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Passage of the Stamp Act: March 22, 1765
The Stamp Act placed a sweeping tax on all things paper, from playing cards to legal documents. The act became the catalyst for even more hate for Britain, much more than the previous acts had instilled, culminating in the Stamp Act Congress. The Stamp Act gave rise to what would become the rallying cry of the call for revolution- “no taxation without representation,” and was the first major catalyst for said call to revolution. -
Boston Massacre: May 5, 1770
Upon the passing of the Townshend Acts, the colonists were furious. Thousands of troops were sent to babysit the colonists, intending to keep them calm, but only sparking chaos. This chaos came to a head on May 5 when British troops would fire upon a crowd of American civilians, killing 5 of them. The event was further exaggerated by propagandists such as Paul Revere, who fanned the flames of outrage to the American people, causing many to flock to the cause of radicalism. -
Boston Tea Party: December 16, 1773
The Boston Tea Party was the first significant act of revolt by the colonists against British rule. Carried out by the Sons of Liberty, who were headed by Sam Adams and John Hancock, the modern equivalent of nearly $2 million was tossed in the Boston Harbor, causing irritable economic damage to Britain’s already struggling economy. The Boston Tea Party would directly lead to the Coercive Acts, a direct translation of King George’s growing rage. -
Lexington and Concord: April 19, 1775
Upon realizing John Hancock and Sam Adams had evaded capture in Lexington, the British moved on to the town green in order to move on with their plan to destroy the weapons store at Conrod. However, they are met by American soldiers. A single shot is fired, beginning the American Revolution. On the British’s exit, the Americans used guerilla tactics in order to pick the British off one by one, resulting in both a numbers and moral victory for the Americans. -
Olive Branch Petition: July 5, 1775
After much debate among members of the Second Continental Congress about whether or not to officially declare independence, a compromise was reached: in a hail mary attempt, America would send an Olive Branch Petition saying that America would stand down 100% as long as they got representation in Parliament. This measure was ultimately met with rejection, and thus, the Second Continental Congress had no choice but to declare independence, kickstarting the American Revolution -
Battle of Saratoga: October 17, 1777
The Battle of Saratoga is the cut and dry turning point of the Revolution. In the battle itself, the Americans were able to force a good percentage of the British forces to surrender, providing not a military advantage, but a significantly reduced disadvantage. Further, Benjamin Franklin was able to use this victory to gain French military and economic aid, which would show its value at Valley Forge and Yorktown, proving the French to be invaluable to the American Revolution. -
Start of Valley Forge: December 19, 1777
The attitude during the winter of 1777 was frankly one of despair. Men were either starving or deserting at an alarming rate, and the soldiers had no idea what they were doing. However, this all changed upon the arrival of French military experts who were able to instruct the American soldiers. Both the resolve and the skills learned at Valley Forge would prove invaluable for the rest of the revolution. -
Battle of Yorktown: September 28, 1781
After a failed campaign in the South, General Cornwallis, the British’s most brilliant military mind, retreated towards the city of Yorktown. His plan was to force a temporary stalemate by hiding out under the cover of the British navy until the end of winter, forcing a siege. Cornwallis was unaware, however, that the French Navy had control. With Washington’s men in close pursuit, Cornwallis was unknowingly heading into a death trap; one that would shortly lead to American victory in the war. -
Treaty of Paris: September 3, 1783
The Treaty of Paris was the treaty that officially ended the American Revolution, following Yorktown. The treaty recognized US independence and granted the US significant western territory, including all British lands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River and north to British Canada. It further resolved issues with American debts and provided fair treatment for those who had been loyalists. -
Shays' Rebellion: August 29, 1786
Shays' Rebellion was caused by severe economic distress and political disenfranchisement among farmers in Massachusetts. After the American Revolution, many farmers faced crippling debt and high taxes. They felt betrayed by state governments that imposed heavy tax burdens and foreclosed on their properties with little warning. The inability for the federal government to respond to the rebellion showcased the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation, thereby leading to the Constitution. -
Hamilton Financial Plan Proposed: June 18, 1787
Hamilton’s quite complex financial plan sought to strengthen the federal government, raise its revenue, establish a national bank, and absorb all state war debt. Classical rival Jefferson heavily opposed the bank’s creation as both an anti-federalist and a virginian. Washington would eventually side with Hamilton, making the US more attractive to both foreign investment and domestic investment, strengthening the economy to an immense extent. -
Great Compromise Passes: July 16, 1787
The Great Compromise, the marrying of the New Jersey and Virginia plans, would create the higher, population-ignoring Senate, and the lower, population-regarding House of Representatives. Today, both of these houses form laws for the country and comprise the legislative branch of the United States Government. In addition to creating the modern legislative branch, the Great Compromise showcases just that: how the founding fathers were able to greatly compromise and agree. -
George Washington Inauguration: April 30, 1789
George Washington’s selection was the ace up the founding fathers’ sleeves. The already once-failed government couldn’t afford to lose another time with the new Constitution. George Washington, a non-partisan (in theory), was able to re-instill confidence in the federal government by the people, as well as setting precedents that would be observed by nearly every forthcoming president. -
Federal Judiciary Act of 1789: September 24, 1789
The Federal Judiciary Act essentially created the modern judicial branch by creating a federal court system that established lower federal courts, as only the Supreme Court had been created by the Constitution. The act utilized the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution by observing the need to alleviate the heavy court clog present in the court system, from everyone testing the limits of the Constitution. -
Whiskey Rebellion Ends: October 1794
The Whiskey Rebellion was the first true test of the Constitution, and very fittingly: it was very similar to Shays’ rebellion, which would ultimately spell doom for the Articles of Confederation. However, in order to put down the rebellion of whiskey producers mad at the recent whiskey tax, Washington personally led troops in an immensely strong show of force. The rebellion and its subsequent successful handling led the Constitution to pass the test that its predecessor had so utterly failed. -
Cotton Gin Patented: March 14, 1794
Before the cotton gin, cotton was not profitable in the slightest: farmers would lose over half the crop for every plant, and cotton was very labor intensive. Because of this, slavery was quickly disappearing from the United States. However, this all changed with the invention of the cotton gin, an invention that made the cotton plant much more profitable. This breathed new life into the institution of slavery, setting up the Civil War down the road. -
XYZ Affair begins: March 19, 1798
The XYZ affair was the first true unraveling of John Adams’ presidency. In an attempt to stabilize French relations, Adams had sent three diplomats in order to negotiate. Negotiations broke down on the literal dock as French bureaucrats refused to talk before receiving a bribe. After this situation leaked to the press, Americans supported going to war with France. Adams decided to negotiate out of war, enraging the majority of Americans, despite almost objectively being the proper decision. -
Alien and Sedition Acts signed into law: July 14, 1798
The Alien and Sedition Acts were perhaps the most blatant and horrifying violations of the Bill of Rights in American history. The Alien and Sedition Acts combined to both make it near impossible for immigrants to live completely securely in the country and silence any and all criticism of the government. In combination with the XYZ affair, these Acts would lead to Jefferson’s election and the annihilation of the Federalist party foundation. -
Marbury v. Madison: February 24, 1803
Marbury v. Madison was the first landmark Supreme Court in which judicial review was established. The system of judicial review is core to the American government system as it not only gives the judicial branch almost all of its power, but also contributes to the system of checks of balances by serving as a limit to the Legislative Branch’s power. This idea, and ergo this case, are core to the ability for the American government to function properly. -
Louisiana Purchase: April 30, 1803
Recognizing the temporary nature of Washington’s Pinckney Treaty, Jefferson knew he needed a way to permanently control the Mississippi river. Fortunately, he found that Napoleon of France was willing to offer a massive chunk of land for a fraction of its true valuation. Jefferson, who held a strict interpretation of the Constitution, struggled with the decision, as it was not explicitly stated that he could do such an act. He ultimately purchased the land, doubling the size of the country. -
Embargo Act: December 22, 1807
In a hail mary play to avoid war, Jefferson placed a sweeping embargo on all foreign trade. Jefferson aimed to force France and Britain to respect America’s neutrality, but instead only led to near economic collapse and a skyrocketing of smuggling. Although the embargo was successful in preventing war, the American public had firmly turned against Jefferson due entirely to their abysmal economic state. -
Treaty of Ghent: December 24, 1814
The signing of the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812 as a stalemate, though America knew better. While no land was either gained or lost, Britain conceded to stop their policy of impressment on America; most of the reason America had entered the war in the first place. Further, the War of 1812, was known as America’s second revolution, and for good reason: America was able to prove once again that they were a sovereign nation worth taking seriously. -
Battle of New Orleans: January 8, 1815
While the War of 1812 officially ended in December, the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium, more than 2 months by ship. As such, news of the war’s end was quite slow to reach North America. Jackson, not knowing this, staged a battle against a massive British army in which they were brutally murdered with guerilla tactics, showcasing Jackson’s immense leadership ability. News of the victory at New Orleans and the signing of the Treaty coincided, and many correlated Jackson with the Treaty. -
Erie Canal begins Construction: July 4, 1817
The Erie Canal was perhaps the most impactful product of the Transportation Revolution. The canal, which allowed goods and ideas to be transported from the midwest to New York City, caused economic development all across the midwest and the northeast, and growed cities like Buffalo and Cleveland substantially. The Canal greatly reduced both the travel time and the cost of shipping products such as grain and lumber from the Midwest to the eastern seaboard, showcasing its economic and social boon. -
Panic of 1819: 1819
The Panic of 1819 was the first major financial crisis in the United States. After the dissolution of the national banks, several local state banks popped up with the aspiration to take its place. However, these banks were far from legit, doing numerous processes incompetently. These poor practices combined to form the crisis, which was only accelerated in degree by the end of the Napoleonic Wars. During the collapse, investment plummeted, as did the quality of life for countless Americans. -
Missouri Compromise Passed: March 6, 1820
The Missouri Compromise was a compromise drafted by famous perennial babysitter Henry Clay stating that Missouri would enter the union as a slave state, but no other slave state could exist above the 36th parallel. Additionally, states were to enter the union in pairs: one free, one slave, as to not disrupt the balance in Congress. The Missouri Compromise would lead to inflamed tensions on both sides, eventually culminating in the Civil War. -
Monroe Doctrine: December 2, 1823
In a speech to Congress, President James Monroe would outline his firm stance on American foreign policy, that being to warn European nations to stay out of any and all affairs in the Western Hemisphere, holding that any violations would be seen as an affront to the United States. The Monroe Doctrine established the United States as a leader for the countries of the Western hemisphere, and also established themselves as a country to be taken seriously on the world stage. -
Election of 1824: 1824
The Election of 1824 was the genesis of many continuities. The election was the first to have citizens other than land-owning white men vote, representing a major shift towards true democracy. Further, the election was the first one to be truly partisan, featuring the first ever true political party and the first ever instance of mudslinging. The election also featured the “corrupt bargain,” an event that Jacksonians would criticize for years to come. -
Gibbons v. Ogden Decision: March 2, 1824
Gibbons v. Ogden was a landmark Supreme Court case that debated the federal government’s role in overseeing and regulating goods over state boundaries. In his decision, Chief Justice John Marshall and his court ruled that Congress had the power to regulate commerce and that federal law trumps state laws. This ruling set the judicial precedent of Congress’ ability to regulate interstate commerce, a very valuable power. -
Introduction of Spoils System: 1828
Shortly after Jackson’s election, over 200 government officials from the previous administration were fired. Critics would subsequently accuse Jackson of rewarding his own Democratic supporters instead of choosing genuinely qualified people. Jackson justified his appointments by saying that people of diverse backgrounds were needed in government, though most critics didn’t buy it. Jackson would be accused of utilizing a spoils system for the rest of his term. -
Worcester v. Georgia: March 3, 1832
In the majority opinion of Worcester v. Georgia, chief justice John Marshall wrote that Georgia was unconstitutional in extending jurisdiction into lands that belonged to Indian nations. In response, Jackson completely ignored the decision and went ahead with his plan of forcibly marching tens of thousands along the Trail of Tears, a cut and dry impeachable offense. Despite its clear violation of the Constitution, Jackson was not impeached due to his popularity in Congress. -
The Alamo: February 23–March 6, 1836
“Remember the Alamo”- perhaps the most famous rallying cry in history. And for good reason. The Alamo was a massive loss in theory, but led to so much more. The country was brought together (for better or for worse) to a scale that arguably wouldn’t be seen until World War 1 against Mexico, in what would eventually turn into the Mexican-American War. Further, the Alamo would lead to the mutually-agreed upon annexation of Texas and the subsequent admittance of Texas into the Union. -
Telegraph Patented: June 20, 1840
The telegraph revolutionized communication by allowing people to communicate across vast distances nearly instantly. To the people of 1800s America, who had thought that the Pony Express was particularly fast, the notion of near instant communication was astounding. The telegraph was not only useful in recreational conversations, but was also vital to communication in business and government, contributing to both the Market and Transportation Revolutions, economically and socially. -
First Wagon Arrives in California from the Oregon Trail: Nov 4, 1841
Thousands of Americans journeyed along the Oregon Trail to the Pacific coast, motivated by economic opportunities and the chance to claim land under the federal Land Act of 1820. The appeal of Manifest Destiny, coupled with financial hardships in the East, encouraged settlers to brave dangerous conditions for the promise of prosperity. Reports of fertile land enticed families, even as they faced risks from difficult terrain, extreme weather, and disease. -
Thornton Affair: April 25, 1846
Following the annexation of Texas, a border dispute arose near the Rio Grande river valley. Knowing full well both that Mexico claimed the land as theirs and had troops placed there, Polk decided to deploy troops on a “recon mission.” This, of course, ended up creating a skirmish. Polk used this loss of American blood to convince Congress to declare war on Mexico, kickstarting the Mexican-American war. By several historian accounts, this event was likely orchestrated by Polk on purpose. -
Gold Found in California: January 24, 1848
On January 24, gold was discovered in the California region. News quickly spread, and thousands of poor easterners sought to strike it rich and turn their lives around. During the extensive mining, much of the land would be destroyed. However, California would become a permanently settled region, as many who did not strike it rich found it easier to stay. Because of this, many Native American tribes would be displaced, a continuity for the rest of the 19th century. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: February 2, 1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the treaty to end the short Mexican-American War, following the capture of the capital. The negotiation was more of a demand at gunpoint, as Mexico had 0 leverage. The treaty formally declared the border of Texas to be at the Rio Grande river, in addition to Mexico sending the states of what would become New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, adding to the union and securing the true prize of California and its Pacific coast; Polk’s major presidential goal. -
Seneca Falls Convention: July 20, 1848
The Seneca Falls Convention was among the first major wins for the suffrage movement. The event would see the meeting of Mott, Cady Stanton, and Anthony, all 3 of whom would become primary leaders in the movement until its conclusion. The convention also saw the creation of the Declaration of Sentiments, a document directly modeled after the Declaration of Independence. Further, the convention would lead to the formation of NAWSA, giving suffragettes even more ability to drive their own change. -
Sacking of Lawrence, Kansas: May 21, 1856
The sacking of Lawrence was the result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which stated that a state would decide its slavery status based upon a vote. The day of Kansas’ vote, Southern terror groups stormed into abolitionist stronghold cities and unleashed havoc, thereby making them appear as pro-slavery regions. This obscene act would be called out in Congress by Charles Sumner, who would literally get struck down on the senate floor, perfectly showing the immense tension the nation was under. -
Dred Scott Decision: March 6, 1857
The Dred Scott decision is widely known as the worst Supreme Court decision in history. The majority ruling found not only slaves to be the permanent property of their owners (so the owners choose), but also found African Americans to be of an inferior race, subsequently entitled to zero of the rights that members of the white race were entitled to. Further, it declared the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional, chucking progress all the way to a touchback. -
Harper’s Ferry: October 16–18, 1859
At Harper's Ferry, John Brown, a man who believed he was divinely called by God to liberate the slaves, tried to stage the equivalent of a coup in which he planned to seize the weapons from the central magazine. Brown was thwarted when the alarm bells rang and Robert E. Lee answered, swiftling putting down the coup attempt by killing Brown. The south celebrated the death of what they believed to be a deranged psychopath, while the North heralded him as a hero, church bells ringing in mourning. -
Seceding of South Carolina: December 20, 1860
Upon news of Lincoln’s election, even before his inauguration, South Carolina seceded from the union out of fear of what they believed would be the end of slavery under Lincoln, even though he explicitly said that he would not end slavery. Additionally, the federal base in South Carolina was now viewed as a threat, as was attacked out of fear that Lincoln would funnel troops through it, subsequently causing the start of the Civil War. -
Homestead Act: May 20, 1862
The Homestead Act is among the most important pieces of American legislation ever. The act provided free land out west to anyone who wanted it, as long as you were to live and work the land. This would cause mass migration to the plains area, both expanding the country westward while also solving overpopulation. However, the Homestead Act would lead to immense tensions with Native Americans, which would culminate in the establishment of reservations. -
Pacific Railway Act: July 1. 1862
Signed the same year as the Homestead Act, the Pacific Railway Act was also a great boon to the realization of Manifest Destiny. Signed by Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War, the act allowed for the building of the transcontinental railway, contracting two competing companies to both lay track, ensuring efficiency. The product, the transcontinental railroad, provided the full realization of Manifest Destiny, linking the country both economically and socially. -
Battle of Antietam: September 17, 1862
Among the most critical battles was Antietam. This day witnessed the bloodiest single day of the war, concluding in a tactical stalemate. It was, however, a strategic victory for the Union in that the battle stalled Lee's invasion of the North. While the battle proved that McClellan would not pursue a common occurrence throughout the war, the outcome of the battle did provide President Lincoln, for political reasons, with an opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Gettysburg: July 1–3, 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg was the final invasion by the Confederate Army of the Northern states. The largest and bloodiest of any battle of the war, over 51,000 casualties occurred. After three days of fighting, Lee was forced to retreat back to the South, and with that all hope of recognition or intervention abroad vanished. The victory at Gettysburg marked a turning point and began the spelling of doom for Lee’s army. -
Black Codes: 1865–1866
The Black Codes were a political ploy put in place by former confederate states to undermine their acceptance of abolitionist laws. These Black Codes were meant to restrict Black Americans by barring them from the right to testify in court, the right to purchase or borrow money, and were forced to sign often brutal labor contracts in order to work. The Black Codes were the first true ancestor to Jim Crow Laws, and would establish the notion of institutionalized racism in post-Civil War America. -
Surrender at Appomattox: April 9, 1865
General Robert E. Lee formally surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865. The terms of surrender were magnanimous: Grant allowed Confederate soldiers to return home with their horses and personal effects. Out of respect for his former military academy classmate, Grant refused Lee’s sword. By this gesture of conciliation, the process of reunification had begun. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866: April 9, 1866
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first major step towards full assimilation and civil rights. The Act gave full citizenship to African Americans, finally overriding the Dred Scott decision. Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was able to offer limited protection against the Black Codes of the South. Further, the Act led to the creation of the 14th out of fear that Democrats would be able to overturn the Act once they received a majority. -
Reconstruction Act of 1867: March 2, 1867
The Reconstruction Act of 1867 came into effect following an Andrew Johnson veto and stripped Southern states of political power, dividing them into 5 military districts. These districts were placed under the watchful jurisdiction of the Union Army, which outraged many Southern states, feeling like they were being babysitted. Further, the Act forced Southern states to accept the 14th amendment and create a constitution banning slavery, officially ending the slavery era in America. -
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: February 24, 1868
Following the passage of the Tenure of Office Act, which stated that the President could not remove military officials without congressional approval, Johnson did just that, firing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. This triggered an impeachment vote for Andrew Johnson, which fell short by a singular Senate vote. While Johnson wasn’t technically removed from office, practically, he was: Johnson had no support or power for the rest of his term, essentially giving the reins of the country to Congress -
Election of 1868: November 3, 1868
Following the Radical Republicans absolute dynasty in the 60s, their power was starting to dwindle. Accusations of corruption and bribery combined with the notion of a completed reconstruction to harm the Radical Republicans significantly. In the Election of 1868, while still keeping a Congressional majority, they lost their vital supermajority. Republicans did, however, receive a win in the form of Ulysses Grant’s win over Andrew Johnson for the presidency. -
15th Amendment: February 26, 1869
Following the election of 1868, Radical Republicans identified the crucial need to grant African Americans the right to vote. The product of this desire was the 15th Amendment, which stated that states were prohibited from denying any citizen the right to vote, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The amendment was a massive win for African Americans. However, strangely enough, the amendment would prove unpopular in the North, losing the Radicals even more support. -
Election of 1876: November 7, 1876
In the very first election the South was able to fully participate in, there was an electoral crisis. A grand total of 0 votes for the Republican, Rutherford B. Hayes had been registered to the South. Given the Constitution did not account for such an electoral crisis, an election committee was appointed to decide the fate of the presidency. A compromise was reached, deciding Hayes would take the presidency given that military oversight of the South was to end, ending the Reconstruction period. -
First Off-Reservation Boarding School for Native Children Opens: 1879
1879 marked the first opening of what would become countless boarding schools for Native children. These schools had the purpose of “americanizing” the Natives, in other words, destroying the Native culture within them and replacing it with a massively euro-centric one. Native children, taken at just 6 years old, were forced to only use English, not practice their own religion, and endure the pain of being away from their own families. This period marks one of the darkest in American history.