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British Colonists Arrive in the New World
The New World would be discovered by 1492, and European Countries, eager to expand their land, would quickly colonize and take space in this newfound land. British colonists arrived in the New World in 1607, the very first basis of the soon-to-be United States of America. British colonists were looking for religious and political freedom and opportunities for wealth. The very first event that led to the United States. British colonists looking to get away from their country's suppression. -
Bacon's rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was an armed revolt in Virginia which was led by Nathaniel Bacon against William Berkeley's administration. It was fueled over the anger and frustration over the government's failure to protect the settlers from the Native American's attacks and the clear favoritism for wealthy planters. Bacon and his followers burnt Jamestown and the rebellion was ended after Bacon's death, but it highlighted the social and economical tensions that would come to shape colonial politics. -
The Albany Plan
The Albany Plan played an important part in American History. Benjamin Franklin suggested it, and it was the first proposal that anyone suggested that included some kind of union within the colonies. This idea of uniting the colonies would carry on into the creation of the United States of America, as the colonies would band together to fight against their oppressive British enemies and come all together as one big whole country rather than 13 independent colonies. -
The Seven Year's War (1756-1763)
The Seven Year's War was fought between Great Britain and France in 1754, and it marked as a turning point in colonial relations. Great Britain obtained a ton of land from the French because of this victory, but it also left Great Britain in severe debt, which would come back to hurt the British colonists. Great Britain would impose taxes on the colonists, which upset them and set a stage for the war to begin. This war directly led to tensions that would lead to the revolutionary war. -
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian war that occurred between France and Great Britain. The Treaty caused France to cede nearly all it's North American territories to Britain. Britain managed to gain Canada, Florida, and land east of the Mississippi. This treaty marked the end of French power in NA and laid the groundwork for future colonial tensions because of the massive war debt left over from the war, which ultimately contributed to the American Revolution. -
Proclamation of 1763
The proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George officially ending the French and Indian war. This restricted colonial expansion beyond the West Indies, and strengthened relations with the Native Americans already living in the new world. Colonists were forbidden from exploring these areas, which angered those who wanted to expand westward. This was another factor that fueled the anger colonists held against Great Britain, contributing to and hastening the coming Revolutionary war. -
Sugar Act of 1764
Following up the Stamp act, the Sugar act was imposed in 1764 and was a taxed on sugar, molasses, and other goods that were imported into the colonies, as well as enforcing smuggling laws more. It was part of an effort to recover from the war debts of the French and Indian war, similar to the Stamp act. For the same reasons, American colonists were not happy with their taxation without representation and this act, along with the other intolerable acts, fueled discontent in the colonies. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act stated that American colonists needed to pay a tax on most paper products spanning from newspapers, legal documents, and even playing cards. It included most paper products and was introduced to pay for British troops stationed in North America after the French and Indian War. Colonists weren't happy about this, given that paper was common. it was a violation of their rights, as they had no representation in parliament. This added to the fuel leading up to the Revolutionary war. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest by American colonists against the British Tea act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies and allowed it to sell surplus tea directly to American, bypassing colonial merchants. In response, a group of colonists boarded British ships in Boston harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. This was an open protest against British governing and led to the implementation of the intolerable acts. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress Met to respond to the Intolerable acts which were measures by Britain following the Boston Tea Party. Representatives from the colonies met in Philadelphia to coordinate a unified response. They issued a declaration of rights, and called for a boycott of all British goods. it also established the Continental Association. It marked a critical step as a form of governance and led to the second continental Congress which created the declaration of independence. -
Lexington and Concord
Lexington and Concord marked the official beginning of the American Revolution as British troops encountered resistance from colonial militias in Massachusetts. By the time the British had reached Concord, the militia had gathered in large numbers and forced the British troops to retreat from their position. This marked the official start of armed conflict between the colonies and Britain, signaling the collapse of diplomatic relations and beginning of the Revolutionary War, -
Common Sense Thomas Paine
Common Sense written by Thomas Paine served as a morale booster for the Americans, as well as a way to sway the public opinion into favor for the declaration of independence, especially among the ordinary colonists. The pamphlet played a role in gaining support for the Declaration of Independence and the Americans Revolution. Common sense's main summary was that America was ready to fight for their independence. It was vital in swaying the public opinion and gaining support for the Revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776 and marked the official splitting of the colonies from Britain. It outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III, and it emphasized the principles of liberty, equality, and the right of people to overthrow oppressive governments. The Declaration was important because it marked the official start of the United States as an independent nation and gained support for the American Revolution. -
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the Revolutionary war. It consisted of two battles fought in New York, and was an American victory. This boosted American morale heavily, as they needed some type of win or morale booster. It proved to France that America could win this war, and allowed for French support to formally ally with the United States. This support was crucial, both from an economic and military standpoint. the US needed France's support to win this war. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, and it was ratified in 1781. They established a weaker central government, wary of the past strong British governmental rule. They lacked and executive or judiciary. They could conduct foreign affairs, make treaties, and manage the post office, but it had no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. It served as the first governing framework and set a standard of what not to do for future governments. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the decisive victory in the American Revolutionary War. American and french forces laid siege to the British forces in Yorktown, Virginia. Cornwallis, who led them, was pinned from land and sea, and after several weeks, eventually surrendered. This effectively ended major combat in the war, and led to peace negotiations as well as the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1863, which recognized the American Independence. This win effectively led to America's independence. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was a landmark piece of legislation that outlined the process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It established a system for how new territories could become states, and it contained a provision for the prohibition of slavery in these northwest territories, which was a major step towards limiting the expansion of slavery. It also promoted education and protection of rights. -
The Constitutional Convention (1787)
The Constitutional Convention was where delegates from 12 of the 13 States met to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven to be ineffective and pretty bad at governing the new country. The convention resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution, which created a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances. The Constitution would replace the Articles of Confederation and become the foundation of the United States government. -
Washington's presidency
Washington's presidency lasted from 1789 to 1797 and was the first in United States history, and he helped to set many precedents for the nation's government. Washington was unanimously elected and served two terms. His presidency helped establish a framework, such as the creation of the first Cabinet and the establishment of executive departments. His role as the first president helped future presidents and the future governments understand how to run the country in a purposeful way. -
Invention of the Cotton GIn
The Cotton Gin was invented by Eli Whitney and revolutionized the Cotton industry in the United States. Cotton, previously, was incredibly hard to harvest due to the seeds, and the Cotton Gin made it so that harvest was much easier. This allowed for much more cotton with less labor, which the south exploited for profit. However, it also contributed to the growth of slavery, as the demand for labor grew alongside the increased production. This would shape the course to the civil war. -
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition acts passed by the Federalist Congress. These laws were seen as unconstitutional, and the resolution argued that a state had the right to nullify or invalidate federal laws it thought were unconstitutional, something known as states' rights. This shaped the early development of political parties and increased tension between state sovereignty and federal power. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of 4 laws that were passed during John Adams' presidency. These acts were designed to strengthen national security, but were also controversial for their impact on civil liberties and political freedoms. The Alien acts gave the government the right to deport any foreign national considered dangerous. The Sedition act made it illegal to speak out against or lie about congress or the president, a violation of constitutional rights. -
Election of 1800
Often referred to as the "Revolution of 1800," it was a moment in history where power was peacefully transferred from one political party to the other. This was between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The election was highly contentious. The election led to a tie, and the HOR voted Jefferson as president with Burr as Vice President. This election exposed many flaws with current electoral system, which led to the eventual passing of the 12th amendment. -
Marbury vs Madison
Marbury Vs. Madison is one of the most important cases given that it established the principle of judicial review, which allows the judiciary to strike down laws and executive actions that are deemed unconstitutional. The case arose when Madison did not deliver a commission to Marbury. The case was heard by Chief Justice John Marshall. This ruling allowed the judiciary to get rid of laws and executive actions, placing another vital check/balance into the governmental system. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a landmark acquisition of land from France under Jefferson. The U.S. gained around 828,000 square miles of land, nearly doubling the nation's size. The Purchase secured control over the port of New Orleans, a key trading hub and giving the states access to the Mississippi, as well as laying the groundwork for manifest destiny. The purchase helped our expansion westwards and helped expansion in general as our country doubled, as well as helping the economy. -
The Embargo Act
The Embargo Actt was a response to ongoing conflicts between the United States, Britain, and France. Both European powers had been interfering with American trade during the Napoleonic War, and this act prohibited all American ships from trading with foreign nations. The goal was to pressure Britain and France to respect American neutrality, but they accidentally hurt the U.S. economy, as large amounts of the economy were based on trade. This law also led to unintentional widespread smuggling. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the final and most decisive battle of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. Although the battle took place after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed (officially ending the war), news of the treaty had not yet reached the combatants, so the battle occurred under the belief that hostilities were still ongoing. Although this battle had no impact on the outcome, it served as an example of American resilience and military capability. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy statement. It said that the Western Hemispehre was closed to other European colonies and warned European nations to not interfere and to not mingle in the Americas. In return, the U.S. would pledge that they wouldn't meddle with European affairs. The doctrine wanted to protect newly independent Latin American countries and solidify the U.S. as a dominant power in the West, and that Europeans should stay in their own range. -
Election of 1824
The election of 1824 was a race between John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, and Henry Clay. Jackson won the most popular vote, but he didn't win a majority of the votes. The decision would be sent to the HOR, but in a surprising twist, Clay would withdraw from the race and support Adams, who was then elected president. Jackson's supporters accused Adams of corruption, but there was no solid proof, leading to the rise of the democratic party in the United States. -
Indian Removal Act
Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act on May 28th, 1830. It authorized the U.S. government to forcibly relocate and move Native American tribes from the east of the Mississippi to the lands in the west of the Mississippi. This led to the forced migration of thousands of Native Americans, and this was known as the trail of tears, which resulted in the loss and suffering of thousands. This act contributed to reshaping the systemic oppression and violence against indigenous peoples. -
Texan Independence
Texas declared independence on March 2nd, 1836, when Texan settlers and revolutionaries proclaimed independence from Mexico. The move followed years of tension over cultural, political, and legal differences within the Mexican government. The war for independence culminated in the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texas' sovereignty. This event allowed for the U.S. to gain a lot of territory and set the stage for the eventual annexation of Texas in 1845. -
The Dred Scott Case
The Dred Scott case was decided by the Supreme Court and followed the complaint of how Dred Scott, an enslaved African American, sued for his freedom after living in free territories. The court ruled that African Americans were not citizens of the United States and therefore could not sue in federal court. This declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and strengthened the hold of slavery, angering many in the north and contributing to sectional tensions. -
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush attracted many settlers from the East to California, who were looking for fortune and fast. A large gold deposit was discovered in California, causing a lot of the country to migrate towards California in hopes of becoming rich fast. This was important to U.S. history because it contributed and exposed the environmental problems of mining and jobs similar to mining, such as agricultural jobs. It exposed the flaws and problems these jobs came with. -
The Seneca Falls Convention
This was the first women's rights convention in the United States. It was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, taking place in Seneca Falls, New York. The convention addressed women's social, civil, and religious standings and rights, and produced the Declaration of Sentiments, which demanded equal rights, as well as the right to vote. This marked the beginning of the organized women's suffrage movement, which helped contribute to future gender equality reforms. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws passed in response to tensions between free and slave states after the Mexican-American War. This included a couple of key provisions: California being admitted as a free state, Utah and New Mexico being organized through popular sovereignty, and banning slave trade in D.C. This was a significant point in U.S. history because it introduced the idea of popular sovereignty, where the people voted for the state to be free or slave. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas were a series of acts of violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas between 1854 and 1859. The violence erupted after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act, which allowed the settlers to decide if the territory would become a slave or a free state. Tensions led to bloody clashes, with both sides committing acts of violence, getting as gruesome as murder in front of their families. This was a precursor to the civil war, highlighting sectional tensions. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. It allowed settlers in these territories to decide by popular sovereignty to permit or ban slavery, which repealed the Missouri Compromise, which banned slavery north of the 36/30 parallel. This act led to violence between pro-slavery groups and the anti-slavery forces, known as Bleeding Kansas. These acts of violence against one another contributed to sectional divisions and tensions, further leading to the Civil War. -
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was the first battle of the Civil war. On April 12, 1861, confederate soldiers fired on the U.S. garrison stationed there after it was cut off from supplies. The Union troops would surrender the next day. This marked the official beginning of open conflict between the North and the South, as it led to the full-scale outbreak of the Civil War. This battle quickly became a symbol of the nation's division and the fight over slavery in the country. -
Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle in the Civil War. The Confederacy came into the war as the underdogs, as they were inferior in almost every way. However, the confederacy claimed this victory, stunning the North. This battle showed the Union that they were not to be handled lightly, and it also boosted the morale of the confederacy. This also served as a turning point in history, as the Union would need to make changes to fight against the underestimated Confederacy. -
The Morrill Land Grants
The Morrill Land Grants were two pieces of legislation passed to grant federal lands to states, which they could sell to fund the establishment of colleges focused on agriculture, science, and engineering. This expanded access to higher education, mostly in rural and frontier areas. The 1890 act provided funding to colleges for African Americans, ensuring that they had some type of role and access to agricultural and technical education. These acts played a key role in funding public education. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act provided 160 acres of public land to settlers who could claim the land after improving it by building a home on it and farming it for five years. The Act was meant to encourage westward migration and helped populate the Great Plains, but it also led to the displacement of Native American tribes as their land was constantly being taken. While it did allow Americans to gain land, it often favored the wealthy, which left the poor and smaller farmers with little land to work with. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Lincoln and it declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be set free. while it didn't immediately set all enslaved people free, it was a turning point as there were clear goals established. the Union's goal was no longer to preserve the nation, but to also abolish slavery while preserving the nation. This also allowed African Americans to enlist in the Union Army, strengthening their numbers and fiving them an andvantge. -
Lincoln's 10% plan
Lincoln's 10% plan was incredibly lenient on the southern countries rejoining the nation. He stated that only 10% of registered voters needed to swear an oath of loyalty to rejoin the Union. It was meant as a way to connect the nation again and reintegrate the Southern states. The plan aimed for a lenient reconstruction, but it faced radical republicans, who thought that the south needed to be punished for their crimes and wanted harsher punishments instilled on them. -
The Battle Of Gettysburg
The Battle Of Gettysburg was considered a turning point in the Civil War. It was the largest battle ever fought in North America, with over 50,000 casualties. Union forces repelled the Confederate army under Robert. E. Lee, marking the Confederacy's last major invasion of the North. This victory wasn't really a victory, but it wasn't a loss for the Union, so it allowed Lincoln to boost the morale of the country as well as release the Emancipation Proclamation. -
the Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of vicksburg is what some might argue as the most important battle of the Civil War. Grante besieged the Confederate stronghold in Vicksburg, which controlled a crucial amount of the Mississippi. The Confederate surrender at Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi, effective splitting the confederacy in half, as well as significantly weakening its strategic position. Supplies were cut off as the Union had access to the port, speeding up the eventual outcome of the war. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, which included formally enslaved people. This guaranteed equal protection under the law. The Amendment wanted to secure the rights of African Americans after the Civil War to prevent states from denying them due process or equal protection, and aimed to eliminate racial bias in the country. It shaped the future legal battles for equality and justice in the future of the United States. -
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad was the connection of the two coasts of the country. The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah. This connected both coasts, which helped contribute/revolutionize trade and transportation in the states. This facilitated westward expansion, spurred economic growth, and played a significant role in settling new settlers towards the west. it also had social and cultural impacts, such as the displacement of Native Americans. -
15th amendment
The 15th Amendment allowed for African American men to vote. It also prohibited the federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (former slaves.) Although African Americans were granted voted rights, there were still many discriminatory tests that limited its impact throughout the years. The amendment was a pretty great step in eliminating legal racism in the states and ensuring racial equality and rights for many. -
Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 resolved the contested presidential election in 1876, and in exchange for conceding the presidency to Hayes, democrats in the South demanded the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, which effectively ended reconstruction. This compromise led to the return of white democratic control in the South as well as the rise of the Jim Crow laws, marking a significant setback for African Americans' civil rights and delaying racial equality for decades. -
Dawes Act
The Dawes Act aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by dividing communal tribal lands into individual plots for Native American families to live on. The government wanted this to encourage farming and reduce Native American dependence on communal traditions. This did have a negative impact, as millions of acres of Native land would be lost to white settlers and in the process weakened tribal sovereignty, leading to the negative impacts on Native Americans.