-
1215
Magna Carta
It limited the power of the king of England, and gave rich white men more rights. -
Jamestown
First successful English colony in America. Founded for tobacco profit. -
Period: to
Southern colonies formed
Profiting off tobacco (cash crops) was the reason for settlement. The geography included fertile soil and flat land. Religions included Anglican Christians and Roman Catholics. -
Virginia House of Burgess
The first representative government in America. -
Mayflower Compact
Bounded new colonists together in a contract. -
Period: to
New England Colonies formed.
These colonies were formed for religious freedom. The geography included the Atlantic coast, rocky soil, and forest areas. The main religions included Puritans and Pilgrims. -
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Another form of representative government in the colonies. -
Period: to
Middle Colonies formed
These colonies were founded for economic opportunities and religious/political freedom. The geography included fertile soils and flat lands. The main religion was Quakers. -
Mercantilism
Economic system between Great Britain and its colonies, American colonies provided raw materials for England, which then sold the finished product back to the colonies. Americans felt it violated their freedom to trade with other countries. -
Period: to
French & Indian War
Fought between the French and Native Americans vs. Great Britain over the territory west of the Appalachian Mountains. It increased the debt of Great Britain, and caused them to increase taxes on the American colonists. -
Proclamation Line
Line set after the French & Indian War. British colonies to the east, French and Native American to the west of the Appalachian Mountains. It upset colonists because some of them already settled there. -
Stamp Act
The first tax placed on the American colonies to pay back the debt caused by the French & Indian War. Required a stamp to be put on printed paper products. -
Stamp Act Congress
The first meeting between multiple colonies to discuss their problems with the King of England. They drafted a protest, organized a boycott, and claimed "taxation without representation." -
Boston Massacre
American colonists were protesting taxes and the British soldiers got things thrown at them which led to 5 colonists deaths, including Crispus Attucks - "the first death of the revolution." -
Boston Tea Party
To protest the Tea Act (which a tax on tea), the Sons of Liberty (led by Samuel Adams) disguised themselves as Indians and dumped tea into the Boston harbor. -
Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
These acts were set to punish the colonies for their protests; banned town meetings, allowed British soldiers to be housed (quartered) in colonists' homes. -
First Continental Congress
The 12 colonies met together to discuss their problems (grievances) with Great Britain. They did not want independence, just ways to come back together with Great Britain. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first battle of the revolution, known as the "shot heard around the world." Paul Revere warned "the redcoats (British) are coming" to try to arrest the Sons of Liberty. -
Common Sense
Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, helped spread the word about why the colonies should become independent. -
Second Continental Congress
George Washington became commander of the army; Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson decided to draft the Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence
Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson at the Second Continental Congress and laid out the colonists grievances with Great Britain; based on John Locke. -
Battle of Saratoga
The turning point of the war; Americans won; after they won, Spain and France began to back the rebelling colonies, and France helped a lot. -
Winter of Valley Forge
Many of Washington's troops died due to freezing conditions and lack of supplies: food, proper clothing, etc. -
Battle of Yorktown
Frenchmen helped (Marquis de Lafayette); the battle that ended in the British surrendering, ending the Revolutionary War. -
Period: to
Articles of Confederation
This was the first form of government in the US. The articles gave the states more power, leaving the central government weak. The central government had no power to collect taxes or raise an army. Plus, there was no president, only a congress with little power. -
Treaty of Paris
Ended the Revolutionary War, gave the American colonies independence and set new boundaries. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison (the main author of the US Constitution) all attended the convention. -
3/5 Compromise
For representation based on population, each slave would count as 3/5th of a person. For every 5 slaves, the total count towards population is 3. -
The Great Compromise
The New Jersey Plan wanted a one-house government with one representatives from each state. The Virginia Plan wanted 3 branches of government with proportional representation (based on population.) The solution was to combine the two plans into one, the Great Compromise. This compromise suggested 3 branches of government with a bicameral legislature, the senate and the house of representatives. The senate has equal representation while the house of representation has proportional representation. -
Federalist Papers
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote federalist papers to promote the ratification of the US Constitution. -
Anti-Federalist Papers
The anti-federalist papers were written by Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, who were against the ratification of the US Constitution. They thought the US Constitution didn't give the states enough rights. -
Period: to
George Washington's Presidency
Washington set up the presidential cabinet. -
Whiskey Rebellion
A protest to the first tax that was placed after the Constitution was written. President George Washington shut it down with his military. -
Pinckney's Treaty
A treaty signed with Spain to allow the US to trade in New Orleans. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington advised America to stay neutral in foreign affairs and avoid political parties. -
Period: to
John Adam's Presidency
Adams was the first president to claim a political party, he was a leader of the federalist party (strong central government). Adams also passed the Aliens & Sedition Acts, which allowed the central government to imprison foreigners. -
Period: to
Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
Jefferson was a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party (state's rights). Jefferson also went to war with the Barbary Pirates (Barbary Wars). This was the first official war the US was involved in and was the first time the Navy used. -
Louisiana Purchase
The purchase doubled the size of the US and was bought from France. This also inspired Manifest Destiny. -
Marbury v. Madison
This Supreme Court case established the principles of judicial review.