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Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary War established our independence from Britain. From the first shots fired in Lexington Massachusetts to the signing of the Peace of Paris this war created the United States of American. Without it there would be no need for the Constitution to be developed and a government established. -
Declaration of Independence
This document stated that the 13 colonizes were free and independent from Britain. This document demonstrated the first assembly of a governmental body, where representatives votes and make decisions regarding the best interests of the nation as a whole. -
Articles of Confederation
Was the governing legislation for seven years until the Constitution was drafted and signed. In those seven years the original makers of the Articles of Confederation assessed the effectiveness of this first document. In the Constitution the original ideals of the Articles of Confederation are conserved but improvements are made to establish a stronger central government. -
Annapolis Convention
12 delegates convened to discuss the issues of trans-state trade. For four days delegates discussed the barriers that had arrived form the lack of nationwide governmental control on trade. This convention was the predecessor of further convention that discussed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to the drafting of the United States Constitution. -
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Shays' Rebellion
Was named for one of the leaders of the rebellion Daniel Shays. In a time of economic depression lower class civilians (many farmers) began to rebel due to aggressive taxes. This heightened time of violence highlighted the need of a stronger central government and to reform the Articles of Confederation. -
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Constitutional (Philadlphia) Convention
Fifty-five delegates assembled to discuss the issues of the current governing constitution (Articles of Confederation). These delegates debated and crafted The United Stated Constitution, which establish the three branches of government and reallocated power from the states to the central government. This convention was shaped greatly by the Annapolis Convention and the events that occurred during Shays' Rebellion. -
U.S Constitution is Ratified
The U.S Constitution is ratified. -
George Washington Beocomes 1st President
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Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. They were introduced to congress by James Madison and limited the power of the government while outlining basic rights for all citizens that were not mentioned in the original Constitution. -
First Supreme Court is Assembled
The first Supreme Court meets in New York with 6 Justices in total. -
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Early Court Era
The Early Court Era refers to the time period when the Supreme Court is first assembled until the Marshall Court Era. During this time there were three Chief Justices: John Jay, John Rutledge, and Oliver Ellsworth. During this era the Judicial Branch was feeble and took no stance on polemic cases. -
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Marshall Court Era
During this era the Supreme Court was led by chief justice John Marshall. It was during this era the Judicial Branch established itself as a powerful body or government. John Marshall worked to give the Judicial Branch power and to define the roles of the Supreme Court as the determining body of Constitutional cases. -
Marbury v. Madison
This milestone case founded the Supreme Courts authority to determine the intent of the Constitution. -
FLetcher v. Peck
Fletcher v. Peck was the first court case to find a state law unconstitutional. This helped to add to the growing power of the Supreme Court and to set a standard for the power of lawful agreements. -
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Taney Court
The Taney Court Era refers to the time when Roger Taney served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. During this reign Taney preferred the power to side with the states are worked to keep the power federal government limited. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott v. Sandford was a landmark case that has been associated with the causes of the Civil War. In this case the Supreme Court found that even free African Americans did not have the rights of citizens. -
Civil War Begins
The civil war lasted 4 years and was fought between the Northern and Southern states. The war was brought on by the increasing debates on slavery. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation granted freedom to slaves in almost a dozen southern states. -
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Reconstruction Era
As a name states this period of time was to reconstruct the economically devastated South after the Civil War. During this era President Lincoln, worked to unite the South and the North. He also established basic rights for African Americans after the abolishment of slavery. -
Thirteenth Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment eliminated enslavement. -
Foureenth Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment gave citizen rights to former slaves. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment gave the right to vote to all former slaves and made it illegal to deny suffrage rights to any citizen based on the color of their skin. -
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Pre New Deal Era
Era in time before the New Deal was proposed by President Roosevelt. This period of time had high economic climbs until the onset of The Great Depression in the late 1920's. -
Sixteeth Amendment
The New Deal Era was a period of time when President Roosevelt worked to create federal programs to assist the economy after The Great Depression. -
18th Amendment
18th Amendment banned the creation or retail of alcohol. -
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New Deal Era
The New Deal Era was a period of time when President Roosevelt work to create federal programs to assist the economy after The Great Depression. -
Twentieth Amendment
20th Amendment granted women the right to vote. -
21st Amendment
Repealed the prohibition amendment. -
22nd Amendment
Regulated the presidential terms. -
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Warren Court Era
The Warren Court Era spanned from 1954-1969 when Earl Warren was Chief Justice of The Supreme Court. Judge Warren presided over several important civil rights cases and helped to lead the movement of equality for all. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a milestone case in the Civil Rights Movement. The Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to deny students access to any school based on their race. This case lead to segregation and helped change the accepted segregation. -
Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon v. Wainwright is a paramount case that mandated that all accused people are provided council. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act wa s passed in 1965. It helped to provide a quality and free education to all students with federal funding -
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Burger Court Era
Warren Earl Burger served as chief justice during an era when many modern controversial topic were discussed and decided upon. -
United States v. U.S. District Court
United States v. U.S. District Court was a milestone case that ruled to uphold the 4th amendment for the need to obtain a warrant before search or seizure. This was an important case in the Nixon administration. -
Title IX
Title IX prohibited the limiting any student from access to any educaitonal programs that were recieving money from the governement. -
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade ruled that it was not within the authority of the government to restrict abortions. -
Nation at Risk
The report from the National Commision on Excelllence in Education detailed a comprehensive summary that United States public schools were failing. This summary confirmed many assumptions that the nations educational system was at risk. This realizations lead way to new reforms. -
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Rehnquist Court
William Rehnquist severed as Chief Justice from 1986 to 2005. During his term he was the first justice to put limitations on the congressional body since 1930. -
No Child Left Behind Act
These piece of legislation required schools to evaluate themselves and their progress every year. Based on the schools improvements and achievements federal funds would be allocated. This piece of legislation was made to prvide incentive for schools and states to improve their educational programs. -
Race to the Top
Race to the top is a federally funded program that creates incentive for schools to compete to improve education reforms. Schools are assessed on several categories and money was provided to jump start these new programs of improvement.
