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Signing of the Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress declared independence for the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. This is important because it established America's freedom from Great Britain. -
Treaty of Paris
Ended the Revolutionary War between America and Great Britain. This is important because America was recognized as a country by Great Britain. -
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Northwest Indian War
A war between the settlers of the Northwest territory and the Indians there. This is important because it led to Indians losing land to settlers. -
Northwest Ordinance Passed
Created the Northwest territory the first organized American territory. It is significant because it showed that the United States would add land by creating states instead of expanding existing states. -
United States Constitution ratified
United States Constitution came into effect and established the rules of the United States Government. The ratification of the Constitution is important because it gave the United States a guide for how it is run. -
Bill of Rights Ratified.
Amendments to the Constitution that define the rights of the people. The Bill of Rights is important because it gave the people of the United States rights that could not be taken away by the government. -
Eli Whitney invents cotton gin
Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin to help farmers. The cotton gin was an important invention because it helped farmers clean the cotton faster, as a result slave trade increased. -
Treaty of Greenville signed
Indians and Northwest settlers signed a treaty that established the Greenville Treaty Line. The Greenville Treaty is important because the settlers continuously broke the treaty and took Native American land. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased land from France. This is important because the United States gained land and France lost presence in North America. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
The first exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and land near the Pacific. It was important because the United States learned about the land and the people that lived in the rest of America -
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War of 1812
A war between The United States and Great Britain. It was significant because it stopped Britain when they were providing arms to Native Americans and it united the United States. -
Missouri Compromise
A bill involving slavery in the south. This bill made the number of slave states and free states uneven and the North and South started to fight for power in congress and over who got the next state that is why it is important. -
Monroe Doctrine Introduced.
A document that stated efforts by European nations to colonize or interfere with land in North or South America would be seen as an act of aggression. It is important because it gave America control over Latin America. -
Erie Canal completed.
A waterway from New York to the Atlantic Ocean. It is significant because it helped cities near the canal become big trade centers and become very prosperous. -
Indian Removal Act signed into law.
Native Americans were forced to move to the West. It is important because the United States gained land but also made enemies with the Indians. -
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Texas Revolution
A battle between Texas and Mexico for independence for Texas. It is important because it was a major cause of the Mexican-American War and it led to the Annexation of Texas. -
Annexation of Texas
The United States adds Texas to it's land. This is important because the United States gained the border dispute between Mexico and Texas. -
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Mexican American War
A war between Mexico and America over Texas. This is important because America gained the Mexican Session from Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
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Gold Rush
People flocked from all over the United States to try and get gold. This was important because it transformed California into a center or trade and immigration -
Dred Scott Decision
A decision by the US Supreme Court that said African slaves and their children, grandchildren etc. were not US citizens and had no rights. It was important because it took away rights from free slaves in the North and all slaves for that matter. -
Lincoln Elected
President Abraham Lincoln was elected. This is important because Lincoln was an abolitionist. The South also seceded as a result of his election. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The first battle of the Civil war. It is important because Lincoln rallied the North and asked for troops after the loss. -
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American Civil War
A war between the North and South over slavery. This is important because it is the only war where America went against itself. It also set America back from improving. -
Battle of Antietam
A battle during the Civil War between the North and South. It is important because it was the first battle to take place in the Union and it was the bloodiest single day battle in US history. -
Emancipation Proclamation issued
A Presidential order that claimed the freedom of slaves. It is important because it added the end of slavery as a goal of the war and Lincoln gained international support. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A battle during the American Civil War. It is important because it is known as the war's turning point for the North and it stopped Lee's invasion of the North. -
Battle of the Appomattox Courthouse
The final battle of the American Civil War. It is important because it reunited the United States and ended slavery. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. This is an important event because Abraham Lincoln was the first President to be assassinated and Andrew Johnson became President. -
Fourteenth Amendment Adopted
The fourteenth amendment to the constitution was added. This is important because it overruled the Dred Scott ruling and gave blacks citizenship. -
Telephone invented
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. This is an important event because it increased communication in the US and helped trade.
