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The Mayflower Compact
A document signed upon the mayflower that was the first living document of the colonies, and the first democratic constitution in history. -
Pennsylvania created
William Penn creates the independent colony of Pennsylvania. It is the first colony not under direct British rule. -
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Mercantilism
The belief that colonies should gather raw materials to be shipped back to England for refinement into goods, then sold back to the colonies for a profit. -
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The Navigation Acts
A series of laws passed by Britain to contain colonial control over trade. -
King Philips/Metacom's war
A conflict between early English settlers and Native American tribes in America. Based in New England, it was one of the last major efforts of Native Americans to get colonists off of their land. -
Two Treatises of Government- (John Locke)
A work published without a name by John Locke, caused major political upheaval and sewed the first thoughts of rebellion to the colonies. It outlined the 'function of a government' was to serve the people. The people did not feel served. -
Boston Newsletter
The first regular newsletter circulated in the colonies. -
The Great Awakening
A major religious revival in the early 1730s, which led to more progressive religious ideas, such as sermons delivered outside. This also caused an artistic revival in the colonies. -
stono rebellion
A mid-sized group of enslaved people (20ish) broke into a gun store and stole arms. What followed was a massacre of over 30 enslaved men. This led to stricter laws enforcing slavery in America. -
Colleges Made!
the first colleges of America- (Dartmouth, Brown) -
The Townshend Act
An import tax imposed on residents of colonial America. -
The Boston Massacre
British soldiers kill protesters in colonial Boston. This is an inciting incident in the formation of the revolutionary war. -
The Tea Act
Due to the bankruptcy of the East India Tea Company, Britain lowered prices on tea for America. Epic Win! -
First Continental Congress
Mainly held to get rid of the Intolerable Acts. Produced the Declaration of Rights. -
The Articles of Confederation
Congress sucked so America tried to make a better version of a constitution, but it sucked as well. -
Treaty of Paris (the first one!)
America made a treaty with France, solidified their independence and land holdings. -
Northwest Ordinance
Made it so land purchased form the government was the only viable method of purchasing land in an effort to increase government reliance. -
Judiciary Act
Created the federal court system! Or the first recognizable ancestor of it -
Washington becomes president!
The Nation gains its first president! YAY! -
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Indian Negotiations
Negotiations regarding western landholdings which did not end in the Native's favor. -
Bill of Rights
The bill of rights is signed into law. -
Fugitive Slave act
Made Americans have to apprehend runaway enslaved people. -
Cotton Gin Invented
The cotton gin, arguably one of the most useful inventions ever, is created. This leads to n economic boom in America. Thanks Eli Whitney! -
XYZ Affair
The foreign minister of France would not talk to America without millions of dollars being paid so we got really angry at them. -
Nullification
Thomas jefferson wrote nullification into law -
Judiciary Act of 1801
Created twelve new courts along with circuits. -
12th Amendment
presidential elections have to have separate votes for President and Vice-President. -
Slave trade ended
President Jefferson said oh well -
nonintercourse act
Restricts trade between Natives and Non-Natives -
Macons bill #2
Opens trade with England- Eventually makes France like us more. -
Hartford convention
A meeting of federalists who tried to rewrite the constitution. -
Treaty of Ghent
Ended the war of 1812 -
Washington D.C. burns
Washington D.C. burned in the same way most things burn. It sure did burn though. -
Monroe Doctrine
Opposed further colonization of the Americas -
Erie Canal!
Revitalized the great lakes by connecting them to the Atlantic Ocean! -
Age of the common man!
The Age of the common man started! Unparalleled economic prosperity for the common folk in America -
Indian Removal Act
Bill passed by Jackson to remove Indians from "American Land" -
Indian Intercourse Act
Prohibits trespassing on Indian land without a license. -
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Oregon Trail
Settlers decided to move in to "New Land!" which was actually just Indian land. -
The Trail of Tears
A result of the Indian removal act, basically a mass genocide of Native Americans. -
Age of expansionalism
America became obsessed with expanding its borders and manifesting its destiny. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion happened -
James K polk enters Office!
James K Polk gained more territory for America, Was widely regarded as the best one-term president of all time. -
Know-nothing party created
the dumbest party in the history of America was created to bring America back to the good old days when everyone died early from disease and racism. -
The Wilmot Proviso
Bans slavery in any territory taken from Mexico! Super fun! -
Antebellum era begins
The period after the war of 1812 and before the Civil war. Not much else to say about it- a whole lot of civil unrest. Bad times for morale. -
Fugitive Slave act
Enslaved people were legally refused trial and a jury of their peers, and required to be returned to their "owners" in the south if they escaped to the north. -
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Bleeding Kansas
Pro-Enslavement people attacked the free-soil town of Lawrence, which resulted in Rev. John Brown killing five men in return. BAd times. -
freeport doctrine
A territory could exclude slavery laws if its laws made slavery impossible. -
Civil war begins
Countrywide tension over whether or not enslaving people was ok boiled over and resulted in war. -
Abraham Lincoln sworn in
Abe was sworn in in the middle of a war! -
Homestead act of 1862
The government gave away 48 million acres of land in an effort to get people to move out west. -
Emancipation proclamation (hey it rhymes)
Abraham Lincoln outlawed slavery like a total boss. Marked the end of the civil war. -
Draft Riots
BLue-collar workers thought they were not getting enough benefits fromm work to be expected to fight for the North. Riots ensued. -
Enrollment act
Enlisted white northerners to the war effort, was incredibly unpopular with basically everyone. -
13th Amendment
Outlawed slavery in the United States. -
Civil rights act of 1866
granted rights to everyone except native Americans. Great job guys. -
Age of Reconstruction starts
The country starts to piece itself back together after the civil war. It is not an easy process and ends in a separation we see to this day between north and south -
14th amendment
granted ALL citizens equal rights under the law. Controversial. -
credit mobilier scandal
A construction company essentially bought out the rail industry and charged crazy high rates because they held a monopoly. Resulted in restrictions being placed on monopolies. -
Gilded Age begins
This was a period in the nation's history where everything seemed to be going swimmingly, but beneath was a lot of corruption in the government and economy. -
Chinese exclusion act passed
Stopped Chinese immigration for ten years and barred citizenship for those already living in the country -
ICC founded
The Interstate Commerce Commission worked to regulate the economies to some effect. -
Huck Finn is published!
Not sure what historical significance this holds but I thought it was neat! -
Battle at Wounded Knee
This was the last effort of Native Americans to drive settlers out of their lands. Ended in a massacre. -
N/S south Dakota, Washington, Montana gain statehood
This increased the territorial claim of the U.S. and was a generally big yay. -
Ellis Island
The first main immigration channel, Ellis Island, was opened in 1892- the first of many steps toward immigration reform. -
Panic! at the 1893
A huge economic depression in the U.S.. Infrastructure started breaking down and overinvestment ensued. Bad times. -
Treaty of Paris (the second one!)
Leaves Puerto Rico, Cuba, and others in American control. Signed between America and Spain -
USS maine explodes
This sparked tension between Spain and America, leading eventually to the Splendid Little war. -
Open Door Policy
Responding to China's open-door policy, America created its own, thus disappointing Washington for the last time. -
Spanish-American war
Sometimes called the splendid little war, it only lasted 4 months and gave Teddy Roosevelt fame with his Rough Riders. -
Gold Standard Act
Moved the nation to the gold standard, which was much more stable. Resulted in a small economic boom. -
Social justice movement
A movement looking to progress everyone's social rights, such as moving against tenements, child labor, etc. -
Progressive Era Begins
This was an era where every citizen believed they were here to help each other and progress the nation in a big way (mainly socially). Focusing primarily on social activism and political reform, it sought to solve problems created by industrialization and urbanization. -
Square deal economics
Teddy Roosevelt introduced an economical system where lies and trickery were frowned upon. Go him. -
Coal Miners Strike
Many coal miners, after wages being cut, decided to go on strike. This ended is a slightly little massacre. -
Platt Amendment
A law passed that makes cuba an EXCLUSIVE trade partner of the USA. Dumb. -
Hepburn Act
Roosevelt strengthened interstate relations with a new commerce regulation. Good for his PR. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
In response to Sinclar-would eventually form the FDA. Just another step towards the country we know today. -
OK!
Oklahoma gains statehood! fun times! -
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded. They would continue to help civil rights progress until the present da. -
Triangle shirtwaist fire
This led to the formation of more unions in the nation, which resulted in better workers rights -
16th Amendment
Federal Income tax! Everyone loves a good federal income tax, except everyone. No one liked this. -
17th Amendment
Let citizens directly elect U.S. Senators. -
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WW1
Due to the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand, and a world that was just really ready to go to war, the world wet to war. -
League of Nations!
This did not last, but it was the first of the "big country alliances that didn't last" so it was special. -
Start of prohibition
Members of the Social Justice movement decided to finally follow-through with banning alcohol. Everyone hated it. -
Chicago Race Riot
Due to incredible amounts of segregation and racism in Chicago, riots erupted, killing over 40 people. -
Lusitania Sinks
The Germans sink the U.S.S. Lusitania, effectively dragging The United States into the Great War. -
THE ROARING TWENTIES
the roaring twenties begins with a bang. Such luxury and complete lack of regard for economic status as a nation. -
Immigration Quota Act
INCREDIBLY nativist law that was passed prohibiting over 2% of people from (insert nationality) who were currently living in America form immigrating here. The real kicker is it was only passed on non-European nations. We're fine with white people, apparently. -
Prohibition Ends
due to national (still drunken) outrage at a violation of the most human of rights, the country just decided to let alcohol be legal again. -
Neutrality Act
Illegalized selling weapons to countries at war. An active push against WW2. -
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WW2
The world plunged into war again. -
Lend Lease Act
Allowed the US to provide aid to Britain while attempting to stay neutral in the war. -
The New Deal
FDR implements the New Deal! I already know so much about this it feels like a waste write it down. It's all in my brain.
