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Jamestown
Formed by the Virginia Company of London, in 1607. It was the 1st permanent English settlement in North America. it became Virginia. -
Starting of Slavery
1st slaves were in Jamestown 1619. They weren't used much at first. However, by 1700, most labor needs were filled by the forable importation of Africans. "Middle Passage"- trip from Africa to America by boat (overcrowded, filthy conditions). Slaves had NO rights in America. Were considered the propety of the owner. A few got freedom like indentured servants. Most were slaves for life. The North and South would eventually fight the Civil War over the issue of slavery. -
House of Burgesses
1st elected assembly in the New World. Still operates today as the "General Assembly". -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact is the document where they agreed to obey laws created for the general good. Pledged loyalty to God and the King. Created a Covenant Community (a community based on the promises found in the Mayflower Compact) -
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French and Indian War
the North American theater of the worldwide Seven Years' War. The war was fought between the colonies of British America and New France, with both sides supported by military units from their parent countries of Great Britain and France, as well as Native American allies. -
Treaty of Paris (1763)
Was signed by Great Britain, France, and Spain. Together with the treaty of Hubertusburg, it terminated the Seven Years War. -
Proclamation of 1763
Was initially issued by King George III in 1763 to officially claim British territory in North America after Britain won the Seven Years War. -
Stamp Act
Was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. The new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Ship's papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed. -
Boston Massacre
Colonists and British soliders in Boston competed over jobs. One evening, a mob of anti-british demonstrators fromed. Bristish troop fired into the mob and 5 colonists died. Colonial Leaders portrayed it as a "massacre" to arouse anger toward Britain. -
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The Critical Period
The "Critical Period" refers to the period of time following the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783 to the inauguration of George Washington as President in 1789. -
Boston Tea Party
England put retrictions on tea. Colonist boarded teaships in Boston and threw tea into the water. -
1st Continental Congress
The meeting of representatives from all 13 colonies except Georgia. In pliladelphia. Issued a statement of colonial rights. Urged colonies to form militias. Important because it was the 1st time almost all 13 colonies acted together (like a unified country) -
Lexington and Concord
British troop attacked a colonial weapons stockpile. Minutemen assembled. Fighting erupted. -
2nd Continental Congress
Created the continental army. George Washington was the general. Issued the "Olive Branch Petition" final peace offer. REJECTED. -
Declaration of Independence
Issued by the Continental Congress. Written by Thomas Jefferson (from Va). The colonies officially separated from England. -
Articles of Confedration
Ratified March 1, 1781. Was a document signed amongst the 13 original colonies that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. -
Battle of Yorktown (Victory)
French General Marquis de Lafayette developed a plan. The French navy blocled the exit of the Chesapeake Bay. Americans and French surrounded Cornwallis/the British. Cornwallis surrendered. -
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
Ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States of America. -
Land Ordinanace of 1785
Was adopted by the Continental Congress in the United States on May 20, 1785. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress did not have the power to raise revenue by direct taxation of the inhabitants of the United States. -
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Shay's Rebellion
Was an armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts (mostly in and around Springfield) during 1786 and 1787, which some historians believe "fundamentally altered the course of United States' history." -
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Annapolis Convention
A national political convention held at Annapolis, Maryland, in which twelve delegates from five states–New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia–gathered to discuss and develop a consensus about reversing the protectionist trade barriers that each state had erected. -
The Great Compromise
Created a 2-house congress. A senate where each state gets 2 votes. Also, a House of Representatives, where representation is based on population. They also balanced power between large and small states. -
3/5ths Compromise
Slaves counted as 3/5ths of a person when determining a states's representation in House of Representation. Placated southern states. -
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The Constitutional Convention
In Philadelphia. Key leader George Washington, presided over the convention. Seldom took part in debates. His presence brought prestigue to the meeting. Also, key leader James Madison, also know as "Father of the Constitution" Brilliant philosopher. Often led the debates. Kept a great diary of the meeting. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Was an act of the Congress of the Confederation of the United States (the Confederation Congress), passed July 13, 1787. The ordinance created the Northwest Territory, the first organized territory of the United States, from lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains, between British Canada and the Great Lakes to the north and the Ohio River to the south. The upper Mississippi River formed the Territory's western boundary. -
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George Washington's Presidency
Washington was the 1st president. He served to consecutive terms. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
Set up the court system. -
The Bill of Rights
Def: the first 10 Amendments. Deals with rights/liberties. Written byb James Madison. Who consulted 2 Va laws when writing the Bill of Rights. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, by George Mason. which dealt with basic human rights. Also the Virginia Statue of Religious Freedom, by Thomas Jefferson. Which outlawed the 'established church" having a governmant favored church. -
Cotton Gin
The modern mechanical cotton gin was invented in the United States in 1793 by Eli Whitney. Whitney applied for a patent on October 28, 1793; the patent was granted on March 14, 1794, but was not validated until 1807. -
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John Adams' Presidency
John Adams (Federalist) defeated Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) -
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Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) defeated John Adams' (Federalist). Thomas jefferson served 2 consecutive terms. -
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Marbury vs. Madison
A case. Marshall declared a law unconstitutional. Importance of it was that it established the power of judicial review. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson bought this land from France. It doubled the size of the U.S. Included land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. -
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War of 1812
British interference with American shipping. War lasting for 2 and a half years. -
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McCulloch vs. Maryland
A case. Marshall upheld the federal governmants right to establish a bank. Said a state couldn't tax the bank due to national supremacy. Importance is that it established the doctrine of implied powers. Also, showed the Court could mediate between states and the federal government. -
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Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony was an American social reformer and feminist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. -
Missouri Compromise
Was passed in 1820 between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States Congress, involving primarily the regulation of slavery in the western territories. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was articulated in President James Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress -
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Gibbons vs. Ogden
A case. The court overturned a steamboat monopoly. Importance is that it confirmed the ferderal governments power over commerce. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin is an anti-slavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was published in 1852. -
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Dred Scott Case
An enslaved African American man who had been taking by his owners to free states, attempted to sue for his freedom. -
Election of 1860
The election served as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of the American Civil War. Before Lincoln's inaguration seven southern states declared their secession and later formed the Confederacy. -
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Battl of Fort Sumter
Surrender of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina. Leading to a Confederate victory beginning of the American Civil War. -
Homestead Act
Was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. Anyone who had never taken up arms against the U.S. government (including freed slaves and women), was 21 years or older, or the head of a family, could file an application to claim a federal land grant. -
Battle of Antietam
Fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Union soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American History. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." -
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Reconstruction Era
Generally refers to the period in United States history immediately following the Civil War in which the federal government set the conditions that would allow the rebellious Southern states back into the Union. -
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Battle of Vicksburg
Took place in Warren County, Mississppi. Was the final major military action of the Amercian Civil War. -
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Batte of Gettysburg
Was fought in and around Gettysburg, Pennslyvania. By Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. -
Gettysburg Address
A speech by President Abraham Lincoln, one of the best-known in American History. Delivered buring the American Civil War. -
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13th Amendment
The thirteenth amendment abolished slavery. -
Appomattox Court House
One of the last battles of the American Civil War. Where Confederate states army General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union army under Lt. Ulysses S. Grant. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867
Reconstruction Acts were extended to include the registration of qualified voters who had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. -
Election of 1867
It was the first presidential election to take place after the American Civil War. -
14th Amendment
Granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. -
Knights of Labor
Was the largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s -
15th Amendment
Prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's race or color. -
Chinese Exclusion Act 1882
Federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur. It was one of the most significant restrictions on free immigration in US history, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. -
Haymarket Square
A labor protest rally near Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died as a result of the violence that day. Despite a lack of evidence against them, eight radical labor activists were convicted in connection with the bombing. -
Americn Federation of Labor
Was the first federation of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio. -
Dawes Act (1887)
Authorized the President of the United States to survey American Indian tribal land and divide it into allotments for individual Indians. Those who accepted allotments and lived separately from the tribe would be granted United States citizenship. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
It prohibits certain business activities that federal government regulators deem to be anti-competitive, and requires the federal government to investigate and pursue trusts. -
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Progessive Movement (Era)
Was a period of social activism and political reform in the United States that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s. -
Homestead Strike
Was an industrial lockout and strike. Culminating in a battle between strikers and private security agents. -
American Railway Union
Was the largest labor union of its time, and one of the first industrial unions in the United States. -
Pullman Strike
Was a nationwide railroad strike in the United States in the summer of 1894. It pitted the American Railway Union (ARU) against the Pullman Company -
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Plessy v. Ferguson
Upholding the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal." -
Treaty of Paris 1898
U.S. annexed Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines. Cuba became free. -
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Spanish American War
Conflict between the Spanish and the United States. Took place in Cuba and Puerto Rico, Phillipines and Guam. American Victory. -
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Spanish American War
Cubans rebelled against Spanish rule. The U.S. had business & strategic interests in Cuba. Yellow Journalists. The de Lome Letter. American ship USS Maine exploded outside Cuba. -
Open Door Policy
By secretary of state John Hay. Gave all nations equal trading rights in China. Called for fair competition. Goal was to end U.S./European competion. Urged foreigners to obey Chinese law. -
Treaty of Paris 1898
An agreement that resulted in the Spanish Empire's surrendering control of Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico, parts of the Spanish West Indies, the island of Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. -
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Boxer Rebellion
By Chinese "Boxers." Goal was to remove foreign influence. It failed. -
Platt Amendment
U.S. asserted the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. -
Platt Amendment
U.S. asserted the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. -
Roosevelt Corollary
TR added to the Monroe Doctrine. Reminded Europe not to interfere. Said U.S. would use force protect its interests in Latin. -
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The Great Migration
Period when many African Americans moved for the rural South to Northern cities. Were seeking jobs in Northern industries. Were fleeing poverty and discrimination of the South. Still faced problems -
16th Amendment
Allows the Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census. -
17th Amendment
Direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. -
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World War 1
War erupted in Europe. Allies (Britain, France, Russia, etc.). Central Powers (Gemany, Austra-Hungary, etc.). Stalemate developed. -
Panama Canal
TR encouraged Panama to break from Colombia. Panama succeeded. Panama gave the U.S. rights to build a canal. The U.S. finished the canal. It connected the Atlantic to the Pacific. -
Federal Trade Commission Act
Was authorized to issue cease and desist orders to large corporations to curb unfair trade practices. -
Clayton Anti-Trust Law
Attempts to prohibit certain actions that lead to anti-competitiveness. -
U.S. enters World War 1
German submarine warfare, on U.S. ships bound for England. Ex: Lusitania. Zimmerman Telegram suggested German/Mexican alliance against th U.S. U.S. had close ties to Great Britain -
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Harlem Renaissance
Explosion of black intellectual and cultural life. Ex: Langston Hughes was a black poet. -
14 Points
WIlson' s 14 points were alson known as his peace plan. His goal was to eliminate the causes of war. Key ideas were Self-determination, Freedom of the sea, Mandate system, and The League of Nations. -
18th Amendment
The 18th Amendment banned alcohol use. -
Treaty of Versailles
Peace conference at Versailles, France. The "Big Four" meet (U.S., France, Britain, Italy). France and Britain demanded the punihment of Germany, Wilson disagreed. Punishment of Germany, War Guilt Clause, Had to pay reparations, Couldn't have army. -
19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. -
Immigration Restriction Act
Was a United States federal law that limited the annual number of immigrants who could be admitted from any country. -
Scopes Trial
Tenneesee teacher John Scopes was tried for teaching evolution. Trial sparked a national debate over evolution. -
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The Great Depression
Time of severe economic hardship in the United States. -
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Hoover
Believed in "pugged individualism". Called for more individual effect. Was against direct government aid to the needy. Favored limited government. DIdn't do much. Very unpopular -
Black Tuesday
The stock market crashed. Prices od stocks rose above their actual value, Overspeculation, and Buying on Margin. -
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New Deal
FDRS's programsto deal with the Depression. Types of programs (Relief, Recovery, Reform) -
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FDR
Crushed Hoover. Promised a new deal. He rallied a frightend nation. Said "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself" Did weekly fireside chats on the radio. Helped boost morlale. -
Wagner Act
Protected workers rights to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. -
Social Security Act
Biggest New Deal Program. Provides safeguards for workers. Disability and Unemployment compensation. Old age pensions. -
CIO
A federation of unions that organized workers in industrial unions in the United States and Canada from 1935 to 1955 -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Set maximum work hours and minimum wages. -
Non-Agression Pact
Stalin and Hitler agree not to attack each other. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Surprise Air Attack. Target: naval base. Crushed U.S.'s Pacific fleet. Thousands died. FDR said "date that will live in infamy" -
U.S. declares war
At FDR's request congress declares war. Germany joins Japan against U.S. -
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Miracle of Midway
The U.S. navy beat a larger Japanese force. Ended the threat to Hawaii. -
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Korematsu v. U.S.
Supreme Court allowed internment. Recent government apology and payment. -
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Battle of the Bulge
German couneteroffensive. The Allies soon recovered. -
V-E Day
Allies from West and Soviet Union from East over ran surrendered. Germany surrendered. -
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Nuremberg Trials
Postwar trial of Nazis for war crimes in the Holocaust. Many convictions. Emphasized individual responsibility, regardless of orders. Led to increased calls for a Jewish homeland. -
Reservation System
A computerized system used to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions -
Jim Crow Laws
Were racial segregation laws enacted after the Reconstruction period in Southern United States.
