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Slavery in English Colonies - An American Event
The first account of slavery in the english colonies was in 1619 when a Dutch ship carrying twenty Africans sold them to the Virginia colony. The english colonies in North America were some of the last in the New World to institute slavery. It was more affordable for the colonists to have indentured servants than slaves in the early days of colonization (Oakes et al. 71). -
Taj Mahal Constructed - An International event
It took twenty years to construct one of the world's great wonders: The Taj Mahal. Located in Agra, India, this magnificent marble structure contains the remains of a Mughal emperor's wife. The Mughal architecture displayed is of Persian, Indian and Islamic influence (History.com 1). -
English Civil War - An International Event
Due to church reform, Scotland revolted from England in 1628. Scotland was largely Presbyterian and the church was forcefully moving back towards Catholicism, thanks to Archbishop of Canteburry William Laud. King Charles wanted to end the revolt, but Parliament would not appropriate the funds, so Charles gathered an army to battle Parliament. In the end, Parliament won and King Charles was beheaded in 1647 (Oakes et al. 93). -
Enlightenment Period - An International Event
The Enlightenment period was a movement in Europe of science and reason: a rejection of blind faith. The development of the scientific method allowed numerous scientific discoveries to come forth. This time period radically altered education and focused on reason; empowerment of the individual due to his/her ability to think was a result of this period. (Oakes et al. 150). -
First Continental Congress - An American Event
Each colony, except Georgia, sent delegates to Philadelphia to convene for the next seven weeks. This meeting was the beginning of a foundation of a national government. The main goals of this convention were to unite the colonies and plan their strategy of passive aggression against England's overreaching power (Oakes et al. 187). -
Declaration of Independence - An American Event
In the summer of 1776, the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams wrote a breakup letter to King George, declaring their independence from the monarchy. Included in this letter, mainly written by Jefferson, were complaints about the king. Other important topics solidified in the declaration were natural rights, common human nature and the purpose of government: to protect the people and their rights (Oakes et al. 197). -
Diplomatic Trip to France - John Quincy Adams Event
When John Quincy Adams was an elementary-aged boy, his father took him with him on his diplomatic trip to France. John Quincy was enrolled in a rigorous school and learned a classical education; "In addition to Latin and French, the boys learned music, dancing, fencing, and drawing, and within a few weeks, John Quincy spoke fluent French..." (Unger 34). -
John Quincy Adams goes to St. Petersburg
When John Quincy was fourteen, he served Francis Dana, minister to the court of Empress Catherine II in Petersburg, Russia as his secretary and interpreter. He chose John Quincy because of his intelligence, social and language skills; "Dana - like most people who talked to John Quincy - often forgot he was talking to a mere boy" (Oakes et al. 44-45). -
American Victory at Yorktown, VA - An American Event
On April 2, 1782, General Cornwallis was attacked by a huge fleet of French and American forces at his headquarters in Yorktown. This loss for Cornwallis was pivotal; it came right after two great British victories, but was detrimental, leading into Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781. Although unofficial, this was effectively the end of the war (Oakes et al. 204). -
John Quincy Adams Attends Harvard
John Quincy's future, as planned by his parents, included attending Harvard and then becoming a lawyer. He was shocked when he was denied acceptance the first time he applied. He left his family in Europe just to go to school in America, and had to reapply to even begin his political journey (Unger 66). -
The United States Constitution - An American Event
Federalists gathered in Philadelphia to present a document of national governing. It was their goal to convince states favoring local government of the benefits and need for a national government and official documentation for it. Nine states' ratification was needed to form the new government (Oakes et al. 221). -
French Revolution - An International Event
Perhaps one of the most prominent events of European History was the French Revolution. Inspired by the Enlightenment, tired of heavy taxation, starvation and unfair trials, the peasants in France expressed their anger through riots and looting. The lower class made up 98% of the population, but were powerless. This clash of people and power caused a terrible bloodbath for years, but the poor successfully caused the end of the feudal system and gained written rights (History.com 1). -
John Quincy Adams becomes American Minister to Holland
John Quincy was appointed by George Washington to be the American Minister to Holland. Washington recognized John Quincy's diplomatic experience, as well as language skills and gave him a task that he thought would stretch and prepare him for further diplomatic and political roles (Unger 82). -
John Quincy Adams gets married
John Quincy Adams proposed to the daughter of the American consul in London in February of 1796. Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in England, and though Abigail Adams was opposed to her son marrying an English woman, she was relieved to find out Louisa's full story. John Quincy found in Louisa someone who was used to the lifestyle of great influence and the finer things and was drawn to her intelligence (Unger 100-101). -
John Quincy Adams serves on U.S. Senate
As a senator, John Quincy found himself to be somewhat of an outcast. He desired to expose corruption, but that did not help his efforts of policy change. Although he was a Federalist, his strong convictions of justice over party allegiance made him at odds with most of his fellow senators (Unger 122). -
The War of 1812 - An American Event
Tensions at sea with Great Britain grew, as President Thomas Jefferson enacted a trade embargo that isolated America from Europe. This was disastrous to the economy and led to more violence with France and England. With James Madison in office as the new president, he replaced the Embargo Act with the Non-Intercourse Act, eventually allowing trade with France, but not England. British ships continued to attack American ships, leading into a declaration of war (Oakes et al. 268-271). -
French Invasion of Russia - An International Event
Often considered the event that led to Napoleon's demise, his invasion of Russia was quite the disaster. A large force of over 450,000 soldiers from all over Europe made up Napoleon's Grand Armée. Russia's force had about 200,000 troops, but the harsh winter conditions and Russian desertion of Moscow led Napoleon's force out of Russia. His force was diminished to 100,000 troops, many of which were starving. The loss of this endeavor led Napoleon to his exile (History.com 1). -
The Missouri Compromise - An American Event
The Missouri Compromise was a major division between the North and South. The North unanimously voted for Missouri to be brought in as a free state, while the South unanimously voted for it to be a slave state. Missouri was brought in as a slave state, and Maine as a free state, temporarily keeping the peace (Oakes et al. 302-303). -
John Quincy Adams Contributes to the Monroe Doctrine
Although President James Monroe is credited with the Monroe Doctrine, John Quincy played a big role in its content. His philosophy is communicated through this piece, including his premise that the "American continents by the free and independent condition which they have assumed, and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subject for future coloniaztion by any European power." This doctrine sparked American energy and strengthened the country (Unger 218). -
John Quincy Adams, President of the United States
Mr. John Quincy Adams took after his father and became a U.S. president, the sixth to be exact. He served only one term and was found to be the most ineffective president of early American history. He found his place later on though, as a successful congressman who helped abolish slavery (Unger 240). -
Kansas-Nebraska Act - An American Event
In the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Missouri Compromise and its issues were brought back into discussion. This time, the Nebraska territory was fought over by pro-slavery and anti-slavery congressmen. The final decision was to divide it into two states: Kansas to the south and Nebraska to the north and allow popular sovereignty to determine the legality of slavery (Oakes et al. 422-423).
