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Settlement of Jamestown
The Jamestown Settlement, established in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London, marked a pivotal moment in North American colonial history as the first permanent English settlement on the continent. Located along the James River in present-day Virginia, the fragile colony emerged amid extraordinarily challenging circumstances that tested the limits of human survival and colonial ambition. -
The Headright System
Many people in England had a negative view of the New World because of the amount of deaths in the early years of the settlements. The Headright system was created to improve people's image of the New World by giving 50 acres of land to anyone who could pay their way to the Settlements. This worked very well because many rich people would pay for others voyages so they could get more land. -
The Start of the First Great Awakening
The Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s marked a profound religious transformation that dramatically reshaped the spiritual landscape of the American colonies. Led by charismatic preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, this religious revival movement challenged the established, more formal Puritan religious practices by emphasizing personal, emotional connections with God. -
The Start of the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a pivotal moment in North American colonial history, altering the geopolitical landscape. Britain and France battled for territorial control and colonial influence, but the war's most significant consequence was its role in igniting the American Revolution. The huge war debt and British taxation policies fueled colonial resentment and pushed the thirteen colonies toward independence. -
The Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin calls all of the colonies to a meeting in Albany, New York. Franklin put forward a plan that he knew wouldn't work so he could lob a soft ball for himself and introduce the Albany Plan of Union. He suggested that the colonies should get together as one collective unit that worked together. This was the first time anyone really tried to unite the Colonies under one Union. Although 7 of the colonies agreed to this, the plan fell through. -
The End of Benign Neglect
After the Seven Year's War, the British felt they had to enforce their laws on the American Colonists more because of how deeply they were in debt. This did not go well for the British because the Colonists were very used to their freedoms and did not want to let them get taken away from them so easily. This was a very big reason for the Revolutionary War because the Colonists wanted to be represented if they were going to be treated that way. -
The Stamp Act
In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to cover costs from the French and Indian War, which angered the American colonies. Colonists viewed it as a violation of their rights, leading to protests organized by groups like the Sons of Liberty. In Oct. 1765, the Stamp Act Congress representatives from nine colonies opposed the law, delaying its use and fostering a spirit of unity that paved the way for the American Revolution. -
The Quartering Act
This Act required all American Colonists to house any and all British troops that were in the Colonies. This angered the Colonists so much that when we made our Bill of Rights we made sure that this couldn't happen ever again. The British also did this because they could keep better track of the rich colonists because they were the ones they had to worry about. -
The Boston Massacre
On the chilly evening of March 5, 1770, tensions in Boston escalated when British soldiers confronted angry colonists protesting their presence. As the crowd taunted a soldier, more soldiers arrived, and in a moment of chaos, they fired into the crowd, killing five colonists. This incident, known as the "Boston Massacre," became a powerful propaganda tool for colonial leaders like Samuel Adams, who portrayed the soldiers as murderers through pamphlets and engravings. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 1773, marked a pivotal moment in colonial resistance against British taxation. Disguised as Indians, Massachusetts colonists boarded ships in Boston Harbor and dumped tea in protest of the Tea Act, which favored the British. Led by Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. The British responded with the Intolerable Acts, closing Boston Harbor and tightening control over Massachusetts, ultimately pushing the colonies toward rebellion. -
The Intolerable Acts
The British were tired of the Bostonian resistance and decided to pass the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. These Acts would completely close off the Port of Boston, take total control of the Colonial Government, any royal official accused of a crime would be tried in England instead of the Colonies, and outlaw any and all Assemblies. The Quartering Act was enforced more, trade and commerce were regulated, and high taxes were enacted. -
The First Continental Congress
Most of the Colonial leaders knew they couldn't be colonies under Britain anymore, but some of them didn't want to go to war yet and wanted to extend an olive branch to the English. Although many knew this wouldn't work they agreed to give King George one last chance. They wanted representation in Government and limited taxing authority. They were denied. -
The Second Continental Congress
Unlike the First Continental Congress, all 13 colonies sent delegates to the Congress. There were two "parties" the Radicals and the Conservatives. The Radicals wanted war while the Conservatives wanted to send one last Olive Branch to Britain. The Radicals knew it wouldn't work but decided to agree with them. King George denied the Olive Branch, and Thomas Jefferson started writing the Declaration of Independence. The Congress also established the Army and its leader, George Washington. -
The Battle of Concord and Lexington
The Colonists had been storing military supplies in Concord. The British found out and started marching toward them. The British arrived in Lexington to try and capture Sam Adams and John Hancock but they had just left and all they found was the towns 70 militia men. No one knows who shot first but the British soon opened fire and killed or wounded 17 of them. The weapons in Concord were successfully moved and the militia men harassed and killed or wounded over 250 British soldiers. -
The Declaration of Independence
On Jul. 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which declared the American colonies' separation from Great Britain. By signing the document, the 56 signers risked their lives and fortunes, asserting their right to self-governance. The Declaration became the foundational statement of the United States, promoting individual liberty and the idea that legitimate political power derives from the consent of the governed. -
The Battle of Saratoga
This was the major turning point in the war, flipping the momentum in favor of the American Colonists. British General John Burgoyne planned to move south to meet up with two other British Armies in order to attack the Continentals. The two other armies weren't there but the Continental Army was, the Continental Army quickly surrounded and defeated the British. Gen Burgoyne had to surrender his entire Army to the Continentals, which proved to be fatal to the British's chances of winning the war. -
The Articles of Confederation
This was the first government of the United States and the worst. It only gave us our name, said we wouldn't have any executive, we couldn't have a standing army, the federal government had no taxing authority over the state, the states held all of the power, and decisions required a 100% vote by Congress. The only good thing to come out of it was the Northwest Ordinance which created a pathway to statehood for the territories. -
Shays's Rebellion
Daniel Shays was deeply in debt after the Revolutionary War and had his house foreclosed on He and many others thought this was crazy because they had just fought for the freedom of those very same bank workers. Shays led a mob that turned into an army through western Massachusetts attacking the courthouses so they couldn't foreclose on any other homes. The Federal Government couldn't do anything because of the Articles of Confederation so a private militia had to come and put down the rebellion -
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
This was pivotal in shaping American history, as the Founding Fathers established a framework for federal governance. The Constitution turned the states into a unified nation, creating a system of checks and balances among the branches. It includes an amendment process. Ultimately, the Constitution reflects national identity and democratic ideals, addressing the evolving needs of the American people while upholding liberty and equality. -
The Addition of The Bill of Rights
In 1791, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified to address concerns about individual rights. These amendments guaranteed essential freedoms while limiting government power. The Bill of Rights facilitated the Constitution's ratification by satisfying states worried about explicit rights protections, ultimately establishing a precedent for individual rights worldwide. -
The XYZ Affair
John Adams wanted to repair relations with the French and sent three diplomats to France. As soon as the Diplomats landed they were asked to pay a bribe of $250,000 in order to meet with the French. The Diplomats refuse to pay the bribe and return to America furious. The American People are also furious and want to go to war with the French so they can prove to the rest of the world that we are a superpower. John Adams chooses peace, angering many Americans. -
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Some States were furious because of the Alien and Sedition Acts and decided that since the Constitution is a pact between the States and the Federal Government, if the Government broke this pact then the States could decide those laws were null and void in their states. This wasn't a good idea because different States could have differing laws which would be very confusing. It was for a good cause though. -
Marbury v. Madison
John Marbury was supposed to become one of the Midnight Judges but the letter was never sent to him. James Madison found it but Jefferson told him not to deliver it. Marbury knowing he was supposed to become a judge went to the Supreme court and sued Madison. The Supreme Court sided with Madison because they found a part of the Judiciary Act to be unconstitutional and therefore void. This gave the Supreme Court the power of Judicial Review. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The United States made a transformative move by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million under President Thomas Jefferson. This deal, doubled the nation's size. It secured vital navigation rights along the Mississippi, crucial for agricultural and commercial growth. The purchase opened opportunities for westward expansion and embodied the spirit of Manifest Destiny. -
The Embargo Act of 1807
The British and the French were at war again. We had a good trading relationship with both of them for the first time in our history. Naturally, they both wanted us to stop trading with the other. Jefferson wanted to remain neutral but he couldn't keep trading with both of them, so he decided to stop all foreign trade and make everyone mad. This was terrible at the time but it encouraged American Industrialism and would make us an industrial superpower in time. -
The War of 1812
The British were impressing American people and the Americans wanted to prove to the world that we were not to be messed with. The British would end up burning the Capital down during the war. Several states in New England came together and talked about starting their own country at the Hartford Convention. The war would officially end on 12/24/1814, but word didn't get to Louisiana in for the Battle of New Orleans where Andrew Jackson would lead a ragtag group of soldiers and defeat the British -
The Battle of New Orleans
This was the last battle of the war even though technically the war was already over. Andrew Jackson led a rag-tag group of soldiers down to New Orleans because he learned the British planned on landing ships near there. He absolutely massacred the British, killing 2,042 British soldiers while only losing 71 of his men. Andrew Jackson became very popular after this which led to him running for president. -
The Missouri Compromise of 1820
Henry Clay proposed a plan that would keep the country together for another 30 years. He proposed that any new states must come into the Union in pairs, one slave state and one free state, this was to keep the balance in the House and the Senate so one side couldn't overpower the other and outlaw slavery or make it constitutional. He also said that every new state or territory above the 36th parallel is a free state and every new state or territory below is a slave state. -
The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening did a lot of the same things as the first one by creating new denominations, church growth, emotionally driven messages, and charity. The Second Great Awakening did however create the idea of the Church as a means to perfect society, and they had an expanded view on the role women would play in the society that they lived in. -
The Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine. It declared that the American continents were no longer open to European colonization, marking the United States' emergence as a global power. Monroe's proclamation warned European nations that any attempts to colonize or interfere in the Americas would be treated as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention. The doctrine set the foundation for future U.S. foreign policy and established a precedent of American assertiveness. -
The Election of 1824 (The Corrupt Bargain)
Of the 4 candidates none of them gained a majority of the electoral votes. Jackson won the popular vote. According to the Constitution this goes to the House to decide. One problem Henry Clay was the Speaker of the house but he was also running in the race. He decided to drop out. John Q. Adams meets Clay in secret... nobody knows what was said, but 3 days later Clay publicly supports Adams. Adams then appoints Clay as his Secretary of State. Supporters of Jackson called it the Corrupt Bargain. -
The Election of 1828
Jackson was determined not to lose again so he went to many of the states and asked them to remove their land ownership requirement in order to vote. White Male Suffrage. Was the first Presidential candidate of the Democratic party. It was the first modern political campaign. Jackson would win by a landslide. He also invited the American people into the White House and they tore it up. This is why this period was called "The Reign of King Mob" -
The Trail of Tears
In 1838, under President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act, around 100,000 indigenous people from tribes like the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek were compelled to march over a thousand miles to present-day Oklahoma. This tragic journey resulted in the deaths of about 4,000 Cherokee due to disease, starvation, and harsh conditions. The U.S. government's policies, motivated by land expansion and racism, disregarded the fundamental rights and cultural heritage of Native Americans. -
Mexican-American War
President Polk moved 100 troops into disputed territories. Mexican troops saw this and moved their own troops into the territory. This eventually led to a skirmish breaking out where the Americans were killed. Polk then asked Congress for a Declaration of War and told the American people that "American blood was shed on American soil." Because of his speeches the populous was happy with the war. Some historians say that Polk orchestrated this war in order to bring California into the union. -
The California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 triggered a massive migration to California, turning it from a sparsely populated Mexican territory into a flourishing American state. From 1848 to 1855, about 300,000 prospectors arrived, but few struck it rich. The Gold Rush prompted significant infrastructure development and helped California gain statehood in 1850. -
The Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay saves the nation again. He proposed that California comes in as a free state. The slave trade (not slavery) is abolished in Washington D.C. Strict fugitive slave laws were enacted nationwide. Territories applying for statehood will now be governed by the concept of Popular Sovereignty. Popular Sovereignty - Before the territory becomes a state they must have an election to decide whether or not they will be a slave state -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a crucial moment in pre-Civil War America. Proposed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas, it repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed settlers in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty. This led to violent clashes known as "Bleeding Kansas," reflecting the intense North-South tensions that would escalate into the Civil War. -
The Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott, a slave, moved with his owner into an abolitionist state. He argued that he cannot be a slave because it would violate the law for him to be held. This meant moving into an abolitionist state would dissolve the bond of slavery. However, the Supreme Court disagrees. Abolitionists now argue that if slave owners can move into free states and keep their slaves, then there is no such thing as a free state under this ruling. -
First Battle of Bull Run
This was the first major battle of the Civil War. Many people didn't believe that this was going to be very bloody so they had a picnic while watching the battle. The Union would eventually lose this battle which was a shock to them because they thought they would win easily. This is also the battle where General Thomas J. Jackson would get his infamous nickname, Stonewall Jackson, for his stand on Henry Hill. -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed citizens to claim 160 acres of public land for free if they lived on and farmed it for five years, promoting westward migration. However, it displaced Native American communities. By 1900, around 600,000 claims transformed 270 million acres into private homesteads, significantly altering the American West's demographic and economic landscape. The Act reflected both opportunity and displacement. -
The Battle at Shilo
A surprise attack on Union troops by a Confederate army led by General Johnston. This initial attack almost overran Maj. Gen. Grant's army of the Tennessee. Gen. Johnston was fatally shot on the first day of the battle and had to be replaced. Despite the surprise attack, the Union troops held off the Confederates until the Army of the Ohio came in to finish off the Confederates. -
The Battle of Antietam
General McClellan attacked General Lee's army. McClellan had a significant numerical advantage, but wouldn't win this easily. Gen. Burnside attacked the Confederate Right, but thanks to a counterattack led by A.P. Hill, Lee's army wasn't devastated. Despite having wounded much of Lee's army, McClellan wouldn't pursue them allowing them to recover. Despite neither side "winning" the Union claimed victory and this was enough for Lincoln to make the Emancipation Proclamation. -
The Battle of Fredericksburg
General Burnside had just come into command of the Army of the Potomac and planned to end the war by marching on Richmond. General Lee took defensive positions on the heights behind Fredericksburg. Two Generals on both sides of the war would lose their lives in this battle. Eventually, Burnside called off the offensive and retreated to D.C. He would lose his job in January -
The Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate territories free. While it didn’t free everyone immediately, it enabled around 200,000 Black soldiers to join the Union military and reframed the conflict as a fight for human rights, complicating European support for the Confederacy. Lincoln’s actions advanced the U.S. toward its founding promise of equality. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
General Lee was having a string of successes and wanted to push through the North and make the war end faster and in favor of the South. Lee would meet General Meade in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle would last 3 days and would become the bloodiest battle in American History. The Union would win and prevent Lee from pushing further North. After the battle Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. -
The Gettysburg Address
On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered a transformative speech at Gettysburg, reaffirming human equality and framing the Civil War as a test of the nation's democratic ideals. In just 272 words, he honored fallen soldiers and called for a "new birth of freedom," emphasizing that their sacrifices must not be in vain. The Gettysburg Address became a powerful statement of commitment to liberty, equality, and unity. -
Surrender at Appomattox
This was basically the end of the Civil War, besides a few skirmishes in the Deep South. General Lee was trying to retreat to get more ammo for his troops when General Grant surrounded him at the Courthouse. Lee not wanting his men to die surrendered. Surprisingly Grant and Lee had great respect for each other even though they were on opposing sides of the war. -
The Transcontinental Railroad
The driving of the golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah, marked a crucial moment in American history, symbolizing the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. This engineering achievement connected the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, spanning 1,776 miles and cutting travel time across the continent from months to days. After the Civil War, the railroad unified the country, opened new territories, and contributed to America's emergence as a global economic power. -
The Battle of Little Bighorn (Custer's Last Stand)
The Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred on June 25-26, 1876, in Montana Territory. Native American leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse led the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors to a decisive victory against Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry, killing all 268 soldiers. While it marked a significant Native American triumph, it also intensified U.S. military campaigns against indigenous resistance. -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed at cultural erasure and forced assimilation by dividing tribal lands into 160-acre allotments for individual ownership. This led to the loss of millions of acres, weakening tribal sovereignty and control. The long-term effects caused significant economic disadvantage and harmed the social and cultural fabric of many Native American nations.