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Estabilshment of Jamestown
Jamestown was established by the London Company with a party of 144 men all geared towards a quick profit. This was largely due to the sucess stories of Spanish discovery of gold. Unfortunately the British failed to reciprocate this sucess and instead suffered throgh the starving period as a ramification of their greed and disfunction as a colony. -
John Rolfe's Tobacco
John Rolfe began cultivating a harsh strain of Tobacco in James Town. This eventually lead to the intial sparkle in American history where the American economy begins to thrive. -
Headright System
The Virgina Company found itself in debt with their heavy investments to the colony and lack of immediate returns in the form of Gold. With the advent of Tobacco they sought to turn around the colony by making it more sustainable. In order to attract more colonist and balanced families they enacted the Headright System which granted land per head of family. Unfortunately this never did salvage their loss and the company went bankrupt, however the colony still remains. -
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Mercantilism
Mercantilism was the practice of monopolizing trade with it's own colonies as well as minimizing imports from another country while maximizing one's own exports. In theory this was the center of a good economy, though many would disagree now. This is pertinent to the American Revolutionary war as these practices led to unpopular policies that incited the war.More About Mercantilism -
Bacon's Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon incited an inssurection by taking advantage of the the circumstances around him, including the greivances of those who settled too near to the Natives and the governmnent's lack of response. His army was composed of the lower class farmers that could not afford the choice lands free from fear of attack. Although while Bacon himself is an aristocrat, his greiveances stem from governor Berkley's lack of ostricization of Bacon in his inner circle, good land, and the fur trade. -
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Enlightenment in America and Deism
The Enlightment Period was global phenomenon of intelectuals pushing reasoning, objectivity, and the individual as fundamentally important to society over the present establishment at the time. This was in particular conflict of monarchies and religion. Deism is the sect that accept God and believe he created the universe however dismiss religious dogma and credulous superstition. Jefferson and Ben. Frank. are widely cited Americans who followed this school of thought. -
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First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening began in earnest in 1730 and climaxed, though not die off, ten years later. With that the religious sect within the colonies began to see a lack of faith within the establishment and increasing secularism. This spurred the great reformations established throughout this period including spread of religious fervor, new Christian denominations such as the Baptist and Presbyterian, increase establishment of schools, and distrust of the British Parliment. -
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The 7 Years War (French and Indian War for the American Theatre)
The war was instigated by the land in the Ohio River Valley which was thought by the French as theirs, meanwhile the Governor of Virigina gave a generous land grant to a certain company. Of course this lead to the 7 Years war rather quickly. The significance of this in our history is the marking of the end of salutary neglect at the end of the war, the fostering of American camaraderie, and the seeds of mistrust of the British government. -
End of Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect is a history term that describes how the English treated their colonies, that is with relatively little constraints. For the better part of over 260 years the colonies have governed themselves. However at the end of the 7 years war and as a result of British expense to protect the colonies the British began a seires of unpopular taxes and policies were enacted thus adding fuel for the revolution -
Proclimation of 1763
As a result of war incurred debt, Britian chose policies that were unpopular to Americans however avoided conflict with others and aided in the allevation of debt. The proclimation of 1763 in particular stated that no colony is allowed to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was mandated in order to avoid costly conflict with the Natives. Americans did not take kindly to this decree due to the limiting of their expansion in a time where space is becoming sparse. -
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The Enactment of the Three Worse Acts
Between the aforementioned time periods the Suguar Act, Currency Act, and the worse of all, Stamp Act were employed by the British Parliment in order to appropriate the funds to pay off the 7 years war which the British believed the colonist owed as the war was fought in their protection. This added pressure to the nigh coming insurrection. The Stamp Act was worse of all as it made everyone purchase a stamp that has to do anything with written paper, all buisness takes place on documents. -
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American Revolutionary War
The revolutionary war was the ultimate result of various inflicted grievances (true or not "Boston Massacre?"), though many believe it to have started with the Declaration of Independence in 1776, many historians have come to denotate the first true outbreak of violeance (The Battle of Lexington and Concord) as the first act of war. -
Declaration of Independence (Celebrated as Independence Day)
What was then the Declaration of Independence is now commonly celebrated as the fourth of July. When it was written by Thomas Jefferson who was chosen by the Second Continental Congress under the persuasion of John Adams, it expounded on the reasons for the American separation from Britain listing their various grievances. However prior to this Congress also sent an offering of peace which the young King George III made the mistake of wiping his butt with it in order to display his authority. -
French Aid in the American Revolutionary War
The French have been unofficially supporting the Americans in the war since 1776 by supplying weapons, ammunition and various other military supplies. However a treaty of alliance wasn't signed until 1778. The reason for their delay in aid was due to their lack of conviction of the American ability to win the war, however this changed with the American victory over the Battle of Saratoga. On a side note De Marquis de Lafayette is often ignored when lobying for support from France. -
The Articles of the Confederatin
The Articles of Confederation was created to serve as the doctrine for governing the newly formed Untied States of America. It was devised with limited powers so as not to reciprocate British tyranny. Their only powers were the ability to wage war, create treaties with foreign powers and foreign policy in general, issue national currency and only ask for taxes not actually levey them. This became issue for the efficasy of the government and a scorn to nationalist and federalist alike. -
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Amendments to the Constitution
While the constitution was stil under conception it recieved many criticism of unfairness and several debates that followed them. Of the things that spawned from these debates was the Great Compromise also known as the Conneticut Compromise which described how our bicameral legistlature worked today. The Bill of Rights was also a later attachment as a part of the compromise for its ratification to satisfy the Anti-Federalist, though Alexander Hamilton in particular detested it. -
The United States Costitutuion
The Constitution was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788. Its process of ratification was a war, it was fought between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist. The former favoring it for the power it brings to the Federal government. The latter opposed due to fear of oppression. Hamilton was one Federalist who supported the Constitution with the most fervor, and even went on to right most of the Federalist Papers, a famous collection of arguments that aided in supporting the Constitution. -
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton Takes Office
Alexander Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury. His plans included a system of taxation, debt, and banking that ultimately circulated debt in such a way that it perpetuated a cycle of cash flow. Furthermore he invisioned an industrial America where ultimate freedom will lie in a person's abilities. America's young industry was protected through high tarrifs, America's first employment of protectionsim. To this day he is considered a patron saint of economics. -
The Bill of Rights
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Formation of the Democratic-Republican Party
Also known as the First Republican party, they formed as a result of the Federalist victory to ratify a consitution that allowed a strong central government. Its first leader was Thomas Jefferson who strongly opposed Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist. Jefferson also disagreed with Hamilton about his fiscal policies particularly the strong Federal invovlement of the economy. The party favored Nationalism, Republicanism, Jeffersonian Democrasy, Agrarianism, and States Rights. -
The First Political Party & Washington's Warnings
The first American party system was between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist divided over the power that should be given to the U.S. central government. Washington as well as many other founding fathers such as Benjamin Franklin warned that inner factions are a danger to our unity leading to in fighting, instability, and of course lack of progress that we see today and since then. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington, our first president, declared us neutral in the war between Britain and France during the time of the French Revolution. This set the precedent that we shall not meddle with foreign affairs and avoid conflict between other nations, of course this only lasted for awhile as we mess with everything ever today, though mostly out of sound necessity. -
Cotton Gin Patent Approved
Eli Whitney originally applied for patent in October 28, 1793. The obvious affect being the south's rapidly increasing reliance on cotton, it's contribution to the industrialism of the U.S. and the increase production of cotton. Eli Whitney eventually went on to be credited with interchangeable parts in 1801. -
Washington's Farwell Address
Our first president originally wanted to resign from office at the end of his first term, however a rift between his adminstration kept him from leaving for fear of disunion without his leadership. In his address he warned the people to keep true to their values of our republic and beware of what might tare us apart. I'd like to believe it to be a foreshadowing rather than a warning. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Jefferson and Madison who strongly opposed the Alien and Sedtion Acts wrote documents declaring the act void due to their violation of the constitution as elucidated by the states. Though never passsed the statemens included a threat of secession by Thomas Jefferson. This resembled latter cases that threatened our disunity including the Nullifcation crisis. Jefferson's admirer of a biographer even stated that this would do more to the capitulation of the unity more so than the misguided acts. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Among the most controversial challenges to the constitution the Alien and Sedition acts barred many from our natural rights. Starting with the sedition acts it practically made it punishable by law to express negative feelings about the government. This was a result of the anti-federalist sentiment brewed by the Democratic-Republican Party. Their unpopularity was also the result of their policies such as the Whisky Tax. The Alien Act was the result of the turmoil caused by France. -
Election of 1800
This election was between the second president John Adams and our future third president Thomas Jefferson. Long story short, Jefferson won the election in what he called the second revolution of America. It was a revolution in that the transfer of power between political parties was a peacful and consensual one. -
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Cult of Domesticity
Roughly between the 1800s and early 1900s the cult of domesticity was a societal dictation of women's role in the world. These included the four carinal virtues piety, purity, submission, and domesticity. This effectively limited women's roles in the labor market and various political and economic spheres. This was met with strong resistence by early feminist espescially during the progressive era. -
Marbury v. Madison Decided
This Supreme Court case started William Marbury's suit of James Maidison to get his pay for John Adams overnight appoinments of justices across the courts of America. John Marshall ruled that the Supreme Court does not have the power to enforce economic legistlation as outlined by the constitution. Although by doing so he also expanded the Supreme Court's powers by establishing the power of Judicial Reivew. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase became a possiblity due to Napoleon's loss of fate of conquering America and in need of funds for the Napoleonic wars. Jefferson, the president at the time, wanted it for two distinct reasons. The first being his agrarian utopian society relies on land for purported American dream. Furthermore Spain revoked a prior treaty where the U.S. gained the right to use the Mississippi river and the port of New Orleans for trade. Thus the largest purchase of land in American history -
Beginning of the War of 1812
To many the war of 1812 was pointless as it ultimately seem to have amounted to nothing, however masquerading behind this is two things America's ulterior motives and our perpetuation. This war purportedly started for the impression of our sailors and trade sanctions against European markets. However this was done due to the Napolionic wars with runaway seamen and crippling France's economy. Both were resolved before the war ended without negotiations as the Napolionic wars ended. -
Beginning of Hartford Convetion
This convetion began as a result of a last attempt to preserve Federalist sentiment as their power wanes. With talks of secession and various other activities they virtually died with this convention. -
End of the War of 1812
From where we left off, many historians agree that the U.S.'s true intentions lie in our war hungry politicians known as War Hawks who wanted to expand into British Canada. Of course we never did as we reslulted in the latin phrase "Status quo ante bellum (the state before the war)." More important than our uncessary war was that it signified our legitimacy as a nation and Britain never invading us again. -
Erie Canal Started
The construction of the longest canal in American history at the time was a result of the American System, the make of Henry Clay. This system involved the improvement of infrastructure, tariffs, and establishment of a national bank. The canal, among other things, had the effect of unifying the east and west of the U.S. for trade. -
Missouri Compromise
This particular bill is the culmination of several bills into one by Henry Clay known as The Great Compromiser. The bill involves the admission of Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state as well as 36°30' as the line that separates free states to the north and slaves states to the south. This kept the rift between the two pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions at bay for awhile. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe doctrine is simply a declaration from America for European powers to stay away from the further colonization of the Americas as result of the independence that's been found by other nations and the U.S.'s intentions to spreaad across the continent. Originally our hilarious military might would've been the end of the doctrine, however the British agreed and the British Royal Navy, the most incredibly powerful in the world enforced it for their own reasons. -
Tariff of Abominations "Tariff of 1828"
This tariff was passed by congress with the suport of John C. Calhoun. This tariff increased the protective tax through the freakin roof making British goods artifically expensive. This was okay for the North due to their self reliance of their indusry, but as for the South it was called an abomination due to the lack of consideration for the South. Not only could the south no longer afford manufactured goods, but Great Britain also passed tariffs that barred the South from selling their cotton. -
Election of Jackson
Our seventh president Andrew Jackson served two terms and brought about great changes to the Natives, suffarge, banks, and the political world in general as soon to be discussed in other events. Jackson eventually left office old and decrepit as a result of his grueling presidency. I don't agree with him but I wish him a nice afterlife. -
Indian Removal Act
Under the presidency of Andrew Jackson, the man who slaughtered Natives for the state and won glorious battles against the British and Spanis signed this act. It moved Indian tribes in the Southern United States west of the Mississippi, resulting in the Trail of Tears. Andrew Jackson was ruthless in his execution that he even ignored Chief Justice John Marshall's ruling of the act being unconstitutional. -
Veto of the Rechartering of the Secon Bank of the United States
The Second Bank of the United States was vetoed by the man who used it the most up until then, Andrew Jackson. This deicsion was spurred by Jackson's vision of freeing up oppurtunity and revoming the entrenched in order to create upward mobility for those who have the means and natural skill to do it. It was also celebrated by commoners, republicans, and so on alike. Unfortunately his redepositing into the pet banks under his spoils system partly caused the panic 1837. -
Nature by Emmerson
Nature was written by transcendetalist Harvard graduate Ralph Waldo Emmerson. It infuses the ideas that God permates through nature and suggest that reality can be understood by studying nature. This theme was a commonality among transcendentalist. Stating that society clouds our vision of understanding and that true understanding lies within the individual. -
Election of James K. Polk
James K. Polk was an expansionist that appealed to many simply because he has done nothing to anger them. He was a dark horse that ran up against Henry Clay the Great Compromiser. With his election we saw the rapid expansion of the U.S. once more as well as the war with Mexico over it. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
I was gonna put its original title, but is too freaking long. More importantly it the treaty brought an end to the Mexican war. The treaty stated that the U.S. must pay $15 million to Mexico while the U.S. gained Califorina and a large area composed of modern day New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and pieces of Wyoming and Colorado. The treaty also agreed to the American border of the Rio Grande for Texas. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This congergation convened and concluded within two days it was the first major event for feminist in the U.S. It was lead by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Declaration of Sentiments was written there. This document was a feminist variant of the American Declaration of Independence, and it was designed to elucidate the robbery of rights that women should have held. -
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was the last great compromise Henry Clay made also that other less bad ass guy Stephen Douglas. The treaty was the agglomeration of 5 separate bills. The main and historically important points of which included the admission of Califorina as a free state, the end of slave trade in D.C., and the enactment of strict fugitive slave laws. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act opened up the two former territories for settlement and with it the enlistment of popular soverignty was officially employed to replace the Missouri Compromise which was declared unconstitutional. This act seemed to make sense as it allowed for states to decide whether it allow slavery or not. Nevertheless it created a ramification far worse than its intial implications. -
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Bleeding of Kansas
Due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act we saw Kansas embroiled in a great confligration involving many deaths of Americans by other Americans, it was a prelude to the civil war. Due to the act of popular soverignty many people have settled within the state from other places in order to influence the outcome of the voting for its consitution which implicated whether or not it would allow slavery. As a result a miniature Civil War ensued. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford conluded
The Dred Scott case was a Supreme Court case where a freed slave filed a law suit against his purported master due to him being formerly freed by said defendent's father. However the Supreme Court ruled that because he is a slave he is property, and due to that very reason he cannot file leagal action against an American. This also lapsed over to the Missouri Compromise. The Supreme Court ruled that Congress cannot inhibit the right to property unless of due conduct. -
Lincoln Becomes the 16th President
President Lincoln won the election of 1860 and marked the secession of the Southern states thus forming the Confederate States of America. Secession was first instigated by South Carolina as they felt threatened by the Lincoln's election. His election is arguably one of the most important in American history and also one of the best. -
American Civil War Begins
The war begins with the Linconl's astute decision to resupply Ft. Sumpter which made the south begin the war. The North had every possible advantage including the largest military, population, railroad, telegraph networks, industry, food output, and navy. Their awesome production power in coehesion with supreme logistics eventually won them the war. The South had only a handful of advantages. One, their superior generals, and two, their defensive war. The two culminate into a 4 year war. -
End of the American Civil War
We all know the main reason why the North won, but it's a lesser known fact that France and Britain did not come to aid the south due to Lincoln's astute nature. Prior to their decisions of involvment Lincoln gave the emancipation proclimation which detered them from joining as the two opposed slaves. Lincoln was assassinated 5 days later...
