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The Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin wanted the colonies to unite together so that they would not fall to the French. Although his plan failed, it did bring about a sense of urgency in the colonies. The exact date is unknown. -
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American War and Diplomacy
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The French and Indian War Begins
England formally declared war on the French and their Indian allies after years of conflict. Battles were fought in both North America and in Europe. -
The Treaty of Paris (1763)
This officially ended the French and Indian War in North America after the British defeated the French. Britain acquired the eastern half of France's Louisiana territory and Spain ceded Florida to them also. This began a British dominance outside of its mother country. -
The Declaration of Independence
After many laws and acts that the colonists thought surrpressed their freedom, decided to declare independence from England. This was a bold move, considering the war had just started and many thought the Americans would be defeated. -
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
This treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War, although fighting ended when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. America gained all of its colonial territory and its independence from Great Britain. -
War of 1812
After the British began arming Indians, James Madison wanted this war to renew hope for the "republican experiment", so on June 1st he asked Congress to declare war on Britain. After a couple of years of fighting, The two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1995. The treaty stoped all fighting and gave back all conquered lands. -
The U.S. - Mexican War
After the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845, Mexico fought back, believing Texas was still theirs even after they lost the Texas Revolution of 1836. Polk asked Congress to declare war on May 13, 1846, and just hours later they did. This war could be considered as a warm up to the Civil War, as it brought many of the future leaders of that war much experience. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
While ending the relatively small U.S. - Mexican War, this treaty gave lands to America that totaled up to all or part of 10 future states. This land mass acquired was one-third of the size of the U.S. at that time, being larger than the Louisiana Purchase. -
Secession
After South Carolina started the trend of seceeding from the Union, 10 other southern states followed, creating the Confederacy. Lincoln, however, believed states could not secede, so he still considered them as part of the Union. It was now only a matter of time for the fighting of brothers to begin. -
The Civil War
With the North wanting abolition and the South wanting slavery, the two sides went to war to fight for their desires. After South Carolina took over Fort Sumter, the fighting had begun. For fives years, Americans were killing Americans, leading to the biggest death toll in U.S. history. After many defeats in a row in 1864, the Confederates were cornered at Appomattox Courthouse where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union commander Grant and the fighting ended. -
Civil War Diplomacy
Due to overproduction in the prewar years, the South's 'King Cotton' was no longer in charge. European countries now had a surplus of cotton, and they didn't have to join the South's war efforts for any more. However, the British did send two warships to the Confederacy and some Canadians attacked the North due to influence from Southern agents. Napoleon took Mexico City, defying the Monroe Doctrine because he believed America ould be too weak to enforce it. -
Spanish-American War
Tension was rising after the U.S. got involved in the Cuban Revolution, and when the USS Maine mysteriously blew up, Americans thought that Spain was the one to blame, although it is recently believed that something blew up internally. A couple of months later, Congress declared war. After many losses, Spain sued for peace, and the 1898 Treaty of Paris gave the U.S. all of Spain's colonies. This war ended the Spanish Empire and lead to the construction of the Panama Canal. -
Modernization
Starting in 1899, the U.S. found it neccesary that their navy be brought up to standards, so they modernized it using Captain Mahan's strategy. This allowed Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick Policy" to grow even larger. Secretary of War Root modernized the Army, which would be important for the World War just around the corner. -
The U.S. Joins World War 1
Originally wanting to remain nuetral,the U.S. decided it was neccesary to enter World War 1 in order to defend democracy. Because of Germany's unrestricted use of submarine warfare, President Wilson asked Congress to enter the war. This allowed the Allies to push towards victory, and on october 11, 1918 at 11 am, a ceasefire came into effect. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War 1 and brought about the League of Nations, President Wilsons 14th Point. The League, however, ultimately failed due to the U.S. not joining. President Wilson tried to play peacekeeper in the negotiations, but the Allies blamed Germany for the war and gave the an insurmountable debt and also took away Germany's power to build a military of any kind. These harsh punishments lead to the rise of Hitler and World War 2. -
Naval Disarment and Neutrality
President Harding called the Washington Naval Conference, the first of its kind and the first conference held in the U.S., which was attended by eight other nations. The conference successfully limited the number of ships in a nation's navy and many nations signed treaties. A few years later, the U.S. decided to go back to its neutral ways and began focusing on internal issues. -
World War 2 and America
When World War 2 began, America decided to stay neutral and to lend the Allies guns and supplies cash-and-carry basis. However, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, thrusting America into the war. This shifted the momentum around, and Nazi Germany began losing ground. After the U.S. launched two nukes on Japan, Japan surrendered, and the Axis powers fell. -
The Aftermath of WW2 for America
Tensions arised between the U.S. and the Soviet Union due to their roles in the peace talks and difference in opinion over government. The Soviet Union controlled North Korea and the U.S. controlled South Korea, which lead to the division of the two countries by the 38th parallel, which then lead to the Korean War. Military competition between the U.S. and USSR lead to the long lasting Cold War. America was given the role of a superpower and created the Department of Defense. -
Cold War Era
The Cold War lasted from 1945 until 1991, ending a few years after Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev signed the INF treaty, when the USSR finally dissolved on Christmas day, 1991. Throughout this era, threats of nuclear attacks were constant, especially after the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the USSR gave Cuba missiles within the range of the U.S. The major conflict that occured during this era was the Korean War. -
Korean War
This was a conflict between the Repblic of Korea, backed by the U.S., and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, backed by the USSR. This was a war between Communism and Capitalism. After a stalemate, the Armistice Agreement was signed in July of 1953, dividing the two countries along the 38th parallel once again. Nearly 3000 Americans died in the conflict. -
Vietnam War
Another Cold War era conflict, North Vietnam and its communism allies fought agaisnt South Vietnam, America, and their anti-communism allies. For nearly 20 years, the two nations fought for the right to rule. Due to public interest, the U.S. finally pulled out and left South Vietnam to their fate, and a few days after the last of the marines left, Saigon fell, ensuring a North Vietnam victory. This was a widely unpopular war in the U.S., with over 55,000 deaths. Communism won that battle. -
Persian Gulf War
A.K.A. Operation Desert Storm, this war started when Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, actions that were condemned by the U.N. The U.S. moved quickly with help of 34 other nations, and the fighting ended by February. The U.S. hoped that Saddam Hussein would be overthrown, but he continued his dictatorship. This was the first televised war, in that Americans could watch missiles being launched from their televisions. -
The War on Terrorism
On 9/11, terrorist attacks brought down the Twin Towers, resulting im thousands dead. Other hijacked planes were flying towards the Pentagon and the White House. The War on Terrorism is lead by the U.S. and its allies against terrorist groups, specifically the al-Qeada. While being successful in hunting down al-Qeada members, most notoriously Osama bin-Laden, America's foreign and security policy have reduced America's image. -
Tensions with North Korea Continue
North Korea has been watched the past few years due to a numerous amount of missile launches, some of which have hit South Korea. After the Death of Kim Jong-Il, America has had more talks with North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-Un. The threat of a nuclear attack is a possibility in the minds of many, although recent breakthroughs have occured, in which North Korea has agreed to allow nuclear agents investigate in exchange for a large food package. This is a modest first step in hopeful peace.
