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Period: to
Significant events in American history, 1607-1861
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Jamestown
The english settlers founded Jamestown, led by captain John Smith. This was the first permanent settlement in the new world (Of the People, 63). -
House of Burgesses Established
The House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly. It was the lower house in the Virginia Colonial legislature. It was also the first democratically elected body. -
Famine in France
The famine in France killed 2 million people. This drastic event carried on for a few years and then was one of the causes of the French Revolution. -
Slavery in Russia
Slavery is abolished in Russia under Peter the Great. However, Peter the Great changed the institution from slavery into serfdom. -
JQA Born
John Quincy Adams was born in Massachusetts, the first son of John and Abigail Adams. He was born, "...when the seeds of the Revolution were sprouting; periodic riots erupted in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other American towns" (Unger 6). -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers, who were quartered in the city, fired into a mob killing several Americans. This was a driving force in uniting colonists against the British. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution does not necessarily have a set date, it was a progressive movement that took place in the hearts and minds of the colonists. However, the first battle of the Revolutionary War can be used to pinpoint this drastic change in colonial life. The first battle at Lexington and Concord showed the direct change in mindset and the determination of the people. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an uprising in Massachusetts. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led 4,000 rebels in an uprising against "economic and civil rights injustices." This rebellion also showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. -
U.S. Constitution
The Constitution took a large group effort from many educated men, the goal was to create a better form of government than the Articles of Confederation set up. The Constitution contains seven Articles that outline the way the new nation will run. -
Sydney Colony Established
The first fleet arrived at Botany Bay in January and settled there before moving to Port Jackson and establishing Sydney Cove. The colony was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip in 1788. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was an extended period of social and political changes. It was largely led by Napoleon during the expansion of the French Empire. -
JQA Married
John Quincy Adams married Louisa Catherine Johnson, the English-born daughter of a diplomat. He was married to his wife until death and had 4 children together. -
JQA Senator
John Quincy Adams was elected as a Senator of Massachusetts. He served in the Senate in 1803-1808. -
JQA Secretary of State
James Monroe appointed John Quincy Adams to Secretary of State in his cabinet. Monroe had been waiting for Adams to return to the country to appoint his cabinet. This decision upset Henry Clay because he wanted it as a step in the step ladder to become president. -
Antarctica is discovered
Captain James Cook and his crew become the first to sail the Antarctic Circle in 1773. However it is not until 1820 that Antarctica is found by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. -
JQA President
John Quincy Adams was elected the sixth President of the United States. Adams Elected Henry Clay as his Secretary of State, proving that they had bargained. Andrew Jackson spoke out against this "corrupt bargain." -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed into action by Andrew Jackson while he was president. This plan exchanged settled Indian lands for unsettled lands west of Mississippi. The Indian Removal Act foreshadowed the Trail of Tears making it very significant. -
JQA Supreme Court
John Quincy Adams was involved in the United States vs Amistad Case. He argued to free the black prisoners. He won the case, Joseph Story read the decision, "There does not seem to us to be any ground for doubt that these Negroes ought to be free" (Unger 293). -
JQA Speech
John Quincy Adams gave a speech to the House of Representatives. It shared many of the same beliefs of Abraham Lincoln's later speech, The Emancipation Proclamation. Many people supported him but he also received hate for it. -
JQA Death
John Quincy Adams first collapses while trying to defend his vote on a bill in the House of Representatives. He dies 2 days later on a bed in the Capitol Building. -
South Carolina secedes
A convention met in Charleston and drafted the ordinance for succession, when it passed South Carolina officially announced it planned on succeeding. This happened because Abraham Lincoln became president and he planned to abolish slavery and South Carolina was very heavily dependent on slavery.
