America: 1776 to 1861

Social: Shay's Rebellion

Jan 1, 1787

Shay's Rebellion LinkMany farmers. who could not pay their taxes and debts, rebeled against the government and were driven away by state troops after a few weeks. This arm rebellion caused enough fear to gather the Constitutional Convention to initially amend the Articles of Confederation.

Innovation: The Constitution

Dec 1, 1791

The ConstitutionThe Constitution was ratified to please the those who used to be against it and passed with The Bill of Rights to insure its ratification. This created the most successful republic in the world to this day and saved the US from re-entering British control. It also successfully inherited some ideas from its predacessor, such as a way to divide the land. "amending the U.S. Constitution." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Slavery: The Invention of the Cotton Gin

Oct 28, 1793

Objects and Artifacts The Cotton Gin continued slavery like nothing else could have as slavery was losing its profitability. This was invented by Eli Whitney and created a 50 times more efficent way to clean out the cash crop. This machine revitalized the plantation system and made the US the dominant world supplier of cotton by the 1820s. "cotton gin." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.

Political: Election of 1800

Nov 1, 1800

Thomas Jefferson ImageThis campain between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamiliton was specifically important because it proved that we have a respectable form of re-election in which one party could peacefully transfer its power to another party. This confirmed the legitimacy of this new nation. Also, this election point out several flaws with our system including that there should not have been the same ballat for both the President and VP.
"election of 1800." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Innovation: Steam Engine

Oct 24, 1801

The steam engine improved shipping by water and helped create the railroad system which would urbanize the US to help it go through its Industrial Revolution.
"Steam engine." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. "Innovations and the War with Mexico: Need To Know." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Expansion: The Louisiana Purchase

Jul 4, 1803

After just wanting to buy New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from the desperate Napoleon for about the 3 cents an acre, effectively doubling the size of the US.
"Thomas Jefferson's Louisana Purchase: Overview." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.

Social: Lewis and Clark

Oct 15, 1803

Lewis and ClarkLewis and Clark are sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore new territory and come back in search of new people, cultures, animals, etc. in order to help future settlers understand where they would be going.
Cole, Curtis. "Jefferson, Lewis, and Clark." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Political: The Embargo Act of 1807

Dec 22, 1807

Embargo Act 1807 ImageIn Jefferson's administration, stopped foriegn trade in response to the fighting between France and Britain. This act damaged our economy and made us bound to enter war with Britian after France having restarted trade with us first and only.
"Embargo Act (1807)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Political: Missouri Comprimise

Mar 3, 1820

Missouri Comprimise LineCongress passes the Missouri CompromiseBecause the annexation of Missouri was thought to lead to an unbalance of power between the North and South due to an unbalance of free and slave states, and, from that, misrepresentation, Congress established that any state annexed below the 36th parallel would be a slave state and anything above, a free state. "Congress Passes the Missouri Compromise." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Social: Trail of Tears

Oct 24, 1838

Trail of Tears PictureBecause US Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, Cheroke Indians were forced to move west of the Mississippi river and whoever died along the way was only barried by loved ones. "Trail of Tears." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Innovation: Samuel Morse's Telegraph

Oct 1, 1844

The telegraph lead to many other form of communication and made it easier for people to communicate with their commanders in war. Also, this form of communication had made the world just a little smaller.
"Samuel Morse's sketch of railway telegraph." Image. Library of Congress. American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Expansion: Texas Annexation

Mar 1, 1845

The Nation ExpandsThe US was worn about annexing Texas. Under the James K. Polk Administration, the US decided that it would annex Texas as a slave state. This annexation led to border disputes. "Texas Annexation Act (1845)." American History. ABC-CLIO,
2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Expansion: Mexican Cession

Feb 2, 1848

Mexican Cession MapAfter winning the Mexican-American War, the US signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalago and payed $15 million dollars to the Mexicans to gain the Mexican Cession.

Slavery: The Civil War

Apr 12, 1861

This was fought by the North to stop the South's succeeding from the US and also to free slaves in an economy that depended on them.
Heidler, David S. and Jeanne T. Heidler. "Harper's Weekly: Background." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Slavery: 3/5 Comprimise

Jul 12, 1887

3/5 CompromiseWhen the Founders of the Constitution deciding whether to count Negros as people or not, Congress was focused on fair representation among states for the rewriting of the Constitution.