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Mayflower Compact
The first governing compact of the Plymouth Colony. It was created by an agreement to form a government and obey its laws. -
City Upon a Hill Speech
A speech by John Winthrop to the colonists of New England. Reminded the colonists that they cannot make mistakes and are the leaders. Winthrop says that all the eyes of the people are on them. -
Salem Witch Trials
The New England colonies prosecuted suspected witches in the 1690's. Children with sickness led to a suspect of evil magic, and suspected witches had to be identified, prosecuted, and neutralized. Suspected witches were rarely let go free after they were accused. -
The British Colonies Grows Stronger
The land that the Native Americans lived on was being taken by the British, but the French became allies with them to help resist British colonial expansion. -
Spark of the French and Indian War
The fertile Ohio River sparked the start of the French and Indian war, creating a feud between France and Great Britain over who owned the land. -
Pontic's Rebellion
Members of the American Indians surprised and captured most of the British forts in the Ohio River valley and along the Great Lakes. They also raided settlements in western Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was put in place to tax the colonists for the French and Indian War. It lowered the duty on foreign molasses. It also, though, created courts to collect the duties and prosecute smugglers. -
Sons of Liberty
People who lead the popular protests. They protested about taxes. Their most famous leader was Samuel Adams. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a boycott and protest against the British East India company. The law was made to help the company and encourage colonists to pay the tax. The colonists revolted by boarding three British ships with tea on them and dumped the tea into the harbor. -
XYZ Affair
Incident between France and America where France seized US ships and would not give them back unless America have them a loan and a bribe. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Acts that were signed by John Adams that made it easier to deport foreigners. It also made it harder for new immigrants to vote. -
Introduction of Interchangeable Parts
Eli Whitney's invention of interchangeable parts forever changed the way goods were built, and how much cheaper they could be built. They allowed goods to be built a lot more efficiently as well, since one part could be used to built many different things. -
Embargo Act
A law passed in 1807 that banned the trade of goods to any foreign nations. -
The Tariff of 1816
After the War of 1812, British goods flowed into the US again, which made Congress impose the Tariff of 1816. The Tariff increased the price of imported goods, making Americans less likely to buy goods from other countries. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Adams-Onis Treaty that ended Spanish claims to the Pacific Coast territory of Oregon. After the treaty, Americans started to settle in Florida and began the fur trade in Oregon. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was a policy that responded to threats by European powers to help Spain recover Latin American colonies that declared their independence. -
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal was was one of the best known canals in the era, and after its completion the canal lowered the cost of shipping a ton of freight from $100 to just $4. It also helped to make New York City the nation's greatest commercial center.
