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May 15, 1558
Mercantilism
A theory of trade stating that a nation should export more than it imports. The more money you have, the more power you have. This is economical. 1558-1603 -
Social Contract Theory
Thought of by John Locke. His idea was that all people have natural rights. The right to life, liberty, and property. 1632-1704 -
Navigation Acts
The colonists were buying cheaper products from other people, so a series of laws were put into place saying that they could only get goods from England. All imported goods had to pass through a British port. The acts helped tighten government control over trade. -
Bacon's Rebellion
A group of farmers got together to prove that there is power in numbers. Bacon disagreed with the Governor's idea to raise tariffs, so a large group of farmers got together and started a rebellion. -
Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect gave the colonies a sense of self-government. Colonial governors had more authority on paper than in reality. 1685-1760s -
French and Indian War
Also known as the seven years war, when France expanded into the Ohio river valley, it caused a lot of conflict. 1756-1763 -
Treaty of Paris 1763
The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian war. The war was really expensive and the government financed the war with debt. The colonial empire of France was destroyed, and left Great Britain dominant in North America. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty was an organization created in the thirteen colonies. The secret society was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and fight the taxation by the British government. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston tea party was a protest by the sons of liberty. The Boston tea party was a protest to taxation without representation. The British government was not happy about this, so as a way to punish the colonists, they created the Intolerable acts. -
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was formed as a way to organize colonial resistance to Parliaments Acts. The Continental Congress created the Army, Navy, and the Marines. This was replaced by the Constitution in 1789. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is an important part of history. It contains the ideas and goals of our nation. -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States on November 15, 1777. But the ratification of all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
Created federal court systems with three levels. Established district and appellate courts. The act also set the number of supreme court justices to six. Created executive department of justice and attorney General. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 created federal court systems with three levels. District and appellate courts were also established. It was signed into law by President George Washington as an "act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a revolt against the US Government in Pennsylvania. The Government passed excise tax on American made whiskey in 1791 to pay off national debt. The farmers that could not afford to pay the tax rebelled. It resulted in the strengthening of the United States because the Federal Government demonstrated its ability to keep the union together. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington decided to step down after two terms. His farewell address is his most famous speech. He warns of political party divisions, and against long-term alliances with other nations. Both of these things were later on broken in the future. -
Industrialization
Industrial growth began in the early 1800s and continued steadily up to and through the Civil War. The growth of big businesses helped the economies. This is economic. -
Marbury V. Madison
Supreme court case that announced for the first time the principle that a court may declare an act of congress void if it is inconsistent with the constitution. This case ruled for judicial review -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon offered to sell the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million. Jefferson agreed and purchased 830,000 square mile of land west of the Mississippi. The outcome was that the purchase doubled the size of the country, and opened up possibilities of westward expansion. -
Marbury v. Madison
The most important supreme court case in history. This case was the first to apply the principal of Judicial Review. This helped make sure we had a system of checks and balances, so one branch didn't have more power than the other. -
War of 1812
Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict U.S trade and America's desire to expand its territory. The war outcome was that it was the end of British influence among Northwest Indians. -
Burning of York
The burning of York happened during the span of the War of 1812. The British ended up surrendering on April 28, 1813 -
Attack on New Orleans
The Treaty of Ghent restored things back to pre-war status quo, but news was slow in traveling, so there was an attack on New Orleans, which allowed America to get its port back. -
Treaty of Ghent
The treaty of Ghent was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. The treaty restored things to pre-war status quo. -
Missouri Compromise
All states about the 36-30 line were free states. The south were slave states. The United States had 22 states at the time, that of which were divided equally into free and slave states.The Missouri Compromise was an effort by Congress to defuse the sectional and political rivalries triggered by the request of Missouri late in 1819 for admission as a state in which slavery was allowed. -
Second Great Awakening
Started around 1800, gained momentum by 1820 and led to social reform. After 1820, membership rose rapidly -
Temperance Movement
Social movement against alcohol. Maine was the first state to enact the law, then twelve other states followed, but the laws were difficult to enforce. By 1868, Maine was the only state to still prohibit liquor. -
University of Virginia
Jefferson founded the university because he thought very highly on education. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Jackson on May 28, 1830 authorizing the president to grant unsettled lands west of Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. This is social. -
Worcester V. Georgia
Worcester argued that the state could not maintain the prosecution because the statute violated the Constitution. The Supreme court ruled that because the Cherokee Nation was a separate political entity that it could not be regulated by the state. This is social and economical. -
Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis was caused by the introduction of a series of protective tariffs. This involved a confrontation between South Carolina and the Federal Government. This is economical. -
Manifest Destiny
Westward expansion. White people were moving from east to west. To Americans, the expansion offered self-advancement, self-sufficiency, income, and freedom. This is economic. -
Mexican American War
When Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836, The United States did not want to let them join the Union because the Northern political interests were against having a new slave state. The outcome was that Mexico lost about one-third of its territory. -
The Wilmont Proviso
Victory over Mexico reopened the debate over the admission of states as free or slave. The Wilmont Proviso banned slavery in any land purchased from Mexico. The North supported, but the South denounced it. -
Seneca Falls Concention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention. It was held in Seneca Falls, New York. This led to equal rights for women. -
The California Gold Rush
Some gold nuggets were found in Sacramento Valley in California, which led to the gold rush. As news was traveling about the findings, thousands of miners were traveling from all over to mine there. A total of two billion dollars worth of precious metals were found in the area. -
Educational Reform
Education Reform is the name given to the goal of changing the public education. Horace Mann started the reform for American citizens. In 1837, the state created its first board of education, and Mann was the secretary. This is educational. -
Fugitive Slave Law
The Fugitive Slave Law was passed as a way to capture and return the runaway slaves in the United States. The result was that many free blacks were illegally captured and sold back to slavery. This is r -
Bleeding Kansas
Also known as the border war, Bleeding Kansas was a series violent political confrontations over slavery. This lasted about seven years. After the Kansas Nebraska act, there was a lot of dispute over -
The Dred Scott Decision
This Supreme Court case was about a slave from Missouri that was taken to a free territory with his master. The ruling was that slaves were property and they had no right to sue. It was a violation of the fourth Amendment to declare slaves free of their owners. -
The First Battle of Bull Run
This battle was fought right outside of Washington D.C. It was the first major land battle, led by Gen. McDowell. This battle made it clear that the war was going to be longer than expected. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day of the war. Fought in Maryland, the battle led to approximately 23,000 soldiers killed or wounded. The Battle of Antietam is important because it allowed Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Freedmen's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was created by the U.S. Federal Government Agency to aid freed slaves in the south during reconstruction. The Bureau provided food, medical assistance, schools, and more. Also, it protected blacks from violence. This is -
Appomatox
Battle that took place in Virginia, under Gen. Lee's command. However, the confederacy surrendered to Gen. Grant because he was outnumbered. This was the end of the Civil War. -
Black Codes
Black Codes were passed in the southern states after the war. Black codes limited the civil rights and economic opportunities of African Americans. If they got caught breaking the codes, they would go to jail. This is
