-
Pilgrims
English puritans who founded the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620. -
Separatists
The most extreme "most pure" of the puritans who came from Holland on the Mayflower. They claimed that they were too strong to be effected by small problems that the colony would face. -
Charter Colonies
The British government granted a charter to the colonial governenment that established the rules to which the colony was to be governed. Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Bay were charter colonies. -
Harvard College
The first colonial college, was created in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Formed for people wanting to get in the ministry a proper scholarly education. -
New England Confederation
A military and political alliance of the New England colonies. Was formed to have an alliance against the Native Americans. -
Royal Colonies
Colonies controlled by the King through governors that he appointed. The King's had more power in these colonies rather than the colonial laws. -
Period: to
Trade and Navigation Acts
These acts severely impacted trade for the colonies with any country except for Britain. Some of the acts that were established under this time period were the Sugar Act and the Molasses Act. -
Proprietary Colonies
Colonies that were given to proprietors by the King in exchange for payment. Some proprietary colnies were Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. -
Period: to
King Phillip's War
War with Native Americans in the southern New Englad colonies. War was named after the Native American leader Metacomet. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon and other Virginia farmers were upset that Governor Berkley was trying to make a settlement with Indians after the Indians had attacked settlers. The group beat the Indians and then marched to Jamestown and burned it down. -
Period: to
Salem Witch Trials
Series of trials that accuses women of being witches. Many young women were put to death bcause they were thouhgt to be practicing black magic. -
Period: to
Great Awakening
Time period of dramatic religius revival in the colonies. This period brought upon the drastic religious beliefs of some of the colonies. -
Period: to
Benjamin Banneker
Only African American after the Revolutionary War to publish an almanac. Text included strong commentaries and opinions on slavery. -
Peter Zenger Trial
Peter Zenger was brought to trial for supposedly writing false information about the Royal Governor of New York. He was facing charges of Libel. Andrew Hamilton defended Zenger in the trial. Zenger was found not guilty of these charges. -
Period: to
French and Indian War
Colonial war fought between the French and British. Resulted in Britain winning total control of the colonial North America. -
Paxton Boys
A group of Scots-Irish men living in the Appalachian mountains that wanted protection from Indian attacks. They marched on Philidelphia in 1764 protesting the way Quakers treated the Indians. -
Sugar Act 1764
Actually lowered the tax of molassess from 6 cents a barrel to 3 cents a barrel. This act was put under adopted provisions which made it much more strict. -
Sons of Liberty
A secret organization for colonial freedom that was formed in 1765 after the passing of the Stamp Act. They used both peaceful and violent tactics to get their point across. -
Stamp Act
British legislation passed as part of Prime Minister Grenville's revenue measures which required that all legal or official documents used in the colonies had to have a stamp on it. This made the colonists extremely angry. -
Stamp Act Congress
A meeting held in New York City with delegates from 9 of the 13 colonies present. They wrote a Declaration of Rights that stated the colonies could tax themselves, they had a right to trial by jury, and Parliament couldn't tax the colonists. -
Period: to
Towshend Acts
These acts put a spotlight on imports such as glass, paper, and tea. Colonists found ways around these acts by buying smuggled tea. -
Boston Massacre
Bostonians were protesting British law that night and were heckling some British soldiers. One of the colonists threw a snowball at one of the redcoats and they opened fire on the crowd, killing 5 people. -
Tea Act
Passed on May 10, 1773. This act caused much hatred in the colonies. The implementation of this act caused the Boston Tea Party -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists were angry about the high tax on tea. Members of the Sons of Liberty boared a English ship docked in the Boston Harbor and dumped its boxes of tea into the harbor. -
Coercive Acts
Series of laws made to punish Massachusetts for its rebellion against British rule. These laws forced Bostonians to house soldiers in their houses. -
Intolerable Acts
Were part of the Coercive Acts. These acts were implemented as a response to the Boston Tea Party to punish the colonists. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from all states except Georgia met to protest the Intolerable Acts. The Congress sent a petition to King George III which objected the unfair taxing and the judicial system. -
Second Continental Congress
Main goal for this Congress was to form a Declaration of Independence. This Congress also strongly objected to the unfair laws and taxes put upon the colonies. -
Olive Branch Petition
The colonies made their final offer of peace to Britain and promised to be loyal to British rule if the British government were to address grievances. British parliament denied the offer and viewed it as an act of rebellion by the colonists. -
Declaration of Independence
The date Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration wasn't signe until August 2, 1776. -
Articles of Confederation
Restricted the power of the central governemtn, gave more power to state governments. They resulted in a very poor national economy. -
Period: to
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was a turning point in the American Revolution. This battle convinced France to give the US military support. -
Period: to
Critical Period
The time period between the end of the Revolutionary War and the ratification of the Constitution. The future of the newly formed United States hung in the balance. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Law divided much of the United States into townships. The law was also made to jumpstart the sale of land to settlers. -
Annapolis Convention
Convention orginally planned to discuss Interstate Commerce. Delegates from 5 states ended up creating a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation. -
Roger Williams
Roger Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island in 1790. This was important because it had religous tolerance, and gave religious freedom to its citizens. -
Bank of the United States
Established in 1791 by Alexander Hamilton. Served as the complete national bank, would hold all federal funds. -
Bill of Rights
Rights that were granted to all US citizens, thought each person deserved to have these rights for life. Bill ensured to protect the rights of individual citizens. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793. MAchine was created to separate the seeds and fiber of cotton much quicker than by hand. -
Period: to
Citizen Genet
Edmond-Charles Genêt was dispatched by the French National Assembly in 1793. He came to America to attempt to get money and American support for France's war with Britain. -
Period: to
France vs Britain
This war between France and Britain caused the Citizen Genet Affair. The US decided to stay neutral in this war and not fight. -
Jay's Treaty
Treaty was singed to hopefully settle conflicts between the United States and Britain. Treaty dealt with Northwest Territory posts and trade on the Mississippi River. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of laws formed to restrict the actions of people who opposed Federalist policies. The acts were signed 1789. -
Gabriel Prosser's Rebellion
A literate slave who planned a massive slave revolt in Richmond. Governor Monroe of Virginia destroyed the rebellion very quickly. -
Period: to
Dorathea Dix
A leading figure in the bettering of care for the mentally ill. She was also a huge figure in improving the condition of jails in the US. -
Louisiana Purchase
The US purchased the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains for $15 million from France. Jefferson wanted this land because it would give the US the Mississippi River and New Orleans. -
Period: to
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Merriwether Lewis and William Clark were hired by Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Expedition created many maps of the area and produced new scientific findings. -
Embargo Act 1807
Law prohibited all exportation of goods from the United States. President Jefferson hoped to weaken Britain and France by stopping trade with both nations. -
Hartford Convention
Federalist metting held near the end of the War of 1812. Meeting was formed so Federalists could list their complaints against the Republican Party. -
Period: to
Era of Good Feelings
Federalists all but disappeared during this time period. The Republicans were able to control the government without any arguement during this time. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
This treaty purchased Florida from Spain for the United States. This made a western border for the US and prohbited the Seminole indians from invading Georgia. -
Missouri Compromise
Declared that Missouri would enter the Union as a slave state and Maine would enter as a free state. Also stated that states north of the 36th parallel were free states and all south of it were slave states. -
Monroe Doctrine
Declared that the Western Hemisphere was the territory of the United States and that no Eurpoean nation was to come over. Also stated that forming colonies in the US would no longer be allowed. -
Corrupt Bargain
A supposed scandal in the Election of 1824 that resulted in John Quincy Adams winning the presidency and Henry Clay being named Secretary of State. Andrew Jackson vowed to get his revenge on Adams and Clay. -
Gibbons vs Ogden
Case over whther or not the state of New York could grant a monopoly to a ferry on the Hudson River. The ruling stated that only Congress had the power to regulate interstate commerce. -
Period: to
Abolitionists
People who were against slavery. Many abolitionists tried to help slaves and freed slaves in any way. -
Erie Canal
Completion date of the Erie Canal. Formed to connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. -
Period: to
Transcendentalism
A philosopy invented and first expressed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It promoted individualism, self reliance, and emphasized a person's emotions. -
Worcester vs Georgia
Supreme Court ruled that Indians had the right to stay on their land. Established that the federal government had control over Indian affairs. -
Period: to
Trqil of Tears
The route taken by Indians mving out of their home lands due to the Indian Removal Act. The name is symbollic of all the sadness and fear that was involved with this route. -
John Deere
Invented the steel plow in 1839. This invention led to extensive farming in the Mississippi Valley because of its fertile soil. -
Commonwealth vs Hunt
Massachusetts court declared that labor unions were illegal. Also ruled that unions were not responsible for the illegal actions of their members. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Treaty signed between the Us and Britain. The treaty drew borders between Maine and New Brunswick in the Great Lakes region of the US. -
Period: to
James K. Polk
Was considered a "dark horse" candidate for president. He would end up winning the Presidency in 1845 but only serve 1 term. -
Oregon Territory
Boundary disputed over between the US and Britain was solved with the signing of the Oregon Treaty. It gave the US the land south of the 49th parallel and Britain land north -
Period: to
Mexican-American War
Conflict between Mexico and the US was caused over the annexation of Texas.The war resulted in the US getting about 55% of Mexico's debated land -
Wilmot Proviso
Proposed by Congress to ban slavery in all southwestern territories. Passed in the House but not the Senate. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty was signed on February 2, 1848. This treaty ended the Mexican-American War in favor of the United States. -
Mexican Cession
Region of land that was ceded to the US from Mexico. Land was granted to the US because of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Seneca Falls Convention
A women's rights conference held in Seneca Falls, New York. The convention resulted in the Declaration of Sentiments. -
Nashville Convention
A meeting help between representatives from 9 Southern states to discuss the Compromise of 1850. They called for an extension of the slavery line, established by the Missouri Compromise, to stretch to the Pacific coast. -
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
Treaty between the US and Britain that said neither country would try to get exclusove rights to go across the Isthmus of Panama. -
Fugitive Slave Laws
Stated that all runaway slaves were to be returned to their owner upon capture. These laws were much tougher than the runaway slave laws implemented in 1793. -
Maine Laws
These laws outlawed the sale of alcohol except for medical uses. These laws were the first steps in the Temperance Movement. -
Period: to
Bleeding Kansas
Many violent events between abolitionists and pro-slavery people took place in the Kansas territory over whether or not Kansas would be a slave state. -
Dredd Scott vs Sanford
Supreme Court case that ruled that Congress did not have the power to prohibity slavery in territories. Also ruled that slaves were considered property. -
Freeport Doctrine
The ideas of how slavery should be in the opinion of Stephen Douglas. He wrote that slavery should only exist is popular sovereignty said so. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
The government donated public acreage to states for the building of colleges. 69 colleges were established due to this. -
Homestead Act
Gave 160 acres of land to any settler who would farm the land for 5 years. This was an incentive to get people to move to the west. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Declared that all slaves in slave states would be freed but slaves in border states would not. Issued by President Lincoln in 1862 but didn't take effect until 1863. -
Period: to
Henry Ford
A huge figure in the automobile industry. Founded and owned Ford Motor Company. -
Freedman's Bureau
Agency formed to help former slaves adjust to freedom. It provided food and clothing to needy blacks and helped them get jobs -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Gave citizenship and the same rights white people had to all men in the United States. -
National Labor Union
Established by William Sylvis. Wanted 8hr work days, banking reform, and an end to conviction labor -
John D. Rockefeller
Created the Standard Oil Company. This was one of the greatest monopolies ever done in any sport. -
Period: to
Gilded Age
Time period looked great on the outside but actually it widened the gap between the poor and the rich -
Credit Mobiler Scandal
Union Pacific Railroad made a fake construction compsny and hired itself to work using government funds. Scandal broke out, leaders tried to bribe Congress with stock -
Crime of '73
The US owned rights on minting silver and gold and this placed the US in the gold standard. This made many people angry, mostly farmers and those who believed silver coinage should be unlimited. -
Chautauqua Movement
The movement waned to bring better learning, culture, and entertainment to small towns in the US. -
Granger Laws
Passed in Texas fixing max rates on freight shipment. The railroads responded by appealing to the Supreme Court to declare these laws unconstitutional -
Period: to
Battle of Little Bighorn
Indian leaders Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse beat General Custer and his men after they tried to force the Indians back onto the reservation. Custer and all of his men were killed at this battle. -
Compromise of 1877
This compromise ended Reconstruction. Made Republicans promise to remove troops from the south, appoint a democrat to cabinet, and federal money for railroad building and Mississippi River levees -
Bland-Allison Act
Allowed a certain amount of coinage of silver coins and silver paper money. This act was repealed in 1900 -
Exodusters
The African Americans migrating to the Great Plains states in 1879 to escape conditions in the South -
A Century of Dishonor
Written by Helen Hunt Jackson in 1881. Written to show the horrible deeds done to Indians by the United States. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
Law passed in the US that banned any and all Chinese immigrants from entering the country.Allowed students and merchants to immigrate -
Civil Rights Cases of 1883
Name given to the Civil Rights Act of 1875. In 1883 the Supreme Court decided that discrimination in hotels, restaurants,etc. was out of thei control because it was ruled private discrimination. -
American Federation of Labor
Founded by Samuel Gompers. Was formed to get workers better hours, wages, and working conditions. -
Haymarket Incident
A bomb was blown up at a workers rally in Chicago. The blast killed several police officers. -
Dawes Act
Law that distributed reservation land to individual Native American owners -
Edward Bellamy (Looking Backward)
"Looking Backward" was written by Edward Bellamy and was published in 1888. The novel was about a Bostonian boy who went to sleep in 1887 but woke up in 2000 and has to deal with the differnces in life and politics. -
Andrew Carnegie
A Scottish immigrant that came to America. Carnegie became one of the richest men in the US and founded Carnegie Steel in 1892. -
Anti-Saloon League
Founded in 1895. The League led the Prohibition movement during the Progressive Era. -
Atlanta Compromise
Argument by Booker T. Washington that said blacks should not focus on social equality, but economic self-improvement instead. -
Cross of Gold Speech
A speech by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic convention that attacked those who wanted US currency to be backed by gold only -
Boxer Rebellion
Rebellion started in Beijing, China started by a group of Chinese that hated "foreign devils" . The British quickly ended this rebellion. -
Open Door Policy
A policy suggested by the US that would let any country have opportunities to trade with China. -
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty
Buena Varilla compromised with Hay and Roosevelt to organize a revolt against the Colombian government in Panama, allowing the US to build the canal. -
Period: to
Russo-Japanese War
War between Russia and Japan over control of Korea and Manchuria. Japan's victory was the first Asian victory over the west. -
Roosevelt Corollary
Roosevelt's extension onto the Monroe Doctrine. Stated that the US had the right to protect its economic interests in South America by using military force. -
International Workers of the World
Radical labor union that was formed to oppose the American Federation of Labor. Group was persecuted during WWI due to their socialist tendencies and activism against the government -
Niagra Movement
Group of African American "thinkers" that pushed for racial equality in education and voting rights -
The Jungle
Book written by Upton Sinclair that gave the punlic an inside look at all of the disgusting and wrong events that occured in meat processing facilities. -
NAACP
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Formed to help blacks in life and in political situations. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Foreign Policy suggestion by Taft that would make countries becoe dependant upon the US by heavily investing in their economies. -
Mann-Elkin Act
Gave the Interstate Comerce Commission the power to suspend new railroad rates and oversee telephone and cable companies; included communications -
Ballinger-Pinchot Affair
Ballinger opened up land in Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska against President Roosevelt's policies. Pinchot, supported former President Roosevelt and demanded that Taft dismiss Ballinger. -
Bull Moose Party
Party formed by Theodore Roosevelt in the Election of 1912. Taft (republican) and Roosevelt ended up splitting the Republican vote and Woodrow Wilson won the election. -
Period: to
Woodrow Wilson
28th President of the United States.Known around the world as a man of peace and wanted nothing but peace between nations. Received a Nobel Peace Prize. -
Federal Reserve System
The country's central banking system. It is made up of 12 regional banks supervised by the Board of Governors. -
16th Amendment
Amendment to the United States Constitution gave Congress the power to tax income. -
17th Amendment
This amendment calls for the direct election of senators by the voters instead of their election by state legislatures. Implemented to the Constitution in 1913. -
Federal Trade Commission
Replaced the Bureau of Corporations. Enabled the governemtn to kil monopolies more easily. -
Panama Canal
Ship route that cuts through Panama. Built so ships could get from the Atlantic to the Pacific much quicker. -
Luisitania
The British passenger ship was sunk by a German U-Boat. This practically brought the US into WWI because 128 Americans were killed in the incident. -
Creel Committee
This committee was in charge of propoganda during WWI. They depicted the US as a country of justice and liberty, which was good because it was pro-war. -
Committee on Public Information
Created by President Wilson and led by George Creel. Made up of the secretaries of state, war, and the navy, with help from journalists, photographers, artists, entertainers, was a propaganda committee that built support for the war effort in Europe among Americans -
Zimmermann Note
A note from Germany sent to Mexico asking them to join the Central Powers so they could have a force in the west to attack the United States. -
Fourteen Points
Fourteen goals of the United States after peace negotiations after WWI, created by President Wilson. They included public negotiations between nations, freedom of navigation, free trade, self-determination for several nations involved in the war, and the establishment of an association of nations to keep the peace. -
Volstead Act
Specified that no person was allowed to make, sell, import, export, or transport any alcohol. It didn't prohibit the purchase or consumption of liquor though. -
Schenck v. US
Upheld the Espionage Act of 1917 which declared that people who interfered with the war effort were subject to imprisonment; declared that the 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech was not absolute -
Treaty of Versailles
The treaty that formally ended WWI. The treaty forced Germany to accept the blame for the war and to pay reparations. -
League of Nations
Organization formed after WWI in 1920 to promote peace between countries. The League was the idea of President Wilson and he was a very strong believer in the things the LEague stood for. -
18th Amendment
The ammendment that prohibited alcohol activity of any kind in the US -
Period: to
Harlem Renaissance
Black arts movement in the US that came out of Harlem, New York. The Harlem Renaissance started the careers of many greats. -
Back To Africa Movement
Movement started by Marcus Garvey that wanted to get those with African decent to go back to Africa because of poor treatment in America. -
Period: to
Warren G. Harding
29th President of the United States (republican). Died in office due to natural causes. -
Period: to
Calvin Coolidge
30th President of the United States. Took the office after the death of President Harding. -
National Origins Act
Cut down the Emergency Quota Act from 3% to 2%, and it changed the census used from the 1910 one to that of the 1890 one. -
Bonus March
WWI veterans marched in protest to them not getting their $1,000 checks when they needed them the most during the Depression (they were forced to wait until 1945 to get them) -
Spirit of St. Louis
Charles Lindbergh and his cheaply built plane flew from New York City to Paris in a solo flight. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
The pact renounced aggressive war, prohibiting the use of war as "an instrument of national policy" except in matters of self-defense. -
Period: to
Hoovervilles
Communities of pathetic excuses for houses that were home to many people who lost everything in the Depression during Hoover's presidency. -
New Deal
Programs to fight against economic depression and provide social assurance during the Depression -
National Industrial Recover Act
Allowed 100 days for businesses to come together as a group to determine rules under which they would operate. -
TVA
Tennessee Valley Authority.Government agency that supplied thousands of jobs in the Tennessee Valley Area building dams which would supply electrcity to the region. -
FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Formed to ensure the return of a depositors money back in case his bank were to fail. -
Securities and Exchange Commission
Government created industry to watch over banks and businesses to protect people from fraud and deception. -
Indian Reorganization Act
US legislation which secured certain rights to Native Americans and Native Alaskans. -
National Labor Relations Act
Also known as the Wagner Act. The law made sure workers were treated and payed well and not getting abused by their business -
Social Security Act
Created a federal insurance program based upon the collection of taxes from employees in producing goods for commerce -
Neutrality Acts
Acts formed by the US Government to try to keep the United States out of WWII -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Established a national minimum wage, guarenteed time and a break for certain overtime jobs, and prohibited the hiring of minors. -
The Grapes of Wrath- John Steinbeck
A story of survival about a dustbowl family forced to relocate to the west and try to find jobs in order for the whole family to survive. Showed the hardships of The Depression. -
Lend-Lease Act
Allowed the US to sell, lend, or lease any weapons to other countries -
War Powers Act
President can send US armed forces into action aboard only by authorization of Congress. -
Southern Christian LEadership Conference
Formed by Martin Luther King Jr. to mobilize the power of black churches on behalf of black rights. -
SNCC
Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Group formed to promote and use non-violent protests on racial issues. -
OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. International cartel that increases the price of oil by limiting the supply. -
Period: to
John F. Kennedy
35th President of the United States. Kennedy was a young, energetic president that everybody loved. JFK unfortunately was murdered on this date -
Period: to
Bay of Pigs
A failed attempt by the CIA of trained Cuban forces to overthrow Fidel Castro. -
Period: to
Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviet missiles were placed in Cuba and pointed at the United States. This greatly increased tensions between the US and Soviet Union. -
Warren Commission
The investigative information compiled by the government. Issued the beginning of the investigation on this gate. Commission ruled that Lee Harvey Oswald was alone in killing JFK and did it for personal reasons. -
Rachel Carson
US biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife. She died on this date -
Economic Opportunity Act
Several social programs were formed to promote the health, education and general welfare of the poor -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This legislation gave President Johnson the authority to take any means necessary to retailiate and promote peace in Vietnam -
Malcom X
A Civil RIghts movement leader who would do absolutley anything to get what he believed in, even kill people. He was killed on this date. -
Stokely Carmichael
A black activist as member of CORE. As the movement progressed, he started to become more militant creating the cry of black power -
Period: to
Mayaguez Incident
Peace time military rescue operation conducted by US armed forces against Cambodia. -
Voting Rights Act
Law that raised supervision of local government elections and got rid of literacy tests to prevent people from voting. -
Miranda v. Arizona
Supremem Court ruled that must be informed of their right to an attorney and their right to self-incrimination prior to police questioning. The Miranda Rights are born. -
Black Panthers
Formed by Huey Newton. Was made to promote black power, civil rights, and self defense -
Tet Offensive
National Liberation Front and North Vietnamese forces launched a huge attack on the Vietnamese New Year, a huge blow to communism -
Equal Rights Amendment
Banned discrimination based on sex -
Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court ruled that there is a fundmental right to privacy, which includes a woman's decision to get an abortion -
Period: to
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States. Took over the office of President after Richard Nixon was impeached. -
Helsinki Accords
35 European nations were at the accords, they agreed Europe's existing political frontiers could not be changed by forced -
Period: to
Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States. Was probably the nicest president in US history but that hurt him as he was too nice when it came to political issues. -
Bakke v. Regent University Board
The trial eliminated extrmemly difficult college quotas. -
Reaganomics
Ronald Reagan's economic system belief that a capatlist system free from taxation and government involvement would be best for the country, Trickle Down Effect.