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Lexingtion and Concord
The first battle of the American Revolution. After defended by colonists British soldiers destroyed military supplies and were then ambushed while walking back to Boston which gave colonists pride of their victory. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress managed the war effort by helping to raise armies and provide strategy, adopted the Declaration of Independence, and ratified the Articles of Confederation before being changed to the Congress of the Confederation. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
Revolutionary battle which took place mostly on Breed's Hill. The colonists eventually lost control of the hill but inflicted heavy casualties on the British which added to colonial pride. -
Olive Branch Petition
A petition that was headed by John Dickenson that attmpted to make amends with the King of England rather to descend into war. It was sent but was undermined by a secret letter by John Adams which England used to delcare the petition void. The revolution soon followed. -
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine which argued for freedom and said that to not want freedom from a country who does not allow for representation and is another world away. It was very persuasive in rallying the colonies aid in the revolution. -
Declaration of Independence
Adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776 it announced that the thirteen colonies now viewed themselves as independent states no longer under British rule almost a year after the revolutionary war. -
Battle of Saratoga
A decisive American won battle that was a turning point during the revolutionary war. This was an embarassing defeat for the British and convinced France to officially become an ally of the colonists. -
Articles of Confederation
Served as the first constitution of the colonies. Had many flaws the most important of which was giving the federal government too little authority and providing the states with too much freedom. It was very successful in one sunject, which was the addition of new states into the nation with the Northwest Ordinance. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle of the American Revolution. With the French allies the colonists were able to cause the British to surrender which afterwards led to the end of the war with the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The final treaty that ended the American Revolution and gave the conditions that the United States of America was to viewed as an independent nation, it set the boundires of the country, and it gave Americans fishing rights of the coast of New England among other requests. -
Shay’s Rebellion
The first armed uprising for the recently independent United States of America. Caused by post-war economic struggles and the implement of harsh government policies started the rebellion which lasted until 1787. This helped show the flaws of the Articles of Confederation. -
Northwest Ordinance 1787
The most effective act that happened under the Articles of Conferderation. It listed the criteria that needed to be met if territories were to become states after the American Revolution had ended and the land had been won. -
Texas Independence
Texas gained independence from Mexico after their revolution over Mexico's policies towards slaves, and Santa Anna coming to power. Added to the issue of sectionalism after being annexed by the US. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Resolved boundries with the United States and England. Mostly made for the boundry dispute with Maine and New Brunswick. -
Election of 1844
Won by James K. Polk (an expansionist), known for his famous slogan "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!” which referred to the Oregon boundry dispute. -
Mexican-American War
After the annexation of Texas, the boundry dispute soon turned into war between Mexico and the United States. Afer America had won the war they were given land stretching to California which greatly expanded the country. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was an attempt to ban slavery in the new territories acquired from Mexico. It passed the House twice but was defeated in the Senate. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848
A peace treaty between the United States and Mexico that ended the Mexican-American War. Gave the United States the Rio Grande border and the ownership of California. -
Gadsden Purchase
A tract of land that was purchased from Mexico in order to complete the transcontinental railroad. -
Ostend Manifesto
Attempted to rationalize the purchase of Cuba from Spain and called for war if they declined. Wasn't originally used but Franklin Pierce secretly sent diplomats to arrange the purchase but was found out and forced to drop it. -
Panic of 1857
The first worldwide financial crisis that caused panic in the United States. After the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company had a failure the trouble quickly spread to other areas of the economy, such as the railroad industry. It wasn't until the Civil War that the panic was fixed. -
Alaska Purchase
Purchased from Russia. Russia feared they would go to war with the British attempting to seize Alaska. -
U.S.S. Maine
A United States battleship that was blown up in Havana Harbor in Cuba. One of the causes of the Spanish-American War. -
Teller Amendment
Said that the US had no intention of controlling Cuba, but would give the power to its people after the war was over. Switched to the Platt Amendment later. -
Spanish–American War
A breif war between Spain and the United States caused by the sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine in Cuba, and American aid in the Cuba revolution, coupled with expansionist ideas. The war ended less than a year after it began and America was given Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. -
Open Door Policy
A foreign policy which stated that all countries were to have equal trading rights in China. -
Boxer Rebellion
An uprising in China against the foreign powers and their spheres of influence. Won in 1901. -
Election of 1900
William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt won the election as president and vice president. McKinley and Roosevelt were expansionists which helped shape the new American policies to come. -
Platt Amendment
Replaced the Teller Amendment and states that Cuba was to
1. never to sign a treaty with a foreign power that impaired its indepen- dence2. never to build up an excessive public debt3. to permit the United States to intervene in Cuba’s affairs to preserve its independence and maintain law and order4. to allow the U.S. to maintain naval bases in Cuba, including one at Guantanamo Bay -
Roosevelt Corollary
Declared that the United States could interfere with Latin American nations that were not paying their debts. It kept Europeans out of Latin America and made the Latin American countries resent the United States. -
Gentlemen's Agreement
An agreement between Japan and the United States in which America would repeal some of its discriminatory laws against the Japanese and Japan would reduce the amount of emigration. -
Election of 1908
William Howard Taft won the election and kept Roosevelts progressive policies as well as set aside land for national parks. -
Mexican Revolution
Woodrow WIlson wanting democracy to triumph in Mexico he refused to recognize the military dictatorship of General Victoriano Huerta. After a more democtratic government came about Poncho Villa began raids across the US-Mexico border which prompted chase from American military which were soon drawn back. -
Election of 1912
Won by Woodrow Wilson who implemented Moral Diplomacy which attempted to right the wrongs of former presidents in other countries. -
Panama Canal
The United States wanted to build a route from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans in Panama (which was then being ruled by Colombia). After Colombia denied the request the United States gave military aid to the Panamanian rebellion so they could build their canal. -
Jones Act
Part of Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy in the Philippines which (1) granted full territorial status to that country,
(2) guaranteed a bill of rights and universal male suffrage to Filipino citizens, and
(3) promised Philippine independence as soon as a stable government was established.
