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Oct 12, 1492
The discovery of the new world
Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas and every major powerhouse in the world fought over it. They saw new opportunities to make money. The three major countries were Spain, French, and the English. They wanted the materials that were found here rich soil, wild life, plants, minerals. People wanted a new beginning in they found this in this new land and as always land equals opportunity. They discovered that they were not the only ones here their were also native Americans living here. -
Creation of James town
James town was the first successful settlement and their was only 2 things you had to do make money in survive. Around 65%-70% people died of starvation and illness. The native Americans saw that they were struggling so they helped the colonist by showing them how to crop rice, indigo, and Tabaco. A new law was created the headright system people who went to the new world got free land this is a big deal because during this time only the nobles owned land. They saw new opportunity in owning land -
Second continental congress
The second continental congress takes place in Philadelphia. The radicals and the conservatives argue over what should be done to our country they send the olive branch petition letter to king George 2. The king rejects the letter for independence and declares the colonies to be a open rebellion. This will led to the creation of the declaration of American independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation talked about how the government of the US worked after its independence from Great Britain. They were badly written and would later influence the US' first constitution. It also allowed the government to have a Congress and do many things. It could declare war, sign treaties, make alliances, and do many other things. -
Technology and invention
There were many technological advances and inventions that had an impact on the US. Many of these inventions were so good that they are still being used today in the modern world. Examples of these inventions are the cotton gin, the steam engine, the sewing machine, and the reaper. They made everything faster and more efficient. -
Transportation revolution
Transportation also took a major role in bettering the US. Better transportation meant that goods could be transported faster to different parts. Canal systems and steam boats took part in making this all possible. Canals would link together towns using rivers and lakes. This would allow the steam boats to safely travel on water and get to places faster. -
Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark were explorers who traveled west to lead an expedition. They set forth to explore the Lousiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. Their goal was to explore unknown territory and establish trade with the Native Americans in that area. Jefferson sent them in hopes that they would find an efficient trade route that they would be able to use in the future. -
James Madison election
James Madison had previously been the Secretary of State when Thomas Jefferson was president. His election was important because he was the first person to beat someone else from the same party. His presidency also introduced us to the Bill of Rights which would take part in the Constitution. -
war of 1812
After James Madison was elected president, he faced major challenges like the War of 1812. The United States had a major conflict with Great Britain over expansion in the territory, impressment, and many other things. Although Great Britain did win this war, it ended in peace with the Treaty of Ghent. The war was considered "status quo ante Bellum." -
Burning of the White House
The White House was burned down after the British invaded the United States. The British marched down to the capital and had a brief fight. After that they burned it down along with razing many other government buildings. Dolley Madison also became a hero on this day by saving a portrait of George Washing and other treasures from the fire. -
star spangled banner
The Star-Spangled Banner was created by Francis Scott Key, a prisoner on a British barge. He witnessed the British bombardment of Fort M'Henry for nearly 12 hours. After waking up he noticed how the American flag was still standing even after the attack. He decided to write a poem called "The Defence of Fort M'Henry," which was the original name for the Star-Spangled Banner. -
The 2nd great awakening
Some major people that were involved in the 2nd great awaking was Johnathan Edwards and George Whitefield. This awaking was really focused on the church and it was a vehicle for social change. Women to get started better roles in the community and started to get really involved in the church. Wyoming even lets women vote but the federal government stops this by not letting them join the nation. In responds to this they said "Thanks but no thanks". we are bringing our women with us. -
The corrupt bargain
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The creation of the spoils system
Jackson takes office as the new president and he decides to fire many government employees.(fired more than 200 employees). He awarded people that helped him get into presidency with federal jobs.(mostly democrats). Jackson thought that every citizen could have the chance to be involved not just the wealthy. He believed that the common man was able to accomplish great achievements. Future presidents will later adapt this new system and use it for their own benefits like control of their party. -
nullification Crisis
The south threatened to nullify the law because they were angry over the tariff of abominations. People believed that the tariff was unconstitutional and Jackson wanted to preserve the union and fought the nullification. He lowered the tariff but they still denied paying the tariff it seemed that the nation was becoming more like Great Britain the reason they became independent was to stop paying unreasonable taxes. We claimed that secession would be considered treason to the nation. -
The control over Texas
Mexico started to offer free lands to Americans in Texas because nobody wanted live here. In order to get the land they had to make the land profitable, become Mexican citizens, and become catholic. Americans come to get free land but they will not follow these rules. They later form their own government and detach from Mexico. The Texans and the Mexicans argue over the land and fight over the Rio Grande. When they sign a treaty a fight breaks loss resulting to the Mexican-American war -
Mexican session
After President Polk believed that the Mexican army had invaded United States soil, Congress declared war on Mexico. This became known as the Mexican-American War in which America won. Mexico surrendered land to the United States which now make up California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Texas, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. -
The treaty of Guadalupe
The Texans and the Mexicans argue over the land and fight over the Rio Grande. The Americans get involved and support the Texans but they will have to become a state after this conflict. The Americans win this war and even take control of their capital. They made a treaty called the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo they demanded Rio Grande, Texas, and they also give up Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. This was a great victory since we now have land in both the pacific and Atlantic ocean. -
gold rush
After James W. Marshall found gold in California, everyone started to travel there in hopes in find gold. This started the gold rush and everyone started to slowly migrate there. The population started to increase ad this allowed California to go rapidly to statehood. Everyone started to dig and spent many hours of their day in the same spot digging and digging. -
henry clay compromise
Henry Clay compromised to bring California into the Union as a free state and allow New Mexico Territory to decide the slavery issue for themselves. While the North would gain California as a free state the South would receive a stronger fugitive slave law. Henry also stated that the remainder of the Mexican cession would be divided into 2 territories of New Mexico and Utah. -
civil war
The Civil War started because the free slave states and slave states could not compromise their differences. Slave states wanted to keep slaves, hence the name and free slave states wanted to end slavery. The war lasted for 4 years and the United States defeated the Confederate States and abolished slavery nationwide. -
homestead act
We needed more people to move to the west since we need to make the land profitable. Many people were already living in the east and it was overcrowded. Lincoln saw this problem in signed the plan to give free land to people that moved to the west. (160 acres per household) This act was also available for black people. In order for the land to be free they had to live in it and farm it for 5 years. They must improve the property. Their end goal was for people to move to the west. -
Gettysburg address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by President Abraham Lincoln that discussed the importance of equality. He spoke about how all humans were equal as it had been written in the Declaration of Independence. He also explained how the Civil War wasn't just a fight for the Union, but also "a birth of freedom." -
congress takes over
Republicans took power over congress leaving president Johnson powerless. Every time Johnson would veto laws congress would use their 2/3 voting to pass the laws. They could also pass new laws they felt would improve our government even thought the president saying no. They helped pass many laws that helped African Americans life's like protection against black codes. -
13th amendment
After the civil war every state had to adapt this new amendment in order to be part of the united states. This new amendment abolished slavery no more African Americans could be treated as they used to. Many people especially in the south didn't want to follow this but at the end they did but they found a curve they made them sign labor deal which almost made them their slaves low wages and long hours. -
Lincoln assassination
John Wilkes Booth was the one who killed President Abraham Lincoln. He entered the presidential box at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. He shot the president and leaped onto the stage where he escaped through the back door. His death affected the relationship between the north and the south, making the north hate the south even more. -
Johnson Impeachment
congress set up a trap for president Johnson. They passed a law stating that the president can't fire government worker without congressional improvement. Johnson still decided to fire secretary of war Edwin Stanton. This was the first time ever a president was impeached and people were scared because they didn't know if the government will fall after he was impeached. -
14th amendment
the fourteen amendment allowed for everyone that was born in the united states could obtain citizenship. Future babies of color whos parents were born in another country would obtain citizenship this kids will have better opportunities in the future. They obtain better rights from becoming U.S citizens. -
15th amendment
The African Americans earned the right to vote when this amendment was passed. The radical republican's remained in control but lost the super majorit. The 15th amendment was unpopular since it allowed for blacks to vote and the south especially didn't like this since they believed the the blacks weren't as smart as the whites and they didn't have education or enough knowledge to vote -
transcontinental railroad
This railroad was a big accomplishment for the united states. In was one of the biggest projects in the world in the united states accomplish to connect the whole nation from west to east. Traveling products and people could be handled in a faster way from a 6 month trip to a 2-3 week trip. This helped our economy grow and showed the world that America could accomplish great things people thought were impossible. -
The election crisis
In the south it seemed as though 100 percent of the voters voted for Tiden which resulted in the north to question this. They recounted the votes and all of a sudden states that were blue turn red the south also questioned this. They had to make a election commission because the constitution didn't account for a crisis like this. Hayes was named the new president and reconstruction is officially over. -
Civil Service Reform
The ending of the spoils system came after the assassination of president Garfield because of the corruption and danger it could have and it gave for better fit people to get a federal job.( Pendleton act) was a test that was given in order to obtain a federal job decoded if you were qualified. The populist Party started to compete against the other major parties. We started to focus more on our economy to become a major country that rule on its economy instead of its military force. -
The dawes act
This was similar to the homestead act it gave native Americans 160 acres per household if they moved out of their tribes. Their was one condition if they got land from this act they would take away land from their reservation. The government saw this as a opportunity to get rid of tribes land and sell them to American citizens. They wanted to break tribal ties and order for native Americans to become for civilized more American. -
Cuba and Spain conflict
Cuba is a very good piece land for the Spaniards they get money since Cuba is a trading place for many countries including the U.S. Cubans want their own independence but Spain isn't ready to give up the land so every person who speaks up against them will be either killed or will be missing. Many united states citizens are living here and we even establish some businesses here. We have a good relationship with the Cubans so we get Spain and Cuba to sign a treaty that will lower harsh punishment -
Spanish American War
We received a stolen letter from the Spanish minster that said the president was a little kid playing to be president.(A want to be). They also said that they would treat Cuba as they saw fit. A newspaper got this paper and started to publish a article over this. The U.S decided to send the USS Maine to protect US citizens that were living in Cuba but in the middle of the night the ship exploded making them think the Spaniards had to do something with this and the war started. -
Victory
This war had a great outcome even though it was short we gained so many benefits. We showed the world we our a powerhouse we fought against one of the greatest nations and won. During this time we gained Alaska and midway. In we gained a good relationship with the Cubans we also gained the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico and we annexed Hawaii. The navy is now enlarged and modernized and we have opened the gates to many more countries we can trade with. We become a world power.