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1490
Arrival to the Americas
The term “revolutionary” was greatly established in 1492, when the Americas were founded. Spain, France, and Britain all took their share, sinking their beliefs into the people. As more migrated and earned money, indentured servants became a heavy lifestyle for Britons in the Americas. Another reason people migrated was freedom and opportunity. Puritans and Pilgrims were some of the first, in search of religious freedom from Britain, major influencers are Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. -
Mercantalism
Mercantilism is known to be an economic theory that was heavily practiced by England. The theory is known to help achieve a favorable trade balance but it harms other nations. England passed laws to bring mercantilism into the colonies, making it so the colonists could only sell their goods to Britain. Since they were their only buyer, goods were sold for less but the goods sold to them were high. Lastly, British ships were all they could use, bringing heavy taxes and flunking their economy. -
Inventions
Inventions have always been made throughout history. However, the most important ones were interchangeable parts, Cotton Gin, and the Steam Engine; others were the sewing machine and McCormick's Reaper. Interchangeable parts allow for guns to be able to switch a part out rather than the whole gun. The cotton gin was a revolutionary machine that stripped the seeds away from the cotton, making it profitable. The steam engine allowed factories to increase production when water wasn't available. -
Great Awakening
This period was in North America, during the era of the Enlightenment, Europe's intellectual and philosophical movement starting in 1685-1815. North America's revival moment showed the change from "Old Lights" to "New Lights"—the age focusing on religion rather than philosophy. George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards were two major ministers, who spoke two separate ways, but the same message. These new lights were engaging, using humor and stories to make connections and give emotional sermons. -
7 Years War
After the war, Britain was granted power over their lands in North America. The French had a deep hatred for Britain, so in spite, gave their loss territory to Spain. The colonists felt they helped greatly in the war, and should receive their credit, while those who lived in Britain felt they were cowards during the fight. They believed the colonists didn't sacrifice during the war effort and will always acknowledge them as subservient, setting the stage for the desire of independence. -
The Acts
The Sugar Act (1763) was to stop the smuggling of goods and was put into play by Prime Minister, George Grenville. The tax put duties on imports but lowered the sugar tax, making colonists pay Britain rather than France or Spain. The Stamp Act (1764) made any government official paper need a stamp, attacking the wealthy since they would likely need more papers issued. The Quartering Act (1764) required colonists to shelter and pay for needy British soldiers, greatly burdening all colonists. -
Sons and Daughters of Liberty
The British Crisis was in action, bringing political activism, speeches, and pamphlets into the colonies. Riots and Boycotts were also leading action during this time, the main groups being the Sons and Daughters of Liberty. The Sons of Liberty weren't messing around but they were also impulsive, making their actions not long lasting. The Daughters of Liberty attacked the root, the Homespun Movement was an action they did, creating textiles instead of purchasing imported goods from Britain. -
The Bostons
In 1770 a group of protesters needed a reaction from the British soldiers. The colonists gathered before the Customs House, starting a snowball fight with the red coats until a man covered a rock in snow and threw it at the soldiers. From this, the soldiers set fire to the citizens, labeling it the Boston Massacre. The Boston Tea Party was colonists who dressed as Native Americans and dumped millions of dollars of tea into the Boston Harbor. Outraging the British, the Intolerable Acts were made. -
Thomas Paine
After fighting around Boston, Thomas Paine published "Common Sense" before independence was declared. This publication gave the common man the language of why they needed independence, bringing so much popularity. After independence was earned, the Continental Army experienced low morals during the war, so Paine wrote "American Crisis." The money earned was donated to the army for the Revolution, and Washington ordered the essay to be read aloud in front of all the troops to boost morality. -
Battle of Yorktown
After many losses, the turning point for the Continental Army came during the Battle of Saratoga when two British armies failed to meet, bringing a victory to the colonists. The victory continued when British General Cornwallis led Washington to Yorktown, thinking the British Navy would await them. Upon arrival, the French Navy was at the bay, fighting with the colonists, forcing Cornwallis to surrender. As "The World Turns Upside Down" plays, the Treaty of Paris 1783 is signed, ending the war. -
Trouble After Independence
After independence was declared, the first document showing the powers of government was the Articles of Confederation. Though it looked good, it was never tested until Shays Rebellion. As Daniel Shay and other citizens come home from war, they see their farms destroyed and high taxes. As violence came, it showed the Article's weakness and the need for a better one. During the Constitutional Convention, the Connecticut Compromise, Bill of Rights, and 3/5s Compromise were voted on and enacted. -
Federal Judiciary Act of 1789
The Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by Congress allowing an independent federal court. There were three total levels of the act, the first being the district level which handles trials within the federal court system, civil and criminal. The next level is the appellant court, handling cases that have already been decided and investigating whether or not the law has been decided fairly. The last is the Supreme Court which ensures the American people's promise of equal justice under law. -
Alexander Hamilton's Financial Plan
Hamilton was the Secretary of the Treasury and under his position, he released his Financial Plan. The first part was the assumption of state debts to pay off war debt quickly. The next step is to raise tariffs and taxes so that people can buy American goods. Lastly, was the creation of a National Bank, creating a safe space for government money and allowing them to make business loans. The plan was enacted and to make Jefferson agree to it, the capital was placed in Virginia. -
XYZ Affair
After the U.S. refused to help the French with the French Revolution, they started harassing their ships. During Adams's Presidency, he passed the XYZ Affair so the nation could repair relations with the French, sending diplomats to negotiate a treaty. As the diplomats arrived in France, the French people demanded $250,000 as a gift before negotiation. They denied and Americans wanted war, but to avoid this, Adams negotiated with Napolean, making the Americans view him as weak. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts had three parts, the first being the Alien Act, allowing the president to deport any "alien" who was considered dangerous. The next part was the Sedition Act, making it illegal to print or write newspapers criticizing the president or Congress. Lastly was the Naturalization Act, increasing the time immigrants had to live in the U.S. before becoming citizens (25 years). The acts expired by the next election and were put into play so Adams could try and remain in power. -
Louisiana Purchase
Worried about losing control of the New Orleans port and access to the Mississippi River, Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million. With a stroke of a pen, he doubled the nation and was able to secure New Orleans and the Mississippi River along with 828,000 square miles of land. To explore the new territory, Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark on an expedition to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean and begin trading relationships with Native Americans. -
Marbury v. Madison
To hold onto the judicial branch before being taken out of office, Adams sent commissions to loyal federalists to hold office in federal courts. Before the letter to John Marbury was sent out, Madison and Jefferson stopped it, not granting him federal judgeship. In court, James Madison and John Marbury fought whether this refusal of delivery was legal or not. From this case, judicial review was made, allowing courts to review any law passed to determine if it was constitutional or not. -
War of 1812
After independence had been earned, the U.S. continued to be abused by the British. As they attacked the U.S. directly and supported Indian resistance, the U.S. wanted war. After the war began the U.S. won the Battle of Thames and out of spite, Britain burned the capital. War continued and while people wondered about succession, Britain and America signed the Treaty of Ghent. While the news crossed, the armies fought one last time at the Battle of New Orleans, giving the U.S. their last victory. -
2nd Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was brought up in the 1820s lasting until the 1840s. The Awakening expanded the view of women, seeing them as the key to church growth. Lyman Beecher and Charles Finney were popular ministers, helping the church grow and perfect society. The Awakening gave the foundation and support for the Women's Suffrage Movement along with the Temperance and Abolition Movement; like in 1831 when William Garingson wouldn't speak at an abolition conference if women couldn't vote. -
American System by Henry Clay
With the nation at peace and investments booming, Henry Clay wanted the government to create a positive business environment so businesses could flourish. He created the American System, and it was broken up into 3 parts. The first part of his plan was to create a strong central bank, providing easy and abundant credit. Next, was enacting tariffs to protect American industry. Lastly, the revenue raised by tariffs would be used to create a stronger transportation network. -
Transportation and Communication Revolution
In the 1800s, there was a dramatic increase in transportation and communication. Canals were the most efficient way to get things around at the time, and in 1825, the Erie Cana along the Hudson River was complete. Steamboats were revolutionary, being the first highway, followed was railroads. With transportation booming so was technology. Samuel Moose was able to create the first telegraph, allowing information to travel much faster, even faster if they used the U.S. postal system. -
Presidency of 1828
After a landslide win, Andrew Jackson became President of the U.S. being labeled "Old Hickory". After becoming President, he put into play the Spoil System, firing everyone he could in government and filling the jobs with ordinary Democrats. After this action, the South believed they should nullify the Tariff of Abominations, believing it unconstitutional and declaring states should declare to null and void the law. To preserve the Union, he reduced the tariff of 1828 and passed the law in 1832. -
Factory Life
After President Jefferson enacted the Embargo Act of 1807, trade was hurt but it also allowed the spur of domestic manufacturing. With the growth of cotton in the South, the North was able to boom with textile factories, by making fabric. Textile mills employed young unmarried farm women, the first paid work they could receive. They had access to boarding houses so they could work longer hours and receive longer work hours, a new sense of time, a division of social class, and early labor units. -
Domestic Independent Nation
After President Jackson published the Indian Removal Act, many tribes tried resisting since they had established many treaties, granting them rights to continue living on the lands. Some tribes gave up after awhile while others went to court, such as the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee went to court against Georgia to stop them from enforcing state laws that took away their rights within their territory. The Supreme Court ruled with the Cherokee, granting them as a "domestic independent nation." -
Bank War
At the end of Jackson's Presidency, he believed to make a few changes and pass a law that changed thousands of lives. When Hamilton created the National Bank, it was made to be rechartered every 20 years under Congress, Jackson wished it to be under state rule. He took all the government's money to state banks, creating the Panic of 1837. During this, he also passed the Indian Removal Act, ignoring the Supreme Court decision during Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, and continued enforcing the act. -
Temperance
During the Second Great Awakening, women had a strong support group within the church, allowing to start Temperance. The consumption of alcohol rose, creating major issues within families, work, and themselves. Alcohol created poverty, abuse, crime, mental health issues, death, unemployment, and much more and it needed to be stopped. In 1919, the 18th Amendment was passed to ban selling alcohol, hoping to reduce the problems it created. -
Utopias and Transcendantilism
Utopias were established way before the colonists gained independence, becoming the United States. Utopias were "perfect societies" that would separate from society to get change. Mormons are a branch of Utopias. They are the most successful religious utopian community to arise in the antebellum years was begun by Joseph Smith. Transcendentalism followed utopias, which was a philosophical, spiritual, and literacy movement in the New England region. -
Oregon Trail
The West lands opened up and many traveled along for a 6 month trip. People packed their entire lives into Conestoga Wagons, leaving the least important things behind. Heavy pressure was put on families especially women, suffering from the loss of companionship and heavy responsibilities. Between 1840-1860, more than 250,000 people made it to the West and 1 in 10 would die during the journey. While some went West, others went Southwest toward Texas to become a Mexican citizen. -
Corruption in Texas
Mexico was a struggling country in hopes of populating Texas so the U.S. wouldn't take it from them. Texas had many bandits and was very hot and dry, making nobody want to live there. To populate the country, they welcomed U.S. citizens to move to Texas and have free land but had to be Mexican citizens and convert to Catholicism. Eventually, the population was huge, so they banned any more to migrate and made slavery illegal. This angered the people so they declared independence, causing war. -
Compromise of 1850
Once California wanted to be a state, they had an issue with the Missouri Compromise of 1820 since they were split between the line. Since they wanted, to become a free state, Henry Clay created the Compromise of 1850. The compromise allowed California to be a free state and made the slave trade abolished in Washington, D.C., strict fugitive slave enacted nationwide, and territories applying for statehood will now be governed by the concept of Popular Sovereignty. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
In 1852, Harriet Beecher published her book Uncle Tom Cabin, showing the problems of slavery through a slave's eyes. She heavily supported anti-slavery and showed everyone the effect on the attitudes of African Americans. The book had a strong hold on the nation, having a major impact on public opinion, and the cultural and racial connections. Since it lifted the influenced on the abolition movement, it was eventually banned by states in the South. -
Bleeding Kansas
As Kansas became a state, the people decided what they would be, but they were divided. Both the North and South had a strong hold on the soon-to-be state, giving their influence. Churches were abolitionists, creating even creating influence, giving the North the advantage. During the voting on what they would be, a group of non-abolitionists went to Lawrence, Kansas, stuffing the voting boxes with pro-slavery votes and burning abolitionists' houses. From this, Kansas became a slave state. -
Dred Scott Case (1846-1857)
Dred Scott was a slave when he and his owner moved from the South to a free state. Scott believed since he was in the North then he should now be free, so he went to the Supreme Court to resolve this issue. There, Roger B. Taney (Jhief justice) denied him his freedom. Dred Scott declared "Free states don't exist", leaving the only possibility of war to get rid of free and slave states completely, just have freedom. Eventually, Scott became a freeman, continuing to advocate for equal rights. -
Harpers Fiery
John Brown was a major abolitionist and murdered 5 families in Kansas as the wives and children watched, simply because they were poor in the slave state. The North viewed this as an amazing thing, but the South wanted him gone. As Brown hid and did small actions, he planned to go to Harpers Ferry in Virginia to capture the armory, kill plantation owners to free slaves, arm the slaves, and go all around the South. In the armory, the alarm goes off and Robert E. Lee captures Brown and hangs him. -
The Cotton Man
After the War of 1812, cotton became the number one crop the U.S. sold and the number 1 manufactured goods after being made into fabric. Since cotton became the staple of the South, they needed more workers to create more labor, leading to more money being made. The conditions were long and harsh and the boom made slavery come back from nearly ending. Slaves were growing tired and wanted to be free more than ever before, and when Lincoln banned slavery, it gave them a reason to fight. -
Anaconda Plan
After Lincoln made slavery illegal, Confederate states started to separate from the Union to try and make their nation keep slavery. The Union needed a plan for them to secede back to the Union, so they created the Anaconda Plan. Once the war began, the Union used the Navy to block exports, attacking all states on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Then shaved off Texas, Arkansaw, and Lousiana from the Mississippi River. Surrounding and suffocating the Confederacy into surrendering. -
Battle of Gettysburg
After many awful leaders, the North finally gained General Grant during the Battle of Gettysburg, creating a major win for the North. The battle started when General Lee invaded the North but retreated after breaking his back and losing so many men. As he retreated, Grant pursued him to Appomattox. As half of Grant's army followed him, attacking, the other half went straight to Appomattox to surround Lee. Upon arrival, Lee and his army were weak and surrounded, so he surrendered. -
Emancipation Proclamation
War was a few years in and in hopes to end it, Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation declared that the Confederacy could keep their slaves, but they had to rejoin the Union in peace. If they declined this offer, then the Union would conquer and liberate their slaves, not getting them back. The plan was smart since Lincoln knew the Confederacy wouldn't rejoin peacefully, allowing the Union to get rid of slavery and switch the main point of the war to slavery. -
54th Massachusetts
Amid the war, the Union became stronger by allowing blacks to be a part of the war, but they still weren't treated well. They served under white commanders, doing the dirty work instead of fighting, and got paid half as white men. A group called the 54th Massachusetts was a black army that was trained incredibly hard and when Lincoln allowed them to fight in battle, they did very well. They were the first blacks to fight in war and didn't accept pay until it was the same as white soldiers. -
Freedmen's Bureau
Before Andrew Johnson became President, Abraham Lincoln and Congress passed the Freedmen's Bureau. After the war ended, the freed blacks had nothing. They were poor with no home, food, jobs, or anything. To help get them off their feet, the Freedmen's Bureau was made, creating the transition they needed by starting school, negotiating labor contracts, securing loans, helping fund and purchase lands, and providing legal aid. The bureau gave freedmen a foundation and a way to finally live life. -
Johnson Reconstruction
To start reconstruction, Lincoln brought forward his 10% Plan, allowing any state to be readmitted and at least 10% of voters had sworn loyalty to the Union. Congress disagreed, creating the Wade-Davis Bill to make 50% sware loyalty and only non-Confederates could hold political offices. Lincoln was then killed, and Johnson rose to power. He mixed the 10% Plan with his urge to gain power, making Confederate states beg for help and then granting them pardons, assuming their debts. -
13th Amendment
Civil War was close to ending, and to finish call it done Congress and Lincoln passed the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States. Ever since the colonists earned their independence, they were using slaves to complete all their labor. Taking them away from their families, abusing them, killing them, raping the women and children, and fully destroying their lives they finally got their freedom. Though it said they were free, the Confederacy still tried using their labor. -
Congress Takes Over
By the 1866 election, the House gained so many voters they were able to override Andrew Johnson's veto and force the South to accept the freedmen. As Congress took over, they were able to pass many amendments and acts like the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the 14th and 15th Amendments, the Reconstruction Act of 1867, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 gave blacks citizenship and protection over black codes while the same act of 1875 banned public discrimination. -
Homestead Act
The Transcontinental Railroad was finished and the Great Plains wasn't being used while the East was being overused. To solve this issue, the federal government created the Homestead Act, granting 160 acres of land to anyone who would move to the Plains invest in the land, and engage in agriculture for 5 years. Immigrants, freedmen, and women could all claim this as long as they were the heads of their households. Though this was an amazing thing, it brought great trouble to the Natives. -
Economic Slavery
Once reconstruction ended in the South, white southerners brought forth the idea of sharecropping. During the Civil War, the South was destroyed and to rebuild it they created a new labor system, sharecropping. This system allowed black and poor white farmers to farm but give 1/4 of their crops to their contractors. By the end of the year, they had to pay their rent and if it wasn't paid in full, they had to work another year until it was paid, and to keep them there, the rent was overpriced. -
Transcontinental Railroad
In 1862, Lincoln proposed and released the Pacific Railway Act, announcing that the government would financially support building the first transcontinental railroad. He hired two main companies, the Union Pacific (with the Irish) and Central Pacific (with the Chinese) Railroad, earning land and/or cash for the miles laid. The companies started on opposite sides of the nation, and with the deadline on the way, they worked hard in rough conditions, eventually meeting in 1873 in Promontory, Utah. -
The Election Crisis
Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden fought for the Presidency and as the votes came in, it was determined that the entire South voted for Tilden. The North questioned the validity of the results because of all the freedmen and Republicans who still lived in the South. When revoting came, it was said that South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida fully switched to Republican. From this crisis, an election commission was made, selecting Hayes as president and ending reconstruction in the South. -
The Dawes Act of 1887
The Dawes Act of 1887 allowed Native Americans to own 160 acres of land from their reservations. Though many viewed this as a good sign, giving Natives a chance to live an agricultural lifestyle, it broke families and took away tribal life within the reservations. To gain the land, they were forced to farm, and many, if not all, never farmed before. The last side effect was that after 50% of reservations had been bought, the land was open to white settlers, separating families even more. -
Indian Wars
While Natives were forced off of their homes by white settlers, a growing tension arose. Once violence began, the U.S. military moved Natives into reservations to try and calm it down. As the land became more valuable, they moved around to different areas, making them grow tired and more violent. Massacres and battles took place to try and stop tension and to be left alone. The Sand Creek Massacre, Battle of Little Big Horn, and Wounded Knee Massacre were some of the most violent issues. -
The Americanization of Native Americans
It was common knowledge that Native Americans didn't have the same culture as Americans. To help solve this "issue" the government allowed for the Natives children up to 9 years old, to be taken from their homes and sent to boarding schools in the East. The schools didn't allow the children to speak their native language, wear their native clothes, or practice their native religion. They were in an abusive environment learning Christianity until age 18 when they were released, lost, and alone.