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Jamestown Settlement
The Jamestown Settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America. The colony was a private journey and settlement that was organized by the Virginia Company of London. It hoped for strong gain and support for London investors. It was immediately surrounded by attacks from the Algonquian Natives, internal political disagreements, and growing disease/famine. however, the colony was a successful starting point for English settlers. It had future success in tobacco production. -
Mayflower Compact
The document was created by the male passengers on the Mayflower Compact. The colonists needed a patent to settle there as they decided to remain where they landed in New England. The Separatists signed a contract with the Virginia Company to establish a colony near the Hudson River bringing the colonists together. It was a very important document as it was the first self-governing document that was made by the people. Religious freedom, the right to law, and economic liberty were introduced. -
Navigation Acts
They increased colonial revenue, taxing goods that went to and from British colonies. The acts were an economic cause of the American Revolution due to the effect on trade. Salutary neglect and mercantilism encouraged them. Parliament hoped to help the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and lowering needs for foreign goods. It provided colonial jobs such as dockworking and shipbuilding. The 1651 Act led to the Anglo-Dutch War highlighting trade conflict between the two. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion was the final major uprising of white indentured servants and enslaved blacks in colonial Virginia. Nathanial Bacon, infuriated with Indians and General Berkeley, ended up burning down Jameston. Economic depression alongside conflict with natives were leading causes. Land issues were a problem with this and the ongoing Metacom's War, also known as King Philip's War. The war led to intensification of slavery, social separation, and economic effects with tax reductions. -
Second Treatise of Government: John Locke
In the 1st Great Awakening, people questioned the nature of power and rights and where they came from. John Locke, a philosopher, wrote about the idea of natural rights in his famous book. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of property were the main ideas, It placed sovereignty in the hands of the people, rather than government control. It also spoke on social contract and religious toleration. The Declaration of Independence included similar ideas as well. This shaped political philosophy. -
Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials were prosecutions of many innocent people that got accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. They were caused by family feuds, church politics, and a group of young girls that said they were possessed by the devil and accused several innocent women of witchcraft. Many little girls were wrongfully accused. A result of this included changes in court procedures including cross-examination of accusers, rights to legal representation, and innocence till proven guilty. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was the largest slave uprising in the 13 colonies. SC was close to Spanish-led Florida; slaves wanted to try to escape and gain freedom. A malaria epidemic in SC was a reason for the revolt. It revealed tensions that continued in slave states in the following century. Forced labor poor treatment showed the brutal system of slavery in the early stages. The Negro Act of 1740, a harsh slave code by SC, and a prohibition of slave import were a result of the failed rebellion. -
Albany Congress
The Albany Congress was led by Benjamin Franklin in New York hoping to secure the support of the Iroquois in fighting for the French and form a colonial alliance. A proposed Albany Plan of Union to place the North American colonies under a more centralized government was failed but the Albany Congress proved to be an overall success. It established an early colonial confederation that was a big part of the British victory in the French and Indian War. The plan led to the American Revolution. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of 1763 put ended the Seven Years War. The French lost the war and were forced to give up all their land claims in North America. Spain was given control of all of the land West of the Mississippi River while Britain received the eastern land. The Indians continued to attack colonial outposts in the West. North America was now opened up for Western expansion and trade was affected greatly. Many acts like the Sugar, Stamp, Tea, and Declaratory were passed to help with postwar debt. -
Boston Massacre
This was a street fight between the patriot mob and the British soldiers. The Parliament's passing of the Townshend Acts Quartering Act, and British troops being stationed in Boston caused this massacre. Angry colonists also disagreed with taxation policies as they cried "No taxation without representation." The colonists hauled snowballs and stones while the British fired shots back. This was a leading cause of the American Revolution, united the colonies, and increased the boycott of goods. -
Intolerable Acts
The Coercive/Intolerable Acts were laws passed after the Boston Tea Party that punished Boston. These led to public dismay and the creation of the First Continental Congress to discuss and unify an approach to the British. The laws made colonists furious as they took away self-governance and other rights. The Port Bill was an example where they closed the city's harbor. The Government Act denied town meetings and the Justice Act let British officials get away with unjust things in the colonies. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
These battles included the famous "shot heard around the world" and marked the start of the American Revolution. The British marched into Lexington and Concord intending to end the possibility of a rebellion by seizing colonial weapons. Adams and Hancock had fled but Paul Revere had been spying meaning that all of the resources had been moved already. The militiamen raised the alarm and they forced the British to retreat back to Boston. The Second Continental Congress was formed following this. -
Olive Branch Petition
The colonies sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King during the 2nd Continental Congress. It stated that the colonies will return to being citizens of Britain and stop all resistance only if the colonies get all their rights back. It is sent out because although the colonies want freedom, many of the delegates feel as if they don't have a chance. The King is mad that the colonists try to negotiate with him and rejects the petition. The colonies declare independence following this rejection. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Paine's Common Sense was a pamphlet advocating independence from Great Britain. After losing lots of lives at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, starting the Revolutionary War, Paine argued that America's cause should not just be arguing against taxation but also a demand for independence. It helped attract public support for the revolution, gave a new passion, and promoted the idea of American exceptionalism. This helped lead to the Declaration of Independence which made America independent. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a crucial turning point in the Revolutionary War and was a much-needed victory for the Continental Army. The Hessians and British regulars fought against the Continental Army. General John Burgoyne wanted to invade New England from Canada wanting to isolate NE from the rest of the US. It was very important as it lifted patriot morale, gave stronger hope for independence, and helped secure foreign support from France, the Spanish, and Dutch to increase winning chances. -
Articles of Confederation
After the Declaration of Independence, being free from Britain, the Articles of Confederation were issued as a starting document that established functions of the national government. It gave each state 1 vote, allowed war, and treaties with foreign nations. Weaknesses included no judiciary or chief justice, no power to tax or enforce laws, no government military force, and no regulation of commerce. The early struggles indicated the need for future changes like a stronger federal government. -
Battle of Yorktown
At the Battle of Yorktown, Washington decided to trap Cornwallis as a way of forcing a British defeat. It resulted in a major American win and led to a British surrender ending the war. A change of government is now ensured for America with this win. This was significant as it made America an official country and made other colonies around the world realize that they could also fight for their freedom. The French had their Revolution a couple of years following the American victory proving it. -
Shay's Rebellion
The rebellion included armed protests by farmers in Massachusetts against a debt crisis and property tax collection practices. It occurred at the end of the Revolutionary War and the (Shaysites) led by Daniel Shays were outraged with the state government. This uprising highlighted the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. Shays had fought in Bunker Hill as well and was influential. This event led to a stronger national government and was followed up with the Constitutional Convention. -
Constitutional Convention
During the convention in Philadelphia, bigger states preferred representation based on population, and small states voted for it to be equal. This led to the Great Compromise in which both sides got what they wanted for the government. The Articles of Confederation only had one legislature making the federal government weak, leading to this new change. Now, there were 2 houses, the Senate, upper, and the House, lower. Our government is structured the same way even today showing its importance. -
George Washington's Inauguration
Washington became the first-ever president of the US. Washington was the commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and was the perfect man for this. In his inaugural address, he stressed the need for a strong Constitution and promised the public good. He also signed the bill passing Madison's Bill of Rights shortly after. He is the only one to be unanimously chosen. When in office, He signed many acts, established the first national bank, and set up his own cabinet of members. -
Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin
The Market Revolution brought many inventions with this being one of the most important. The cotton gin made it easier to separate cotton fibers from their seeds making it way less time-consuming and quicker. This was a massive boost for the economy as cotton's value increased. However, it had a negative effect on slavery as it increased the demand for slaves again. Cotton became more profitable and the need for enslaved labor grew. McCormick's mower reaper and steamboat invention followed it. -
Whiskey Rebellion
This was the first test of this new Constitution. The tax angered people greatly because it put a tax on whiskey, a common drink used in order to gain revenue. The farmers and distillers who were most affected created a violent protest in western Pennsylvania in response. They created havoc leading to Washington stepping in to help stop it. The newly developed Constitution allowed him to develop an army to help with it. Washington put an end to it as the Constitution passed its first obstacle. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These resolutions were written by Henry Clay and Jefferson. It stated that if the government did something against the Constitution and against the States, the states have every right to mark it as void. These were mainly written in response to Adams Alien and Sedition Acts which were completely unconstitutional. Other reasons included the SC nullification crisis and the Civil War. If the states begin to nullify any law that they don't like, then the country would not remain a country anymore. -
Marbury v. Madison
This Supreme Court case was a decision that allowed for the first time that federal courts had the power to overturn an act of Congress if believed to have violated the Constitution. This principle of Judicial Review declared power to void acts. Marbury sued Madison in response to not being served his commission for justice of the peace for Washington DC. Marbury insisted the court issue a writ of mandamus to deliver the commission which they didn't. This case strengthened the federal judiciary. -
Louisiana Purchase
The US purchased 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi for $15 mil, doubling its size, and encouraging westward movement. French economic difficulties, the coming war with GB, failure to put down the Haitian slave revolution, alongside naval blockade were reasons for Napoleon's offer. Jefferson wanted the Port of New Orleans for shipping crops to market and for free usage of the Mississippi. The Pinckney's Treaty fixed the southern boundary and helped the US before this purchase. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo might have been a surprise fluke from Jefferson. Great Britain and France were at war and Jefferson realized that the US had trading relations with both countries so remaining neutral would be beneficial leading to a strict ban on trade. The few positives were allowing domestic manufacturing, trade, and entrepreneurship to grow. Regardless of the exclusive efforts, It led to widespread smuggling and a devastating drop in American exports being a leading cause of the War of 1812. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The British marched against New Orleans, hoping that by capturing the city they could separate Lousiana from the rest of the United States. The Battle of New Orleans was the last major battle of the War of 1812 and it was a Union victory. This American victory boosted pride and created the Star Spangled Banner. Andrew Jackson became a popular American hero. The victory ratified the Treaty of Ghent, ending the war and forcing the British to recognize US claims to Louisiana and West Florida. -
Missouri Compromise
The Compromise drew a line from the east to the west along the 36th parallel dividing the nation into complete halves. The states and territories below the line would be slave states and the ones above would be free states. It enhanced slavery issues by dividing the country more. However, it helped maintain congressional balance in the Senate and admitted Missouri as slave, and Maine as free in an attempt to resolve the slave issue. Monroe's compromise sparked debate and led to a future change. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine warned European nations that the US would no longer tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs, and protected the Western hemisphere from being colonized. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the US was worried about European colonization and nationalism. The doctrine laid the groundwork for US expansionist and interventionist practices to come. It also said that the US would not get involved in European affairs. This doctrine would help set disputes between the two nations. -
Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of 1828 hoped to protect northern and western agricultural products from competition with foreign imports. The blockade of Europe led British manufacturers to offer goods in America at low prices that manufacturers could not put up with. This tariff raised taxes on foreign goods. The North liked it as it would benefit industrial states while the South argued that it would lead to an effect on the Southern economy. This was ongoing during the SC nullification crisis. (Calhoun/Jackson) -
Indian Removal Act
Jackson issued this act ct which authorized the president to grant lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. Jackson had fully disregarded John Marshal's rulings in Cherokee Nation vs. GA which stated that the Natives were a domestic dependant nation and that Jackson could not do this. This led to the Trail of Tears as Jackson carried it on anyways. This move by Jackson represented the complete discrimination of the Natives and the greed for land. -
Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion
This rebellion involved the killing of 55-65 white people in Virginia making it the deadliest slave revolt in US history. Turner was a spiritual leader whose goal was to dismantle slavery as a whole and save AA's from this harsh life. Afterwards, the Virginia legislature thought about ending slavery but instead imposed additional, harsher restrictions on enslaved and free African Americans. Southern whites hardened pro-slavery attitudes and they prohibited the education and assembly of slaves. -
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis followed by a depression. Most of the banks in the nation closed down and unemployment rates reached an all-time high. A lot of it was also caused by President Jackson's economic policies. Jackson created the Specie Circular, the spoils system, and refused to renew the charter of the Second National Bank. The value of American currency depreciated. Westward expansion slowed and voters turned on the Democratic Party as the gov. didn't assist the public. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This was the first women's rights convention and was a great starting point for the women's suffrage movement. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were two abolitionists and leaders of this movement. It brought women together to discuss the future of the women's suffrage movement and create plans and action methods. Stanton created the Declaration of Sentiments, fighting for rights. Many other groups like the AESA followed this and fought hard for eventual rights like voting to be granted. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The treaty ended the Mexican-American War. Mexico had to give 55% of its territory which became future US states. The treaty also halved the size of Mexico and doubled the size of the US. The US gained resource-filled lands full of minerals, natural resources, and gold. The Rio Grande became the border and Texas was annexed. Mexican citizens got displaced into US territory. The future Gadsen Purchase and this treaty extended US boundaries west to the Pacific Ocean being a cause of the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
Sectional disagreements over slavery and decisions over the newly acquired lands from the Mexican-American War were the leading causes of the Compromise of 1850. It said that California would enter as a free state, the slave trade would be outlawed in the capital, enacted the fugitive slave law, defined a new Texas-New Mexico boundary, and let popular sovereignty decide the outcome of a state. However, this compromise arose many arguments and slavery tensions continued leading to the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise by letting the states of Kansas and Nebraska decide whether they would be free or slave states based on popular sovereignty. It also led to Bleeding Kansas where pro-slavery and antislavery activists flooded into territories to affect the vote which eventually resulted in a fraudulent election and extreme violence. This was controversial as it raised the fear that slavery could exist where it was supposedly banned (cause of Civil War). -
Dred Scott vs. Stanford case
In this case, Scott sued his master trying to gain freedom, arguing that he is no longer a slave as they had moved into a free state. The court ruled against Scott in this valid argument saying that no black has rights that white people have to respect. This ruling led to extreme tensions among abolitionists and members of free states as it proved that slavery could go on anywhere. The Missouri Compromise got declared unconstitutional and slavery remained a key topic leading into the Civil War. -
The Election of 1860
The election of 1860 involved 4 candidates but it was mainly Lincoln vs. Douglas. The prior Lincoln-Douglas debates affected the course of this election. The Democratic Party split over the issue of slavery which gave Lincoln a strong edge. Slavery, tariffs, land, and railroads were among the main discussions. Following Lincoln's win, many states seceded following South Carolina as they feared the potential outcome. These results pushed the nation into the Civil War leaving Lincoln in trouble. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The Union was overconfident believing that the Civil War would be a short and easy war because of the many advantages the North had over the South. However, the South was more prepared and defeated the Union in this battle. The North began to realize that the war might not be as easy as they thought and this was a wake-up call. McClellan received backlash for being too timid and not showing aggression. This marked the start of a long rotation between generals and a longer war than expected. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act helped in developing the west and stimulating economic growth. It granted 160 acres of free land in the West to anybody that wanted it with the only catch being that they had to farm the land for at least 5 years, live on it, and improve the land by adding some value. This was even available to African Americans and women lasting for a long while. The growth in transcontinental railroads also led to the Pacific Railway Act which was then followed by the Morrill Land Grant Act. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln had no early intention of abolishing slavery in the Civil War but with the South's noncompliance, he realized that he could end slavery and unite the nation. The Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery in all Confederate states and was issued after the victory at the Battle of Antietam. It told the South that if they joined back they could keep their slaves. However, nobody complied with it. The South wouldn't get much European support now as cotton production would decrease. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech delivered by Lincoln in which he said that Americans should honor those who fell in battle and keep fighting until they achieve total victory. He also mentioned the union's cause is worth fighting for and that all men are created equal. This address came after the Battle of Gettysburg, a Union victory, and a major turning point in the Civil War. The battle had the largest number of casualties of the entire war and it proved that General Lee could be defeated. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was significant as it officially abolished slavery in the United States. This happened in midst of the Civil War and changed the outcome of things. Blacks now had new freedoms to work and live more freely than before. Despite the amendment, many still treated blacks opposingly. The 14th amendment granted all naturalized US citizens to be given equal protection of the law. Continuing the push for black rights, the 15th amendment granted African American men the right to vote. -
The Surrender at Appomattox
Lee was trying to get to Appomattox because it had supplies for the Confederacy. However, Grant split his army in 2 with one fighting Lee's army, while the other goes to the courthouse to take the supplies. This strategy forced Lee to surrender at Appomattox. Despite the surrender, the 2 respected each other a lot. This event ended the Civil War, a deadly war. Lincoln now had to come up with a plan for Reconstruction following his second inaugural. Getting the country together was the next step. -
National Labor Union
Industrial growth led to extreme wealth for some people and monopolies in businesses(steeloil). Workers worked in horrendous conditions in these companies. Low wages, unsanitary conditions, and detrimental work hours were among the problems. This led to the formation of labor unions. The unions focused on getting better rights for workers along with other necessary benefits. The National Labor Union was the start. These were followed by lots of controversy and riots as more continued to form. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867
This Act was crucial in getting the Confederates back into the Union but it also affected them. The act stripped the Southern states of their political power and divided them into five military districts that were placed under the command of the Union army. A Southern state had to ratify the 14th amendment and create a state constitution that guaranteed all men the right to vote, even blacks, in order to rejoin. This was followed by Johnson's impeachment due to poor decisions and racist actions. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
Custer and his troops pursued the Sioux nation. The Natives began to believe that they had angered their gods by rejecting traditional life. Custer was overconfident and this was the worst US army loss in the Plains Indians War. The battle was termed as heroic and the US started sending out more military and becoming more aggressive in its approach to taking out resistant Indians. Indian Wars continued and hatred of Natives continued. "Custer's Last Stand" was Custer's downfall as he died. -
Dawes Severalty Act
The Dawes Act was like the Homestead Act but it was for Natives. Natives were expected to farm on these lands and improve the property given to them. Citizens thought this act was a generous move in which Natives could get free land and the opportunity to be successful in the US. This was the exact opposite as this destroyed cultural ties and took away native lands. The government took over 90 million acres of tribal land. This was followed by Native Americanization and showed strong hatred. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
The US citizens felt threatened by the Natives practicing the Ghost Dance and ended up attacking them. In fear, Natives headed for the safety of the Pine Ridge reservation where they were instructed to lay down their weapons. This was the fall of Sitting Bull as after a shot was fired, a massacre broke out. Natives lost all of their cultural lands and this showed the discrimination that they faced. This put an end to the Ghost Dance and cultural assimilation. (happening during Manifest Destiny)