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English colony at Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown ColonyJamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. -
First Africans brought to North America
Africans were brought over to Jamestown as slaves in order to aid in faster production of crops (ie. tobaco) without having to be paid. first africans -
Pilgrims land at Plymouth
America's first permanent Puritan settlement, Plymouth, was established in December of 1620 when Puritans from England who disagreed with the church, sailed aboard the Mayflower to America. -
Salem Witch Trials
salem witch trials
Girls claiming to be possesed by the devil accused several women of witchcraft. This led to several people being tried and publically hanged. -
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French and Indian War
french and indian war
Conflicts arose between the American colonists and the French over expansion rights eventually leading to a war. The French fought alongside Indians until the British intervened and ultimately defeated them. -
Boston Massacre
boston massacre
A mob, upset with some of the taxes the British were putting upon them, rallied and attacked British soldiers. The retaliation by the British led to the death of three people and the wounding of eight more. -
Boston Tea Party
boston tea party
In protest to the Tea Act (and other taxes but mainly this one) the "Sons of Liberty" dressed up as Indians and dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor, -
The Declaration of Independence
dec of ind
America finally declared their independence from Britain after increasingly sour relations. -
The Revolutionary War Ends (Treaty of Paris)
It was signed by representatives of King George III and of the United States, ending the Revolutionary War. It granted the U.S. more land, fishing rights, and other things. -
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Shay's Rebellion
After the Revolutionary War, farmers were struggling increasingly and the unrest amongst the people led to them rebelling. It was quickly extinguished by the government but it alerted them to the weakness of the American government. -
Constitution Ratified
The tragedy of Shay's Rebellion made clear how weak the Articles of Confederation were so the Constituional Convention was held to create a new, better government. It led to the Constituion being ratified months later. -
Whiskey Rebellion
In order to pay off the debts from the revolution Alexander Hamilton passed a law on alcohol. Farmers in the western frontier refused to pay it leading to a number of things including a militia being formed in order to stop it. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
After the Louisiana Purchase was made, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were sent out to explore and map/detail the area. -
The War of 1812
The U.S. wanted to expand their territory by invading Canada. After a number of defeats they were able to drive the British out ultimately leading to their victory. -
Missouri Compromise
When Missouri applied for statehood in 1819, in threatened to upset the ratio of slave states to free states. This was allowed under the condition that any states above the 36°30′ latitude line was considered free. -
Trail of Tears
When Southerners began coverting Indian land them forced them oout. The Indian Removal Act was supposed to allow the Indians to move west in peace but was ultimately ignored by the military which forced them out on a trail (Trail of Tears) where many died. -
Texan Independence
Mexico allowed American settlers to colonize Texas under the condition that they submit to Mexican rule. The abolition of slavery however prompted the Texans to rebel in order to join the United States. -
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Mexican American War (Treaty of Guadalupa Hildelgo)
After the Texan Revolution, Mexico refused negotiations with the United States. In retaliation, upon learning that Mexico wanted to purchase land, America forged a "casus belli" and took New Mexico, Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. -
Gold Rush in California
When gold was discovered in California (1848) many people moved there in the hopes of becoming rich, leading to a population spike. -
Compromise of 1850
The admittance of Calironia as a state upset the free-slave balance once again leading to a compromise. The south got the Fugitive Slave Law with the ban of slave trade in D.C. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen Douglas wanted to create a (North)Transcontinental Railroad but needed to create the state of Nebraska in order to do so. The south refused so he offered allowing popular sovereignty to decide whether Kansas and Nebraska were free or slave states. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
With his argument to stop the spread of slavery, Abraham Lincoln gained popularity and was eventually elected. This angered the south causing them to secede. -
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Civil War
When the south seceded, America divulged into a war over the abolishment of slavery. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
After seven years (and the addition of California) a railroad spanning the entire country was built. -
Reconstruction Ends
Military troops were used to make the south adhere to the new civil rights laws regarding slaves. In exchange for the withdrawing of troops Rutherford B. Hayes was granted presidency in 1876.
