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Jamestown
Established in 1607, Jamestown was the first permanent colony in the New World. Jamestown was primarily a company in pursuit of wealth. Populated by primarily young men, "The Starving Time" causes 80% mortality rates and desperation. The discovery of Tobacco caused the economy to flourish due to demand. -
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The Enlightenment
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The Great Awakening
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The Albany Plan
The Albany Plan was a plan that was intended to unite the colonies. Because the colonies could not present a united front when faced with conflicts like the French-Indian war, founding fathers including Benjamin Franklin believed attempting to come together was a necessary change. Although ultimately rejected in vote, this was very influential because it was the first time the possibility of a united nation had been discussed. -
The Battle of Fort Necessity
The Battle of Fort Necessity took place during the French-Indian war. French forces attempted to seize Fort Necessity and although Colonial efforts were present, they were not strong enough to maintain control. Washington was forced to surrender, marking the only battle at which George Washington surrendered. The colonies were unable to defend the fort because they were outmanned and outskilled. -
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Seven Years War
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The Sugar Act
At the end of Benign Neglect and the issuance of the Proclamation of 1763, colonists chose to ignore British commands and were met with many restrictions, including the Sugar Act. The Sugar Act was a tax on sugar and molasses issued by the British government. To avoid these taxes, people began to smuggle sugar and molasses. Although there were smuggling fees and bribes, they still amounted to less than the taxation fees. -
The Quartering Act
Another unfair act enforced by the British Government, the Quartering Act was widely detested. Eliminating personal privacy, citizens were now required to provide free room and board to those British soldiers sent to enforce policies in the colonies. Incredibly burdensome and disrespectful, colonists hated the British soldiers and the infringement on their lives. -
The Sons of Liberty Riots
On August 14th, 1765, violence emerged in Boston. It was initiated by the Sons of Liberty, who were outraged by the high taxes and expectations placed on them because of the Sugar, Quartering, and Stamp Acts. Many buildings fell victim to these attacks, including the homes of colonial leaders. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was another riot that took place in times of controversy. A large group of American colonists were creating upheaval and disrespecting the British soldiers who were there to "quell the violence", but instead provoked it. The British fired in defense, killing 5. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party happened in protest of the Tea Act, a tax that Great Britain had placed on tea imported into the colonies. Unhappy with the unfair expectations, many men disguised as Indians boarded ships and emptied all of the tea into the Boston Harbor. This was a key event leading up to the revolutionary war, showing the disdain of the colonists for the leadership of Great Britain. -
The Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were implemented by Great Britain on the Colonies as a result of their uprisings in the Boston Tea Party. Not only were past acts properly enforced, but they also closed the Port of Boston, which was the largest port in the New World. This was financially devastating to the colonists. Taken completely under British rule, life was difficult and miserable. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was intended for the colonists to discuss their course of action after the Coercive Acts. Although many people in the colonies would have been willing to make amends with Great Britain, their requirements for that were not met. The colonists decided to start preparing for revolution and war. -
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Revolutionary War
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The Shot Heard Round The World
"The Shot Heard Round The World" was the first shot of the revolution, opening the battles of Lexington and Concord. A small militia of 77 colonists was awaiting the British but were ordered to stand down. "The Shot Heard Round The World" caused the British to open fire on the colonists. 17 Americans died, but their goal of protecting the ammunition from the British was successful. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a pivotal moment in the birth of the United States. Held in Philidelphia one month after Lexington and Concord, all 13 colonies sent delegates to discuss the future of their nation. The Radicals desired to be free from Great Britain and were willing to risk war. The Conservatives desired to be reconciled with Great Britain and were opposed to war. A petition was proposed, but ultimately failed. -
Common Sense Published
The publishing of "Common Sense" altered the course of colonial thinking in the process of the revolution. Out-selling the Bible, "Common Sense" motivated many to act in the course of liberty. Written for the consumer and appealing to everyone, "Common Sense" woke many people up and swelled the support for freedom. -
The Declaration of Independence
After the failure of the Olive Branch Petition, King George declared the colonies to be in Open rebellion. The colonies decided to declare independence from Great Britain. Written by Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence was considered a perfect document. Now that the colonies have declared independence, war will ensue and the colonies will learn to navigate such conflicts. -
The Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton was a pivotal moment for the colonies. Led by George Washington, a small colonial militia crossed the frozen Delaware River on Christmas Day. The British Troops and Hessian Mercenaries were taken by surprise and defeated by Colonial troops. This attack showed the potential of the Colonies and boosted morale. -
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the war. Logistical problems in British Strategy gave the colonies the upper hand, allowing them to surround The British Army and force them to surrender, which had never before been done by the British. This convinced the French that the Colonies were capable of winning, convincing them to lend their aid to colonial efforts in the war. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt at an American Government. While some good came of the Articles, such as our name, they were mainly a reflection of our fears and were incredibly strict. No changes could be made due to a need for unanimous consensus. Overall, the Articles failed, but they did lay the groundwork for future government organization. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. With the help of French resources and troops, the colonies defeated the British in battle. This victory led to the surrender of the British, in which General Cornwallis surrendered his sword to George Washington, who returned it as a sign of respect. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was written after the colonists' victory in the Revolutionary War. This treaty granted America independence and significant land in the West, officially ending the War. -
Shays Rebellion
Shays Rebellion was an uprising that overtook many courthouses covering the country. From mob to militia, to army, these people were upset about unfair economic expectations being placed on them post-war. Ex-soldiers were expected to pay their dues from their times of absence, which they were unable to do because of their service in the war. This rebellion shone light on the unfair expectations of the Articles of Confederation and other flaws. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was held from May 25th to September 17th of 1787. The United States government needed to start completely from scratch. Federalism and Anti-Federalism views fought for dominance in the formation of a new government. The Constitution was created, along with the president, Senate, and House of Representatives becoming the foundation of the government. The Bill of Rights was created for the rights of the people. -
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French Revolution
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Creation of The National Bank
The creation of The National Bank was a fundamental part of Hamilton's Financial Plan. Hamilton wanted to create a national bank to unify the country economically and safely store government funds. This in turn strengthened the federal government and led to the creation of Washington D.C. -
The Cotton Gin
Along with many other technological advancements, the invention of the Cotton Gin was a fundamental event in the course of American History. The Cotton Gin allowed cotton to become farmable and profitable. With the addition of cotton to the southern economy, they boomed. The Cotton Gin also unintentionally aided in the swell of slavery because of a need for labor, altering the course of the south forever. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Pinckney's Treaty was a resolve in conflict in terms of the transportation of goods. Western goods struggled to travel to western cities, limiting their ease of export. Thanks to Pinckney's Treaty, Spain gave America the right to utilize the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans. This aided the American Economy. -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was an attempt to negotiate with the French, who were attacking American ships at sea. The French wanted a bribe and diplomats in America refused such disrespect. President John Adams negotiated peace with the French leader, Napoleon. Although the right choice, citizens were very angry, leading to the ultimate political corruption of John Adams. -
Naturalization, Sedition, and Alien Acts
The Naturalization, Sedition, and Alien Acts were put into play by President John Adams. They allowed him to remove immigrants that would vote against him out of the voting pool. They also prohibited negative speech towards the president of any kind. These were both corrupt efforts to preserve his "good standing" and better his chances in re-election. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Infuriated by newly established laws, Henry Clay and Thomas Jefferson issued the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. Kentucky and Virginia reviewed the Sedition acts and decided to nullify them. These resolutions stated that because the federal government had broken its pact with the states, the states had the right to declare the laws void. However, an expiration date was placed on said resolutions and they were ultimately merely a means of unity. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was originally intended to be the purchasing of New Orleans, but ended up being the entire territory. This put President Jefferson in a moral dilemma of what is and is not constitutional, but decided to do what was best for the country, choosing to acquire the territory. This purchase doubled the size of the country and opened many new resources and opportunities to Americans. -
The Embargo of 1807
The Embargo of 1807 was considered to be Jefferson's biggest mistake as president. In an attempt to remain neutral in a war between France and Great Britain, Jefferson decided to stop all foreign trade to maintain the positive relationships that the U.S. had with both countries. This destroyed the American economy. Years down the road however, domestic manufacturing was encouraged and ultimately benefitted the economy. -
Burning of Washington
During the War of 1812, victories were very back and forth between the U.S. and Great Britain. One outstanding loss for the United States was when British forces burned the capitol. A British army invaded and marched on Washington D.C. After a brief fight, the city surrendered and almost all government buildings were razed by the British. Dolly Madison saved many valuable items from the White House during it's destruction. The burning of The White House was a sign of utmost disrespect. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the final battle of the war of 1812. American forces virtually mauled the British army, inflicting over 2,000 casualties. Although the Treaty of Ghent on December 24th, 1814, was technically responsible for the ending of the war, many people would associate this victory with the end of The War, associating Andrew Jackson with the end of the war and setting him up as a popular presidential candidate. -
The Election of 1824
The Election of 1824 was a social scandal known as the "corrupt bargain". Due to the lack of a majority in the electoral vote, the vote went to the House of Representatives. Because Henry Clay was the speaker of the House, he dropped out of the race, leaving John Q Adams and Andrew Jackson to run. Adams and Clay met privately and after their meeting, Adams was publically endorsed by Clay. Soon after his election, Clay was appointed Secretary of State, causing suspicion regarding the election. -
The Spoils System
The Spoils System was instated by President Andrew Jackson. This system was a way to reward supporters of Jackson with government jobs. After he fired over 200 government employees, he restaffed many positions with democrats instead of qualified leaders. This was in attempt to give opportunities to the common people, but instead led to many mediocre people in positions of power. -
The Tariff of 1828
The Tariff of 1828 was known as the "Tariff of Abominations" and was widely controversial. The Tariff made foreign goods more expensive in an attempt to get citizens to purchase more U.S. goods. People in the north were in favor because they were industry based and profited from the increased business. People in the south were negatively affected by European retaliation, selling less cotton and struggling economically. -
The Indian Removal Act
Andrew Jackson instated the Indian Removal Act. Its goal was to open state land for American Citizens and to send Native Americans to unsettled western lands. This was an opening for Native upheaval and unrest for many years to come. The U.S. felt entitled to anything that they desired and in turn disregarded the Indian people. -
Oberlin College
Oberlin College was founded in 1833 and was a huge step in the Women's Rights Movement. Oberlin was the first women's college in the United States. Although it was not yet a standard, it was a big change in comparison to previous attempts at women's education. -
Oregon Fever
Oregon Fever took Americans by storm in 1843. Crippled by a financial crisis, the rumors of gold and opportunity in the West heavily motivated significant migration. The promise of good land and a new start were enticing to struggling Americans in the East and Midwest. The journey was taken on the Oregon Trail, and it was incredibly difficult for everyone to brave the journey. -
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US- Mexican War
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Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was a convention held in the intent to advocate for Women's rights. This convention assessed the things that women should do to aid their movement and help it progress as they so desired. They wrote a "Declaration of Sentiments", which was a list of ways that their rights had been trampled and the injustices that women had been treated with. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 consisted of 4 major provisions. The compromise was built around the idea of California becoming a state and opposing views on how that should come to pass. The consensus reached was that California would enter as a free state but in exchange the slave trade would be established in Washington D.C. The Idea of Popular Sovereignty is enacted, and slave fugitive laws are enacted nationwide. -
The Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 was very influential and controversial in many lives. Abraham Lincoln was the leading candidate in the Republican party and wanted to abolish slavery. In the eyes of the South, the end of slavery meant the end of life as they knew it and they were incredibly fearful of the outcome. Northern Abolitionists heavily advocated for Lincoln and supported his ideas wholeheartedly. Lincoln won the election, and life would forever be changed in the states. -
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Civil War
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The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was very significant in the course of the Civil War. With the victory taken by the Union, ample opportunity was provided to President Lincoln to announce the "Emancipation Proclamation". This proclamation stated that all people held as slaves in rebellious states would henceforth be freed. -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was enacted due to urban overcrowding in the East. Western lands needed to become productive, so the Homestead Act offered free land to people to prompt Westward movement. On the terms that you improve the land and live upon it, after 5 years you were gifted the land to keep and continue to create a living off of. This heavily prompted Western Movement and partially launched the Western Economy. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was the single bloodiest battle in American History. A Union victory, this was considered a turning point in the Civil War because it quenched Confederate hopes of invasion and independence from the Union, and killed Southern motivation. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg was significant because it severely weakened the Confederacy. The Union utilized the "Anaconda Plan" to divide and weaken Confederate States. This Victory also provided the Union control of The Mississippi River, which was a significant advantage to the Union. -
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Reconstruction
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The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was passed in 1868. It declared that all people born in the United States are legally citizens, as well as all naturalized people. All states were required to protect citizens fully and equally. This was an attempt to combat racism in the states and create a more equal environment, but the states would have far to go still. -
The 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment was a further attempt to create equality in the states after loopholes in the 14th Amendment had been created. Many states had instated regulations prejudiced against African Americans to prevent them from voting. The 15th Amendment prohibited any state from denying any citizen the right to vote. This was incredibly unpopular in the North because of their heavy prejudice. -
The National Railway
The creation of the National Railway was an incredible development in transportation and economy for the U.S. Created by two private railroad companies, the Railway was constructed 2 years prior to it's deadline. This railroad opened opportunities for national exportation and western cities to form. This was another large accomplishment from President Lincoln. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1875
Under the leadership of President Ulysses S. Grant, The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed. This Act banned discrimination publically and enforced rules to prevent inequality. It provided universal access to public facilities and resources. Although upheld well during the Grant presidency, successors did not enforce the policy. -
The Election Crisis of 1876
The Election Crisis of 1876 was a major political scandal. The Election was between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford B Hayes. Suspiciously, 100% of the southern popular vote was in favor of Tilden. A recount was issued and all three states (South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida) went to Hayes. An election committee was created and Hayes was named president, but many people did not respect the validity of his presidency. -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act was similar to the Homestead Act of 1862, but for Native Americans. Land was taken from already shrinking reservations and redistributed in a manner similar to the homestead act, in an attempt to convert Natives to modern ways. Although the Americans wanted to help, under the surface they were trying to sever their cultural ties and weaken communities. Natives were forces to accept land, regardless of their desires. -
The Ghost Dance Movement
The Ghost Dance movement was a swell in resistance to Native American discrimination and prejudice that was caused by the Homestead Act and Morrill Land Grant Acts. With the increase of American Culture on the Native Americans, they fought back against accepting white culture and strove to win back the favor of their gods through dance and tribal practices.