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Settlement at Jamestown
Jamestown was the first permanent British settlement in North America. After five years of "the starving time," in which 80% of the settlers died, they began planting tobacco, an extremely profitable cash crop. To convince more people to move to the colony, the monarchy devised the Headright System: new settlers would be granted 50 acres of land, and 50 more for every person that they paid for the passage of to the New World. -
Slavery Begins in North America
The first shipment of African slaves arrived in North America in 1619, marking the beginning of over two centuries worth of slavery on the continent. African prisoners endured the Middle Passage, a brutal three-month journey across the Atlantic in which conditions were horrid and the death rate was over 50%. Slaves in the south, especially South Carolina, suffered the hardest labor and worst conditions. -
The Great Awakening
As colonial society began to stabilize, there was a newfound enthusiasm for religion. A new generation of ministers gave both emotional and logical sermons that taught the principles of a "Godly" life. Many of these principles were based on Enlightenment ideals, such as the idea that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Although the Great Awakening helped bring people together through religion, it also created deeper divisions between Protestant subdivisions. -
The Albany Plan
When a British-French dispute over North American land arose, Benjamin Franklin recognized that war was imminent. He created his famous "Join or Die" cartoon to convince the colonies to view themselves as a unified "nation" of sorts. If France were to attack one of the colonies, a unified force would be more effective in fighting back. The plan was not passed because the idea of being from a single colony was too strong, but it was the first time unity was proposed to the colonies. -
End of the Seven Years' War
The colonists believed that they had played a large role in Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War. However, the British viewed the colonies as mere pawns in the victory and were embarrassed by how the colonists fought in battle. They were also in need of money due to their large amounts of war debt. These factors combined led to the end of Benign Neglect; many new policies were passed to generate money. They also forbade the colonists from moving west with the Proclamation of 1763. -
The Boston Massacre
After the passing of many burdensome laws such as the Quartering Act and Stamp Act, colonists decided to stage a protest outside of the customs house in Boston. When someone threw a rock covered in snow and one of the soldiers began bleeding, the rest of the soldiers fired into the crowd to keep themselves safe. Five colonists died, including Crispus Attucks. Later, Paul Revere created an image of the event, sparking widespread outrage towards the British. -
Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty, a radical group of young Patriot men, were known for staging protests and riots that were often violent. Led by Samuel Adams, they planned the Boston Tea Party as a protest against Parliament's tax on tea. They disguised themselves as Native Americans, boarded British ships, and dumped 340 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. The tea was worth about $1.7 million in today's money. -
The Intolerable Acts
After the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed the Intolerable Acts to punish the colonies for their radical actions. They closed the port of Boston, causing the New England economy to crash. Assemblies were outlawed and Britain took control of colonial government. Royal officials that were accused of a crime were given trial in England, meaning they could abuse the colonists without punishment. The Quartering Act and certain taxes were strongly reinforced as well. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British soldiers discovered that the colonists were preparing for war by storing weapons in Concord, MA. They decided to march on Concord; since Sam Adams and John Hancock were in Lexington (en route to Concord), the soldiers wanted to capture them as well. The midnight riders alerted people of the soldiers—70 militiamen met them in Lexington. These were the "shots heard round the world" that started the Revolution. The British were harassed back to Boston, suffering over 250 casualties. -
Second Continental Congress
All 13 colonies sent delegates to this "first government" of the colonies to discuss the possibility of war. Two groups of people emerged: Radicals and Conservatives. The Conservatives wanted reconciliation with Britain and proposed the Olive Branch Petition—a letter to King George III asking for representation in Parliament. When the OBP failed, the Congress began preparing for war and writing the Declaration of Independence. -
Thomas Paine Writes Common Sense
While the country was divided on whether or not to go to war for independence, Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense," a pamphlet that eventually outsold the Bible. He used both logical and emotional arguments to make a case for independence, which helped garner more and more support for the cause. The pamphlet was written in the vernacular, which made average/normal people more likely to read it. About a year after its publication, the colonies declared independence. -
Declaration of Independence
After the Olive Branch Petition was rejected, the Second Continental Congress decided to write a Declaration of Independence. They appointed Thomas Jefferson, who was only 30 years old at the time, to write the first draft. Then, the full body of delegates would make revisions to it and vote for its approval. The Declaration outlined the abuses of the king and the colonies' reasons for declaring independence. -
Battle of Trenton
During the winter at Valley Forge, Washington's army suffered low morale and horrible living conditions. On the night of Christmas Eve, Washington led his troops across the Delaware River in a surprise attack against the British/Hessians, who were busy celebrating Christmas. Washington knew that the Hessians would not be anticipating their arrival, and they would likely be drunk as well. The Battle of Trenton was the Continental Army's only victory for a long time afterwards. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first ruling document of the United States. It reflected the trauma of Britain's oppressive rule—there was no executive, no standing army, no taxing authority, no possible way to change the Articles, and almost all power was given to the states. The only positive thing to come out of the Articles was the Northwest Ordinance, which was an outline of how new states could be added to the union. -
Battle of Saratoga
Originally, British general Burgoyne was supposed to march towards New York and meet with two other British armies to face the Americans. However, the other two armies abandoned the plan, and Burgoyne was left with no supplies and no help. The American army forced their surrender and captured all of their supplies. This was a major turning point in the war because it proved that the Americans had a chance against the British, and France agreed to a military alliance as a result. -
Treaty of Paris
The Battle of Yorktown, in which Washington was able to defeat British General Cornwallis, was a decisive battle in the Revolutionary War. Since the British had lost two armies already, the battle ended the major fighting of the war. About two years after the Battle of Yorktown, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war and created the United States of America. The U.S. was granted all British lands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River, and South of British Canada. -
Shays's Rebellion
Daniel Shays, a farmer turned soldier, returned from war unable to pay off his debt, taxes, etc. Other farmers in the same situation as him joined him to protest government abuses. As they took over local courthouses and got closer to Boston, the government realized that they couldn't stop them because the Articles did not allow for a standing army. After private Bostonian companies funded an army to take down Shays, leaders called together the Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles. -
The Great Compromise
At the Constitutional Convention, two plans arose regarding Congress: The Virginia Plan, which supported population-based representation, and the New Jersey Plan, which supported equal votes for each state. The Great Compromise decided that Congress would be a bicameral legislature in which the Senate would give each state two votes and the House of Representatives would be population-based. When counting population, the 3/5ths Compromise decided that slaves would be considered 3/5 of a person. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The Constitution, supported mostly by Federalists, outlined the functions and powers of the federal government. Within it, they wrote the Necessary and Proper Clause, which allows the government to grow/adjust when "necessary and proper." The Antifederalists wrote the Bill of Rights—the first ten Amendments to the Constitution—which outlined the rights of the people. Among them included freedom of speech/press/expression/religion (1st Amendment) and the power of the states (10th Amendment). -
Hamilton's Financial Plan
Alexander Hamilton, secretary of treasury under George Washington, came up with a financial plan to promote economic success. First, the Plan of Assumption would assume the war debt of the states and pay it off as a nation. Then, a National Bank would make loans, issue paper money, and strengthen the government. Lastly, tariffs on foreign goods would make citizens more likely to buy from US businesses. Unfortunately, this plan largely ignored the needs of farmers/rural dwellers. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
After John Adams chose to avoid war with France, he quickly became unpopular within the country. With the next election nearing, Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Act allowed the government to deport any "dangerous" alien (immigrant). The Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print critical material of the president or Congress. These acts were very controversial, as they restricted the right to free speech—the opposition to them helped redefine the First Amendment. -
Eli Whitney Invents Interchangeable Parts
Eli Whitney's invention of interchangeable parts forever changed manufacturing and industry in America. It made mass production possible and reinvented the manufacturing process; as products were made with standardized parts, manufacturing became extremely efficient. As a result, many manufactured luxuries became affordable for the average person. The invention also decreased the cost of production and thus the cost of living for many, as more people were hired and could afford more things. -
Revolution of 1800
When Jefferson won the Election of 1800, he referred to it as a "revolution." This was because the country was experiencing its first transfer of power from one political ideology to another; previously, there had never been a peaceful transfer of power—the entire world was watching in anticipation for assassination, war, military coup, etc. When there was no uprising or opposition to Jefferson's presidency, it set an expectation that transfers of power could and should be peaceful. -
Purchase of the Louisiana Territory
Due to Napoleon's presence in the Louisiana Territory, Jefferson was worried that western farmers would lose access to the port of New Orleans. He tried to negotiate its purchase for $3 million, but Napoleon would only agree if he bought the entire territory for $15 million. As a strict constructionist, he struggled to make the decision because the Constitution did not allow land acquisition through purchase. Eventually, he chose to purchase the land, doubling the size of the country. -
Embargo of 1807
When Britain and France were at war, both countries wanted the US to halt trade with the other; Jefferson was angered by their attempts to demand American loyalty and imposed an embargo on all foreign trade. This completely destroyed the US economy, but it also had one large benefit: domestic manufacturing saw large amounts of growth. Without foreign products, the US had to adapt to making its own manufactured goods, promoting the long-term economic growth of the country. -
Battle of New Orleans
Before news of the Treaty of Ghent reached America, the fighting of the War of 1812 still continued. The Battle of New Orleans was led by General Andrew Jackson, who recruited farmers, slaves, sailors, and Cajuns for his low-supplied army. The British suffered 2042 casualties, and Jackson became a national hero, as many believed the victory was what ended the war. After the battle, the US was placed on a much higher pedestal than before, and the country experienced a large wave of nationalism. -
Era of Good Feelings
James Monroe's presidency is often known as the Era of Good Feelings because of the political and economic stability that the country experienced. After the War of 1812, the US gradually found stability and investment from Europe began flowing into the country. Businesses and new markets grew quickly with this new source of capital. Henry Clay's American System, promoting a Hamilton-like economic system, and new inventions, such as the steam locomotive, were also large components of the era. -
Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 was the country's first financial crisis. It was brought on by bad banking policies and a lack of demand for US goods. The major issue was that there was a 30% drop in world agricultural prices, making farmers/planters suffer greatly. When these farmers could not pay their debts to various banks, many went bankrupt, and the economy plummeted. This was the country's first experience with the "bust" part of a boom and bust market economy. -
Missouri Compromise
When Missouri wanted to enter the Union as a slave state, free states were worried about an imbalance within Congress. As a result, Henry Clay devised the Missouri Compromise. This allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state, but it had to be admitted with a free state, which was Maine. It established the 36th parallel as the line separating northern free states and southern slave states. Now, any state looking to enter the Union would have to enter with a state with opposing views. -
Election of 1824
The Election of 1824 was the first time democracy faced a challenge—the House of Representatives voted John Quincy Adams into the presidency, despite Andrew Jackson winning more electoral votes. Adams's supposed "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House, angered the American people, who wanted a "president of the people" like Jackson. After this election, there was a stronger emphasis on the importance of democracy and the voice of the common people. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act came as a result of the American people wanting to expand west and calling for the removal of Natives. The act ordered all Natives to move to land in Kansas and Oklahoma, which were scarce in natural resources. Of course, Natives opposed the act and wanted to keep their ancestral lands. In May 1838, Martin Van Buren ordered the army to march 14,000 Cherokees to Oklahoma, and the journey became known as the Trail of Tears. Over 3,000 Natives died of starvation and exposure. -
Nullification Crisis
The south was especially opposed to the Tariff of 1828 because it often favored the north. They believed it was unconstitutional; specifically, South Carolina passed the Nullification Ordinance to make both the Tariff of 1828 and 1832 null and void within their state. Jackson then asked Congress to pass the Force Bill, which allowed him to dispatch troops against South Carolina. This, combined with Henry Clay's Compromise Tariff, made South Carolina back down and end the Nullification Crisis. -
The Overland Trail
Between 1840 and 1860, over 250,000 people were lured to the West Coast by the promise of good, cheap land and a fresh start. The journey west, beginning from St. Louis or Independence, Missouri, took over six months and put heavy pressures on families. 1 in 10 died on the trail, and women often suffered the most due to pregnancy/childcare, loss of companionship, etc. Families traveled in the Conestoga Wagon, which were filled with lumber, dried food, ammunition, crop seeds, tools, etc. -
Manifest Destiny
The term "Manifest Destiny" was coined in 1845 and referred to the idea that it was a God-given duty to extend American republicanism to the Pacific. There was also an underlying belief of Anglo-American cultural and racial superiority, which led to the extermination/eviction of countless Native tribes. The famous painting "American Progress" visualized the idea of Manifest Destiny, advocating for westward expansion and the spread of the "light" that was industrialization. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was a conference for women's suffrage—it is often considered the catalyst for the movement. At the convention, the activists wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, which was a declaration of the equality of men and women. It was closely modeled off of the Declaration of Independence, arguing that women also had the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony were the major leaders of the convention. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
When President Polk stationed troops in disputed territory, he purposefully sparked a war that he knew would end in the US's favor. In the US-Mexico War, the US army was able to push Mexican troops all the way back to Mexico City in about one year. In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, which ended the war, the US gave Mexico their capital back, but demanded the lands between Texas and the Pacific. Known as the Mexican Cession, the US became a bicoastal nation as a result of it. -
Compromise of 1850
In 1850, the Missouri Compromise broke down when California wanted to enter the Union; it was partially above the 36th parallel and partially below it. The Compromise of 1850 had four parts: California would enter as a free state, the slave trade would be abolished in DC, a strict Fugitive Slave Act would be enacted, and territories applying for statehood would be governed by popular sovereignty to decide on if it's a slave/free state. This compromise was a large catalyst for the Civil War. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe Writes Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe was the daughter of Lyman Beecher, the founder of "The Liberator"—a newspaper dedicated entirely to the abolitionist movement. She wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which was the first piece of American literature to humanize black characters. The book detailed the horrors of slavery and helped convey the moral principles of abolitionism. The book sparked outrage in the south and was banned—it's often considered a major catalyst for the Civil War due to the tensions it caused. -
Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was born into slavery—when his master moved to a free state and took Scott with him, Scott sued for his freedom; he argued that if slavery wasn't legal in that state, then he couldn't be considered another human's property anymore. The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Taney ruled against him, claiming that "blacks have no rights that must be recognized by whites." This case essentially ruled that there were no free states, questioning the entire structure of the country at that time. -
Election of 1860
In this election, Abraham Lincoln claimed that the powers of the president did not allow for the total abolition of slavery. He made it very clear that he would not abolish slavery if elected. However, the south spread propaganda that Lincoln was a political monster that would issue countless executive orders, and some states didn't even put him on their ballot. Despite this, Lincoln was elected. Before he was even inaugurated, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. -
The Confederate States of America Forms
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. By early 1861, the entire deep south had seceded, and the Confederate States of America were formed. They elected Jefferson Davis as their president and formed a government focused on state power. It became very clear that war was imminent. Davis claimed that the Confederate cause was similar to the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary era, citing a need for self-rule and independence. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter was a military base in South Carolina. After seceding, the Confederacy was afraid that Lincoln would use the fort to block the south from accessing the sea port there. They blockaded the fort, and when Lincoln tried to send a convoy with food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid, the Confederacy attacked the fort. There were just a few casualties, but this is considered the first battle/attack of the Civil War because the Confederacy was blatantly belligerent without real reason. -
The Anaconda Plan
The Anaconda Plan was the Union's plan to win the Civil War—like an anaconda squeezes its prey to death, the Union would surround the Confederacy and isolate them until they could no longer survive. First, they would blockade the southern coast: all major ports were lined with Union ships, making it impossible for foreign trade. Then, they would take control of the Mississippi, which would isolate a significant portion of the Confederacy from itself. The plan was completed just two years. -
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway Act established that the government was going to build a transcontinental railroad to connect the country. Lincoln paid two private rail companies to start building from both directions and meet in the middle—for every mile of rail laid, they would receive $16,000, and for every ten miles laid, ten square miles of land. This incentive made the building process extremely quick; by 1871, the transcontinental railroad was completed, and it completely changed the country forever. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Lincoln. It ordered that all territory that was recaptured by the Union would be treated as "spoils of war," and all slaves would be liberated. Despite this, the proclamation didn't simply "free the slaves," as it is often believed. Also, the proclamation changed the purpose of the war for the Union: originally, they just wanted to reunify the country, but now, they were focused on abolishing slavery a long with reunification. -
Battles of Vicksburg and Gettyburg
The Battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg are often considered the two most pivotal battles in the Civil War. At Vicksburg, General Grant led the Union in a campaign to take full control of the Mississippi and thus complete the Anaconda Plan. At Gettysburg, the Union was able to put down Lee's attack on northern soil, which was looking to be very successful. After these two battles, it became very clear that a Union victory was near, and the Confederacy was essentially unable to continue fighting. -
Lee Surrenders at Appomattox
During the Final Virginia Campaign, General Grant continuously pursued General Lee deep into Virginia. Originally, Lee stopped in Richmond, but traveled toward Appomattox for an ammunition restock. Grant split his army in two, with one half going straight to Appomattox and the other half continuing to pursue Lee. When Lee reached Appomattox, he was short on men and supplies, and found himself completely surrounded by the Union army. He surrendered, ending the Civil War in a Union victory. -
14th Amendment Ratified
The 14th Amendment, also known as the Equal Protection Amendment, is one of the most important amendments in the Constitution. It established that all people born or naturalized in the US were full citizens, and the states were required to protect all citizens equally. This meant that everyone, no matter their race, would be considered a citizen in the US, and would be given all the rights of a citizen. This included voting rights (for men), free speech, etc. -
Sharecropping Dominates
In the South after the Civil War, planters were in need of labor, and freedmen were in need of work. Thus, the system of sharecropping emerged; planters allowed workers to live and work on their land, in return for a "rent" in the form of half their crop yield. This system trapped workers in an endless cycle of poverty, with landlords finding new ways to claim that they owed debts. Although it slowed down by the 1930s, the sharecropping system lasted all the way into approximately the 50s. -
Americanization of Natives
After Reconstruction, there was a large movement to settle the western half of the continent. When settlers encountered Natives, there was often some violence involved; to "solve" this problem, the system of Americanization began. Native children were sent to boarding schools at age 6 to convert them to Christianity and white ways of living, hopefully assimilating them into white society. This was one of the major aspects of the indigenous genocide committed by the US government.