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Stono Rebellion
An increase of slave labor and the decrease of whites from malaria in South Carolina resulted in this violent rebellion. They were also promised freedom from nearby Spanish officials in Florida. Jemmy Cato lead a mob of around 60 slaves and killed more than 20 whites before they were defeated by the South Carolina army, in an attempt to reach Florida. Although the rebellion was a failure, it inspired many other smaller slave rebellions throughout the 18th century. -
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
The treaty returned the conquered Louisbourg to France, after the War of Austrian Succession. This bought frustration from the colonists because they have been deployed in the war, and the war before that, War of Jenkins' Ear. Even though New England colonists feared the attack of Catholic Quebec, Britain pushed through. The colonists realized that Britain will not act on their interests. This event increased British frustration and led to disastrous results at the end of Salutary Neglect. -
Battle of Fort Necessity
After a skirmish over territory claims between Washington's and Jumonville's army, Washington decided to construct a fort, Fort Necessity, to protect his men from potential additional threats. The expanding French and British colony territory disputes spiraled into the French and Indian War, or the Seven Years War. The effects of this event laid more on the events that were caused by this event. The war it caused will force the end of benign neglect, causing great hatred of the British. -
Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation ended the Seven Years' War, and stated that the colonists are not allowed to settle beyond the Appalachian Mountains, acquired lands from the French and Indian War that the colonists have fought in. This was put in so that the colonists and the Native Americans won't interact anymore and won't cause another war. Many colonists blatantly ignored this because many were already settled there and easily trespassed, and made the British angry. -
Sugar Act of 1764
Passed by the British parliament, this act lowered the duty of foreign molasses. This was initially meant to bring down the amount of illegal bootlegging of molasses, and increase revenue for Britain, who was still recovering from the 7 years war. It was more heavily enforced than the failed precursor, the Molasses Act. This made the American merchants less profitable, and increased resentment to the British parliament. -
Currency Act of 1764
This act was one of the major laws passed from the British parliament that limited the colonies' power on their money. This was put in place to keep the colonists from trading with the British with depreciated colonial paper money. This angered the colonists, especially merchants because they were now losing profit. This also led to a currency shortage, but the colonists could not print their own money, which lowered the economic ability of the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
This event started with colonists verbally harassing throwing snowballs at British soldiers guarding the Custom House, until one of them shot the civilians. It resulted in the murder of five colonists, which were wildly broadcasted as a "massacre", despite Britain calling this only as an "incident". This turned into a propaganda battle between Loyalists and Patriots in Boston, further fueling their disagreements and hatred for the quartering British troops from the Patriots. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of 60 Sons of Liberty threw $1.7 million current US dollars of tea into the ocean in broad daylight to show Britain the colonists' feelings about their taxation without representation. This was the colonists' reaction to the Tea Act among many others, and is one of the most important events that led up to the American revolution. Britain, enraged, passed a series of orders that closed the port of Boston, including the Intolerable Acts. -
Formation of the first Continental Congress
Delegates of 12 colonies(all but excluding Georgia, who needed support from Britain to protect them from Native Americans) gathered to discuss their future relationship with the British. They agreed that they would be willing to remain British if they reconsider the taxes and give them representation, but in the meantime keep up with not buying British goods. The British ministry rejects changes and forms a naval blockage on American Trade. -
Declaration of Independence
At this point, the colonies and Britain have been at war for more than a year. Books like Thomas Paine's Common Sense greatly aroused the patriots, fueling the movement to independence. The main people who contributed to the writing were Jefferson, Adams and Franklin. Now, with the official ties cut with Britain, they were now able to ally with France. America is now able to freely commerce and interact with foreign nations. -
Battles of Saratoga
This was two battles at Saratoga, New York, fought 18 days apart from each other. This series of battles ended with an American victory, and General Burgoyne's attempt to control the Hudson River Valley was successfully intercepted. The event served as a turning point for the American Revolution, as this victory was enough to convince the French to join forces. The French forces would supply their navy, and since America didn't have one, it became a great addition of power. -
Articles of Confederation
The article required all 13 states to ratify it, causing a delay, and it was only ratified in 1781. The article officially names the country, forbid the creation of a standing army and federal taxation. It required 100% agreement to change it, and it also had a very limited control over the states. This flawed but an okay attempt at making a constitution set grounds for several backlashes, which revealed the article's weaknesses that needed to be addressed. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty formerly ended the revolutionary war, and was one of the series of treaties signed in Paris that solidified the peace between Britain, America, and their allies. America benefited much from the treaty, such as officially being accepted as a nation among the European nations. Borders of the nation were established, and even though some areas were still up for dispute, America gained much more land. France territories were completely removed from mainland North America. -
Shays's Rebellion
This violent uprising was the response to the Articles of Confederation of farmers and veterans. Daniel Shays, the main leader of the rebellion, was a farmer and a veteran, who was in debt after the war because of the article. He forms a mob of veterans and farmers and marches to the courthouses, calling on the federal government and attacking them. The mob was put down by not the federal army, but from the wealthy who paid for their safety. This clearly shows the flaws of the article. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
After a series of debates and meetings at the Constitutional Convention where George Washington served as a chairman. The Constitution gave more power to the government, which was split into three, the legislative, executive, and judicial to keep power from consolidating in one place. This gave the government a much needed ability to tax the nation. While most Federalists were content with the government having more power, Anti-Federalists were not, leading to them creating the Bill of Rights. -
Ratification of Bill of Rights
This was the first ten amendments to the Constitution, created from opposing anti-federalists. Anti-federalists thought that the Constitution lacked the limit of the power of the government, and feared that the government would turn into a tyranny. The specific rights and freedoms of individual citizens were now guaranteed, and government powers were limited. This was important because it incorporated natural human rights and showed that the Constitution could be changed. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The newly passed excise tax heavily affected subsistence farmers, because many made whiskeys from what wheat they don't need and used it as a currency. The tax did not affect large distilleries as much as the farmers because they could afford to pay a flat fee instead of a fee per gallon. This was similar to Shays's rebellion, but it was a reaction to the Constitution. Washington sets out to the battlefield himself and takes control, by ordering to open fire but not kill the rebels. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The act consisted of four. These acts allowed the president to imprison any immigrant, detain them in times of war, made it harder for immigrants to get citizenship, and criminalized talking bad about the government. They were supported by Federalists but opposed by Democratic-Republicans. There was intense backlash, some states even denouncing the acts altogether. This act shut down any criticism of the government, and this itself alone won hatred that Federalist rule could not be kept. -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon Bonaparte, the French ruler at the time, was fighting wars in Europe and wasn't too keen on keeping land in America. He thought that selling it would make more profit than keeping it. This large purchase doubled the size of the country, increasing the American's opportunity(get it? Land = Opportunity?). This abundance of rich land promoted slavery, and it spread through the territory quickly. Lewis and Clark expeditions discovered water routes and new Native tribes to trade with. -
Embargo of 1807
As a response to the British impressment of American seamen and wars in Europe, Jefferson decided it was best for America to remain neutral and cut ties with European conflicts. He limited foreign trade, sharply decreasing activity of American trade. This had some backlashes from Federalists, which got voted more for the Senate and House. But this had an overall great effect on the American economy, as it encouraged US industries to prosper, allowing the country to grow. -
German Coast Uprising
The largest slave revolt in American history, this involved an estimated amount of about a hundred enslaved people escaping a plantation, with forces of two to five hundred joining along the way to New Orleans. About a hundred were killed by government forces. This and other smaller slave revolts in the time period shows the cruel conditions and the demands placed on the slaves, and how white planters urged to pass stricter laws to minimize these events. -
Battle of New Orleans
Even after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, the news didn't arrive fast enough, and the final major battle of the War of 1812 happened at a major port the Americans were trying to conquer. American forts were packed with experienced soldiers, slaves, locals and pirates, led by "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson. The Americans won by a landslide, with minimal casualties whilst costing their enemy many. This event gave rise to much nationalism and made Jackson a war hero, leading to becoming a president. -
Panic of 1819
Banks played a major part in the American economy in the early 19th century. Many entrepreneurs and farmers took out loans to start up their business, and banks often lent money without accounting for how much actual money they have. The sudden decrease in price of agricultural goods caused the farmers to not pay back the bank, and the bank couldn't supply themselves anymore. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Aaron Ogden had a permission to operate his steamboat by the state of New York, and was competing against Thomas Gibbons, who got his permission from the federal government. They were both using the same waterway. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that states should not pass any laws that prevent the Congress's rights to regulate commerce. Inspired by this decision, the federal government continued to pass legislation that controlled the nation's economy. -
Election of 1824
In this presidential election, Andrew Jackson wins the popular vote but no one gets the majority. The only competitor that remained in the round of House voting was John Quincy Adams because Crawford died and Henry Clay dropped out of the race and used his power as the speaker of the house to support Adams, which he ends up winning. Jacksonians are furious and claim that it was a "Corrupt Bargain". This added to Adam's rather controversial presidency. -
Completion of Erie Canal
Nicknamed, "The Nation's First Superhighway", this major canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This greatly reduced the cost of people and goods traveling across the Appalachians. The canal contributed greatly to the settlement near the Great Lakes and the Westward Expansion. Before steam engine railroads, this was the quickest and the cheapest mode of transportation. This helped grow cities around the canal and around the Great Lakes, like New York, then known as a port city. -
Foundation of the Democratic Party
Following Jefferson's Democratic-Republicanism, Andrew Jackson solidified the Democratic Party for his political campaign after his defeat in the Election of 1824. He and Martin Van Buren created a national committee, the first political party, and developed modern political campaign styles like making politics more local, holding conventions(with food and music!) and mudslinging his opponent. This encouraged voter involvement, making people more interested in politics. -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
A law passed by Andrew Jackson, this resulted in a forced removal of all southeastern Native American tribes. A few tribes relocated peacefully, but the majority were removed with military powers. The gruesome journey to the Indian Territory with more than 4,000 casualties are known today as the Trail of Tears. This greatly increased the tension between whites and Native Americans in the Indian Territory, resulting in conflicts such as the Second Seminole War. -
Nullification Crisis
Southerners still upset about the Tariff of Abominations believed that the Tariff was unconstitutional because it favored the northern states, and declared it as null, passing the Nullification Ordinance. Jackson, even though he believed that he should fight the nullification, passed a lower Tariff, Tariff of 1832, though it virtually had no effect. He then passes the Compromise tax, a much lower tax, to prevent secession. South Carolina repealed its ordinance. -
Battle of the Alamo
President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna wanted to have more control over Texas, which led to a political party opposing central control to provoke the American immigrants. The most important event in the Texan Revolution, where American immigrants of Alamo garrisoned for 13 days. Everyone fought until they died. Americans heavily romanticized this event, pitching in the slogan, "Remember the Alamo", and inspired many to join in on the revolution. -
Election of 1840
This was the first election where there were two well established parties who fought each other to get their party elected. The first and the second political parties, the Democrats and the Whigs went against each other. This led to a lot of development in campaigning strategies and mudslinging. It also led to women participating more in politics, as the Whigs encouraged women to attend political events. Conventions were common and included music and food, much like today's campaigns. -
Commonwealth v. Hunt
This event rose out of a 1839 strike by the Boston Journeymen Bootmakers' Society, which led to the closing of a shop. One of the workers broke the rules of the union and forced unpaid labor, and took it to the supreme court. It ruled that the common law of criminal conspiracy did not apply to labor unions, making it legal. This helped the growth of labor unions, and provided support and protection to the poor wage workers, who suffered greatly in the midst of the panic of 1837. -
Start of the Mexican - American War
The event was a period of U.S. invasion into Mexico, following the Annexation of Texas. Mexico, which was founded not too long ago, lacked the strengths and close bonds within the nation to fight the Americans off. The war resulted in a large gain in American territory, but it also meant that there will be a lot of Mexicans and local Native tribes in America. This greatly increased the amount of Nativist activities, and questions of slavery in the new territories led to the Compromise of 1850. -
The Gold Rush
James Wilson Marshall, who found gold in a riverbed in California, triggered the gold rush. Many flocked to find riches, Americans moving out west, Mexicans, Native Americans, Chinese and European immigrants. When this event ended, many of these places were filled with people who needed work, who contributed greatly to other feats like building the transcontinental railroad. Many of them also acquired land and became farmers, enriching the local economy. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Created as one part of the Compromise of 1850, this act required that runaway slaves must be captured, even in free states. A handful of northerners didn't follow or enforced them, some of them risking going into prison to help them into Canada. This behavior enraged the southerners, who wanted the northerners to enforce the act strictly. This act mostly failed because of widespread northern opposition, and with only 330 slaves captured by 1860. -
Bleeding Kansas
When the newly founding state of Kansas was voting if it was going to be a free or slave state, the Missouri border ruffians rode into the state to Lawrence, taking over the voting boxes and only permitting pro-slavery votes with violence. This event further advanced the sectional tension because this was enough to make Kansas a slave state. Preston Brooks attacking Charles Sumner was provoked by this topic. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
The Supreme Court decided that enslaved people are not citizens of America, and do not have the right to protection from the federal government or courts. They also ruled that abolishing slavery in a state was unconstitutional, striking down the Missouri Compromise. This enraged the Northern Republicans, who now strongly upheld "Slave power" conspiracy, along with the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This event enlarged sectional tension, leading to "Bleeding Kansas." -
Homestead Act
This act gives away 160 acres of land to any head of a household that comes to claim it and promises to improve the land, without any regard in race or sex. This was an opportunity for many immigrants, African Americans and poor whites living in large cities. The advancements in the west were greatly contributed from the settlers, who developed and spread irrigation methods, cultivating the land and growing immense amounts of food crops, mostly wheat. -
Battle of Vicksburg
General Ulysses S. Grant's army trapped a Confederate army led by General John Pemberton in Vicksburg. Vicksburg was crucial to the war because it resided on a hill and next to the Mississippi River. Grant's army surrounded Pemberton and besieged the city after two major attacks. Pemberton surrendered on July 4th. This win boosted Grant's reputation and recognition, and consequently led to his appointment as General-in-Chief. -
Battle of Gettysburg
General Robert E. Lee advanced North to Pennsylvania, his second invasion, spirits high with recent victories. General George Gordon Meade clashed with Lee, resulting in high casualties in the span of three days. With a Union victory, the Confederates lost all hope that they will be able to invade further. This event served as a turning point for the Civil War, the Gettysburg address restating the goals of this war. -
Sand Creek Massacre
In May 1864, Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle consulted with U.S. agents and settled his band in Sand Creek, Colorado, fearing attacks from whites. Chivington's Colorado militia surprise attacked the settlement when most of the men were out, massacring women, children and the elderly. Chivington did not receive an order, he took his own initiative. Cheyenne, working together with Arapahos and Sioux, attacked and burnt down white settlements, which the U.S. army could not locate and find. -
Proclamation of the Thirteenth Amendment
First of the three reconstruction amendments following the end of the Civil War, it prohibited slavery except when used as a punishment for a crime. This was the major outcome of the Union win in the Civil war, since this was promised to both the Union and the Confederacy during the war. The latter part of the amendment, which states that slavery is legal when it's used as a punishment for a crime, will cause people to look for loopholes. -
Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment
Second of the Reconstruction Amendments, this amendment declared that all people born in, and naturalized in the United States, are full citizens. The Radical Republicans, who pushed to enact the Civil Rights Act and support the Freedman's Bureau, wanted a more permanent solution. President Andrew Johnson vetoed the bill, but the super majority of the Radicals in the congress overrode his decision. -
Coinage Act of 1873
This act made America into a gold standard country, for easier trading with European countries and kept currency from depreciating with new findings of silver pockets in the expanding West. Dubbed "The Crime of 1873", this put the nation in a massive deflation because Congress feared the inflation happened during the Civil war, the civilians did not agree that this was an improvement. Added with the profound European depression, the US economy entered a crisis in September. -
General Mining Act of 1872
This allowed the person who discovered minerals on federal land to claim and own all of the profits that comes out of it. Put in to encourage finding new ore veins, it attracted individuals and large corporations, which the latter succeeded. They were able to bring out large operations, both digging out the minerals and smelting or refining. They created many job opportunities and grew many cities, which often quickly turned into ghost towns after the veins were depleted. -
Election of 1876
Democrat Samuel Tilden and Republican Rutherford B. Hayes fought a close presidential battle, where Tilden was the popular vote, but after recounting the deep south states done by the US Army, they flipped to Hayes. Both sides are thought to have committed voting fraud. To settle this case, Democrats, Republicans and Court Justices negotiated, which the outcome was that Hayes is elected as the president and military oversight in the South ends. This was the official end of Reconstruction. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Growing anti-Chinese sentiment and related violence sprouted after mass Chinese immigration even after the Gold Rush for job opportunities. This led to the federal government passing an act that prohibits the immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years. This was the most heavily enforced out of the past laws limiting Chinese immigration, like the Burlingame Treaty. This soured the relations between the U.S. and China, and led to the decline of skilled Chinese workers in the U.S. -
Bison numbers at its lowest
In 1883, bison numbers were down to just 325, split mostly into the southern and northern herd by a railroad. This shows the over hunting done by Americans, with the intent to force the Plains Indians, now without their way of life, into reservations. Because of the great loss of genetic diversity, it will take much longer for the numbers to recover, if they were not wiped out by a disease in the first place. Bison fur trade diminished, and were now replaced with cow hides. -
Dawes Act of 1887
This act was just like the Homestead act for Native Americans, but with major negatives. Most Native Americans the act applied to, especially the Plains People, were not compatible with the homestead lifestyle. The abundance of land spread to individual families weakened tribal ties. The land came from reservations, and if enough time elapsed or it got too small, the reservation completely dissolved into the hands of whites. A commission seized more than 15 million “surplus” acres by 1894. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
A massacre started after a shot was mistakenly fired, triggering the deadliest mass shooting in American history. More than 300 Lakota people, mostly unarmed, were shot and killed. This took place when the U.S. Army were on a campaign to suppress the Ghost Dancing movement, and were stripping the Lakota people of their firearms that they bought for themselves and needed them for hunting and protection. This shows the growing tension between the native tribes on reservations and the military.