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The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a temporary set of laws made by the English settlers who traveled to the New World which would eventually become known as the United States of America. Their rules regarded staying loyal to King James, following the Christian faith, and working together. It was the first document that established self-government in the New World. -
"City upon a Hill" Speech
This speech was given by John Winthrop to the Puritans. He was telling them that they'd be the "city on the hill" that others would admire and look up to. They'd try to be the best example of the faith. -
Salem Witch Trials
This mass hysteria began in the spring of 1692. Lots of men, women, and children were being accused of witchcraft. In most cases, if you were accused, you'd end up being killed or banished from the colony. Eventually it was realized that the trials were unlawful and ridiculous. The final hanging of a "witch" was on September 22 of the same year. -
Competing for the North American Colonies
The British and the colonists fought wars against the French and their American Indian allies. They were fighting over power and land. -
The start of the seven years war or aka the french and indian war
George Washington's troops attacked and defeated a small French force. He had to surrender when the French counterattacked. This eventually spread from America to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the West Indies. In Europe, the war was called the Seven Years’ War. The British colonists called the conflict the French and Indian War after the French and their American Indian allies. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa rallied a number of groups of American Indians against the British in 1763. They captured British forts and raided settlements. Their goal was to weaken the British rule and to lure the French back into North America. -
The Quartering Act
It required colonists to let a soldier live in their home. They had to give them transportation and food as well. The colonists didn't like this law and physical violence often broke out because of it. -
Boston Massacre
After a group of colonists were throwing snowballs and rocks at British soldiers, the soldiers shot some of them out of nervousness. Even though this is called a massacre, only five colonists were killed. -
Boston Tea Party
Parliament passed a law allowing the British East India Company to sell directly to the colonists. Even with the tax, this tea was cheaper for the colonists. You'd think the colonists would like this, but they thought they were trying to trick them into paying the tax. They protested by throwing the tea into the harbor. -
Industrial Revolution
Developments in technology throughout the country marked the start of the Industrial Revolution. Factories were being built, new things were being invented, and techniques evolved. It changed the nation's economy, social life, politics, and culture. -
Adam's Presidency
He is the second president of the United States. His presidency was during an on-going war between Great Britain and France. When France demanded large bribes before any negotiations to end hostilities(XYZ affair), undeclared war between the US and France started known as Quasi-War. Fortunately, Adams was able to bring a peaceful end to the war. He made a significant move by appointing John Marshall as the fourth Chief Justice of the US. -
Jefferson's Presidency
To reduce naional debt, he made major cuts to the military and streamlined the government's bueaucracy. He encouraged Congress to abandon the Alien and Sedition Acts. He disliked the Federalist displays of wealth. Democratic-Republicans saw it as a threat to the public. Therefore, he dressed plainly and was simple and affable, -
Tariff of 1816
A tariff designed to protect American Industry. It was a tax on imported goods. This tax encouraged Americans to buy goods manufactured in the US. It helped the industry but hurt the farmers who had to pay higher prices for consumer goods. -
National Road
in order to improve overland transportation, roads and turnpikes were invented. The country's best route was the National Road. It was funded by the federal government, was made of crushed rock, and extended west from Maryland to present-day West Virginia. -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri became a part of the Union as a new state. Before this, the Union had an equal number of slave and free states—which meant equal regional power in the United States Senate. If Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, it would tip the balance in favor of the South. Henry Clay decided to create the Missouri Compromise to help resolve this issue. The northern district of Massachusetts would enter the Union as the free state of Maine to balance admission of Missouri as a slave state. -
American Expansion
In 1819, Spain sold Florida to the US. In 1821, the Adams-Onís Treaty also ended Spanish claims to the vast Pacific Coast territory of Oregon. Because of an agreement made in 1818, America and the British would share the Oregon territory. Following the Adams-Onís Treaty, Americans began to settle in Florida and pursue the fur trade in Oregon.
