-
Period: Feb 17, 1450 to
Middle Passage
A passage that brought African slaves across the Atlantic Ocean. The slaves were brought to the West Indies and North America. -
Headright System
50 free acres was given to any colonist who brought indentured servants into America. The Virginia Company used this system to attract more colonists. -
Mayflower Compact
The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony. -
Anne Hutchinson
A woman that lived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and disagreed with the Puritan Church. She was banished a later helped form the Rhode Island colony. -
Salem Witch Trials
An outbreak of witch accusations in a puritan town. Many girls were hanged because of the witch accusations. -
Roger Williaws
He was banished from Massachusetss. He later went on to found the colony of Rhode Island -
Navigation Acts
A series of British regulations which taxed goods imported by the colonies from places other than Britian. Colonial British trade increased. -
Period: to
King Phillips War
A series of battles between the colonists and the Wompanowogs. King Philip led the war. -
Bacon's Rebelion
Nathaniel Bacon led a rebelion against the local Indians because they were angry at governor Berkley. Bacon and his men burned Jamestown to the ground. -
William Penn
A Quaker that founded Pennsylvania. He wanted to establish a place where his people and others could live in peace and be free from persecution. -
John Locke
A 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings. He asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property. -
Period: to
Great Awakening
Religious movement characterized by emotional preaching. The first cultural movement to unite the Thirteen Colonies. -
James Oglethorpe
He founded the colony of Georgia in 1733 with 114 other colonists. He was a British general and a member of parliament. -
Jonathan Edwards
A Puritan preacher and philosopher during the Great Awakenng. His most famous work is a sermon he wrote called "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". -
Period: to
French and Indian War
A war between England, France, and the Native American for control of North America. England won the war and gained large area of North American. -
Proclamation of 1763
British government disallowed colonists from settling west of the appalachians. Any settlers already west had to move back east -
Pontiac's Rebellion
An Indian uprising led by Ottowa leader Pontiac. They were against British expansion into the Ohio River Valley. -
Paxton Boys
A large grou of Scots-Irish men that wanted protection from Indian attacks. They marched on Philadelphia in 1764. -
Sugar Act
Tax was placed on sugar, coffeee, wine, and molasses. Britain was in a lot of debt following the French and Indian War. -
Stamp Act
This act implemented taxes on printed goods. These goods included newspapers, playing cards, etc. -
Quartering Act
British troops were placed in colonists homes against their will. Colonists had to provide the soldiers with a room and food. -
Sons of Liberty
A political group of men formed after the passage of the Stamp Act. They protested British taxes. -
Townshend Acts
Taxes on imported colonial goods such as tea, paper, lead, and glass. Colonists saw the tax as an abuse of power. -
Boston Massacre
British troops opened fire on a group of colonists protesting. 5 people were killed. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists dumped British tea into the Boston harbor. This was in protest to the many British taxes -
Intolerable Acts
Passed to punish Boston for their protests. It closed the Boston harbor and sent more British troop to the area. -
Second Continental Congress
The Olive Branch Petition was proposed. They decided to print money, establish post offices, and create committies to communicate. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Second Continental Congress sent this letter to King George offering peace with Britain. The King refused the peace offer. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Paine argued for independence by attacking Parliament. He published the pamphlet anonymously. -
Battle of Saratoga
General John Burgoyne surrendered 5700 troops to General Horatio Gates. It was the turning point of the war as it convinced European nations that America could win. -
Articles of Confederation
Created a "loose" union of states where states' rights were important. Created a unicameral legislature. -
Shay's Rebellion
Poor western farmers rebelled after being taxed by the local government. Led by revolutionary war veteran Daniel Shay. -
Virginia Plan
Drafted by James Madison. System of checks and balances between three branches of government. -
The New Jersey Plan
Introduced by William Patterson. It called for equal representation. -
Federalist Papers
Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, Jame Madison, and John Jay. The essays were in support of the constitution. -
Samuel Slater
An early industrialist known as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution". He built America's first water-powered cotton spinning mill in RI. -
Bill of Rights
Provided for freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to peacefully assemble, right to petition the government, no illegal searches and seizures; trial by jury, and no cruel or unusual punishments. Written by James Madison. -
Whisky Rebellion
Small farmers revolted in PA after whisky was taxed. President Washington sent militia and crushed the rebellion. Set a precedent that the governemtnwould use force to maintain peace. -
Benjamin Banneker
He was a free African American who developed into an author, surveror, and naturalist. He largely taught himself and lad little education. -
Jay's Treaty
John Jay negotiated a treaty in which the british promised to leave US soil and pay for damages of American ships. The US had to continue to pay the debts owed to British mercants on Pre-Revolutionary War accounts. -
Washingtons Farewell Address
Geroge Washington left office and gave two warnings. He warned against the party system and he warned against permanent military alliances. -
XYZ Affairs
Adams sent John Marshall to negotiate a settlement after the French had been seizing American ships and sailors in the Atlantic. Three French men(X, Y, and Z) demanded a bribr to talk to the French leader. Marshall refused. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Passed to silence criticism of the Federalists. Discriminated against aliens, many of whom joined the Republican party. -
Virginia-Kentucky Resolutions
State legislature declared the Alien and Sedition Acts illegal. They challenged the supremacy of the federal government. -
Louisisana Purchase
Monroe and Livingston negotiated the purchase from the French. The US bought 820,000 square miles at 3 cents/acre/ -
Embargo Act
Passed by Jefferson, very unpopular. It banned the exportation of any goods to any country. -
Tecumseh
Leader of the Shawnee tribe, along with his brother. They allied with the british. -
War Hawks
A large group of war supporters in the Republican Party. They opposed the federalists. -
Treaty of Ghent
Guincy Adams and Clay went to Ghent for the signing. Both sides stopped fightinh and conquered territory was restored. -
Hartford Convention
A meeting between MA, CT, and RI where they discussed their disgust of the war . They demanded the abolition of slavery and that the president could only serve one term. -
American System
Proposed by Henry Clay. The three main parts were a strong banking system, a protective tariff, and a network of roads and canals. -
Henry Clay
He proposed the American System. He ran for president multiple times but never won. -
Monroe Doctrine
James Monroe established 2 foreign policy ideals in a speech to congress. The 2 ideals were non-intervention and non-colonization. -
Gibbons VS Ogden
The state of NY tried to create a private monopoly of waterborne commerce between NY and NJ. NY lost. -
Corrupt Bargain
Jackson won more electoral votes but no one won the majority in the election of 1824. Clay gave his support to Adams, causing him to win. -
Tariff of Abominations
A tariff that favored northern merchants but hurt southern planters. It was also called the "Yankee Tariff". -
Trail of Tears
Cherokee were forced to move from Georgia to Oklahoma. They lost 25% of their population -
Period: to
Transcendentalism
A movement in literature during the 1830's, 40's, and 50's. Authors stressed the presence of God in nature and the importance of the individual. -
Bank War
Jackson dislike the National Bank because it represented eastern wealth and aristocracy. The result of the war was the cretion of the whig party. -
John C. Calhoun
He was Andrew Jackson's VP. He condemned the tariff of abominations as unconstitutional and unjust. -
Whigs
They formed in opposition to President Jackson. They were consevatives who supported government programs, reforms, and public schools. -
Horace Mann
He was the leader of the public education in MA. He was later elected to the House of Representatives. -
John Deere
A farming company that created the steel plow. It worked better in prairie soil. -
Manifest Destiny
The belief that the US would inevitably own all lands west to the Pacific Ocean. This idea was promited by many Americans, especially the Democratic party. -
James K. Polk
A democratic president that supported manifest destiny and the annexation of Texas. He wanted to buy California. -
Mexican War
Caused by cultural differences, the annexation of Texas, and America's desire to acquire California. The US received more land post war which was known as the mexican cession. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized this meeting. This was the beginning of a national women's rights movement. -
Oregon Territory
Claimed by 5 nations(Britain, France, Russia, Spain, and US). James K Polk tried to negotiate the boundary for Oregon. -
Mexican Cession
The US received land following the Mexican War. They agreed to pay 15 million for the land. -
Wilmot Proviso
It stated that all land gained should remain free of slavery. Never made it out of the senate because southern states killed it. -
Compromise of 1850
California was admitted as a free state. NW and UT had no restrictions on slavery and slave trade was outlawed in Washington DC. -
Free Soilers
The party came out of division in the Whig and Democratic parites. It died by 1852. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and sold more than 2 million copies in 2 years. It depicted the lives of slaves in the south. -
Ostend Manifesto
Stated that if Spain didn't allow America to buy Cuba for $120 million, then America would attack Cuba. The plan eventually leaked. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen A. Douglas pushed for the organization of Kansas and Nebraska territories. He propsed the idea of popular soverignty and the President fully supported this decision. -
Know-Nothing Party
They formed to restrict immigration. Also known as nativists. -
Bleeding Kansas
Violence after the K-N Act. Proslavery and antislavery supporters flooded into Kansas to vote. 2 separate governments developed. -
Lecompton Constitution
Stated that people could vote on whether the constitution would be "with slavery" or "without slavery". If slavery was voted against, then one of the provisions in the constitution would protect those who already owned slaves in kansas. -
Dred Scott VS Stanford
Scott was a slave but sued for his freedom after his master's death, saying that he should be free since he once lived on free soil. The Supreme Court ruled that Scott was a slave and Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in territories. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Douglas was challenged by Lincoln to a series of 7 public debates. Both men wanted to keep slavery out of new territories. but disagreed on how to do it. -
Freeport Doctrine
Idea that slavery would not exist in a territory if the territory refused to pass laws that supported it, but the decision should be theirs. Supported by Stephen Douglas. -
Battle of Antietam
South invaded Maryland hoping a major victory would bring support from Great Britain and france. In one day, almost 23,000 men were killed or wounded. Union army was aided when they found a copy of Lee's battle plan. -
13th Amendment
It abolished slavery. It was passed at the end of the civil war and was supported by President Lincoln. -
National Labor Union
First national labor union. Attracted 600,000 members. -
14th Amendment
It granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the US". It included former slaves. -
Knights of Labor
Led by Terrence V. Powderly. It sought to include all workers in one big union and campaigned for economic and social reform. -
Black Friday
Jim Fisk and Jay Gould devised a plot to prastically raise the price of the gold market. They bought a large amount of gold which forced the treasury to sell gold from its reserve. -
15th Amendment
It gave African American men the right to vote. Big for civil rights in US. -
John D. Rockefeller
He founded Standard Oil. He controlled 95% of the oil refineries in the nation. -
Cornelius Vanderbilt
First real big businessman. Railroad tycoon. -
Vertical Integration
Combining all phases of maufacturing from mining to marketing. One organization owned all the steps in the process. -
Horizontal Integration
Alliances with competitors to eliminate competition. Involves consolidating everything on one level. -
Granger Laws
Passed in western states after the Civil War. Meant to regulate elevator and railroad freight rates. -
Boss Twead
He bribed, grafted, and cheated New York out of nearly $200 million. This was while the Tweed Ring was in power. -
Andrew Carnegie
Irish immigrant who founded Carnegie steel in PA. He wrote Gospel of Wealth. -
Pendleton Act
It set up civil service exams for public office. Passed by President Arthur. -
Long Drive
Took place in the western plain states. Cowboys would round up cattle and "drive" them to areas near railroad stations. Do you actually grade these? -
American Federation of Labor
Samuel Gombers created it. It drained the skilled workers from the Knights of Labor. -
Dawes Act
An attempt to Americanize the Indians. They gave each tribe 160 acres and said they could be citizens in 25 years. -
Gospel of Wealth
Written by Andrew Carnegie. It detailed how great wealth in the hands of a few men was good for everyone. -
J. P. Morgan
Banker and investment wizard who bought out Carnegie Steel for $400 million. Morgan renamed the company US Steel. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
Tried to outlaw and destroy trusts. It was vaguely worded and therefore impossible to enforce. -
Jim Crow Laws
Laws enforcing racial segregation in the southern states. A "separate but equal" status for African Americans. -
Booker T. Washington
He is the great grandfather of Denzel Washington. Denzel is a famous actor, appearing in films such as Remember the Titans and Flight. -
Plessy V Ferguson
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the South's segregation. They declared that separate but equal facilities for blacks were legal under the 14th Amendment. -
Boxer Rebellion
A Chinese secret organization led an uprising. It was against the spread of Western and Japanese influence. -
Spheres of Influence
These were areas in China where foreign nations had special rights and powers, The US had none. -
Open Door Policy
A clever idea by John Hay. He was able to maintain Chinese territory and keep US access to China. -
Muckrakers
Writers who pointed out the evils of societs. They focused on industry. -
Anthracite Coal Strike
roosevelt threatened to take over mines after owners refused to accept arbitration deal he bad brokered. Set precident that the government could intervene if it was in the public's interest. -
Big Stick Policy
The idea that presidents should engage diplomacy but also be ready for war. Teddy Roosevelt's idea. -
Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty
Signed in Wahington. It gave the US control of a 10 mile zone around the proposed Panama Canal. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Roosevelt extended the monroe doctrine with his speech about American power. He called it "preventive intervention". -
Jacob Riis
A mukraker during the progressive era. He wrote How the Other Half Lives which described dirty slums in New York. -
Russa-Japanese War
War between Russia and Japan. It ended as Theodore Roosevelt helped the Japanese draw up a peace agreement. -
Upton Sinclair
He wrote the novel The Jungle. It uncovered the filth of the meat-packing industry. -
pure food and drug act
Regulated food, drugs, liquor, and medicines. Prevented the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated or misbranded food. -
16th Amendment
It allowed congress to pass a federal income tax. It didn't have to be based on the US census. -
Mann-Elkin Act
It increased the regulatory powers of the ICC and supported labor reforms. It was signed by Taft. -
17th Amendment
Passed as a result of the populists and progressives. It provided for direct election of senators. -
Underwood Tariff
A lowering of restrictive tariffs. First time since civil war. -
Federal Reserve Act
Created 12 districts, each with its own federal reserve bank. Created the Federal Reserve Board to regulate the system. -
Clayton Act
Declared monopolies and other business practices illegal. Extended the Sherman Antitrust Act. -
Federal Trade Commission
Created by the Federal Trade Act. Created to investigate unfair business practices. -
Panama Canal
Completed at a cost of $400 million. An incredible feat of engineering and it gave the US some very valuable property in Latin America. -
Lusitania
A German U-Boat sank the British ship with Americans on board. One of the causes for the US entering WW1. -
Zimmerman Note
Telegram intercepted from Germany to Mexico in which the Germans were trying to ally with Mexico to declare war on the US. One of the causes for the US entering WW1. -
Volstead Act
It was passed to carry out the 18th Amendment. Also called the National Prohibition Act. -
Fourteen Points
Created by Woodrow Wilson. 14 ideas from Wilson that would create world peace after ww1. -
Henry Cabot Lodge
He was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was against the League of Nations. -
18th Amendment
Known as prohibition. Made illegal the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages. -
19th Amendment
Gave women the right to vote. Feminists continued to campaign. -
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Helped to bring attention to lynching and other social injustices. -
Warren G. Harding
He won the election of 1920. He promised a "return to normalcy" and he rejected the League of Nations. -
Emergency Quota Act
Restricted newcomers from Europe in any given year to a definite quota. Passed by congress. -
Teapot Dome
Scandal involving priceless naval oil reserves at Teapot Dome and Elk Hills. The land was leased because of a bribe and the whole thing was leaked. -
Calvin Coolidge
Took office as POTUS after the sudden death of Warren G. Harding. He supported businesses by keeping taxes low and profits high. -
Marcus Garvey
Founded the UNIA. He promoted "Back to Africa" and "Black is Beautiful". -
Scopes Trial
Old-time religionists claimed that the teachings of Darwinism evolution by Scopes was destroying faith in God and the Bible. Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. -
Ku Klux Klan
A quick growing group as a result of black and immigrant successes. Anti-foreign, anti-catholic, anti-black, anti-jewist, etc. -
"Back to Africa Movement"
Encouraged blacks to return to Africa. Supported by Marcus Garvey. -
Andrew Mellon
He was the secretary of treasury. He promoted prosperity during the 1920s. -
Harlem Renaissance
Rise in art, literature, music, drama, and dance from black americans. Louis Armstrong was a musician. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
62 Nations agreed to outlaw offensive warfare. It did still allow defensive war. -
Herbert Hoover
Won the election of 1928. He built the HOOVER DAM!!!!!!! -
Black Tuesday
Bottom fell out of the stock market. By mid November, $30 billion in wealth had disappeared. -
Henry Ford
Revolutionized transportation industry with the assembly line and mass production. He created the Model T. -
Hoovervilles
A shantytown built by the unemployed. This was during the Great Depression. -
Bonus Army
WW1 veterans protested at the white house for their bonus checks. Hoover ordered the Army to drive them away. -
FDR
Won the election of 1932 in a landslide. He created the new deal and said"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself". -
20th Amendment
Set up dates for when government elected offices end. It set up the law that the VP succeeds the president if the POTUS dies. -
21st Amendment
Repealed the 18th Amendment. Alcohol was now legal. -
The New Deal
Created by President Roosevelt. It was his recovery plan that affected banking, stocks, industry, agriculture, and public works. -
TVA
Tennessee Valley Authority. Built hydroelectric power plants to provide power to rural areas. -
WPA
Works Progresss Administration. Built public areas such as the Blue Ridge Parkway. -
GI Bill of Rights
Also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. It paid for education for veterans. -
Period: to
Baby Boom
The birth rate in the US exploded. More than 50 million babies were born by the end of the 1950s. -
Taft-Hartley Act
It limited the power of labor unions. It outlawed the "closed" shop. -
Containment
The "containment doctrine" stated that Russia was relentlessly expansionary. Formulated by George F. Kennan. -
Berlin Airlift
Stalin was attemping to starve out western powers. The airlift supplied people of the city with supplies. -
Marshall Plan
It helped to rebuild war torn West Europe. It helped resist communism at the same time. -
Brown VS Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools was unequal and thus unconstitutional. Reversed rulling in Plessy VS Ferguson. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks sparked the bus boycott after she refused to give up her seat.The boycott lasted 381 days. -
Federal Highway Act
It sped the suburbanization of America as 42,000 miles of highway were built. Built for military and domestic use. -
Little Rock School Crisis
The governor of Arkansas mobilized the national guard to prevent 9 black students from enrolling in Little Rock High School. Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort students to class. -
Sputnik
The Soviets launched it as a satellite into space. They gave credibility to the Soviet's claims that superior industrial production lay through communism. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
Lebanon called for aid under this doctrine. They did this as communism began to engulf their country. -
U-2 Incident
A US spy plane was shot down in Russia. This caused feelings of a possibly peaceful resolution to subside. -
New Frontier
The youngest POTUS to take office, JFK assembled one of the youngest cabinets. This included his brother Robert Kennedy. -
Peace Corps
It was proposed by JFK. It was an army of idealistic and mostly youthful volunteers to bring American skills to underdeveloped countries. -
John F Kennedy
He was elected in 1960 as a catholic that was young and incredibly good looking. He was shot in the head and murdered gruesomely on live television. -
Bay of Pigs
1,200 exiles arrive at Cuba and Kennedy refused to provide direct support forcing the exciles to surrender. This blunder lead to further connection with the Soviet Union. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
JFK demanded the Soviets to remove the nuclear weapons they had on Cuba. Khrushchev eventually agreed to compromise and the US agreed to not invade the island. -
Lee Harvey Oswald
The alleged gunman that killed JFK. He was shot and killed by selfappointed avenger, Jack Ruby. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Gave the federal government more power to enforce school-desegregation orders. The government could prohibit racial discrimination in all kinds of public employment. -
24th Amendment
It abolished the poll tax in federal elections. Blacks were still severly hampered from voting. -
Hippies
Felt alienated from society. They believed in sharing and brotherhood in the community. -
Miranda VS Arizona
Set precedent that a person who is arrested must be made aware of their rights. Known as the Miranda Rights. -
Matin Luther King JR
A leader of the civil rights movement. He was shot and killed by a sniper in TN. -
Gerald Ford
He was sworn into office as POTUS in 1974. This was after the watergate scandal involving Nixon. Ford cut spending and encouraged low prices.