angered anti-slavery members of Congress. -
Alaska Purchase
Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The addition of Alaska would increase America’s size by around 20%. Not long after, the discovery of gold was made. -
Dawes Act
Authorized the President of the United States to survey Indian tribal land and divide it. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
It was the last battle of the American Indian Wars. During the process of disarming the Lakota, a deaf Lakota refused to give up his rifle and then a shot was fired causing the cavalry unit to open fire upon the Lakota. At least 150 Lakota were killed. -
U.S.S. Maine
The U.S.S. Maine was a battleship that was anchored at Cuba that exploded and killed 260 Americans. Yellow press accused Spain of the explosion, which was one of the causes of the Spanish-American War. -
Teller Amendment
An amendment sponsored by Republican senator Henry M. Teller. It authorized the use of U.S. military force to establish Cuban independence from Spain. -
Spanish-American War
Conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. The war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain. -
Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy is a concept in foreign affairs that allowed multiple Imperial powers access to China, with none of them in control of the country. This helped to promote international trade and prevent one country from being all-powerful. -
Boxer Rebellion
This was an organization led by chinese people and they killed dozens of christian missionaries. -
Election of 1900
The Election of 1900 was between Republican President McKinley and democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan. Bryan attacked Imperialism with a negative manner. Most Americans disagreed and saw that the new territory acquired during the war was an accomplished fact so President McKinley got re elected. -
Platt Amendment
It created the conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba at the end of the Spanish-American War. The Amendment ensured U.S. involvement in Cuban affairs and gave legal standing to U.S. claims to certain territories on the island including Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. -
Roosevelt Corollary
This was a statement made by president roosevelt that said that the US would intervene with any conflict between Latin America and Europe. -
Gentlemen’s Agreement
The “Gentlemen’s Agreement” was when the United States discriminated against Japanese Americans in California. Japanese Americans were required to attend segregated schools and this was considered a national insult to Japan. This caused major friction between the two countries and Japan secretly restricted the emigration of Japanese workers until the laws were repealed. -
Election of 1908
In this election, William Taft, a Republican, and William Bryan were candidates and this election was mainly held to see who could lead the country the best. Taft won the election because Bryan made the mistake of wanting socialization of railroads. -
Founding of the NAACP
Was created in response to a race riot in Springfield, Illinois. A multiracial activist group wanted to find a way to help with racial equality. Thus began the NAACP. -
Mexican Civil War (Revolution)
The Mexican Civil War was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, and lasted for the better part of a decade until around 1917. The revolution changed from a revolt against the established order to a multi-sided civil war. -
Election of 1912
This election was between Woodrow Wilson, a democratic candidate, and Roosevelt, a member of the Progressive Party, in which Roosevelt won the election because he supported women’s rights and supporting tariffs. -
Panama Canal
As a result of the spanish-american war the american empire stretched from puerto rico to the Phillipeans. To get to these islands the US built a canal. -
Jones Act
In 1916, Wilson passed this act which granted the Philippines full territorial status, a bill of rights, and as soon as a strong government was established, Philippine independence. -
First Red Scare
Movements within the Americas in Washington and Massachusetts against politically powerful businessmen by anarchist led to politicians enabling constitutionally illegal actions to suppress these movements. This is the origins of suppression of different political ideologies within America and encourage anger among the masses for anyone in support of it. -
Red Summer
Race riots occurred in more than 3 dozen cities in the U.S. In many cases african americans were lynched or at least mobbed. They were hung, shot, put on stakes, or burned. Some cases they fought back. This caused a lot of social tension between the whites and the african americans -
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. The New Negro was introduced. -
Election of 1932
Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, beat the Republican, Herbert Hoover, who was running for reelection. FDR promised relief for the unemployed, help for farmers, and a balanced budget. -
New Deal
The historic period (1933-1940) in the U.S. during which President Franklin Roosevelt's economic policies were implemented -
Attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
nuclear attacks during World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States of America at the order of U.S. President Harry S. Truman -
Truman Doctrine
Truman, to contain Soviet aggression, created a policy known as the Truman Doctrine in response to the uprisings led by Communists against the Greek government, and in response to the Soviet trying to control Turkey’s Dardanelles. -
Fall of China to Communism
Mainland China was taken over by communist by 1949, and the only place left to go for Chiang and his forced was Taiwan. Chiang continued to get support from the US, however Mao Ze-Dong already ruled Beijing, bringing to fruition the “People’s Republic of China”. Mao Ze-Dongs’ leadership of which was only recognized by the US 30 years later. -
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Korean War
This conflict marked the first military action of the cold war when North Korean troops invaded the Soviet occupied South Korean territory, and U.S forces soon intervened on South Korea’s behalf. More than being about the specific country of Korea, it was thought of as a war against the concept of communism itself. -
Election of 1952
A race between Dwight D. Eisenhower for the republicans and Adlai Stevenson for the democrats. Eisenhower won in a landslide. -
Creation of NATO
The “NATO” is an national security organization that formed as a pact between 12 countries in 1949. It set up a mutual defense between the countries and agreed that if anybody attacked a single country that was a part of NATO, they attacked the entire organization.
