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Period: to
American Revolution
A bloody war against Britain, America is fighting for freedom against Britain over 60000 on both sides will die. -
Articles of Confederation
By this date all the states have ratified the Articles of Confederation -
Yorktown
At this critical battle Americans under Washington and the french under Admiral de Grasse and Lafayette defeat Charles Cornwallis in the final major battle of the war -
Treaty of Paris
Official end of the Revolution Britain recognizes America as an independant country -
Shays rebellion
After the revolution many soldiers had not been paid and had procured huge debt. Many were thhrown in debtors prison and theiir lands confiscated. Finally on August 29 Daniel Shays led a rebellion aggainst Massachusetts. -
Federalist Papers
On this date the Federalist Papers written by John Jay and Alexander Hamilton and James Madison supporting the ratification of the Constitution. -
End of the Articles of Confederation
The AoC was a weak form of government, the president was almost just a ceremonial role. On this date the AoC was replaced by the Constitution -
Washington Sworn in as president
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Benjamin Franklin Died
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Whisky Rebellion
Angry Farmers protest a tariff on their beloved whisky and rebel. The rebellion is put down by President Washington himself. -
Cotton Gin
By 1793 slavery in the south was dying it was inprofitable since to extract cotton was so slow! But on october 4 1793 Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin speeding up cotton production by almost 1000%! This though caused slavery to become very profitable again -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Passed in preparation for an anticipated war with France, the Alien and Sedition Acts tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited the right to critize the government. Already, in the Adams(2nd presedent of the United States) administration the Constitution was broken -
Louisiana Purchase
On this date the US diplomats in France officially bought the Louisiana territory an are bigger than the united states at the time for only $15000000. Basically $0.04 per acre -
The Duel
On this date two political nemises Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton fought a duel in the grassy ground of New Jersey. Hamilton's shot missed but Burr's shot hit Hamilton and a few days later Hamilton died of his wounds. -
Abraham Lincoln Born
Also born this year is Edgar Allen Poe(a fomous writer)
And on this year Thomas Paine(writer of Common Sense during the revolutionary war) dies -
Battle of Tippecanoe
General William Henry Harrison(later the 9th president) defeats the Native american chief Tecumseh. -
War declared!
On this date the US declares war on Great Britain. The war of 1812 has begun! -
Period: to
War of 1812
Sometimes called "The Second War of Independence" -
Burning of Washington DC
On this date the british burned the capital. Dolly Madison rescued a portrait of George Washington and only left mere hours before the british arrived. -
Siege of Fort McHenry
On this date British Admiral James Cochrane shelled Fort McHenry for 36hrs. Francis Scott Key composed a poem about the siege of the fort called The Star Spangled Banner. This is now the US anthem. After 36hrs of constant shelling when the smoke clear the US flag was still standing! -
Battle of New Orleans
On this date news of peace still had not reached America and british forces were only seven miles from New Orleans. When they attacked soon-to-be War hero Andrew Jackson lead a heavily outnumbered force and massacred the british regulars in 20 minutes! The final battle of the war was a decisive US victory. -
Treaty of Ghent
In the Flemish city of Ghent on this date peace was negotiated and officially the War of 1812 ended -
Monroe Doctrine
The Fifth president James Monroe formally signed a document that said the US would not tolerate any more colonization in the american continents. -
Indian Removal act
During the presidency of Andrew jackson Congress passed the Indian removal act forcing all Indians of their lands to reservations across the Mississippi. One of the notorious acts of the Indian Removal Act was the trail of tears. -
Black Hawk War
On this date the US formally declared war against the Sauk and Fox Indians. After a few months chief Black Hawk and both tribes[Sauk and Fox] were subdued. -
Assasins!
Richard Lawrence unsuccessfully tries to assasinates War hero and now president Andrew Jackson. This is the first assasination atempt in US history, Four presidents will be assasinated in US history -
Period: to
Second Seminole war
A war fought between the US and indians called the Seminole in Florida. The outcome was a US victory at heavy losses. The great Seminole Chief Osceola fought the US for 3 years until his death in 1838. But the Seminole fought on until 1842 -
Dade Massacre
First major battle in the second seminole war Major Francis Dade's army is wiped out.
Result: Desicive Seminole Victory
Casualties:
USA: 107/110 dead
Seminole:3/180 dead -
Battle of the Alamo
At this date the siege of the fortress of the Alamo began 189 texans held off over 1800 mexicans under General Santa Anna.
Finally by March 6 the stronghold was broken and every single one of the 189 defenders were killed but over 600 mexican died in the fighting. -
Panic of 1837
The first major stock market crash, enemployment at around 30%. The panic is so bad, it is compared to the Great Depression. -
The telegraph
On this year Samuel Morse perfects the Telegraph. Pony Express is out of business by 1841 -
Battle of Lake Okeechobee
Another major battle in the secon seminole war, a tactical Seminole victory but strategic USA victory.
Casualties:
USA:138/1100 dead or wounded
Seminole:25/400 dead or wounded -
William Henry Harrison dies in office
The first president to die in office. The 9th president, William dies after only a month in office. Shortest term in US history. -
Dorr Rebellion
A rebellion in Rhode Island is quickly put down by the state. -
PT Barnum's first major success
In 1842, Barnum introduced his first major hoax, a creature with the head of a monkey and the tail of a fish, known as the "Feejee" mermaid. -
Anesthesia is used for the first time
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The great Mormon migration begins
Thousands of member of the church of latter day saints aka the "Mormons" begin a march to Utah led by Brigham Young -
Period: to
Mexican American War
Many commanders in the civil war get experience fighting in the mexican war.
Result: Mexico loses much of its western territories from California to Texas.
Casualties:
USA:13283/91000
Mexico:16000/60000 -
Siege of Veracruz
On this date the Mexican stronghold of Veracruz fell to USA soldiers. A crucial turning point in the Mexican-American War. -
Fall of Mexico City
General Winfield Scott captures Mexico City -
John Marshall finds GOLD AT SUTTER'S MILL!
The beginning of the california Gold Rush -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The official end to the mexican war -
Compromise of 1850
A major step towards the civil war, the fugitive slave law is passed. -
Uncle Tom's cabin published by Harrriet Beecher Stowe
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The gadsen purchase
This purchase basically mapped out the Mexico-USA border which is still present today -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska act was ushered through congress by Stephen Douglass who basically ignored the Missouri Comprimise by allowing slavery north of Missouri. This act allowed people to decide for themselves whether to own slaves or not. -
Bloody Kansas
Pro-slavery activists from Missouri cross the border into Kansas in large numbers rigging the election. As the anti-slavery activists fight back at Pottawatomie Creek; Kansas turns into Bloody Kansas -
Pottawatomie Massacre
A band of anti-slavery activists led by John Brown murder five pro-slavery farmers in Kansas -
Dred Scott vs Sandford
The supreme court under Roger B Taney rules that Blacks are not citizens and slaves can not sue for freedom, driving the country further towards the American Civil War (the ruling is not overturned until the 14th Amendment in 1868). -
First of the lincoln Douglas Debates
Steven Douglas vs Abraham Lincoln -
Pike's Peak Gold Rush!
Pike's Peak Gold Rush begins in the Colorado Territory in July bringing in a horde of "59ers" -
Oil Rush in Pennsylvania!
Edwin Drake drills the first oil well in the United States sparking the Pennsylvanian oil rush -
Harpers Ferry raid
John Brown raids the Harpers Ferry Armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in an unsuccessful bid to spark a general slave rebellion -
Pony Express' first trip!
The Pony Express begins its first run from Saint Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Civil war begins on this day. 36 hours later, after a constant cannon barrage, Fort Sumter falls to the Confederate Forces -
Period: to
The Civil war
The bloodiest war ever fought on American Soil, it would cost America almost a million casualties. -
Death of Steven Douglass
Steven Douglass(1813-1861): died at age 48, senator from illinois from 1847 until shortly before his death -
First Battle of Bull Run aka First Manassas
A desisive victory for the Confederates where panicked civilians fled from the battlefield after Confederate cavalry under JEB Stuart routed the Union cavalry winning the battle.
Confederate: 387 dead, 1582 wounded
Union: 460 dead, 1124 wounded, >1000 missing -
Battle of Wilson's Creek
Confederate Victory after the death of US Army brigidier general Nathaniel Lyon. First battle west of the Missisippi River.
Confederate: 277 dead, 945 wounded
Union: 258 dead, 873 wounded -
USS Monitor, the first ironclad, is launched
The era of the ironclad's has begun
End of the era of the wooden warships -
Battles of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry
From Feb6 - Feb15 General Grant captures 2 key forts in the western theater.
Confederate: ~500 dead, 300 wounded, 10000 captured
Union: 1000 dead, 2000 wounded -
Battle of Hampton Roads
The iron-clad CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) is launched at Hampton Roads, Virginia. A day later the Battle of Hampton Roads is the first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. -
Battle of Shiloh
A remarkable union victory; on the first day the union army under Grant was routed. Though on the second day Grant rallied his men to win the battle though his losses in morale and men were devastating.
Confederate: 1728 dead, ~8000 wounded, ~1000 captured
Union: 2885 dead, 8408 wounded, ~3000 captured -
Battle of Antietam [Sharpsburg]
This wasn't the bloodiest battle in US history though this day [September 17, 1862] was the bloodiest DAY in american history.
Confederate: 1546 dead, 7752 wounded, ~1000 captured
Union: 2108 dead, ~10000 wounded, 753 captured -
Battle of Fredericksburg
An incredibly costly Union offensive led by US general Ambrose Burnside. The main battle in the Fredericksburg Campaign, the offensive would fail miserably giving the Confederates Spotsylvania County and the battle.
Confederate: ~600 dead, ~4000 wounded, 753 captured
Union: 1284 dead, ~10000 wounded, 1769 captured
Union: -
Emancipation Proclamation
After the inconclusive battle of Anietam; Lincoln officially decides to pass an executive order to free all slaves in the rebellious south. -
Battle of Chacellorsville
Cosidered Lee's greatest victory since he routed a Unon army under Joeph Hooker that was almost twice his own armies' size. Chancellorsville was also the most desisive battle won by the Confederates. At Chancellorsville, "Stonewall" Jackson died due to friendly fire at night.
Confederate: 1665 dead, ~9000 wounded, ~2000 captured
Union: 1606 dead, 9672 wounded, ~6000 captured -
Battle of Gettysburg
After this battle, the most desisive of all Union victories in the war, Lee's army of Northern Virginia was effectively wiped out. After this battle, involving Picket's charge, the Confederacy's feeble hope of winning the war was dimmed then finally put out a day later at Vicksburg.
Confederate: 4708 dead, 12693 wounded, 5830 captured
Union: 3155 dead, ~15000 wounded, 5369 captured -
Seige of Vicksburg
The last remaining stronghold of the Confederacy in the Missisippi river region; the fall of Vicksburg after a attricious 47 day seige led by Grant maked the end of the major action in the western theater. Paired with the Battle of Gettysburg in the eastern theater, the Confederacy's fate became inevitable.
Confederate: ~3000 dead, almost 30000 surrendered
Union: ~5000 dead or wounded -
Battle of Fort Wagner
The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry fails to capture Fort Wagner but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war.
Union: >1000 dead or wounded
Confederate: <200 dead or wounded -
Fall of Atlanta
At the beginning of of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman's devasting "march to the sea", after a four mounth seige Sherman captures Atlanta and then he sacks the city. -
2nd Battle of Franklin
One of THE WORST tactical defeats of the Confederacy during the civil war. General John Hood simply hurled forward his men against strong defenses suffering dreadful losses.
Confederate: 1750 dead, 3800 wounded, ~700 captured
Union: 189 dead, 1033 wounded, 1104 captured -
Battle of Nashville
Vicksburg doomed the Confederacy's hope of winning the Western theater but Nashville in reality sealed it. It would be the last major battle of the Western Theater. The battle of Franklin cripppled the General Hood's Army of Tennessee though Nashville finally destroyed his army permanently.
Confederate: ~1500 dead or wounded, ~4500captured
Union: 387 dead, 2558 wounded, 112 captured -
Fall of Savannah
End of Sherman's "March to the Sea" after the sack of Savannah -
Battle of Five Forks
This is Robert E Lee's last offensive during the Civil War. At first it is sucessful though his army could not afford to suffer as many losses as it suffered at the Battle itself.
Confederate: ~3000 dead, wounded, or captured
Union: ~1000 dead, wounded, or captured -
Appomattox Court House
Here Lee officially surrenders to Grant. Official end of the Civil War though vagabond generals keep on fighting until early 1866.
On April 2 Jefferson Davis had already fled Richmond.
On April 3 Richmond is burned and taken by Union soldiers -
Assasination of Lincoln
The first president to be die in office due to malicious attempts and the fourth president to die in office at all, the death of Lincoln due to Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth would shock the nation. -
Period: to
Reconstruction
The south tries to rebiuld after the devastating Civil War -
Period: to
The Indian Wars in the West
These Wars where mainly veteran commanders from the Civil War vs The Sioux and the Apache. -
Purchase of Alaska
Alaska is purchased for $7.2 million from Alexander II of Russia, by United States Secretary of State William H. Seward. The news media call this "Seward's Folly."
That is until gold is found in the "Yukon Gold Rush" -
Impeachment of Johnson
Three days after his action to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, the House of Representatives votes 126 to 47 in favor of a resolution to impeach Andrew Johnson. Johnson is later acquitted by the Senate BY 1 VOTE! -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
After pursuing a policy of total war on the Plain Indians, General William Tecumseh Sherman brokers the Treaty of Fort Laramie
Note: General Sherman was the same general who lead "The March to the Sea" -
Period: to
The Gilded age
"A time of Extremes" said by Mark Twain -
Promotory Point
Here, in Utah, the Trancontinental railroad is at last completed. The very last spike was a golden spike driven in by the owner of one of the 2 railroads who created the railroad. -
Orange Riots collapse of Tweed
Link to the orange riots
William M Tweed, called "Boss Tweed" was a corrupt politician who almost singlehandedly ran New York City and State. After almost a decade of squeezing cash($) out of New York he was finally thrown in jail due to the almost 60 dead at the Orange riots. -
The Great Chicago Fire
Worthy of Recognition because it would destroy >70% of Chicago and it was one of the only fires in Chicago to ever jump the river mainly because the river was incredibly polluted. The fire killed ~300 people and would leave >100000 homeless -
A protest for Women's Suffrage
In defiance of the law, suffragist Susan B. Anthony votes for the first time. Later though she was arrested and fined $100. She never paid the fine -
Birth of Jeans
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received United States patent#139121 for using copper rivets to strengthen the pockets of denim work pants. Levi Strauss & Co. began manufacturing the famous Levi's brand of jeans. -
Panic of 1873
The New York stock market crash triggers the Panic of 1873, part of the Long Depression. The panic was caused when John D Rockefeller stopped shipping his oil using the railroads. Sudden END of the railroads. -
Bell invents the telephone!
YAY -
Battle of Little Big-Horn
The most dramatic and greatest of the Sioux victories over the US Army, this battle also resulted in the death of the prodigy general George Armstrong Custer/
Native American: 36 dead, 160 wounded
US Army: 268 dead, 58 wounded -
Edison invents the Phonograph!
Regarded as his first MAJOR invention, precursor to CD players. -
2nd Presidential Assasination!
On this date, James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States, is shot by lawyer Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. He survives the shooting but suffers from infection of his wound, dying on September 19.
Guiteau is later executed for murder -
Creation of Standard Oil
The Standard Oil Trust (monopoly) is secretly created to control multiple corporations set up by John D. Rockefeller and his associates. -
Creation of Time-zones
U.S. and Canadian railroads institute 5 standard continental time zones, ending the confusion of thousands of local times. -
Mark Twain finishes writing "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
Considered one of the greatest books in modern literature. Out of all the books Twain wrote this is probably the best though "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is more widely known. -
Washington Monument is completed
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Statue of Liberty is erected
. The pedestal was erected by slow fundraising, mainly by Joseph Pulitzer. The body was made by fundraising of the people of France. On this date workmen finally completed assembling the statue together and Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty to America. The statue is located in New York Harbor, on Bedloe's Island. -
Anne Sullivan begins to teach Hellen Keller
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Collapse of the South Fork Dam
Due to the actions of the second in command of Carnegie Steel, Henry Frick spends money on a rich people only club and doesn't bother strengthining a dam. In that year though a huge amount of rain falls onto the river, the result is a catastrophe. The [South Fork] Dam collapses killing more than 2,200 people in and around Johnstown, Pennsylvania. -
Nelly Bly circumnavigates Earth
Nellie Bly, woking for Pulitzer's newspaper "The Globe", completes her round-the-world journey in 72 days beating Phineas Fogg's record of 80days. Fogg's record came from Jules Verne's book "Around the World in 80 days". -
Wounded Knee Massacre
Near Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment tries to disarm a Native American camp and shooting starts. After this encounter, the Indian Wars in the plains officially ends after the last major tribal chief surrenders
Lakota Sioux: 153 dead or wounded, 150 fled
US Army: 25 dead, ? wounded -
Ellis Island Opens
Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants to the United States. It will soon become the most popularized Immigration checkpoint in US History. It finally closes in 1954. -
Plessy vs Ferguson
Homer Plessy (who is a white octoroon [1/8 African Heritage with white skin]) is arrested for sitting on the whites-only car in Louisiana, leading to the landmark Plessy vs Ferguson court case. -
Pullman Strike
Three thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers go on a "wildcat" (without union approval) strike in Illinois. The Strike eventually fails. -
Saving of the Gold Standard
The gold reserve of the U.S. Treasury is saved when J. P. Morgan and the Rothschilds loan $65 million worth of gold to the United States government. -
First African-American PHD
W. E. B. Du Bois becomes the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University. -
Rise of Henry Ford
The Ford Quadricycle, the first Ford vehicle ever developed, is completed, eventually leading Henry Ford to build the empire that "put America on wheels".
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