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Magna Carta
The first governmental decree in England by King John establishing the principle that all people, including the king, were equally subject to the law. The Magna Carta had a significant impact on the American Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution which reflected the rights of the people to have a say in government. -
Settlement of Jamestown
First permanent English settlement in North America. -
Pilgrims Settle Plymouth
Group of English settlers who left Europe in search of religious freedom who were headed towards Jamestown and went off course and landed in America. -
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Industrial Revolution
Began in Europe and spread to the US with the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 and the steam engine by Robert Fulton. This lead to dramatic changes including building of factories and transportation such as railroads, but also led to overcrowding in cities and poor working conditions. -
The Great Awakening
A series of religious revivals that propelled the expansion of Protestant religions in the American colonies. It was led by Protestant ministers including George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards in an attempt to bring religion back to the colonists. It focused on human sinfulness and the importance of penance to attain salvation from God. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord and Shot Heard Around the World
Signaled the start of the American Revolution. -
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French and Indian War
Begins because of conflict between Great Britain and France regarding westward expansion in the United States. Both ally different Native American tribes. Also called the Seven Years War. Precursor to the American Revolution because Britain levied taxes on the colonies to pay for debts incurred during the War. -
Treaty of Paris
Signing ended French and Indian War where British gained significant territory as a result. -
The Stamp Act
Britain levied a tax on the American colonies, requiring them to pay a tax on all printed materials. This led to protest by the colonist. -
Boston Massacre
Following Britain instituting the Townshend Acts (additional taxes on tea, glass, paper, lead, paint), American colonists began to protest. British soldiers opened fire on American protesters killing 5 men and injuring 6. This event changed colonist perspective about British rule. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston colonists disguised as Indians and threw several hundred chests of tea into the harbor as a protest against the British taxes on tea. Samuel Adams a patriot who formed the Sons of Liberty to protest against the taxes levied by Britain. -
Paul Revere's’ Ride
A member of the Sons of Liberty, Paul Revere is famous for his ride warning colonists that the “British are coming.” -
First Continental Congress
Britain passed the Intolerable Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party. This further angered the colonists. Representatives from 12 of 13 colonies came together in Philadelphia, PA to discuss the taxes imposed by Britain. These delegates served as the government during the American Revolution. -
Second Continental Congress
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Continental Army
Established by the Second Continental Congress and led by George Washington, General of the Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill or Breeds Hill
British suffered the loss of over 1,000 soldiers and realized the strength of the Continental Army. -
Common Sense
Series of essays written by Thomas Paine, an activist who argued in the writing that the colonies should break away from British rule. This writing helped convince that breaking away was the best direction for the colonies. -
Declaration of Independence (DOI)
Influenced by the principles of the Magna Carta, the Second Continental Congress adopted the DOI, declaring where the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. -
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Valley Forge
Following several defeats Patriots under direction of General Washington, endured a harsh winter, but led to loyalty and bonding within the troops. -
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point in the war in the Americans' favor and convinced the world that American independence was imminent. In February 1778, France recognized the United States as an independent nation, and a few months later, in May, declared war against Britain. -
Articles of Confederation (AOC)
Served as the first constitution of the United States. This document officially established the government of the union of the thirteen states. Allowed congress to raise an army, create laws, and print money. -
Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle of the American Revolution where British General Cornwallis surrenders. This was the unofficial end to the American Revolution. -
Olive Branch Petition
Official peace treaty between Britain and the United States that ended the American Revolution. Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation and withdrew the royal troops. -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
Law passed by Congress that allowed for sales of land in the Northwest Territory and set up standards for the sale of land in the expanding United States. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates gathered to discuss changes necessary to the Articles of Confederation. They rewrote and adopted the Constitution. During its creation, The Virginia Plan and The New Jersey Plan, were resolved by The Great Compromise. The Three-Fifths Compromise resolved the issue of apportionment. -
Shays’ Rebellion
A series of protests by American farmers against state and local governments led by Daniel Shay, that encouraged the need to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation. -
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
A land agreement under the Articles of Confederation that created the Northwest territory, enabling the United States to expand into the Great Lakes area. -
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US Constitution ratified by the States
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Federalist Papers
Collection of 85 published essays written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, promoting ratification of the US Constitution and the idea of a republican government. -
George Washington
George Washington becomes first President of the new United States of America -
Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution giving individual freedoms and rights to the people. -
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Second Great Awakening
Because of the rapid expansion brought on by the Industrial Revolution, there was a decline in religion. During the presidency of John Adams, Christian ministers wanted to revive interest in religion. Not only did it try to bring Protestants and other Christian denominations back to the church, it also worked to convert non christians and introduce concepts such as temperance and helping those less fortunate. -
Louisiana Purchase
Largest purchase of land ever by the United States and doubled the size of the country. The US acquired the land from the French. -
Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean
Explorer who map out areas of the Louisiana Purchase and explore land all the way to the Pacific Ocean. -
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War of 1812
During the presidency of James Madison the United States declared war on Britain because they were upset about trade restrictions placed on the US, impressment of US sailors and British support of American Indians who were interfering with westward expansion. -
Missouri Compromise
Allowed Missouri to be admitted as a slave state, Maine as a free state. -
Indian Removal Act
Congress passes a law to move Native Americans from the Southeast to west of the Mississippi River. -
The Battle of the Alamo
War fought between the Republic of Texas and Mexico. It took place at a fort in San Antonio, Texas called the Alamo. The Mexicans won the battle, killing all of the Texan soldiers inside the fort. -
Trail of Tears
The Cherokee Nation is forced to march from the east coast to Oklahoma. Thousands of Native Americans die along the way. -
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The Mexican-American War
War was fought between the United States and Mexico. It was fought because the United States wanted the land from Mexico. -
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Stephen A. Douglas
Illinois Senator who was a presidential candidate, and champion of Popular Sovereignty. Douglas gained almost as many popular votes as Lincoln, but they were in all the same states. Douglas had almost no support in the South, so he lost the electoral race badly. -
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Discovery of Gold and Gold Rush
Gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill and people -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a term used for a network of people, homes, and hideouts that slaves in the southern United States used to escape to freedom in the Northern United States and Canada -
Uncle Toms Cabin
Harriet began writing a story about slavery. She wanted to help people in the North to understand better the realities of slavery. Initially, a new portion of the story came out each week in a newspaper called the National Era. -
The Civil War Begins
Fought between southern and northern states of the United States. It was the deadliest war in American history. Over 600,000 soldiers died in the war. The southern states didn't want to be part of the United States any more and decided to make their own country. However, the northern states wanted to stay one country. -
The Battle of Antietam
First the Union would attack then the Confederates would counterattack. The fighting was fierce and the day would be one of the bloodiest in American history. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Confederate army continued to hold their ground throughout the day. General McClellan was cautious and never committed his entire force, while Robert E. Lee had his entire army engaged in battle in order to hold off the Union soldiers. It was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
An order by President Abraham Lincoln to free the slaves. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee had invaded the North and was trying to defeat the Union Army. This famous attack is called Pickett's Charge because Lee sent General George Pickett. Pickett's men were defeated with over half of them injured or killed. General Lee and the Confederate Army retreated. -
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54th Regiment
Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The unit was the first African-American regiment organized in the northern states during the Civil War -
End of the Civil War
The American Civil War comes to an end when General Robert E. Lee soldier surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. -
Slavery is outlawed
Slavery is outlawed by the 13th amendment. -
American Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton
founded by Clara Barton
