-
Columbus’s journey opened the Americas to European exploration and colonization. This caused migration, trade, and cultural exchange but also led to conflicts and exploitation of natives. -
Jamestown became the first successful English settlement in North America. It marked the beginning of English colonization and future U.S. development. -
The Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, deciding to self-govern and work with eachother. This marked a step towards democracy in the colonies. It helped them survive their challenging first years. -
Bacon’s Rebellion exposed tensions between rich landowners and poor farmers in Virginia. The revolt also helped cause a shift from indentured servants to enslaved Africans for labor. This brought early social and economic differences to light. -
The Salem Witch Trials saw innocent people accused and executed for witchcraft in Massachusetts. 20 people died as a result of fear and superstition. This warns against hysteria and unjust judicial systems. -
The Molasses Act put heavy taxes on sugar and molasses imports. Colonists responded with smuggling to avoid the tax. This resistance helped escalate future conflicts over taxation from the British. -
The Albany Plan proposed uniting the colonies for defense during the French and Indian War. It failed, but it showed early ideas of unifying the colonies. These ideas became important later when pushing for independence. -
The Stamp Act required colonists to pay taxes on printed materials. This initiated the first major protests and the famous “No taxation without representation.” It marked a key step toward the Revolutionary War. -
The Boston Massacre was a deadly confrontation between British soldiers and angry colonists. Five colonists were killed, including free man Crispus Attucks. This event united many colonists against British oppression. -
The Boston Tea Party saw colonists dump British tea into Boston Harbor to protest unfair taxes. This act of provoked harsh British responses like the Intolerable Acts. It escalated tensions and was an important event leading to the Revolution. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord officially began the American Revolution. Colonial militia fought with British troops once the “shot heard round the world” was fired. This battle marked the colonies break from British rule. -
The Continental Army was formed by the Continental congress to fight against British forces, and George Washington was chosen as its commander-in-chief. The army's success in defeating the British secured independence for America and changed the future of the United States. -
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the colonies’ freedom from Britain. It listed problems with the king and ideas of liberty and equality. It became arguably the most important document in American history. -
The British surrender at Yorktown ended major fighting in the Revolutionary War. The victory was a result of French and American cooperation. This confirmed the states independence from Britain. -
Shays’ Rebellion was an uprising of farmers over taxes and debt in Massachusetts. It showed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, like the lack of federal response. This event pushed for creating the Constitution. -
The U.S. Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation. It created a stronger federal government with checks and balances. This document is the foundation of U.S. law. -
George Washington’s presidency began the new government. As the first president, he set many traditions and made the first peaceful transfer of power. His leadership inspired and empowered the nation in its early years. -
The 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to protect personal freedoms. It guarantees rights like free speech, religion, and fair trials. These amendments show fundamental American values. -
Eli Whitney’s cotton gin changed cotton farming by speeding up seed removal. This invention made cotton a major Southern cash crop but increased reliance on slavery. It boosted the U.S. economy while causing sectional division. -
The Whiskey Rebellion was a violent protest of taxes during Washington's presidency. This was the first domestic tax by the federal government. Washington's army quickly stopped the rebellion, proving the new Constitution's effectiveness. -
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S. for $15 million. It opened new lands for farming and exploration and took control of the Mississippi River. This was a major success for Jefferson’s presidency and allowed for westward expansion. -
Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to get rid of unconstitutional laws. This decision changed judiciary power in government and lawmaking. It remains a key idea of legal power in America. -
The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain. It restored pre-war boundaries and boosted American pride. It proved the U.S. could defend itself against global powers. -
The Missouri Compromise tried to balance free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also banned slavery in certain territories. This was a temporary fix for growing tensions over slavery. -
The Monroe Doctrine warned European powers not to interfere in the Americas. It announced the U.S. as a leader in the Western Hemisphere. This policy was very important for foreign relations and trade for the following decades. -
The Indian Removal Act forced Native Americans to relocate west of the Mississippi. This led to the Trail of Tears, where thousands died during forced marches. It expanded U.S. land but caused great tragedy for the Native Americans. -
Nat Turner’s Rebellion was a violent slave uprising in Virginia. It resulted in stricter laws to control slaves and increased fear by slave owners. This rebellion showed the desperation and resistance of slaves. -
The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse revolutionized communication. It allowed messages to be sent quickly over long distances for the first time. This innovation changed business, news, military activity, and everyday life. -
The Texas annexation happened after Texas declared independence from Mexico and sought to rejoin the union as Mexico would not acknowledge their independence. This caused a major expansion of US territory and increased tension between the union and Mexico, leading to the Mexican-American war -
The Oregon Treaty resolved a land dispute with Britain, giving the U.S. the Northwest area around Oregon. It avoided war and expanded U.S. territory. This opened new opportunities for expansion and trade. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War. The U.S. gained lots of land, including California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This expansion caused more debates about slavery in the new territories. -
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first organized meeting for women’s rights in the U.S. Leading women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton demanded equality and voting rights. This was the beginning of the women’s suffrage movement. -
The Fugitive Slave Act required citizens to help capture runaway slaves, upsetting the North. It increased support for abolition in the North but further divided the country. This was an important step toward the Civil War. -
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe exposed the horrors of slavery by portraying the slaves as human for the first time. It fueled abolitionist efforts and made slavery a more emotional issue. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed territories to vote on whether to allow slavery. It led to violence in "Bleeding Kansas" as opposing groups clashed. This again deepened the rift between North and South. -
The Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court declared that slaves were property and did not have the rights to freedom if moved to a free state. This caused anger in the North and boosted the South's confidence. This decision is one of the worst supreme court decisions of all time and pushed the North and South further apart. -
John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry was an attempt to spark a slave revolt. It terrified the South and made Brown a hero to some Northerners. This event pushed the nation closer to war by using violent measures to make statements. -
Abraham Lincoln’s election as president caused Southern states to secede from the Union. They feared his ideas would threaten their way of life. This election finally triggered the Civil War that had been brewing for years. -
The Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for permanent abolition across the country. It changed the war’s focus to ending slavery and encouraged African Americans to join the Union Army. -
The Battle of Gettysburg was a vital battle in the Civil War. The Union victory ended Confederate hopes of advancing into the North and was the beginning of the end of the Confederate army. -
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States. It officially ended the forced labor and injustice of African Americans. This was a victory for civil rights that had been fought over for years. -
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. and promised equal protection under the law. It became a cornerstone for civil rights in the future. -
The Transcontinental Railroad was a project approved and directed by Abraham Lincoln in an effort to increase westward expansion and settlement. The railroad would stretch completely from one end of the continent to the other, a feat that had never been done before. This resulted in major economic success as trade with Eastern Asia opened up across the country and Westward settlement became easier than ever before. -
The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. This was a major step forward for civil rights after the Civil War. It marked progress towards equality in politics and society. -
Yellowstone became the first national park to preserve the lands beauty for the future. This inspired more preserved public lands. It showed interest in environment and taking care of the world. -
The Battle of Little Bighorn was a rare Native American victory against the US military. It was a brief success for tribes fighting to defend their land. This battle showed one of the last major Native resistances to US expansion. -
The Compromise of 1877 was a political agreement that gave Rutherford B. Hayes presidency and marked the end of Reconstruction in the South. The North lost military control in the South, resulting in many uncontrollable anti-black actions and laws being passed. -
The Dawes Act broke up tribal lands and forced Native Americans to split apart from their tribes. This caused cultural traditions and communities to be lost or weakened. It was a major blow to Native culture and hopes of keeping their way of life. -
The National American Woman Suffrage Association fought for women’s rights to vote. Their work led the way to the passage of the 19th Amendment. This was a major step in the fight for gender equality. -
The Wounded Knee Massacre is essentially the end of Native resistance to the US military. Hundreds of Lakota people were killed in an attack by US troops. To this day it is a tragic reminder of the government’s treatment of Native Americans.