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French and Indian War
During the war, Britain required lots of funding to continue the war, so received loans from the French, which, after the war, dug Britain into deep debt. So they moved to taxing the colonies of the new world. Because Britain began harshly taxing the colonies, this resulted into the American Revolution. -
Battle at Lexington and Concord
Also known as “the shot heard ‘round the world”, this battle was the first scuffle between American and British soldiers in the towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. This initiated the war between and America and Britain and told the world of the revolution. -
The signing of the Declaration of Independence
Occurring in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Second Continental Congress joined together to finalize the Declaration of Independence on July fourth. The Declaration encompassed what the Framers thought as the ideal government, and wanted to break free from Britain’s grasp. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle signified in increase in American force through the surrender of British trips in mid October, and began to show Britain the force and power of the American troops. -
Battle of Yorktown
The battle of Yorktown, also known as the Siege of Yorktown, signified the end of the Revolution, with General Charles Cornwallis surrendering to George Washington and his troops, as French and American troops surrounded the British Brigade. -
Signing of the Treaty of Paris
Signed in Annapolis, Maryland, the Treaty of Paris signified the official end of the American Revolution, and split off the hold of Britain on America. -
The creation of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution put forth the ideas set out by the Framers of the Declaration of Independence, and formalized them to become a new and strong government the world had never seen. This included the idea that the people carried an amount of power towards the government. -
Creation of the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights were a formal set of amendments (ten to be exact) that gave each citizen rights that the government could not take away. These ideas came from John Locke, who put forth the idea of ‘inalienable rights’, which were that every citizen had the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (also property).” -
End of the Industrial Revolution
The end of the Industrial Revolution signified the end of industrialization and marked the new age of electrical innovations and telegraphic and telephone inventions. -
The South seceded from The Union
The South seceding instigated the start of the American Civil War. This was significant because it really showed the problems of slavery towards the rest of the world, and unveiled why we should abolish it completely. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
An executive order signed by the new president Abraham Lincoln; this order declared that 3.5 million slaves in most parts of the Southern states legally became free. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Described as the turning point of the war, the battle of Gettysburg occurred over three days in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and is often referred to as the most bloodiest battle in American history, resulting in 51,112 deaths from both the Union and South sides. -
The Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was given by president Abraham Lincoln at the funeral of many soldiers from the battle of Gettysburg, and in minuted became one of the most famous speeches in American History. Lincoln gave to speech to try and unite the country back together and pick up after their losses. -
Transcontinental Railroad Finished
The importance of the Transcontinental Railroad was that it united the Eastern and Western coasts, and brought the country together. It also made it easier for people and supplies to make it across the states without the need for long wagon or horseback rides. -
End of reconstruction
In 1877, the United States complete the reconstruction under President Rutherford B. Hayes. This signified that the country was put back together and could continue on to keep moving forward.
