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End of the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a conflict between the British American colonies and the French with their Indian allies. Important figures involved included were Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and William Pitt. The main importance of this war was that the deal after the war greatly upset American colonists and led to the Revolutionary War. Which is why I picked it, all the acts and laws set against the colonies derive their reason from the consequences of the French and Indian War. -
First Continental Congress
56 delegates from the American colonies, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia to address the Intolerable Acts. Important figures who attended included Patrick Henry, George Washington, James Adams, and John Jay. This was the first political resistance from the colonies and marks the beginning of a national American government. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the First Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence declaring our separation from Britain. This is the official beginning of our nation, which is of great importance and why I included it. Important people at the signing included John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. -
End of the Revolutionary War
With Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown and the signing of the Treaty of Paris the United States is officially recognized as an independent nation. This is the end of the struggle to free ourselves from tyranny. This event is easy to include because of its obvious importance to the founding of our nation. Important people involved were George Washington and Charles Cornwallis. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by the Continental Congress. Important members included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Constitution set the frame work for our government today. Its ratification is very important to American government and which is why I included it. -
The First President of the United States
George Washington becomes the first president of the United States, officially inaugurated in New York city. This is a huge moment in our history because this was our first leader, who set many precedents for new leaders. I choose this event because of its importance to our nation and how much of an impact he had on America. -
End of the Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a protest by farmers over a tax on whiskey. It took place in Western Pennsylvania and was led by Revolutionary War veteran, Major James McFarlane. It was put down by the U.S. army, led by president George Washington. This was a major step in establishing the power of the central government. I choose it because of its importance to establishment of our government. -
The Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars. This happened really because the French leader at the time, Napoleon Bonaparte, needed money to found his European wars. It was significant for the U.S. because it doubled the size of our nation and allowed for our continued growth. Without the Louisiana Purchase, America would not have become a superpower. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was fought mainly between the U.S. and the British with their Native American allies. The war was fought over the British's continued abuse of American shipping and trade. Along with the British's continued occupation of Fort Detroit and many other forts. Important figures in the war include Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, and William Henry Harrison. This war showed the U.S. would stand up to a breach of its sovereignty and is why I showed this event. -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an attempt by Congress to defuse the tensions from Missouri entering the U.S. as a slave state. The compromise did allow Missouri to enter as a slave state, but entered Maine into the U.S. as well as creating the Mason Dixon Line. An important figure who helped pass this deal was Henry Clay. I choose this event because of its role as one of the steps to the Civil War. -
The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine is an idea of foreign policy created by president James Monroe. It, in simplest terms, tells European powers to stay out of the Western Hemisphere or they would have to face America. The main important person of this event was Monroe himself. The announcement of the this is very important because it was the main idea of our foreign policy in the 19th century. I also choose it because it was one of America's first steps to becoming a super power. -
The Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was a law that moved all Native Americas east of the Mississippi River to the west of it. This law led to the Trail of Tears and marks the negative side for America's continued growth. This event is very important because of its display of the negative side but also because of the impact of it on Native Americans. Important people in this event were John Rose and Andrew Jackson. I choose this event simply because there are always negative sides to things in history. -
The Gold Rush
With the conclusion of the Mexican American War approaching new territory was much more accessible to Americans. With the discovery of gold at Sutter's hill, hundreds of thousands of people migrated to California. With this mass migration Manifest Destiny was being fully realized. Important people were John Sutter and Mark Twain. This event is very important because now America had truly expanded ocean to ocean fully ingratiating California's economy to the East. That is why I choose it. -
End of the Mexican American War
The Mexican American War was a war fought between the U.S. and Mexico over the disputed territory in Texas. The U.S. won the war and gained New Mexico, Arizona, and the disputed territory in the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Important figures of the war were James K. Polk, Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, Stephen W. Kearny, William Jenkins Worth, Robert Field Stockton, and Joseph Lane. This war was very important to America and fulfilling Manifest Destiny, that is why I choose it. -
The beginning of the Civil War
The single bloodiest conflict in American history begins with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in S. Carolina. The Confederate States of America launched an attack on the Federal held fort after having left the Union and elect Jackson Davis as their president. Other important people include Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee. I choose this event because of its importance to the most dynamic time in our history. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation is a law that is put into effect during the Civil War that freed all slaves in Confederate territory. With this law now signed by Abraham Lincoln the purpose of the war changed from just preserving the Union to also freeing the slaves. This completely changed the purpose of the war and thus changed how its end would affect the nation. Choosing this event was a certainty because of its affect on the economic, political, and social aspects of America. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was the fight between General Lee's invading army and General Meade's Union army in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. This was the bloodiest battle in the Civil War and a turning point for the war. It was an important battle because of being the last time an invading Southern army would enter the North. I choose this event because from here on out the South fought a defensive war and helped lead to Union victory. -
End of the Civil War
The Civil War officially comes to an end when General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Ulysses S. Grant in the Appomattox court house of Virginia. This event now brought back the South to the Union preserving our nation, that is why I chose it. -
Signing of the 13th Amendment
With the signing of the 13th Amendment, slavery in the U.S. is abolished and America gets a step closer to fully realizing its message," all men are created equal." The 13th Amendment is a huge point in history because it freed millions of blacks and was their first step to becoming Americans. I choose this event because of that but also because it completely changed America in every way. -
End of the Reconstruction Era
After the Civil War Union troops occupied the South, rebuilding programs were put in place, and the integration of former slaves began. This all came to an end though after back lash from the South and segregation of blacks began. Important people involved were Lincoln before he died and Andrew Johnson who succeeded Lincoln. I choose this event because it led to future problems and the Civil Rights movement.
