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Oct 31, 1492
Columbus lands in the "New World"
There was a collison of cultures as Colombus, in search of gold, God, and glory, went to what he thought was Asia for spices.
**Created the Columbian Exchange and started Spanish control of America -
Settlers arrive at Roanoke Island
Sir Walter Raleigh explores this area, but when the governer left for a year and came back, everyone was gone.
**First settlement attempted, but it failed, and it is a lasting mystery -
Jamestown established
People want to get out of England and start a new life, mostivatedby wealth and materials, mostly wealthier gentleman
**First permament settlement -
Mayflower Compact
In New England, seperatists escaping England for religious reasons landed in Cape Cod, and make this promise with God to have no specific laws, work for the greater good of the colony together
**Sets how life will be lived in New England, with people working together, and also means New England is founded in religion -
John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill"
When Puritans escape persecution, John wintrhop leads over 700 people in the Masachusets area. This speech said the community needs to be first, they had to rely on God, they would share things together, and they would leave a legacy.
**Sets foundation for the society in M.A., and makes tight communities, inspires followers -
John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill"
When Puritans escape persecution, John wintrhop leads over 700 people in the Masachusets area. This speech said the community needs to be first, they had to rely on God, they would share things together, and they would leave a legacy.
**Sets foundation for the society in M.A., and makes tight communities, inspires followers -
Anne Huthison is kicked out of Massachusetts Bay Colony
She wanted the separation of church and state, but she was a woman and she was banished.
**Shows that people had thoughts of keeping government and religion separate, but also people were intolerent of this -
Pequot War
In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, they blamed a Pequot Indian for killing a colonist, and set their village on fire, the Pequots strike back but the colonists join with another tribe.
**Shows how the colonists can dissolve an entire tribe -
Bacon's Rebellion
VA governer William Berkely gives land to his friends, and doesn't help less rich people move West. Nathaniel Bacon leads, goes and kills Indians in the eway, declares war on Berkely and burns down Jamestown
**The lower classes can rebell against rulers, spirit of rebellion/enlightenment -
Salem Witch Trials
In Massachusettes, girls and a slave are found dancing in the woods, which escalates into girls accusing many of witchcraft, there is mass hysteria, it is often blamed on a rot in the wheat.
**Showed the massive religious hysteria that could be caused, caused the death of many -
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Benjamin Franlkin lives
An inventor and advocator of the Enlightenment, who encouraged literacy and was skeptical of religion.
**He invented many important things and was an important founding father and journalist -
Jonathan Edwards delivers "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon
A religious leader who says young people are corrupted, and tries to evoke emotion and scare them back to religion
**During the Great Awakening, actually the movement backfired, shows how important religion was -
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French and Indian War
George Washington accidentally kilss French convoy, mostly a war between French and British, after 9 years the French lose
**Turning point, colonists pay off war debt -
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Alexander Hamilton Lives
Significance: Hamilton's Achievements: made a rising power of commercial capitalism, financial stability, attracted foreign money, but still worried about a republic government. -
Treaty of Paris
When the war was over, they form a treaty that gives the US lots of land
**they give land that French had never conquered but was Indian, they had no right to it -
Proclamation of 1763
No colonists can go past line established by the British in the West
**Starts tension between US and Britian, creates a divide -
Sugar Act
A new tax passed by parliament to lower tax on molasses and increase tax on foreign goods
**First act intended to raise revenue for the crown, started American resentment of the Crown -
Stamp Act
The colonists were required to buy a special stamp for all printed items, including newspapers
**Hurt merchants and elite, who wrote the most documents, and made the influencial people angry -
Quartering Act
Colonists had to supply British soldiers with housing and food, mostly in New York
**Now the British were invading homes, violating people's rights -
Townshend Acts
Acts to keep the colonies under control, where NY could not assemble until compliance with Quarting act and Revenu acts was had, also Glass/paper/paint was heavily taxed.
**The British assert power and take away liberties, colonists more angry -
Boston Massacre
Many colonists provoked a guard in Boston, more guards came, shots were fired, and it was the colonists fault, but 5 people died.
**The colonists used this to portray those injured or killed as martyrs and as propoganda -
Boston Tea Party
Nobody was buying British tea because it is taxed too heavily, but the Bristish still ship a ton to the colonies. Sam Adams and the Sons of LIberty board the ship and pour the tea into the harbor
**Used as a way to rally the colonists, also proving a point to the British -
Intolerable Acts
A group of acts intended to weaken the colonies, like closing the Boston harbor until they pay back for tea, anti-king people were sent back to england, new quartering act, and the destruction of the massachussetes government.
**It actually brought the colonies closer together because of their shared hatred of the acts, rallied them -
1st Continental Congress
The first real unified government in Philedalphia said that everything the parliament said is null and voice, to gather arms in massachussetes, to pass economic sanctions/boycott british goods, wrote the declaration of American rights, and asserted theRight to Assemble
**Established a clear set of want for the colonists, slowly showing our uniform power, more people understanding our rights -
2nd Continental Congress
A group of colonist leaders that met in Philidalphia, who decided a Continental army should be created
**George Washington became the leader of the continental Army -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonists were at the top of this hill, and even though they ran out of ammunition, they threw sticks and rocks
**There were high casualties, but increased colonis morale and the British were more cautious. Also led to the start of conscription. -
Olive Branch Petition
A document by the continental congress that showed they were still willing to compromise with the crown, was a sort of last-ditch effort by the colonists
**The king was not swayed and declares the colonists open enemies, no hope of compromise now -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine said it was common sense that the colonists should have independance, and his words spread very fast
**He gained the name "Father of the American Revolution", and it is required for colonist troops to read it to encourage them -
Declaration of Independance
A 5 man committee wrote it, they vowed to not give up liberties, to get rid of tyrants, and that the government should fear the people
**Is the foundation for American Independance, shows the rights of the people, and its unites and frees the colonies -
Lexington and Concord
The British forces had planned to go to Lexington to caputure Samuel Adams, then to Concord for weapons. Colonists heard of this plan, and quickly gathered minutemen, and had military forces waiting for them,
**The colonists did not win, but they showed their strength and kept the British at bay. -
Battle of Saratoga
The British surrender in this battle, and the French see this
**Is a turning point in the war because the French begins formally supporting the colonists, they made treaties that said that The colonies were an independant state, they would trade with each other, they would fight until independance, and that neither one would give in, -
Articles of Confederation
Made the status quo legalized, it was a form of weak central governemnt
**Organized a voting system, responsibilites of forign affairs and interstate affaris, but central governemnt was very weak, had little power -
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Henry Clay Lives
Henry Clay wanted higher tariffs, a stronger national band, and higher federal land prices. He did this during James Madison and James Monroe's presidencies. -
Surrender at Yorktown
British general Cornwallace is stuck, there are colonists at land and French at sea
**The British surrender, after this, only a few more small battles, this is really the end of the war -
Treaty of Paris
Established that the U.S. was independant, established borders past Mississippi river
**War debt was never resolved, and land was given back to loyalists. Set foundation for U.S. as a country -
Land Ordinance of 1785
That the Northwest Territory would be organized into land and sold, and that the ordinance said that a 36 mile township would be divided, and have square miles to be sold
**Was a way to organize the land, very successful, and made the government money, started moving people -
Shays' Rebellion
Daniel shays was a farmer that blocked the courthouse to prevent trails for debt and bankrupcy for farmers, and it turned into a large riot with no one to stop it. Eventually, people nearby had to pay for a militia to stop the rebels
**Highlighted the need for a stronger central government, an army, and the weaknessess of the Articles of Confederation -
The Great Compromise
Problem: The delegates disagree over how states should be represented in the national legislature Solution: Two house legislature; one house would be a senate with equal representation; house of representatives would be based on population
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3/5 Compromise
Problem: Delegates disagreed over how slaves should be counted for in regards to representation and taxation. Solution: Three-fifths (3/5) of slaves would be counted for both
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George Washington's Presidency
G.W. was reluctant because he didn't have the education; one of his huge advantages as a president was moderation, having the ability to see both sides. G.W. also had the cabinet, with members such as T.J. as secretary of state and Alexander Hamilton as treasurer. He also provided religious freedom, which is expanded more in the Bill of Rights.
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Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Said that a population minimum of 5,000 people was needed to have a legislator, and 60,000 was needed to become a state
**The new states would have equal standing in Congress -
Constitutional Convention
55 delegats from all over the colonies, who worked together to make a government with 3 branches with a system of checks and balances, as well as decide on a bicameral legislature, and the powers of the central government.
**Formed the foundation for our government, even in modern times -
Bill of Rights
The Ten Amendments piled together. Significance:It's what the people are entitled to against every government on earth. -
The Federalist Papers
Published over the course of several months and made a strong case for the new plan of government. Some historians have alled their publication one of the most powerful public relations campaigns in history. Significance: Made a strong case for the new plan of government. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Summary: When the rebellion broke out because G.W. passed a tax on whiskey. When they rebelled, G.W. sent a whole militia to break them down. Significance: This showed that the government really did have power over the citizens and that G.W. sort of overreacted to a rebellion of drunkards. -
Citizen Genet comes to America
Summary: THis was when a Frenchmen (Citizen Genet) came to the US and demanded that the United States cooperate with them in terms of rallying up the citizens to love the French. This started to give a rise in tension with the United States and the French. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Summary: The United States gained more land from Spain Significance: Because it helped trade. -
Jay Treaty
Summary: When John Jay went to Britain and asked them to do a number of things after the Revolutionary War ended. The United States asked for the British to leave their posts and to refund their damages. But in return, the United States could not trade with Britain's enemies if they're at war with them. -
Washington's Farewell Address
He wanted to provde balance with the Republicans and the federalists, to "coexist with each other but not to get in bed with each other". Though he doesn't like political parties. -
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John Adams' Presidency
John Adams was a federalist, prior to becoming president, he was a Massachusettes lawyer. Throughout his presidency, he felt very underappreciated and felt that he had to fill G.W.'s shoes. Like G.W., he came into presidency with a desire for balance. He inherits G.W.'s cabinet and the conflict with France. -
XYZ Affair
America sends 3 diplomats to France. They refuse to acknowledge us. 3 French officials approach America with the approach of "Only talk; if you bribe us, you will owe us $250,000 to even begin to negotiate." This was significant because it rose tension between the US and France. The following question was proposed: Do we go to war with France? -
Alien & Sedition Acts
Immigrants were starting to come and Adams changed the residency requirements. Instead of 5 years to become a citizen, it is now 14; deportation of "aliens" (immigrants) were now at the president's will, and the silencing of government criticism meant that if you rebel against the government, it was a crime. This was significant because there were many immigrants coming and they could not automatically become citizens by just existing. -
John Marshall is chief justice
Significance: He is the longest person to run as chief justice. Though he's a hard working man, he cannot seem to appeal to the public and garner presidency later on. -
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Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
The third president of the United States, he was inagurated in Washington D.C.. His overarching theme over his presidency was deemed "simple". He had expensive personal tastes but that did not get in the way of his presidency and government money. He was so simple, in fact, that he offended foreign countries because there wasn't much to display. -
Louisiana Purchase
Significance: The United States purchases land from France. The land will soon become a haven for blacks once slaves are done with, spark the westward expansion, and the Lewis and Clark expedition. -
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Exploration into the Lousiana Purchase. Significance: This made journals, maps, etc. And the United States even claimed the Oregon Territory by means of 'We got here first'. -
Embargo Act
International trade is illegal Significance: The fact that it gets reppealed so fast is that this was highly irrelevant in the long run. -
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James Madison's Presidency
James Madison was a very brilliant man but a mediocre president. He was caught up in foreign affairs, and thought he was better than he actually was. He doesn't really focus on domestic issues, and had a war named in his honor: "The War of 1812; Mr. Madison's War". -
War of 1812
Otherwise known as Mr. Madison's War, the United States wanted Britain to sign a treaty for trade, they decline. James Madison declares war but Britain signs the treaty. This war could've been avoided but it was inevitable at this point. Significance: The significance of this was that communication should be improved after this, and it was. Now that the US had taken a step backwards, one of the their main focuses was to improve communication and the ways they did it. -
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James Monroe's Presidency
Monroe created the "Era of Good Feelings" because he was a nice and kind person. Relations with Britain brought no more impressment (stealing sailors and forcing them into the British navy). This brought back trade with Britain but not the West Indies (from the War of 1812). -
Financial Panic of 1819
With Britain producing cotton in the West Indies, they start to close off cotton trade with the US. Significance: It shows the US how reliant they are on their trade with Britain and their only commercial product: cotton. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
Brought the transcontinental railoroad (little bits of land that pushes toward the bigger part of land). Significance: To get into the western side of the country. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
Maryland tried to tax the Maryland bank. Supreme court said that they couldn't. Significance: Early starts of government supremacy over citizens. -
Missouri Compromise
Representatives in Senate. Missouri & Maine are getting ready to apply for statehood and want slaves. Maine would later turn out to be free and Missouri to have slaves. They also ban slavery North of 36'30'. Significance: To maintain balance of slavery and non-slavery within the US. -
Monroe Doctrine
1) No further European colonization
2) Political systems different (Monarchy & Democracy)
3) Existing European-controled colonies ("If you try to get into our hemisphere, you are considered a threat" - America)
4) Stay out of internal affairs Significance: This takes affect later on but is quite irrelevant at the time. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Government supremacy over commerce. Significance: Again, starts to show the beginnings of government supremacy over the citizens. -
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John Quincy Adams' Presidency
John Quincy Adams was not a very good compromiser, like his father, he had quite a bit of issues and that resulted in depression. He was not a very good president and only served for one term. -
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Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson, the common man, appealed to America by being a "fighter, not a writer". On the other hand, he was also considered a tyrant because he mercilessly killed many Indians by his own hand. A tough guy, he served for many years (almost a decade). -
Indian Removal Act of 1830
The Indian Removal Act called for the removal of the Indians in the South and forced them to move westward. Significance: This indirectly caused the infamous event now known as the Trail of Tears. -
Jackson vetoes Charter of Bank of US
The government tried to recharter the National Bank, and Andrew Jackson vetoes it and fires everyone that opposes him. Significance: With this, there was lots of paper money made, but no regulation, and thus, lead to inflation. -
Nullification Controversy
South Carolina had issues with the protective tariffs and decided to nullify them. This also brought up the supremacy clause, which was that the national government was better than the citizens. Significance: The main significance of this was the Supremacy Clause, and how it applied itself to the citizens. After this incident, many (southern) citizens were quite angry. -
Panic of 1837
The depression of 1837 had 1/3 of the citizens unemployed, lower wages within businesses, no food stamps, and Martin Van Buren even stated that "there would be no government aid" because it was not the government's problem. -
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Martin Van Buren's Presidency
With the Whigs, who shared a mutual hatred for Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren inherited Andrew Jackson's "rockstar" problems. -
William Henry Harrison wins 1840 Election
A whig and a military guy, wins the 1840 election with the slogan of "Log Cabin and Hard Cider". This was the very beginnings of slogans and mudslinging within the political parties and has become a tradition since then.