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Start of the Seven Years War
The American conflict, between French colonists against Native Americans and English colonists, known as the French and Indian war would ultimately lead to the Seven Years War. The fight over fur trade and territorial lines would then start to spread to Europe. Britain and France would both go to war for seven years, and it would cost them both greatly. -
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The Seven Year War
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The Powerful Anglo-American Campaign
American colonists would join forces with Indian Allies from the French and Indian War. They would outnumber the French fourteen-to-one and would have no trouble in winning against the French. Due to the massive size of George II's colonies, he would only pay cheaply to the Americans. He would send a fleet of British Ships and 30,000 British soldiers to the Americas, which in the future will lead to the Quartering Act. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1763, officially ended the Seven Years War between Britain and France. As part of the treaty, France ceded it's North American territorys, including Canada, to Britain. It effectively ended French influence on the continent and established Britain as the dominant colonial power. However, it also sparked defiance because Britain wouldn't allow any colonist enter west to not interfere with natives and for cost control by establishing the Proclamation of 1763. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
The passing of the Quartering Act would make the Americans feel as if they aren't as free anymore. With the overpopulation of British Troops in the colony, whom is tightening their control on their colonies, British soldiers would basically be living in the American homes. The lack of free will the Americans now had because of this Act would go on to forever haunt Americans, to the point the U.S. Constitution would make it impossible for soldiers to ever quarter in a citizen's home again. -
Stamp Act Congress
9 Delegates were sent to the Stamp Act Congress in New York, and protested the loss of American rights and liberties caused by these Acts. They sought for a compromise, and petitioned for the repeal of the Stamp Act. Influential characters would also be involved in encouraging boycotts and peaceful resistance. They did get the Stamp Act repealed, and they would pave the path for Americans to gather together for an unlawful cause. -
Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act placed a tax on all official document stamps. Any important or official documents, like licenses, degrees, or government papers, all required a tax. This act received great amounts of protest due to the tax affecting the poor Americans and now targeting rich Americans, who wish to be licensed to become lawyers or officials. The Stamp Act led to boycotts and protests, peaceful and violent. One group would be formed called the Sons of Liberty, who protested violently. -
Townshend Act of 1767
The Townsend Act imposed new taxes on a wide range of imported goods to the British colonies. The act was met with great resistance and outraged the colonists, who saw it as an unjust and burdensome tax that violated their rights as British subjects. The act's unpopularity and the resistance it faced contributed to the development of a strong sense of unity and solidarity among the colonists, which would lead to stronger resistance to injustice in the future. -
The Boston Massacre
Holding 10% of the population of Boston, British troops started to ware on the colonists. American colonists were tired of the enforcement of the acts. Leading up to the incident, Americans would start throwing snowballs at stationed soldiers. Americas threw objects at the group of British soldiers, who responded by firing their guns into the crowd, killing five people. The event sparked outrage among the colonists. Because of this event, the North's compromise would be met with mixed reactions. -
The Boston Tea Party
Outraged by the Tea Acts of May 1773, the Sons of Liberty prevented East India Company ships from delivering their cargoes in New York. They would dump about 1.5 million dollars of tea in todays value into the water. The dumping of the tea was merely a protest, and it sure angered the king once news reached Great Britain. -
The Coercive Acts
Punishment for the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed four Coercive Acts. They forced colonists to pay for the tea, and shut down the Boston Harbor with the Boston Port Bill. The Massachusetts Government act prevented town meetings, and the Quartering Act was reestablished. The Justice Act would allow trials for capital crimes be under British court decision. The acts were so intolerable they were nicknamed the Intolerable Acts. -
The Continental Congress
12 delegates would be sent from 12 colonies to discuss and come up with a solution to the Coercive Acts. There were two different ideals shared amongst the delegates. One was to come up with a new political system and repeal the Acts and find a compromise peacefully, and the other was to take up arms against the British. They chose to find a compromise, and asked to repeal the acts before September 1775, or they would stop importing goods from Britain, establishing the Continental Association. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
General Gage would receive information on the whereabouts of American arms. He would send 700 British troops to cieze these weapons, and was met with minutemen. 73 British soldiers and 49 militiamen were killed. These shots would ignite the Revolutionary War, and called for the Second Continental Congress to create a Continental Army. George Washington would be called upon to lead the army. -
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The Revolutionary War
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it declared the 13 American colonies to be independent states and no longer subject to British rule. The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and was influenced by Enlightenment ideas about natural rights and the social contract. The Declaration of Independence marked the beginning of the American Revolution and ultimately led to the creation of the United States of America. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a significant victory for the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. The Continental Army, led by General Benedict Arnold and General Horatio Gates, was able to defeat the British and force them to retreat. This victory was important because it demonstrated to the world that the American colonists were capable of defeating the British. The battle also played a crucial role in convincing France to join the war on the side of the Americans. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown,1781 in Virginia was fought between the British Army and the Continental Army, along with French forces. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, was able to trap the Cornwallis at Yorktown and force him to surrender. This victory ended the the Revolutionary War and marked the beginning of the peace negotiations that would lead to American independence and it demonstrated the determination and strength of the American colonists. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781. They established a federal system of government in which the states retained a high degree of autonomy and authority. It created a weak central government and a weak executive branch. One major flaw was the lack of a strong central authority, which made it difficult for the federal government to levy taxes or regulate commerce. Also, the federal government had no power to regulate trade between the states, which led to conflicts and disputes. -
Treaty of Paris of 1783
Peace talks started in Paris in April 1782, and finally secured in 1783. The treaty would secure America of it's independence and would relinquish its claims to lands South of the Great Lakes and East of the Mississippi. The Treaty of Versailles was signed simultaneously and made Britain have peace with Spain and France. Neither American ally would gain much from the treaties. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was led by Daniel Shays, a former Continental Army captain, and a group of farmers who were protesting against high taxes and debt. It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which provided for a weak central government with little power to address the problems facing the country. The rebellion was eventually put down by state militia, but it served as a wake-up call for many Americans who recognized the need for a stronger and more effective government. -
The Philadelphia Convention
The Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, was a meeting of 55 delegates from the 12 states in 1787. It was called in order to revise the Articles of Confederation, the document that served as the first constitution of the United States. However, the delegates ended up drafting a new constitution altogether, which established a federal government with more powers and a system of checks and balances. The Constitution was ratified by the states in 1788. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 was an act of the United States Congress that established the federal court system and defined the powers and duties of the federal courts. The act established the Supreme Court of the United States as the highest court in the land and provided for a system of lower federal courts. The Judiciary Act has played a significant role in shaping the federal court system and has had a lasting impact on the administration of justice in the United States. -
Washington's Inauguration
Washington would be elected unanimously for the first term of presidency. He would begin to set many precedents which presidents now will forever follow. A ceremonial state of union address, a two term presidency and many more would be set by president Washington, our first president. -
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Washington's Presidency
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The Bill of Rights
Ten of the 19 amendments submitted by James Madison in 1791. The Bill of Rights was created and it would protect the rights of all the citizens of the United States. It protects the freedom of speech and religion and mandate legal procedures like the trial by jury. The Bill of Rights would also ease the fears of Antifederalists, who feared too strong of a central government, and little rights to the people. -
The Proclamation of Neutrality
Due to the pressure of the war between France and Great Britain, George Washington would adopt the Proclamation of Neutrality. Even with the treaty and eternal friendship France had with the US after the Revolutionary war, the US would decide not to join the war between France and Great Britain. George Washington would not like the idea of interring in foreign affairs. The proclamation allowed all trade with all nations, no matter war status. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
After the new constitution was adopted in 1787, the Whiskey Rebellion, led by groups of farmers in protest of the whiskey tax. This would be the real test of the new constitution, to determine how much better the new constitution is compared to the Articles of confederation. Washington would lead the army to the rebellion, and fired cannon shots behind the group of protesters. This would prove that the US could now handle and protect their citizens. -
The Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was one of the most influential and useful inventions. Without the Cotton Gin, the American cotton industry wouldn't have boomed, and the use of slavery would decline over time. Instead, the Cotton Gin was invented, cotton became a booming crop, and the industry was flooded with slaves to pick said crop. -
The XYZ Affair
Shortly after Adam's inauguration, he would be met with a problem with the seizure of American trade vessels, and asked for France to recognize the neutrality it states. France did not agree to recognize it and asked the US to pay a bribe to even be considered by the French officials. It is later stated that X Y and Z would insult the name of the US and degrade them. This would lead to a short undeclared war between France and the US. -
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John Adams' Presidency
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Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts of 1798
Federalists, fearing the loss of power due to the support from foreigners to the Anti-federalist party, would pass 3 acts. The Naturalization Acts would raise the required time residing in the US from 5 years to 14 years to earn citizenship. The Alien and Sedition Acts would give the president and congress the authority to deport and basically silence the news. These acts were the first to be reviewed by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. -
Judiciary Act of 1801
Shortly after the inauguration of Jefferson, he would face many older issues. The power of the Judicial branch was still pretty rocky, and would claim the power of calling an act unconstitutional in a later court case. The Judiciary Act of 1801 would create 16 new judgeships after the previous president replaced them with like-minded people. -
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Jefferson's Presidency
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Marbury v. Madison Case
This court ruling by the Supreme Court would result in a greater power to the Supreme Court. In this case, they would view the constitution and declare the judiciary Act of 1789 as unconstitutional. The power was then dubbed by Marshall, that the Supreme Court would have the ability to refer to the Constitution and decide if a law or act was unconstitutional. This is still in play today and many acts are viewed by the Supreme Court, effecting everyone. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase would more than double the size of the United States and would allow expansion westward. They would buy these lands from Spain, but went to Napoleon to purchase the lands. The lands opened up new opportunities. Jefferson would send explorers to the new lands to document everything and map everything in the new unexplored areas. These expeditions would be led by Luis and Clark. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
As the Napoleon war raged on in Europe, the British would start to seek a war in North America. The British would arm the natives with weapons necessary to distract and harm the Americans. William Henry Harrison would strike the holy village of Prophetstown while the natives were away planning a strike elsewhere. -
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War of 1812
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The Burning of Washington
At the start of the war, the tide quickly turned towards the British. Americans were overwhelmed by the attacks from Canada, but managed to burn down their capital of York. In retaliation, a British fleet sailed up to Chesapeake Bay, taking advantage of the American's horrible sea defense, would be able to land and rush the capital of Washington, where they would burn the US Capital building and surrounding government buildings. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent would end the war between the British and the Americans. It would allow the Americans to retain it's pre-war border. The British found it costly to actually fund the campaign in the US and needed it's troops back in Europe. They wanted peace, and that is what convinced them to sign the treaty. Just before the treaty reached the Americas, Americans would win a very crucial battle which would have given them an advantage in winning the war. It was a major moral boost for them. -
The Election of 1824
This was the first presidential election where no one received a majority of electoral votes, leading to the selection of the president by the House of Representatives. 4 candidates ran in the election John Adams, Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, and Henry Clay. Jackson received the most electoral votes and the most popular votes, but did not have a majority. Clay threw his support behind Adams, who then won the presidency in the House. This outcome, known as the "Corrupt Bargain." -
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John Quincy Adam's Presidency
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Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of 1828, also known as the "Tariff of Abominations," was a protectionist measure that raised tariffs on imported goods to protect domestic manufacturers. It was unpopular in the South, where it was seen as benefiting Northern manufacturers at the expense of Southern agriculture. This tariff act, along with the controversy surrounding the Election of 1824, contributed to the growing sectional tensions between the North and South in the United States. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a U.S. federal law that authorized the President to negotiat with Native American tribes to exchange their land for lands west of the Mississippi River. The act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, who argued that it was necessary to "extinguish" Native American claims to land in the southeastern United States in order to enable the expansion of white settlement. As a result of the Indian Removal Act and subsequent treaties and forced relocations, -
Start of the Second Great Awakening
It was characterized by a surge of enthusiasm for evangelical Protestantism and a focus on personal conversion and moral reform. The movement had a significant impact on the development of American culture and society, leading to the rise of new denominations, the abolition of slavery, and the emergence of women's rights and other social reform movements. The Second Great Awakening also contributed to the spread of education and the expansion of the American public school system. -
Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Virginia in August 1831, Nat Turner, a enslaved Baptist preacher, led a group of enslaved and free black men in a violent uprising against slaveholders. The rebellion was quickly put down and Nat Turner was captured, tried, and executed. The rebellion added to the growing tension and controversy surrounding slavery and abolition. In the aftermath of the revolt, many Southern states passed laws to further restrict the rights of enslaved people and free black people. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was a meeting held between the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. The agreements reached at Yalta included the division of Germany into occupation zones, the establishment of the United Nations, and the recognition of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe. The conference was also significant in that it revealed the growing tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, foreshadowing the start of the Cold War. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The treaty ended the Mexican-American War and defined the border between the United States and Mexico. It also ceded a large portion of Mexico's territory to the United States, it expanded the size of the United States significantly and played a role in shaping the country's geopolitical landscape. It also had significant implications for the people living in the territories that were ceded to the US, many of whom were Mexican citizens who became American citizens as a result of the treaty. -
The California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold sparked a mass migration of people from across the United States and around the world to California, leading to a rapid population growth and economic boom in the state. It had significant economic and social impacts, including the growth of San Francisco as a major city and the transformation of California's economy from agriculture to mining and other industries. The Gold Rush has had lasting effects on the development of the country. -
The compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was an attempt to resolve the tensions between Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery. The compromise included measures such as the admission of California as a free state, the establishment of the territories of New Mexico and Utah, the abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C., and the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was an era of violent conflict that took place in the Kansas Territory. It was a result of the struggle over whether Kansas would be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. The conflict was fueled by pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups who both sought to influence the outcome of the Kansas statehood vote. It exemplified the deep divisions and tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. -
Lincoln is elected
Lincoln's inauguration in 1861 was seen as the last straw for the Southern states. It marked the end of any hope they had of preserving their way of life, which was based on the institution of slavery. Lincoln's inauguration, but his election was seen as a clear signal that the federal government was no longer willing to compromise on the issue of slavery. The Confederacy saw Lincoln's inauguration as a threat and decided to secede from the Union, leading to the start of the Civil War. -
The Anaconda Plan
The Anaconda plan called for the Union to blockade the Confederate coast, control the Mississippi River, and divide the Confederacy by taking control of the Southern states along the river. The goal of the Anaconda Plan was to cut off the Confederacy's access to international trade and to isolate it from the rest of the country. The Anaconda Plan was implemented in the early months of the war. The blockade of the Confederates was particularly effective in disrupting the South's economy. -
Homestead Act of 1862
The Homestead Act granted free land to anyone who was willing to settle and cultivate it. The act provided up to 160 acres of land to any head of household who was a citizen of the US. The act also required recipients to live on and cultivate the land for at least five years. The Homestead Act increased the country's agricultural production and helped to populate and develop the western territories. It also provided an opportunity for people to own land and build a new life for themselves. -
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway Act was a piece of legislation that provided federal land grants and financial assistance to the construction of a railroad in the United States and they would meet in the middle of the country and connect the East with the West. The construction of the railroad had a many benefits, reducing the time and cost of travel and transportation, increasing the movement of goods and people between the East and West, and promoting economic development in the West. -
Battle of Gettysburg
On July 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and was the largest battle of the war. The Union Army, led by General Meade, defeated the Confederate Army, led by General Lee, in a three-day battle that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The Union victory at Gettysburg was a crucial turning point in the war, as it marked the end of the Confederacy's second invasion of the North. It also dealt a blow to the Confederacy's morale and gave the Union a much-needed victory. -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
General Robert E. Lee's surrender in 1865 was a significant event in the American Civil War because it marked the end of the Confederacy. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ended the fighting in the Civil War and brought an end to four years of bloody conflict. The surrender also signaled the start of the Reconstruction era, during which the federal government sought to rebuild the South. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was adopted in 1865, it abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. The 13th Amendment was the result of years of struggle and activism by abolitionists and other advocates of civil rights, and it marked the end of the institution of slavery in the United States. It also had a lasting impact on the country, as it set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement and other efforts to promote equality and justice for all Americans. -
The 15th amendment
The 15th Amendment was adopted in 1870, granted voting rights to African American men. The 15th Amendment was a response to the widespread discrimination and disenfranchisement of African Americans in the South, and it was intended to ensure that all men, regardless of race, had the right to vote. Many years before African Americans were able to fully exercise their right to vote and participate fully in the political process. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a Supreme Court decision in 1896 that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities under the "separate but equal" doctrine. The ruling established the legal precedent for the segregationist policies of the Jim Crow era and upheld the systemic discrimination against Black Americans until the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. -
The Maine Explodes
"Remember the Maine, To Hell with Spain." The USS Maine was peacefully docked at a port in Havana, Cuba and it explodes unexpectedly on February, 1898. The US and the people all blame Spain, convinced they planted explosive mines on the harbor. This would be the spark to start the Spanish-American War, which was a three-way conflict between Spain, the US, and Cuba for their freedom. -
Treaty of Paris 1898
The Spanish-American war resulted in both the liberation of Cuba and annexation of the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris would ensure the liberation of Cuba and have the former rebels take over the government. The US thought that the Philippines were not yet fit for self-rule. To hopefully annex the land, the US would pay $20 million for the islands. The Philippines weren't too keen on being given over to the US. It didn't take long for fighting to occur between Filipino troops and US troops. -
The Federal Reserve Act
The Federal Reserve Act created twelve district reserve banks funded and controlled by their member banks, with a central Federal Reserve Board to impose regulation. The Federal Reserve could issue currency and set the interest rate. It thus indirectly set the money supply level, influencing the rate of growth in the U.S. economy. The act strengthened the banking system’s stability and, to a modest degree, discouraged risky speculation on Wall Street. -
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The Great War
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Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement based on New York City's Harlem district. African Americans experienced a cultural awakening during this time, which also saw the affirmation of black identity and pride. The movement highlighted African Americans' talented writers, musicians, artists, and other forms of expression while also drawing attention to their rich cultural history. -
The Neutrality Acts
The Neutrality Acts of the 1930s were a series of laws passed by the United States Congress in the years leading up to World War II. The acts were designed to keep the United States out of another world war by prohibiting American involvement in foreign conflicts. The Neutrality Acts prohibited the sale of arms to belligerent nations, banned American citizens from traveling on belligerent ships, and imposed an arms embargo on Spain during the Spanish Civil War. -
The New Deal
President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a number of domestic programs and policies known as the New Deal. The New Deal altered the economic and social climate of the nation while attempting to bring relief, recovery, and reform to the American people. The government built social welfare programs like Social Security, created jobs, and offered direct assistance to the unemployed under the New Deal. Additionally, the New Deal put in place regulatory safeguards to avert future financial crises. -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act, passed in 1935, built a network of social welfare programs that gave retirees cash support. The Social Security Act significantly changed how the federal government provided social aid and contributed to the reduction of poverty among vulnerable groups. The act also had a significant impact on American society since it made the country's citizens feel secure and stable during a period of intense economic instability. We still rely on this Act today. -
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The Second World War
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Pearl Harbor Attack
Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the surprise attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy, which also damaged or destroyed a large number of ships and aircraft. As a result of the attack, congress declared war on Japan the following day, bringing the United States into World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the American people together after much heated discussion on whether the US should join in the war, but the US raised lots of support after the attack. -
Invasion on Normandy (D-Day)
The D-Day invasion was a major turning point in the war in which the Us along with it's European Allies would all plan the largest amphibious assault the world has ever seen. This gave the Allies a major footing into mainland Europe and would finally allow the allies to make a campaign through France and then Germany to end the war. -
The G.I. Bill
The G.I. Bill, also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, had a significant impact on American society. The bill provided a range of benefits to veterans, including educational opportunities and access to low-cost home loans. The G.I. Bill was designed to help veterans readjust to civilian life and promote their economic well-being. The bill helped cause the postwar boom in higher education and homeownership and it helped to create a new generation of skilled workers and homeowners -
The United Nations
The creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 was a significant moment in world history. The UN was established as a replacement for the ineffective League of Nations and was designed to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The organization has played a critical role in maintaining peace and security, advancing human rights, and promoting economic and social development around the world. -
Firbombing of Tokyo
(Ik we never discussed this, just some knowledge ik) Napalm has only been recently invented when the operation takes place to drop tons and tons of burning napalm on top of the city of Tokyo, Japan's capital. This caused a great fire in Tokyo which killed thousands of civilians. -
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
An estimated 200,000 persons perished as a result of the bombings in August 1945, many of them civilians and Japan's surrender soon after the bombings signaled the end of World War II. The bombings had a significant impact on world history because they showed how destructive nuclear weapons could be and helped usher in the Cold War.