-
Declaration of Independence
Video: The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia by members of the Second Continental Congress, letting England know that the 13 English colonies now saw themselves as free, and independent states. -
US becomes independent with Treaty of Paris
VIDEO: The Treaty of Paris is signedThe Treaty of Paris gave the 13 American states their indepenence from England. They would know rule themselves. -
Constitution Ratified
VIDEO: The Constitution is RatifiedThe United States Constitution is ratified and replaces the Articles of Confederation as the Supreme Law of the United States. "We The People" the first three words of the document spells out who will be in charge in this new government. -
U.S. Bill of Rights is Ratified
VIDEO: What is the Bill of Rights?The frist ten amendments to the US Constitution protect the rights of individuals as well as the rights of the states. These were added as part of the compromise between those in favor of the new federal constitution and those who were afraid of it having too much power. -
Thomas Jefferson Elected President
VIDEO: The Election of 1800 Explained First peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Republicans with the election of Jefferson, and the defeat of John Adams. -
Louisiana Purchase
Article: How the Louisiana Purchase Changed the World The United States doubles the size of its territory by the signing of the treaty with France, giving the US all the land from the Mississippi River to the edge of the Rocky Mountains. This would continue the idea American expansion which seemed to always be going West. -
Period: to
Mexican-American War
Video: The Mexican War in 3 MinutesThis war was part of American expansion. Nationalism and Imperialism played a role in this war. This war gives the U.S. yet more territory, including what would become California, Nevada, Arizona, parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. -
Period: to
The United States Civil War
Video: The U.S. Civil WarThe Civil War divided the United States between those that valued freedom for all and the federal government having the final authority on this, and those that valued the rights of states to decide the issue of slavery and freedom. The Union or North won, but it would take decades for the nation to recover. -
First Atomic Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan
PODCAST: Was the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb the biggest event of World War 2? In an attempt to bring the war with Japan to an end, the United States makes the decision to drop the highly secret atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later on Aug. 9 a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. After this second bomb, the Japanese government agreed to surrender.
