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Founding of Jamestown
It was the first American settlemet and sparked the idea to settle elsewhere. The founding of Jamestown effects us today because the government, language, customs, beliefs formed the early colonies and America. -
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth colony was a place for the English to find religious freedom and find a new life. When the pilgrims arrived they started building houses and forming new towns. They met Indians in Plymouth and they learned how to harvest vegetables and food. The first harvest is still celebrated today but is called Thanksgving. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian war was a massive conflict between Austria, England, France, Gret Britian, Prussia and Sweden. It took place in Europe, Indian and North America. This effects us today because the English now control some of the land people were fighting for. -
Boston Massacre
The boston massacre was the killing of five colonists by the British. The tension between and America and Britian had been rising and britian had decided to kill because they could not find an agreement on taxes. This effects us today because we still have taxes byut Britain is not involved in out taxes. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. They dumped 342 chests of tea into the water because they thought it was being taxed unfairly. This effects us today because it showed how much we wanted our independence. -
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Continental Congress
The continental congress was a meeting of representitives from the 13 colonies in which they became the governing body of the United States. This effects us today because it was the starting of our government. -
Decleration of Independence
The Decleration of Independece was a document that stated the thirteen colonies were at war with Britain. On July 4th they declared freedom from great Britain almost a year after the American Revloution. This effects us today because we still celebrate Independence Day, July 4th. -
First Continetal Congress
The first continental congress was a meeting of representatives from twelve colonies that met on Septmber 5, 1774. They were discussing how they were being treated unfairly and what they were going to do about it, so they sent a letter to King George but he ignored them so they started a boycott. This effects us today because it was the beginning of the American revolution. -
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American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war between Britain and the colonies when the colonies decided they wanted freedom from the king. This effects us today because the colonists were fighting for the free country we have today. -
Articles of Confederation
The articles were written to give the colonies a sense of unifed government. The Articles made the states and legislature supreme. Soon the articles became weak and they rewrote them to make our constitution we use today. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty of Paris was the official peace treaty between the United States and Britain that ended the American reolutionary war. It was signed on September 3, 1783 in Paris which is where it gets its name. This effects us today because it was a sign that we had won our freedom. -
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Shay's Rebellion
This was a movement by New England farmers who were desperate to be paid for service in the Revolutionary War. Farmer Daniel Shays took charge of a group and led an attack on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. They soon made an agreement which helped in the making of the Constitution. -
Constitutional Convention
It was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where delegates from 12 of the 13 states were there to participate for 4 months to make the Constitution. This was the writing of the constitution we still use today. -
U.S. Constitution
The Constitution is the base for all laws in the United States. It says how the government works, creates the Presidency, creates the Congress, and creates the Supreme Court. This effects us today because we still use the constitution today. -
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George Washington
George Washinton was the First President of the United States, one of the Founding Fathers, and a respected commander in the civil war. He set the expectations and traditions for all of the presidents to come. -
Bill of Rights
After they wrote the Constitution they needed all of the states to agree to it but they would only agree if they could add things. The things they added are known as the bill of rights and they are still used today. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin meant that people didn't have to separate cotton by hand anymore. It also meant that the cotton made from the lint could be produced much faster. This made cotton into a huge cash crop. This effects us today because many of our clothes are made from cotton. -
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John Adams
John Adams was a very educated and respected scholar, philosopher, and not to mention the second president of our country! John Adams set the way for many of our presidents today, in the way that he was very stubborn in his decisions which helped the country at times. -
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Nat Turner
Nat Turner was an African American slave who led a rebellion in Virginia. This rebellion resulted in the death of 55 white people, the whites got back by killing 200 blacks. He affected life for black people by making it harder, causing many innocent people deaths. Whites became more strict about slaves by prohibiting education and restricting rights. -
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson is often refered to as "the most important person of the american revolution." This may be because he was the author of the Declaration of Independance, or because he was a politition in multiple instances and positions. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a deal between the French and Americans to purchase the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. After some bargaining, Thomas Jefferson bought this 828,000 mile expanse for pennies an acre. This is considered one of the most significant acheivements of Jefferson's presidency. -
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Lewis & Clark Expedition
The purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore and map the land purchased in the Louisiana Purchase. President Jefferson sent out 33 explorers to do the job. This expedition lead the way to Westward Expansion, which is crucial to our modern society. -
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William Lloyd Garrison
He edited “Liberator” and it was published in 1831. William was a journalist, social reformer and abolitionist but was most known for founding the “LIberator.” This was a newspaper which was anti-slavery, and caused many Americans to love and hate him. Many think his impact was abolishing slavery, but the big impact was on media. He represented freedom of the press and of speech. -
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James Madison
James Madison served two terms and was the fourth president of the United States. He earned the title "Father of the Constitution" by drafting the constitution, which our country still relies upon today. -
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War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a very large part in the fight for fair treatment from the British. James Madison asked congress to declare this war mainly because British soldiers had repeatedly been breaking into American ships and killing or taking captive Americans aboard. -
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James Monroe
James Monroe was one of the most popular presidents. Some actually called the first part of his presidency the era of good feelings. While in presidency Monroe created the Monroe Doctorine which said other countries could not interfere in our politics. He also purchased the state of Florida. -
Missouri Comprimise
The missouri compromise was passed in 1820. In 1819 Missouri asked for admission as a slave state, which threatened the difference between a slave state and a free state. To relieve the people the Congress came up with an agreement, granting Missouri’s request and also making Maine a free state.
It was the first time the congress got involved in slavery, but it helps maintain the balance of different states. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine claimed that the Americas should be free from future European colonization.This document was written by the fifth president James Monroe. It gives the government the power to expand and help other countries, who help United States. This document has served as a philosophical justification for centuries. -
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John Quincy Adams
He created a consistent and often dramatic fight against the growth of slavery. Adams also approved that the United States should take lead in development of the arts and sciences through the establishment of a national university. -
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Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson contributed to us by creating our modern banking system. He also was the creator of the “Indian Policy” in which he declared them to live on reservations. He was a firm believer in the states rights and ran office pledging to repair the voice of Americans. -
Indian Removal Act
This act was signed into a law by Andrew Jackson authorizing the grant of unsettled lands on the west in exchange for Indian lands. It is acknowledged that this act spelled the end of Indian Rights to live in those states under their own traditional laws. It created a racial situation in which Native Americans are treated worse, like second class. It also resulted in the Reservation system, some Indians today are still not fully recovered. -
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Alamo
It was a group of Texan volunteer soldiers who occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission. As soon a Mexican force began to siege, although Texans were outnumbered they still fought for 13 days. Now this mission stands as a symbol of heroic resistance and the fight for independence. -
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Martin Van Buren
Buren was the first president born after the Declaration and was the first president who was a U.S. citizen. He denied Texas’ request to become a part of the U.S. and solved the Aroostook war by diplomacy. -
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Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears is the following of the Indian Removal Act in which caused many Indians to relocate. This forced the Cherokee nation to give up their land in the east and migrate to present day Oklahoma. Affects us today by many reservations still around and Indians still have not returned to their homeland. This also makes many people feel guilty and sad for the Indians. -
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William Henry Harris and John Tyler
William Henry was the first whig elected to be president, a month later he passed away. His fellow vice president John took over the role as president. John Tyler was the first vice president to succeed to the office of president of the United States upon the death. -
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Manifest Destiny
An attitude that helped fuel western settlement, Native American removal, and Mexican War. This term expressed the belief that the destiny of the American settlers was to spread and expand across the continent. Also to spread institutions while enlightening more nations.This term stays with us today by looking at our world in one image. Another idea is that we had the best culture and government in the world, which gave us the right to spread out. -
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Mexican War
This was the first U.S. armed conflict fought on foreign soil. It marked the division of Mexico and the U.S. This was caused by the Mexican government calling border raids and any attempt of invasion would lead to war. From this war the U.S. gained lots of new territory and laws. Mexico lost lots of stability and had to deal with U.S. inference.
