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American History
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French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian war began in the spring of 1754. Both the English and the French wanted to gain control of the Ohio River Valley. Battles were mainly fought at forts along the river. George Washington was young when he began doing militarytasks for the British. The French had control of the area for about two years until the British finally took control after gaining land in other areas. The war lasted seven years. I chose this because the English control over the nation started here. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place on March 5th, 1770. It happened in the city of Boston, Massachusettes. British redcoats were being harrassed by an American patriot. In all the commotion the redcoat stuck the patriot in the face. This started a riot in the streets. Ice was being thrown, people were yelling, and fighting broke out. The Redcoats fired and 5 colonists were killed in the event. I chose this event because the Redcoats deliberately killed colonists who were only protesting. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea party was a heroic act made by the American colonists on December 17th, 1773 in Boston, Massachusetts. The British Parliament was forcing the colonists to pay unfair taxes on commom, everyday items. To protest the British Parliament local colonists dressed as Native Americans and dumped gallons of tea off the British ships. I chose this event because I believe it is a very important act performed by the American colonists. It was a milestone for the American War for Independence. -
First Continental Congress
In response to the Intolerable Acts, America’s first Continental Congress met on September 5, 1774. 56 delegates from 12 colonies met at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia to discuss a unified position and Parliament’s assertion that it could control the colonies. Georgia was the only colony that refused to send a delegate. I chose this event because the Congress agreed on resuming the boycott on British goods, which lead to further rebellment against the British. -
Shot Heard Round the World
On April 4th, 1775 Paul Revere warned the people of Lexington,"The British are coming!" The Patriots set up their supplies and waited for the British arrivial. After awhile the British arrived and a shot was fired. It is not clear on what side fired first, but more shots resulted afterwards. Eight Americans were dead and ten were wounded. I chose this event because it was the, "Shot heard rounf the world," started the Revolutionary War. -
The Second Continental Congress
On May 10th, 1775 the Continental Congress met for the second time in Philadelphia. The American Revolution had begun and many minutemen had been killed. They authorized the production of paper money and named Benjamin Franklin Postmaster General. George Washington became Commander-in-Chief. It became legislative branch of the war effort that would sign treaties, make declarations, and appoint ambassadors. I chose this event because nation was making decisions as a real government should. -
Independence from Great Britain
On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. The Declaration's purpose is for the thirteen colonies to gain freedom from Britain. The known author is Thomas Jefferson, but other important figures signed it like Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Roger Sherman. I chose this event because America finally gained its own Independence and freedom on this day. -
Valley Forge
On December 19th, 1777 George Washington chose Valley Forge Pennsylvania to set up camp for the Continental Army. They were out of the way of fire, but they struggled. They were running out of supplies and didn't have much food. Its was always cold and wet so it allowed for the spread of disease. Many soldiers died of starvation and freezing. The Continental Army didn't leave Valley Forge until June 19, 1777. I chose this event because I think it's important to understand what they went through. -
The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse
On June 28, 1778 George Wahington ordered General Charles Lee and 5,000 men to attack the British as they departed Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey on their way to New York. They failed. Washington was enraged and proceeded to go with them the second time. The battle resulted in a draw. Many men died of heat stroke rather than in combat. I chose this event because it showed that the patriots were capable of defeating the Brithish at open cobat and how persistant George Washington was. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The United States government purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon I for about $15,000,000. $11,250,000 was paid directly and the remainder was covered by French debt to U.S. citizens. The purchase doubled the size of the United States. Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition through the new lands in which hundreds of new animals, tribes, and a route to the Pacific were found. I chose this event because it was a huge step in the expansion of our territory. -
Louis and Clark
On May 14, 1804, Lewis, Clark, 38 other Corps members sailed from St. Charles, Missouri west on the Missouri River. Their mission was to discover a new way to the Pacific, discover new plants/animals, and make peace with new native tribes. The crew met Sacagawea and added her to the exploration team so she could translate for them. I chose this event because I believe the expedition was very important in order to discover new things and advance in territory. -
The Erie Canal
Erie Canal was completed on October 25, 1825. It took Seven years to build. The canal would link the major port of New York City to the Hudson River near Troy, New York. Its main purpose was to transport goods from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. James Monroe rejected the plan, but the New York legislature approved it. Governor DeWitt Clinton was a major proponent to the plan. I chose this event because I believe the canal allowed more people to move to the Northwest area conveniently. -
The Tail of Tears
The U.S. territory was expanding West. Population was booming. The Native Americans were being pushed out. In 1830 President Andrew Jackson authorized the Indian Removal Act. In 1838, General Winfield Scott and 7,000 troops invaded Cherokee land. The Natives were forced to walk westward from Georgia to Oklahoma. Nearly 4,000 Native Americans died walking this Trail of Tears. I chose this event because i think its important to remember how ruthless we were in order to expand in our territory. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was about the issue of slavery in America’s new territories acquired after the Mexican War. The question was whether slavery should be allowed in the new territories. Henry Clay offered the famous compromise. His compromise gave a new Fugitive slave law and made California a free state. The compromise was accepted throughout the nation. I chose this event because I believe it postponed southern secession. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which organized the remaining territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase in North or South regions. Proposed by Stephen A. Douglas the bill divided the region into two territories. North (Nebraska) was anti-slavery and South (Kansas) was Pro-slavery. I chose this event because it seperated the areas into the Union and the Confederacy. -
Abe Lincoln is Elected President
Abraham Lincoln was elected 16th president of the United States on November 6th, 1860. He was the first republican to win the presidency. Lincoln received only 40 percent of the popular vote but handily defeated the three other candidates. Abraham Lincoln believed salavery was wrong and should be abolished. I chose this event because if he hadn't become president the U.S. may not have had the opportunity to abolish slavery when it did. -
South Carolina seceds from the Union
On December 20th, 1860 South Carolina seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. South Carolina was a heavily white populated area and had always supported the institution of slavery. South Carolina provided war materials and soldiers to the Confederacy. I chose this event because when South Carolina seceded it gave the Confederacy a huge adavantage and it influenced other stated to secede afterwards. -
The Battle of Antietam
On September 17, 1862, Union troops under the command of George McClellan, clashed with Confederate troops under the command of Robert E. Lee at Sharpsburg, Maryland.It was the bloodiest day in American history and it became known as the Battle of Antietam because of the creek that ran through the battle site. It was tactical victory for the North. The Confederates were forced to retreat. I chose this event because it was a big win for the Union and lead to the Emancipation Proclamation Act. -
Emancipation Proclamation
On September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves in “enemy territory” as of January 1, 1863. it is important to note that the new law did not free slaves being held in the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. Lincoln was worried that if a universal slave emancipation would make some Union supporters switch to the Confederacy. I chose this event because abolishing slavery was a huge achievement by the North. -
Abraham Lincoln Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Booth on April 11th, 1865 at Ford Theater, Washington DC. The Southern States had just lost against the Union in the Civil War. Booth blammed Lincoln (commander of the Union Army) for the loss of his southern brothers in the war. Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head with a .44 caliber Derringer. I chose this event because I believe the loss of Lincoln was very tragic. He did a lot for the country and didnt deserve to die.
