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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta signed
a charter of liberty and political rights obtained from King John of England by his rebellious barons -
Mayflower Compact signed
1st governing document of Plymouth Colony -
Formation of the New England Confederation
a political and military alliance between the United Colonies of New England. -
Albany Plan of Union announced
Benjamin Franklin's proposed plan for unifying the colonies. -
The French and Indian War begins
War between France and their allied Indian nations against Britain and its colonists for control of eastern North America. -
Treaty of Paris (1763)
Treaty that ended the French and Indian War. The French had to give up their land claims in North America to Britain. -
Royal Proclamation (1763)
Line that prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachians. -
Sugar Act
British reduced the tax on imported foreign molasses, which was strictly enforced. Colonists wrote protests, occasional boycotts, and cries of "No taxation without representation!" -
Stamp Act Congress
Delegates from nine colonies met in New York to hold a meeting. -
Stamp Act
Law passed by Parliament that taxed newspapers, legal documents, and other printed materials in the colonies. -
Townshend Acts
Import taxes on lead, paper, tea, paint, and glass were collected at port. Revenue from taxes were used to support the British, taking the power of the purse away from colonial assemblies. Also created a customs commission and suspended the New York assembly for failing to comply with the act. Colonists contiued to boycott British goods, cutting trade in half. Letters were made protesting the act that were published in newspapers. -
Boston Massacre
Incident that involved British soldiers killing five colonists in Boston. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists disguished as Indians boarded three tea ships in Boston. They broke open every crate on board and dumped the tea into the harbor. -
Congress meets for the 1st time
1st Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall. -
First Continental Congress
Assembly of representatives from the colonies that first met in Philadelphia. -
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty"
Patrick Henry wanted to live free or be dead. -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott warned Patriot leaders that "the regulars are out!" -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
First battles of the Revolutionary War that ended in American victory. -
Fort Ticonderoga
The Patriot capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British provided them with cannons and other badly needed military equipment. -
Second Continental Congress meets
Assembly of representatives from the colonies that first met in Philadelphia. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Revolutionary War battle north of Boston that ended in British victory. -
"Common Sense" Published
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that called for American independence from Britain. -
British evacuate Boston
The British realized that they could no longer defend their positon in Boston after Washington placed the cannons on Dorchester Heights. -
Declaration of Independence announced
The Declaration of Independence was announced on July 2, 1776 and was adopted on July 4, 1776. -
"The Crisis" published
Another pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that also called for American independence from Britain. He mentioned that nothing great is easily achieved and that they can't give up fighting unless they don't want to be free. -
Washington captures Trenton
About 2,400 American troops took boats across the Delaware River and surprised about 1,400 Hessians in Trenton. They captured nearly all the Hessians. -
British defeated at Saratoga
Burgoyne surrendered his army because he was surrounded by a force much larger than his own. This was the turning point in the war for the Americans, which brought a major foreign power to aid in the American cause. -
Winter at Valley Forge, PA
The Americans camped out in the harsh winter at Valley Forge because they were not supported by the Continental Congress at the time regarding the financing of the war. -
John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis
When the British captain of the Serapis ordered Jones to surrender, Jones famously replied, I have not yet begun to fight! A few hours later, the captain and crew of the Serapis admitted defeat and Jones took command of the British ship. -
Benedict Arnold plans found out
His plan to surrender West Point to the British was foiled. -
Cornwallis surrenders
At the Battle of Yorktown, Cornwallis and his troops were blockaded so were forced to surrender. -
Articles of Confederation Signed
1st Constitution of the 13 American states -
Treaty of Paris
Treaty that ended the Revolutionary War and in which Britain acknowledged American independence. -
Treaty of Paris (1783) Signed
Treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary War. -
Newburgh Conspiracy
a mutiny that nearly happened in the continental army because many officers were upset for not being paid after their duty in the American Revolutionary War -
Spain closes Mississippi River
Purpose was to stop American trade. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
law passed by Congress that allowed for sales of land in the Northwest Territory and set up standards for land sale that became precedents -
Ordinance of Religious Freedom
law passed which says no man may be forced to attend or support any church or be discriminated against because of his religious preference -
Shays' Rebellion
a revolt led by Daniel Shay along with farmers due to unfair taxes and debts that could land them in prison if not paid -
Annapolis Convention
Meeting of delgates from 5 states in Annapolis, Maryland that suggested a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation -
Constitutional Convention opens
55 delegates met in the State House in Philadelphia to start creating a Constitution for a federal republic that will last forever -
The Great Compromise agreed to
an agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the US Constitution -
Constitution sent to the states for ratification
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 delegates and then sent to the states for ratification. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Congress provided for the government of the Northwest Territory and setting forth the steps by which its subdivisions might become states -
Federalists Papers appear
Federalists began publishing essays in favor of ratification. -
Delaware ratifies
30 for, 0 against Constitution -
Anti-Federalist articles appear
Anti-Federalists give their support to ratification of the Constitution only after a compromise is reached that amendments will be included which guarantee civil liberties. -
Massachusetts ratifies Constitution
187 for, 168 against Constitution -
New Hampshire ratifies Constitution
57 for, 47 against Constitution (minimum requirement for ratification met) -
George Washington elected President
took his oath of office as the 1st President of the US -
Bill of Rights sent to the states for ratification
The 1st Congress of the US sent 12 amendments of the Constitution to the states for ratification. -
Bill of Rights ratified
Enough amendments were approved to make the Bill of Rights legal. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions written
Resolutions passed in 1798 that attacked the Alien and Sedition Acts as being unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
Purchase by the U.S. of the Louisiana Territory from France -
Sacajawea
Shoshone woman who served as guide and translator for Lewis and Clark on their exploratory journey through the West. -
Corps of Discovery
Name for Lewis and Clark expedition. -
William Clark
Leader with Merriweather Lewis of expedition through the West. -
Merriweather Lewis
Leader with William Clark of expedition through the West. Brought back scientific samples, maps, and information on Native Americans. -
"Mr. Madison's War"
President James Madison sent a message urging Congress to declare war against the British. (The War of 1812) -
Hartford Convention meets during War of 1812
New Englanders sent delegates to a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, to consider the possibility of leaving the nation. The Hartford Convention called only for constitutional amendments to increase New England's political power. -
Treaty of Ghent
Agreement that ended the War of 1812. -
Battle of New Orleans
Battle between American and British troops for control of New Orleans, ending in an American victory. -
Missouri Compromise
an agreement in 1820 between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States concerning the extension of slavery into new territories -
Erie Canal
Artificial waterway built so farmers and merchants could transport goods more cheaply by water. It had a huge economic impact. -
Tariff of Abominations passed
The Tariff of 1828, was a protective tariff passed by the Congress of the United States on May 19, 1828 designed to protect industry in the northern United States -
Abolition of Slavery Act (1833)
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire. -
Texas declares independence from Mexico
After winning independence from Mexico, Texans voted to be annexed (join/attach) by the United States to protect themselves from invasion by Mexico. -
Trail of Tears
The forced movement of Cherokees in 1838 to land west of the Miss. River. -
Oregon Trail
Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon, used by many pioneers. -
James Polk elected
11th President of the United States, 1845-1849. Led expansion of United States to southwest through war against Mexico. -
Wilmot Proviso
Amendment to an 1846 bill stating that slavery would not be permitted in any of the territory acquired from Mexico. Though it never became law, Northerners continued to attach it to bills related to new territories. -
Mexican War
Conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, ending with a United States victory. -
California enters the Union
Asked to join the Union as a free state, which made the number of free and slave states no longer equal. -
Fugitive Slave Law enacted
Part of the Compromise of 1850, a law ordering all citizens of the United States to assist in the return of slaves -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel that convinced Northerners that slavery would be the ruin of the United States if it wasn't stopped from expanding. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
1854 law that called for the creation of these two new territories, and stated that the citizens in each territory should decide whether slavery would be allowed there. -
Formation of Republican Party
A party made up of disgusted Northerners that dedicated themselves to stopping the "Slave Power", as they called the South. -
"Border Ruffians" attack Lawrence (5/21/1856)
Proslavery bands from Missouri that often rode across the border to battle antislavery forces in Kansas. -
Charles Sumner attacked
Abolitonist and senator from Massachusetts. Beaten badly with a cane in the Senate by a southern congressman after making an antislavery speech. -
Pottawatomie Creek (5/24/1856)
Place where abolitionist John Brown and his sons massacred five proslavery settlers on May 24th, 1856. -
Dred Scott decision announced
Slaves, because they were not citizens, were denied the right to sue in court. Enslaved people could not win freedom simply by living in a free territory or state. The Missouri Compromise was ruled unconstitutional and all territories were opened to slavery. -
Lecompton Constitution passed
A small proslavery group in Kansas elected members to a convention to write the constitution required to attain statehood. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of seven debates between Abraham LIncoln and Stephen Douglas on the issue of slavery in the territories. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
Place where John Brown attacked the federal arsenal (where weapons are made or stored) in order to supply enslaved people with weapons so that they could rebel. -
Reservations
Federal land set aside for Nat. Amers. -
Democrats split in 1860
Southern Democrats argued that the government should protect slavery in the territories. Northern Democrats stood by the doctrine of popular sovereignty. This disagreement led to the Democrats split. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln captured the presidency without winning a single electoral vote in the South. He gained only 39 percent of the popular vote. -
Formation of Constitutional Union Party
Party formed by moderate Southerners and a few politicians from the Border States (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri) -
South Carolina tries to nullify
Left the Union officially on December 20, 1860 in response to Lincoln's victory. -
South Carolina Secedes
The Lower South seceded and they created the Confederate States of America. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Federal fort in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. The Confederate attack on the fort marked the start of the Civil War. -
Abraham Lincoln inaugurated
Abraham Lincoln focused on shoring up his support in the North without further alienating the South, where he was almost universally hated or feared -
Virginia Secedes
The Upper South also seceded and they joined the Confederate States of America. -
1st Battle of Bull Run
First major battle of the Civil War, won by the Confederates in July 1861. -
McClellan Returns to Washington after the Peninsula Campaign
After McClellan's failure, the President ordered McClellan's troops back to Washington and put Pope in overall command. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
Civil War battle in 1862 in Virginia, won by the Confederacy. -
Battle of Shiloh
Civil War battle in Tennessee in 1862 -
Battle of Antietam
Civil War battle in Maryland in 1862. -
Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac
Battle between the Monitor, which was the Union's warship, and the Merrimac, which was the Confederate's warship. -
Homestead Act
Law that gave 160 acres of land to citizens who met certain conditions. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
This law distributed millions of acres of western lands to state governments in order to fund state agricultural colleges. -
Pacific Railway Acts
Laws passed in 1862 and 1864 giving large land grants to the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. -
2nd Battle of Bull Run
Tne Union was also defeated by the Confederates in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. Pope was out of command now and McClellan was back in. -
Emancipation Proclamation Takes Effect
A presidential decree, by President Lincoln, effective January 1, 1863, that freed slaves in Confederate-held territory. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Civil War battle in 1863 in Virginia, won by the Confederacy -
Surrender of Vicksburg
Union general Grant led the siege (a tactic in which an enemy is surrounded and starved in order to make it surrender) of Vicksburg. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Civil War battle in 1863 in Pennsylvania, won by the Union and a turning point in the war. -
Battle at Fort Wagner
Place where the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Infantry fought the Confederates. -
Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address
A famous speech by President LIncoln on the meaning of the Civil War, given at the dedication of a national cemetery on the site of the Battle of Gettsburg. -
Richmond, the Confederate capital, Falls
Grant used Sherman's strategy that he used in Atlanta to take over Richmond. This weakened the Confederates because the Union just took their heart away from them. -
Grant Displays Fighting Style at Cold Harbor
Grant turned to the successful siege tactic that he had used at Vicksburg. He began the siege of Petersburg. -
Atlanta Burns to the Ground
Sherman used the scorched earth policy/total war in Atlanta. -
Sherman Set out for the Sea
His march from Atlanta to Savannah in 1864 was very destructive. -
Sherman Reaches Savannah
He easily captured Savannah due to retreating Confederates. -
Surrender at Appomattox
Town where the Confederates surrendered. -
Lincoln Delivers 2nd Inaugural Address
He noted in his address how slavery had divided the nation, but he also laid the groundwork for the effort to "bind up the nation's wounds." -
Robert E. Lee Surrenders Commission
The Confederates surrendered in the town of Appomattox, Virginia. -
granges
This organization helped farmers form cooperatives and pressured state legislators to regulate businesses on which farmers depended. -
Seward's Folly
Seward's purchase of Alaska from Russia. -
General George A. Custer
General who directed army attacks against Nat. Amers. in the 1870s. Killed in 1876 at Little Bighorn in Montana. -
Yellow Journalism
Sensational news coverage, emphasizing crime and scandal -
Battle of Little Big Horn
1876 Sioux victory over army troops led by George Custer. -
Wounded Knee
1890 shooting of a group of unarmed Sioux by army troops -
Imperialism
Policy by a stronger nation to attempt to create an empire by dominating weaker nations economically, politically, culturally, or militarily. -
Jingoism
A feeling of strong national pride and a desire for an aggressive foreign policy. -
U.S.S. Maine
An American ship that exploded off the coast of Havana, Cuba, killing more than 250 Americans. Angered Americans convinced Congress to declare war on Spain. -
Open Door Policy
American approach to China around 1900, favoring open trade relations between China and other nations. -
Panama Canal
A canal built across Cent. Amer. that links the Pac. and Atlantic Oceans, making global shipping faster and cheaper. The U.S. Navy could now also move quickly from one ocean to the other in time of war. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Pres. Theodore Rossevelt's 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine in which he asserted the right of the U.S. to intervene in the affairs of Lat. Amer. nations. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Pres. Taft's policy of encouraging American investment in foreign economies. -
Banana Republics
Term used to describe a Cent. Amer. nation dominated by U.S. business interests.