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Period: to
The American War for Independance
The American colonists, under the command of George Washington, fight for their independence from Great Britain, eventually winning with the help of the French in 1783. -
Creation of the United States of America
With the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, the United States of America is established. -
Ratification of the Constitution
New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify the Constitution, reaching the mandated two-thirds majority, establishing the new Federal Government. This is preceded by Deleware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey in 1787 as well as Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and South Carolina in 1788. -
Virginia Joins the Union
Virginia ratifies the Constitution, becoming the 10th State. -
New York Joins the Union
New York ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 11th State. -
North Carolina Joins the Union
North Carolina ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 12th State. -
Rhode Island joins the Union
Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution, officially becoming the 13th State. -
Vermont Joins the Union
Vermont becomes the 14th State. -
Kentucky Joins the Union
Kentucky becomes the 15th State. -
Tennessee Joins the Union
Tennessee becomes the 16th State. -
Ohio Joins the Union
Ohio becomes the 17th State. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France, giving the United States much of the land that now comprises the Mid-West
Image: “Louisiana Purchase, 1803,” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/louisiana-purchase. -
Louisiana Joins the Union
Louisiana becomes the 18th state. -
Period: to
War of 1812
The United States is at War with the United Kingdom for a second time. -
Indiana Joins the Union
Indiana becomes the 19th State. -
Mississippi Joins the Union
Mississippi becomes the 20th State. -
Illinois Joins the Union
Illinois becomes the 21st State. -
Purcahse of Florida
The United States signs an agreement with Spain, The United States paid $5 million for damages done to Spain and recognized the Spanish control over Texas. In return, Spain gave up their claims to the northwest and ceded Florida to the United States.
Image: “Acquisition of Florida: Treaty of Adams-Onis (1819) and Transcontinental Treaty (1821),” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/florida. -
Alabama Joins the Union
Alabama becomes the 22nd State. -
Maine Joins the Union
Maine becomes the 23rd State. -
Missouri Joins the Union
Missouri becomes the 24th State. -
Arkansas Joins the Union
Arkansas becomes the 25th State. -
Michigan Joins the Union
Michigan becomes the 26th State. -
Florida Joins the Union
Florida becomes the 27th State. -
Texas Joins the Union
Texas becomes the 28th State. -
Period: to
Mexican-American War
The United States goes to war against Mexico, resulting in the United States gaining what is now the American southwest. -
Iowa Joins the Union
Iowa becomes the 29th State. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico giving up 55 percent of its territory located in the present-day American southwest.
Image: “Map of the United States Including Western Territories,” DocsTeach, accessed March 7, 2023, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/western-territories-map. -
Wisconsin Joins the Union
Wisconsin becomes the 30th State. -
Oregon Territory is Formed
The United States Congress forms the Oregon Territory, which comprises of territory in the present-day Pacific Northwest.
Image: “Formation of the Oregon Territory (U.S. National Park Service),” National Parks Service (U.S. Department of the Interior, August 6, 2022), https://www.nps.gov/places/formation-of-the-oregon-territory.htm -
California Joins the Union
California becomes the 31st State. -
Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase was a treaty between The United States and Mexico, where the United States bought an additional portion of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million.'
Image: “Gadsden Purchase, 1853–1854,” U.S. Department of State (U.S. Department of State), accessed March 7, 2023, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/gadsden-purchase. -
Minnesota Joins the Union
Minnesota becomes the 32nd State. -
Oregon Joins the Union
Oregon becomes the 33rd State. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina becomes the first State to Secede from the Union -
Southern States Secede in 1861
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana seceded in January, Texas seceded in February, Virginia seceded in April, Arkansas, and North Carolina seceded in May, and finally Tennessee in June of 1861.
Image: “Secession United States” Library of Congress. Accessed March 7, 2023. https://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/placesinhistory/archive/2011/20110314_secession.html -
Kansas Joins the Union
Kansas becomes the 34th State. -
West Virginia Splits from Virginia
West Virginia stays loyal to the Union and becomes the 35th State. -
Nevada Joins the Union
Nevada becomes the 36th State. -
Tennessee Rejoins the Union
Tenessee is allowed to send members back to the United States Congress. -
Nebraska Joins the Union
Nebraska becomes the 37th State. -
Alaskan Purchase
The United States officially purchases the Alaskan territory from Russia for $7.2 million officially removing Russia from North America.
Image: “Map of Russian America or Alaska Territory.,” The Library of Congress, accessed March 7, 2023, https://www.loc.gov/item/99446183/. -
More States Rejoin the Union
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina are allowed to send members back to the United States Congress. -
The Final States Rejoin the Union
Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia are allowed to send members back to the United States Congress.