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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Granted rights to both Nobles and Freemen. -
Roanoak
Roanoak was the first attempted colony in America. It is known as the "Lost colony" -
Jamestown Founded
Jamestown was the first pemanent settlemant in the "New World" -
House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses, first Representative Assembly in Colonies. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first agreement to form a self-government in the Colonies. -
Providence, RI Founded
Roger Williams founded Providence, RI for religeous freedom. -
The Navigation Acts
Were passed by England to regulate colonial commerce to suit English needs. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon led planters against the autocratic British Government. -
Pennsylvania Founded
William Penn signed a treaty with Delaware Indians and made payment for Pennsylvania lands. -
Witchcraft Delusion at Salem
20 alleged witches executed by special court. -
The Great Awakening
Great Awakening religeous revival began. -
Poor Richard's Almanack
Benjamin Franklin published the first Poor Richard's Almanack. -
John Peter Zenger
Editor John Peter Zenger was acquitted of libel in New York after criticizing the British governor's conduct in office. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin wrote the Albany Plan of Union in 1754 in order to organize the colonies. -
French and Indian War
Began when French occupied Ft. Duquesne. -
Sugar Act
Sugar Act placed duties on lumber, foodstuffs, molasses, and rum in colonies, to pay French and Indian War debts. -
The Stamp Act
Enacted by Parliament, it required revenue stamps to help fund royal troops. -
Quartering Act
Requires colonists to house British troops. -
The Townshend Acts
These Acts were passes in the colonies in order to raise revenues for England. These were basically the other repealed acts combined. -
The Boston Massacre
British soldiers fired into a group of colonists, killing four and Crispus Attucks. This was used as Anti-British propaganda. -
The Boston Tea Party
Colonists dressed as Native Americans threw 342 chests of tea in the Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act. -
Intolerable Acts
Britain passed the Intolerable Acts to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. -
First Continental Congress
Held in Philadelphia; called for civil disobedience against British. -
"Give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry addressed Virginia convention and said, "Give me liberty or give me death!" -
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and William Prescott ride to warn the colonists that the British are coming. -
Lexington and Concord
At Lexington, Minutemen lost 8. On return from Concord, British took 273 casualties. -
Common Sense
A famous pro-independence pamphlet by Thomas Paine; quickly sold some 100,000 copies. -
Declaration of Independence
Approved July 4 and declared independence from Britain. -
Saratoga
Americans cut off British escape route and Burgoyne surrendered 5,000 men at Saratoga. -
Articles of Confederation
Adopted by Continental Congress, Nov. 15, took effect Mar. 1, 1781 -
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones on the Bonhomme Richard defeated Serapis in British North Sea waters. -
15th Amendment
Making race no bar for voting rights. -
Cornwallis retired to Yorktown
Siege of cornwallis began, Oct. 6; Cornwallis surrendered Oct. 19. -
Paris Peace Treaty
Britain, U.S. signed the Paris peace treaty, recognizing American independence, Congress ratified it Jan. 14, 1784. -
Constitutional Convention
Constitutional convention opened in Philadelphia with Washington presiding. Delaware became the first state to ratify it. -
Northwest Ordinance
Adopted July 13 by Continental Congress for Northwest Territory, north of Ohio River, west of New York; made rules for statehood. Guaranteed freedom of religeon, support for schools, no slavery. -
George Washington chosen as President
George Washington chosen president by all electors voting: John Adams, vice president, got 34 votes. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Righhts, went into effect Dec. 15. -
Eli Whitney Invented the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, reviving Southern slavery. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Warned against pemanent alliances with foreign powers, big public debt, large military establishment, and devices of "small, artful, enterprising minority." -
Louisiana Puchase
Louisiana Purchase doubled U.S. area. -
Lewis and Clark expedition
Lewis and Clark explored the Northwest U.S. -
First Steamboat Invented
Robert Fulton made the first practical steamboat. -
War of 1812
Had 3 main causes: Britain seized U.S. ships trading with France; Britain seized 4,000 naturalized U.S. sailors; Britain armed Indians, who raided the western border. -
The Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." -
Missouri Compromise
Slavery was allowed in Missouri, but not west of the Mississippi River, Repealed 1854 -
Monroe Doctrine
Opposed European intervention in the Americas, enunciated by President James Monroe. -
Trail of Tears
Jackson's Indian Removal Act forced the Cherokees on the Trail of Tears. -
Telegraph Invented
Samuel F.B. Morse invented the Telegraph. -
Women's Rights Convention
Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton led Seneca Falls, NY, Women's Rights Convention. -
Compromise of 1850
Senator Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 admitted California as the 31st state, with slavery forbidden. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin published. -
Dred Scott Decision
Decided that slaves did not become free in a free state because they were not citizens. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Abraham Lincoln elected President. -
Confederate States of America formed
Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederate States of America. -
Civil War begins at Ft. Sumter
Battle that signified the beginning of the Civil War. -
Battle of Anteitam
This was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclomation
Lincoln issues this speech freeing all slaves in areas still in rebellion. -
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln's famous speech after the Battle Of Gettysburg. -
Robert E. Lee surrendered
Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery. -
14th Amendment
Provided citizenship for all persons born or naturalized in the US. -
Red Cross Founded
Clara Barton founded the Red Cross.