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1492
First Europeans set foot in America
Columbus and his men landed in America. -
1492
Christopher Columbus
The first European man to set foot and colonize the United States. Killed many natives. He was sent by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. -
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Mercantilism
When the Britain a policy where Americans gave raw goods to Europe, they manufactured them, sold them in European markets, and also sent them to the colonies. Europe also put restrictions on how the colonies spent their money. -
Columbus enters Jamestown
Columbus enters Jamestown, Virginia. 13 years later, the pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts. -
Navigation Act of 1651
Required all trade between England and the colonies, to be carried on English ships. -
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The Enlightenment
A movement where there were many different beliefs around politics, philosophy, science and communications. Many people believed in a society where the people ruled. -
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French and Indian War
Both the British and French wanted to expand into the territory known as the Ohio Territory. -
Proclamation of 1763
Forbade settlement west of a line drawn along the Appalachians. -
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American Revolution
A colonial revolt where the thirteen colonies won their independence from Great Britain. Led by George Washington who later because the first president of the United States. -
Stamp Act
People had to pay taxes in the form of a stamp on various documents and papers. It was designed to help pay for the British troops during the 7 years war. -
Boston Massacre
British army soldiers shot and killed several people under a mob attack. -
Boston Tea Party
A protest by the Sons of Liberty, throwing tea crates off ships and damaging property because they did not want to pay taxes on tea. -
Declaration of Independence
Created by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, to announce their independence from Great Britain. -
Benjamin Franklin
One of the founding fathers of the United States and one of the main writers of the US declaration of independence. -
United States Constitution Signed
Made to establish national government and fundamental laws and give citizens basic rights. -
George Washington
Led the colonies in the Revolutionary War, and became the first president of the United States. -
Louisiana Purchase
Acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France. Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to buy the land from France, they ended up paying more than Jefferson wanted. -
Thomas Jefferson
One of the main writers of the declaration of independence and third president. Sent Lewis and Clark on their expedition for the Louisiana Purchase. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
First expedition across the western part of the United States. Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to bargain with France for the Louisiana Territory. -
Lewis and Clark
The two men who were sent on the first expedition exploring the western part of the US. They also negotiated the Louisiana purchase. -
Andrew Jackson
He was a huge part of American Politics. He had strong beliefs about democracy. However, many people did not like him because of the Indian Removal Act, and people believed he was overstepping his powers and stepping on the constitution. -
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Jacksonian Democracy
Jackson had great influence on American politics, and really pushed the idea of "power to the people." Some people loved him and some hated him. People thought he was overstepping his powers, crushing the constitution, and that he was unfair to the Natives. -
Election of 1828
When Andrew Jackson won his presidency with his democracy ideas. -
Abolitionist Movement
The movement to end slavery forever. -
Indian Removal Act
An act imposed by Jackson, forcing Native Americans to move west of the Mississippi River. He believed that the Native Americans could not live peacefully them. Many natives were killed, although Jackson "believed" he was being generous. -
Westward Expansion
Almost 7 million Americans migrated westward in hopes of acquiring land and becoming preposterous. -
Manifest Destiny
The idea that it was a "god-given right" for Americans to move west. -
Mexican American War
A war between the US and Mexico where the US annexed "Mexico's" land and Mexico did not accept it. The US won the war. -
Compromise of 1850
Strengthened the Fugitive Slave Law where owner had a right to take back their slaves.California was a free state, slave trade was abolished in DC, and Utah created a territorial government. -
Frederick Douglass
A man born into slavery who became an eminent abolitionists through his speeches. -
Dred Scott Decision
A slave named Dred Scott, was once a slave, but resided in a free state. He was then moved back as a slave, and unsuccessfully sued for his and his family's freedom. -
Dred Scott
A man who was enslaved, moved to a free state, and went through court, trying to fight for his freedom. He, however, lost. -
Election of 1860
When Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election. Many people in the South worried that Lincoln would be a catalyst for the end of slavery, so they vowed to secede from the union if he got elected. -
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Civil War
The North and South had opposing viewpoints on slavery and southern states were seceding from the union. This caused the civil war, and Lincoln to free all slaves. The North won the war, and the south struggled with reconstruction. -
Abraham Lincoln
The 16th president who fought the Civil War and ended slavery. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. -
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Era of Reform
A time of social activism and reform across the United States. Abolition, suffragists, and eliminating problems.