-
Period: to
French and Indian War (7 Years War)
The French and Indian War, called the 7 Years War in Europe, was fought between the French and the British with North American (Indian) allies for control of territory near the Ohio River Valley. -
Stamp Act
This tax imposed by the British forced the Americans to pay a tax on any printed piece of paper they used. A stamp was used to mark the fact that the tax was paid. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was when rowdy colonists met and taunted British soldiers, forcing the soldiers to fire. This allowed the colonists to turn people against the British. This event is significant as it was the first big sign of unity within the colonies before becoming a country. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when Americans dumped tea into the harbor as defiance against the British and their taxes This revolt played an important role in building major tension between the British and American colonies. -
1st Continental Congress
12 of the 13 colonies gathered at the 1st Continental Congress to discuss a response to the intolerable acts, and met again a year later. This helped to further build unity between the colonies while working towards a common cause. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was the first battle of the American Revolution containing the "shot heard around the world" -
Period: to
American Revolutionary War
American colonists rebelled against the British Government in 1775 to gain independence- free from their control. It resulted in the creation of the first 13 United States of America. -
Olive Branch Petition
This petition, addressed to King George III, was the last attempt by colonists to avoid war with the British. Jefferson and John Dickinson demonstrated the loyalty of the Americans and their wish for peace- although it didn't work. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
The signing of the Declaration helped to establish a sense of community when America gained independence from the British. It was the start to working towards becoming a large, united country and established our right to revolt. -
Battle of Yorktown
Yorktown held the last major battle in the Revolutionary War. Washington led the Continental Army to trap the British in Yorktown and forced them to surrender, signifying the end of the war. -
Signing of the Constitution
The Constitution was signed to create a national government and create federal laws for all citizens. It was important for providing Americans with natural rights. -
Bill of Rights Ratification
The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, established our natural rights as people that were unlisted directly. Today, we still rely on these for individual freedoms in a democracy and general society. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts, implemented by John Adams, gave the president the authority to deport any "alien" of his liking or punish them with unusual cruelty. These Acts have been used by many historians to form their opinion about the quality of Adams' presidency. -
Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement was important in developing Christianity by following the principles of the Bible in order to "restore" the community of the Church. -
Marbury v. Madison
This court case resulted in the power of judicial review to the government. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase by president Jefferson almost doubled the size of the United States. He encouraged westward expansion and allowed for the country to continue to develop by attempting to create new civilization in this foreign territory. -
Period: to
Oregon Trail
Large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail that connected the Missouri River to the valleys in Oregon. -
Period: to
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a great confidence boost for the Americans by showing the importance of their naval forces against the British at battle. Although it did not have a clear winner because the British were in debt, the United States gained pride in their military. -
Temperance Movement
The Temperance Movement was a large step in health and rehabilitation of society by attempting to reduce the community's consumption of alcohol and improve their individual lives. -
Passing of the Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise between the northern and southern states established the 36/30 line and kept a balance within the senate between slave and anti-slave territory. It was a major factor in the division of the north and south into two separate forces, opposing each other (leading up to the civil war). -
Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)
The tariff of 1828, put in place by Andrew Jackson, was a protective tariff for American industry to avoid cheap British commodities by placing a tax on their imports. It encouraged sectionalism while also boosting the country's economy. -
Abolitionist Movement
The Abolitionist Movement was a controversial campaign by those who recognized immorality to abolish the practice of slavery in the United States. -
Indian Removal Act
This Act, implemented by Andrew Jackson, gave the president the authority to give the Indians unsettled Western land in exchange for the land they wanted within state borders. This angered Natives who didn't want to leave their homes. -
Georgia v. The Cherokee
The Cherokee Indians sued Georgia to keep their land that was being taken away. The Supreme Court sided with the Cherokee however Andrew Jackson ignored the ruling and used a military to forcibly remove the Cherokee from their homes and sparked the Trail of Tears. -
National Bank War
President Andrew Jackson vetoed the charter for the Second National Bank. This dissolved the National Bank and allowed smaller state banks to be used for federal taxes. The actions of Jackson led to the first significant depression in the United States. -
Period: to
Texan War for Independence
After the Mexican Government gained too much power over more highly populated American territory, the Texans got mad when they banned slavery and American immigration. They revolted and declared themselves the Republic of Texas in 1836. -
Prison Reform Movement
As seen in various studies today, the Prison Reform Movement recognized the treatment of prisoners as humans and real people. They saw their mental illnesses and wanted to reform their prisons in an attempt to rehabilitate the inmates instead of helping them. -
United States Annexes Texas
After Texas declared itself independent, the United States annexed this territory and admitted it to the Union in 1845. These actions infuriated the Mexican Government, who wanted control of the land still, sparked the Mexican-American War. -
Invention of the Sewing Machine
Elias Howe patented the first sewing machine in 1846. His invention at the time was successful with the growing production of cotton and is still seen with great importance today through thinks like clothes and blankets. -
Women's Suffrage Movement
The start of this movement has inspired modern-day feminists to encourage equality between genders, as well as the ability of 19th century women to earn their natural human rights in other places than the working society.