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The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The British marched into Lexington and Concord trying to suppress the chance of rebellion. They tried this by seizing weapons from the colonists. The Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the Stamp Act led up to the battles of Lexington and Concord. Massachusetts colonists defied British authority outnumbered and outfought the Redcoats. America got their victory. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
During The Winter at Valley Forge, there was regular freezing and thawing, plus intermittent snowfall and rain. There were also shortages of clothing and shoes. -
Benedict Arnold turns traitor
Arnold became a traitor because he developed a hatred of the Continental Congress and a desire for the colonies to remain under British rule. -
The Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens further weakened British attempts to wrest the southern colonies from American control. This furthered the hope for independence and helped to secure the foreign support needed to win the war. -
The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere
A battle between an American and British ship during the War of 1812. -
The Battle of Baltimore
After the burning of Washington, D.C., The British were more concerned with defeating Napoleon in Europe than fighting a minor war with the United States. After the defeat and abdication of Napoleon encouraged to start a more aggressive strategy. Major General Robert Ross commanded all British forces on the East Coast of the United States. They also had a fleet of warships. Americans had victory because the British withdrew. -
The Adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem
Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” as a joyous poem. He did this after he found out that the United States had preserved against British attack. It was adopted by Congress as the U.S. national anthem. -
The Battle of New Orleans
This battle happened because the British wanted to seize New Orleans, trying to expand into territory acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. -
The Election of Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson had won the election. His election started the development of a two-party system and also marked the rise of Jacksonian Democracy. -
The Battle of the Alamo
Many people believed that slavery was the driving issue in the showdown at the Alamo. Mexico had attempted to end slavery, against many white settlers. The Battle of the Alamo was fought between the Republic of Texas and Mexico. The battle took place in San Antonio, Texas. Mexicans won the battle. -
South Carolina secedes from the United States
South Carolina seceded from the United States because Abraham Lincoln became president. When he became president, the South Carolina legislature perceived a threat. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election of 1860 in a four-way contest. His election was the outbreak of the Civil War. The Civil War began only a few weeks into Lincoln's presidency. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was also called the First Battle of Manassas, Battle of First Manassas, or Manassas Junction. President Lincoln ordered General Irvin McDowell to strike Confederate forces at Manassas Junction. He wanted a step toward taking Richmond. He needed to move quickly against the enemy. Neither army was prepared to fight in battle. -
The Treaty at Appomattox Courthouse
Generals Ulysses and Robert E. Lee met in the parlor of a house in Appomattox Court House there they discussed the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, which would effectively end the Civil War. -
The sinking of the USS Maine
The battleship U.S.S. Maine was sunk by an explosion that was unknown of origin. It was sunk in the Havana, Cuba harbor which killed 266 of the 354 crew members. The sinking of the Maine incited United States' passions against Spain.