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Old Glory Throught the Ages
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The Founding of Jamestown
The English colony of Jamestown was the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. At first a fort, the first settlers were city folk having come for gold. However, they had no knowledge of survival in the wild. Jamestown was nearly completely wiped out when they ran out of foo, which resulted in horrible acts of cannibalism. However, a man named John Smith got the town back on track. The settlement survived Indian attacks and soon became the first capital of colonial Virginia. -
The Start of the French and Indian War
In 1754, disputes over the Ohio River Valley between the French and the British erupted when Virginia militiamen ambushed a French patrol. This sparked The French and Indian War, so named due to the alliance of the Native Americans and the French. At first, most British attacks were unsuccsessful. However, the tables turned, and Britain won the war. The French lost all territory in North America, but the British began charging taxes to pay fo war debt, which angered the colonies. -
The End of the French and Indian War
In 1754, disputes over the Ohio River Valley between the French and the British erupted when Virginia militiamen ambushed a French patrol. This sparked The French and Indian War, so named due to the alliance of the Native Americans and the French. At first, most British attacks were unsuccsessful. However, the tables turned, and Britain won the war. The French lost all territory in North America, but the British began charging taxes to pay fo war debt, which angered the colonies. -
The Boston Massacre
On the evening of March 5th, a wigmaker's apprentice began taunting two British officers. One of them struck the boy, and a huge crowd began to assemble around them, throwing snowballs, clubs, stones, and curses at the officers. Some more officers arrived. In the commotion, the officers fired. Five men where killed, including Cripus Attucks, a black sailor. -
The Start of the American Revolution
In 1775, Massacheusetts was declared to be in a state of rebellion. The British sent in troops. However, the colonists had been informed, and the first shots were fired at Lexington, MA. The British easily defeated the rebels at first, but they recieved a scare at the near loss at Bunker Hill. The Americans began to get stronger, and, after the victory at Saratoga, recieved aid from the French. Led by General George Washington, the Americans defeated the British at the
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The End of the American Revolution
Battle of Yorktown, after which they surrendered. -
The Start of Constitutional Convention
After the failure of the Articles of Confederation, the political leaders of the struggling new nation gathered in secret to construct a new governmental frame work. George Washington was the president of the Convention. There they created the modern day Congress through the Great Compromise, and decided the issue of slavery. Finally, after many months, the new Constitution awaited ratification. -
The End of the Constitutional Convention
After the failure of the Articles of Confederation, the political leaders of the struggling new nation gathered in secret to construct a new governmental frame work. George Washington was the president of the Convention. There they created the modern day Congress through the Great Compromise, and decided the issue of slavery. Finally, after many months, the new Constitution awaited ratification. -
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, France, under the rule of Emperor Napoleon, was preparing for the invasion of Britain. In order to help fund the operation, he offered to sell the Louisiana terriotry to the United States for $15 million. Jefferson was at first hesitant, doubting the president's power to purchase land. However, the purchase occured. Soon afterward, Jefferson sent two men, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to lead an expedition into the new territory. They brought back knowledge of new species. -
The Start of the War of 1812
The British, while recognizing the nation of the US, did nto seem to respect them much. The impressment of sailors, a forced ban on trade with France, and remaining grudges all contributed to the declaration of war. The War of 1812, sometimes refered to as the Second War for Independence, was initially a defensive one for the British. However, they grew more and more aggresive. However, this war was once again an American victory. It proved that America could defend itself. -
The End of the War of 1812
The British, while recognizing the nation of the US, did nto seem to respect them much. The impressment of sailors, a forced ban on trade with France, and remaining grudges all contributed to the declaration of war. The War of 1812, sometimes refered to as the Second War for Independence, was initially a defensive one for the British. However, they grew more and more aggresive. However, this war was once
again an American victory. It proved that America could defend itself. -
The Start of the California Gold Rush
In 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in California. Immigrants from around the world rushed to the new territory, where, at that point, gold was so plentiful one could practically pick it off the ground. These people, labeled 49ers, caused a major population boom. Over 300,000 people came to California. This, more often than not, forced the natives to relocate. Eventually, the rush died down as the gold ran out. -
The End of the California Gold Rush
In 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in California. Immigrants from around the world rushed to the new territory, where, at that point, gold was so plentiful one could practically pick it off the ground. These people, labeled 49ers, caused a major population boom. Over 300,000 people came to California. This, more often than not, forced the natives to relocate. Eventually, the rush died down as the gold ran out. -
The Start of the Civil War
The election of Abraham Lincoln as President in 1861 was the final straw for the South. The amnosity between North and South exploded into a war that killed more Americans than all other American war casualties combined. The first shots were fired at Fort Sumnter, SC, but the first major battle was the Battle of Bull Run, which was a shocking Confederate victory. Most battles where fought in Virginia, but the turning point was at Gettysburg, PA. After the bloodiest battle of (cont. on next) -
The End of the Civil War
war, things went downhill for the CSA. In 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The South would have a long road to recovery. -
Abraham Lincoln's Assassination
Just five days after the Civil War had ended, Abraham Lincoln was shot by die-hard Confederate John Wilkes Booth. While watching Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C., Booth snuck into the presidential box and shot Licoln in the head at point-blank range. He leaped down and, despite a broken leg, escaped. Licoln was brought across the street and died the next morning.
