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Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopted the declaration stating the colonies in America were no longer ruled by Britain. This is important because it helped to created the United States of America. -
Surrender at Yorktown
The Surreneder at Yorktown was the last major and decisive battle in THe American Revolution, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. This is an important event because it was the last major battle of the war and finally brok the British. It allowed the Americans to win the war. -
Treaty of Paris Signed
British and American officials signed this document in France, stating that United States was no longer under British control. This is important becasue it meant that Untied States was now a free and indpendent country. -
George Washington Sworn in as 1st President
George Washington is sworn in as the first president of the Untied States. This is important because it is a step to setting up a government in the newly founded United States. -
Washington D.C. Becomes Capital
Washington D.C. is named the permanet capital of the United States. This is important because the capital is where the central government for the United States is. -
Bill of Rights Ratified
The original states of the United States finally ratified the BIll of Rights added to the Constitution. This is important because it guarentees individual rights and freedoms to people and protects them under this document. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that could seperate cotton from the seeds and other impurities much quicker than could be done by hand. This is important because the cotton gin allowed farmers to produce more cotton in the fields but farmers needed more help to pick the cotton so they increased the use of slaves to do so. -
Thomas Jefferson Sworn in as 3rd President
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the 3rd president of the United States. This is important because Thomas Jefferson was a very influencial president and did a lot for the United States. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from the French for about 15 million dollars. This is important because it nearly doubled the size of the United States and gave the country more resources. -
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War of 1812
The British attacked the newly formed United States, thinking that the young nation wouldn't be able to defend itself. This is important because this victory in another war over the world's power prooved to the rest of the world that the United States was "for real". -
Treaty of Florida
U.S. Secretary of State John Q. Adams signed the Treaty of Florida with the Spanish, who agreed to cede all their lands in the province of Florida to the Untied States. This is important because thr United States starts to think of the idea of Manifest Destiny, where the United States streches from coast to coast. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson put into place legislation that forced tribes and nations of Native Americans to relocate to the American Southwest. This is important because this is a cause of the Trail of Tears and allowed Native Americans to be treated terribly. -
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Trail of Tears
The U.S. government forced thousands of Native Americans to march thousands of miles to relocate in terrible conditions. Many Native Americans died along the way. This is important because of the cruelty that the Native Americans were treated with. -
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Texas Revolution
This war was fought between Texas and Mexico and decided who would rule Texas. This is important because Texas would win their independence and become a part of the United States eventually. -
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The Battle of the Alamo
This was a 13 day battle between a group of Texans and a Mexican Army in San Antonio. This is importan because although the Texans were massacred, this battle became a turning point and rallying cry for the Texans as the fought for their independence from Mexico. -
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Mexican-American War
The United States and Mexico went to war, with the winner of the war becoming the power on the continent of North America. This is important because the United States became the continental power, gained land from Texas to California, and continued with the idea of Manifest Destiny. -
Oregon Treaty
President James K. Polk and Sec. of State James Buchanan signed an agreement with the British stating that the U.S. would control the Oregon Territory south of the 49th parallel. This is importnant because it continues the United State's Manifest Destiny. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the war between Mexico and the United States and forced Mexico to cede a large land in the American Southwest to the United States. This is important because it allowed to United States to become the power of North America and greatly helped to strengthen the idea of Manifest Destiny. -
Gadsden Purchase
James Gadsden purchased a piece pf land south of Arizona and New Mexico for 33 cents an acre. This is important because the purchase allowed a trans-continetal railroad from the south to the west to be built and conitnued with Manifest Destiny. -
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John Brown's Raid
John Brown led 21 on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in protest of slavery. This is important because it caused more tension over slavery and eventually halped spark the Civil War. -
Pony Express Begins
The Pony Express was an organization that took mail from the east to the west coast by way of horse back. This is important because it enable news to spread quicker and people could communicate more easily. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. This is important because this the beginings of the Civl War. -
Abraham Lincoln Sworn in as 16th President
Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th president of the United States. This is important because Lincoln was very influencial and lead the United Stated throught the Civil War. -
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American Civil War
The United States of America (north) and Confederate States of America (south) battled over slavery and other issues that seperated the country. This is important because this is the only time the United States has fought itself and not been "United States" and it set the U.S. back several decades as far as industrialization. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
This battle was fought as a part of the Civil War and was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This battles was one the bloodiest of the war. This is important because the battle was a turning point for the North as they stopped the South from advancing into the North. This battle allowed the North to win the war. -
Abraham Lincoln's Assasination
John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate symphathizer shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln during a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. This is important because Abraham Lincoln lead the United States through the Civil War, one of the most difficult times in American history. -
Alaska Purchase
United States Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. Originally called "Seward's Folly" the deal turn out to be a good one as Alaska is rich in recources. This is important because it gave the United States vast oil and gold resources. -
Yellowstone National Park founded
Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the territories of Wyoming and Montana. This is important because this led to creatiob of simliar parks all over the U.S. and other countries. -
Invention of the Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone which could transmit speech ectrically. This is important because it allowed news to be spread rapidly and made communication easier. -
Battle of the Little Big Horn
Colonel George Custer led a group of soldiers into battle against three times the amount of Native Americans lead by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse who massacred the soldiers. This is important because this the height of the NAtive Americans rebellion and power.
