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Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
Document signed by King John recognizing the rights of nobles and limiting the power of the King. We used this document to establish a series of checks and balances in our government. -
First Africans arrive
First Africans arrived, most likely as indentured servants -
House of Burgesses
22 representatives called the House of Burgesses to meet and outline laws for the colonies -
Founding of Massachusetts
Massachusetts founded at Plymouth; Puritans and Separatists -
Act of Toleration
Before The Act of Toleration was passed, there was little religious freedom. In Maryland, the number of Puritans and Protestants began to outnumber the Catholics. Act of Toleration was passed to put up with all religions. -
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King Philip's War
Last major effort by Native Americans of Southern New England to expel the British -
Bacon's Rebellion
Indian dispute on the frontier. Colonist ask for protections from Virginia governor but were denied. Nathaniel Bacon led the colonist in a rebellion against the Virginia government. -
English Bill of Rights
Creates rights for English citizens. For example, seperation of powers, limited powers of the King, freedom of speech. -
Salem Witch Trials
A West Indian slave woman was accused of being a witch and accusations snowballed through Salem. -
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French and Indian War
England v. France. War fought between the colonies of British America and New France -
Treaty of Paris
France loses almost all lands in North America (Louisiana) -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Confederacy of Native Americans under Ottawa Chief Pontiac attacked British forces at Detroit trying to remove them from French lands. British learned of plan to attack and forced a break in Pontiac's alliance -
Proclamation of 1763
A proclamation issued by King George III that outline a boundary between the land owned by the Indians and colonies. The proclamation was also purposed to prevent conflict with Native Americans. -
Boston Tea Party
When the colonies took 342 chests of tea and dumped it in the ocean, destroying it, in respone to British taxation on goods without colonial representation in British Parliament. -
Lexington and Concord
Battle in The American Revolution, between Britain and the colonies. First shots fired by minutemen who attacked British troops on their way to destroy supplies of the militia. 73 British soldiers killed as they returned from destroying the supplies. -
Bunker Hill
2200 Redcoats charge up Breed's Hill to drive away 1200 Minutemen. British won but lost over 1000 casualties. British are eventually driven from Boston. -
Battle of Saratoga
British surrendered 5700 troops to General Horation Gates. Convinced European nations that America could win. France formed an alliance with America and Spain and Netherlands declared war on Britain. -
Battle of Yorktown
General Charles Cornwallis was driven from the South and set up camp near Yorktown, Virginia with 8000 troops. Confederacy surrenders. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
An agreement that was adopted after the end of the American Revolution. The agreement would decide how to measure and split up land that was gained. -
Shays' Rebellion
Poor western farmers rebelled after being taxed by the local government. Led by Revolutionary war veteran, Daniel Shays. -
Constitutional Convention
All states were represented except for Rhode Island. Plan was to revise the Articles of Confederation but that was impossible. Delegates began to start over -
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George Washington
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Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the US Constituition that protects the rights of citizens, based upon the English Bill of Rights. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
Small farmers revolted in Pennsylvania after Whiskey was taxed. These farmers used Whiskey to barter. President Washington sent militia and crushed the rebellion without a single death. Set a precendent that the government would use to maintain peace. -
Election of 1796
Federalist John Adams won and Republican Thomas Jefferson was runner-up, he became Vice Preseident. -
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John Adams
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Thomas Jefferson
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Louisiana Purchase
A deal where land west of the Mississippi was bought by the United States from France for $15 million dollars. Napolean needed money to finance his war with Britain and was no longer concerned about an American Empire. -
Marbury v. Madison
First Supreme Court ruling, establishes the power of judicial review, Supreme court is the supreme court in the country. -
Embargo Act of 1807
Jefferson cut off trade with both sides (Britain and France) -
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James Madison
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James Monroe
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Corrupt Bargain Election
John Q. Adams defeats Andrew Jackson, after four candidates ran as members of the same party. No one received the majority of the popular vote. John C. Calhoun gets his backers to support Adams. Adams gets presidency, Calhoun becomes Secretary of State, and Jackson gets nothing, though he had more votes. Jackson vows revenge. -
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John Quincy Adams
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Andrew Jackson
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Indian Removal Act
"Indian Removal Act" in 1830 allowed President to negotiate with eastern Indian tribes for their land (giving them western territory and money.) 70 treaties were signed and over 45,000 Indians were moved west during Jackson's presidency. 1/4 of the tribe died during the journey because federal official did not provide enough food/supplies. -
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Martin Van Buren
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William H. Harrison
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John Tyler
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James K. Polk
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Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Ended the Mexican American war. Rio Grande River was Mexican/Texas border. US paid $15 million -
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Zachary Taylor
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Millard Fillmore
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Franklin Pierce
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Gadsden Purchase
5 years after the Mexican American war, US paid $10 million dollars and established the current border of the lower 48 states -
Sumner Brooks Incident
Abolitionist Sumner gave a speech about the evils of slavery and said pro-slavery sympathizers were from the "vomit of civilization." Southerner Preston Brooks nearly beat Sumner to death on the senate floor the next day. -
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James Buchanan
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Illinois Senate Race
Stephen Douglas (Democrat) vs. Abraham Lincoln (Republican) participated in 7 debates. -
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Abraham Lincoln
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Fort Sumter
Union Fort outside Charleston, SC. Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard captured the fort. President Lincoln called for volunteers to fight against the rebels. -
Homestead Act
Promised 160 acres of land for cultivation -
Morrill Land Act
Gave federal land to states to fund and build agricultural colleges -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln freed slaves in the states rebellion, though it actually accomplishes nothing. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
"Turning point of the war." Lee took 75,000 men into the North to capture Harrisburg and threaten Washington, D.C. The two armies met by accident in eastern Pennsylvania -
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Andrew Johnson
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14th Amendment
Granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed -
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Ulysses S. Grant
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15th Amendment
All males are given the right to vote, directed towards African-American men.
