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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Signed
More Info The Magna Carta was a document that King John of England was forced to sign. This document became the foundation of the English citizens’ rights. This document made King John govern by the old English laws. The Magna Carta is considered the founding document of American Liberties. -
Mayflower Compact Signed
More InfoThe Mayflower Compact was a written agreement for several new Settlers that arrived at New Plymouth in November of 1620. This agreement was put together for a new colony in America, with fair and equal laws for the good of the Settlement. -
Formation of the New England Confederation
More Info During the Pequot War, Representatives from Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, met at Boston and wrote up 12 Articles of confederation. The main purpose was protection from the French, Dutch, and Indians. They planned to be “a firme and perpetual league of friendship and amity.” Most of the Decisions made by the members were ignored by Massachusetts, which made them very weak. -
The French and Indian War begins
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The French and Indian war began when Washington and other colonist wanted to expand into French territory for farmland. The British and French allies fought and the British won. After this the Royal Proclamation was signed by King George. -
Albany Plan of Union announced
More Info The Albany Plan of Union put the British North American Colonies under a much more central government. This plan was never carried out but it was the first to place the colonies all under one government. This plan was created by a total of 7 people from the British North American colony. -
Royal Proclamation (1763)
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The Royal Proclamation was created by the British after The French and Indian War. It stated that the Colonist couldn’t settle in the land west of the Appalachian Mountains. The Colonist had previously fought for this land, The Native Americans were happy about this while the Colonist were furious. -
Sugar Act
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The Sugar Act was a tax put on sugar, coffee, wine and other items purchased by the Colonists. The Colonist became angry about these taxes and began to rebel against The Sugar Act. -
Stamp Act Congress
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The Colonist become angry with the taxes they had to pay in result they began to boycott British goods. The Colonist created The Stamp Act Congress, which was divided among the Radicals and the Moderates. The congress got support from other colonies and soon enough there were fewer boycotts. -
Stamp Act
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The Stamp Act was a tax place on Colonists for all printed items like legal documents. The money taken from the taxes were put towards the British soldiers. -
Townshend Act
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The Townshend Act were taxes place on items like paint, glass, tea, paper, oil and other items. These acts were written by Charles Townshend who thought this tax was better than the Sugar and Stamp Act because the Colonist saw no indication of the item actually being a taxed item. -
Boston Massacre
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The Boston Massacre was when the Colonist continued to boycott and went outside the Custom House of Boston and Threw snowballs at the guards. Supposedly “by accident” a rifle was fired and 5 colonists were killed. Sam Adams who was the leader of “The Sons of Liberty” called the event The Boston Massacre. -
Boston Tea Party
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The Colonist refused to purchase taxed tea from the British. After three British Tea ships came to the Boston port, a group of men dressed up as Mohawk Indians boarded the ships and dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. -
First Continental Congress
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The Continental Congress met for the first time at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. The delegates discussed how they should deal with the Intolerable Acts. The majority of the delegates agreed to continue to boycott British goods. -
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty"
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During the Second Virginia Convention Patrick Henry made a speech that motivated the Colonist to fight against the British. One of his last lines in the Patrick Henry’s speech was "Give me liberty, or give me death!" -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
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The Midnight riders originally were going to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams who were visiting Lexington. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott went around warning the Colonists that the “The Regulars are coming out!” -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
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The British attacked through Boston, they marched to Lexington were they believed they would have an easy win against the Colonist. The British won at first, but at Concord the Colonist forced the British to retreat. -
Fort Ticonderoga
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Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys captured this fort held by the British in upstate New York. They brought the cannons from there to Boston. The Colonist needed ammunition and this fort held a lot of British ammunition, over night the Colonist captured the fort. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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On June 17, 1775 the British were surprised to see Colonists on top of Breed’s Hill. The British forced the Colonist to retreat but they gained a great deal of confidence. -
"Common Sense" Published
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“Common Sense” Written by Thomas Paine questioned British government and monarchy. Thomas Paine encouraged American Independence throughout the document. -
British evacuate Boston
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After The Battle of Bunker Hill Colonist were in Boston. The British were stationed in ships at Boston, and were running low on supplies. The Colonist began firing at the British ships and forced them to evacuate Boston. -
Second Continental Congress meets
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The Second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, PA, were they discussed the Revolutionary War. Congress still didn’t believe they could break away from Britain. The Olive Branch Petition was written to compromise with the King. -
Declaration of Independence announced
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On our Independence Day (July 4th, 1776) the Continental Congress met and voted to put in place Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. A few days’ later people had come behind The Independence Hall and the Sherriff of Philadelphia read the Declaration to them. -
"The Crisis" Published
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The Crisis written by Thomas Paine is a series of essay that support America’s Independence. One of the most famous lines is: "These are the times that try men's souls." -
Washington captures Trenton
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Washington and his troops surprised the Hessians who were stationed in Trenton, NJ the day after Christmas. The Hessians were hung over from Christmas Holiday leaving Washington and his troops at an advantage. This ended up as a victory for Washington and the Colonists. -
British defeated at Saratoga
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That Battle of Saratoga served as the turning point in the Revolutionary War. The Colonist ended up defeating the British leaving them with one of their biggest victories of the Revolutionary War. -
Articles of Confederation Signed
More Info The Articles of Confederation Showed how the United States Government worked after we declared independence from England. The central government didn’t have much power. They couldn’t control commerce; they had no power over taxation, also all alternations had to be agreed on by every state. -
Winter at Valley Forge, PA
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During the winter at Valley Forge, PA Washington’s soldiers were suffering in the brutal weather conditions. Washington was angry at Congress for not helping the suffering Colonists. -
Benedict Arnold plans found out
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Benedict Arnold was a Colonist who thought America’s future was going down the drain. In result he had a plan to switch sides. He started speaking with Major André a British spy chief. -
John Paul Jones defeats the Serapis
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John Paul Jones raided several British trade ships; he had several raids along the west coast of Britain. John Paul Jones is most known for shooting down "Bonhomme Richard". -
Cornwallis surrenders
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During the siege of Yorktown Cornwallis ordered his British troops to surrender to French and American forces. 8,000 of Cornwallis’s men became prisoners of war. -
Treaty of Paris ( 1763)
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The Treaty of Paris signified the end of the Revolutionary War. The treaty gave peace between England and America. The treaty was signed and the British viewed America as an independent nation. -
Newburgh Conspiracy
More Info The Continental army was waiting for piece negations between the United States and Great Britain. The soldiers pay checks were being delayed and they just wanted to get home. A speech was made by Washington which was called the Newburgh Conspiracy. Everything was taken care of “peacefully and respectfully” The soldiers fought to the end. -
Treaty Of Paris
More Info This treaty brought the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States to an end. The treaty was signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay from the Unites States. David Hartley signed it representing Great Britain. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
More Info The Land Ordinance of 1785 was the start to the futures American land policy. This policy came about because less people were fighting for land, and more was owned by the government. The policy basically said that all the land sold would be surveyed, of the 36 sections of 640 acres in every township the 16th would be saved for maintenance of public schools. -
Ordinance of Religious Freedom
More Info Ordinance of Religious Freedom is a statement about freedoms and separation of the church and state. This statement was written by Thomas Jefferson, it is the start of religious freedom. This statement was put in 3 paragraphs and passed by the Virginia General Assembly. -
Annapolis Convention
More Info The Annapolis Convention consisted of 12 delegates from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. They discussed the defects under the Federal Government. They discussed things that are limiting trade or commerce between large independent states. Many of the states failed to show up. They couldn’t agree on anything without more representatives. This led to the Philadelphia Convention. -
Shay's Rebellion
More Info The crisis of 1780 was when several farmers had high debts when they were just starting out. Their farms were taken away, and many farmers were put in jail for not paying their debts. The farmers of Western Massachusetts formed a group and planed their protest and rebellion. The farmers had a rebellion from the orders of Daniel Shay. A military force was put together which quickly took down and stopped the Rebellion. -
Constitutional Convention opens
More Info The Constitutional Convention happened because the Articles of confederation needed to be changed. Instead we created the United States constitution which helped our country greatly. The delegates had to do what’s best for the people and create more equal laws. -
The Great Compromise agreed to
More Info The Delegates had to decide if the large states and small states would have equal representation. They couldn’t agree on anything and that’s when the Great Compromise arose. The compromise said that the National Legislature would consist of two houses. There would be Representation in one house which would be decided by population. Next, representation in the second house would be equal and equal representatives. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
More Info Representatives from 13 colonies needed to figure out a way to add more states to their union. This is why they created the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The Ordinance allowed provisional government for the area northwest of the Ohio River. They also could make new governments from those areas, it let the areas have a Bill of Rights, and lastly it allowed the lands to be sold to new settlers. -
Constitution sent to the states for ratification
More Info The constitution needed to be ratified by 9 states, Delaware approved first. Several Anti-Federalist convinced delegates to support the constitution. New Hampshire was the last state to approve, and then the constitution was up and running. -
Federalists Papers appear
More info The Federalist wanted ratification of the Constitution. They wanted a strong National Government so there would be no political disorder. Also the strong National Government would protect new nation from enemies. They concluded that the Bill of Rights was not needed because 8 states already had the same bills. -
Anti-Federalist articles appear
More Info The Anti-Federalist did not want ratification of the Constitution. They thought the Constitution took important powers from the state. In addition they thought the Constitution didn’t have a Bill of Rights. Lastly, they thought a new Constitution would guarantee peoples freedoms. -
Delaware ratifies Constitution
More Info Delaware was the first state to ratify for the Constitution in a very short and brief message. This is a part of Delaware’s ratification: “in virtue of the power and authority to us given, for and in behalf of ourselves and our constituents, fully, freely, and entirely approve of, assent to, ratify, and confirm, the said Constitution.” -
Massachusetts ratifies Constitution
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Massachusetts took a fairly long time to ratify the Constitution. When John Hancock said that Massachusetts should recommend amendments to the constitution like the Bill of Rights, this made several Anti-federalists concerned. After this many delegates changed their opinions on ratification. They eventually ratified with a vote of 187 to 168. -
New Hampshire ratifies Constitution
More Info New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify, after the 9th state ratified the constitution would be in full effect. Brief quote from their ratification: “by assenting to and ratifying a new Constitution, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, Insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to themselves..." -
George Washington elected President
More Info George Washington became the first president of the United States of America on April 30, 1789. Washington was standing on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York when he took his oath. Two of his main concerns were military arts and Western expansion. -
Congress meets for the 1st time
More Info Congress meets for the first time in New York; they discuss the community and citizens. Morris is concerned: "public expectation seems to be so highly wound up that I think disappointment must inevitably follow after a while, notwithstanding that I believe there will be inclination and abilities in the two houses to do everything that reasonable and sensible men can promise to themselves….” -
Bill of Rights sent to the states for ratification
More Info The first Congress of the United States approved 12 amendments for the U.S Constitution, they were then sent to the states for ratification. These amendments basically protected all aspects of the people. Some included: Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and exercise of religion. -
Bill of Rights ratified
More Info The Bill of Rights was now considered a law of the United States. The Bill of Right contained 10 Amendments which basically gave people freedoms from the government. 10 out of 14 states ended up approving the Bill of Rights making it ratified. -
Spain closes Mississippi River
More Info The New Orleans port was vital for trade along the Mississippi River. Spain controlled the port and wanted American trade to become weaker so they closed the river. In result, Thomas Pinckney made a treaty making it possible for the United States to trade again. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resoultions written
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The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were passed by legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia. The resolutions argued that the federal government had no authority to use power that wasn’t specifically delegated to it in the Constitution. -
Hartford Convention meets during War of 1812
linkThe Hartford Convention was when New England Federalists met to discuss problems regarding the War of 1812. They also discussed political problems that they faced from the Federal Government’s increasing power. -
Missouri Compromise
link In the Missouri Compromise congress admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a non-slave state. This made the balance of slave-states in the country equal. The Missouri Compromise also ended above the 36º 30´ latitude line in Louisiana territory. -
Tariff of Abominations passed
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The Tariff protected New England manufacturing interest and agricultural products. The new tax on foreign goods devalued southern cotton experts. -
South Carolina tries to nullify
linkThe recently passed Tariff of 1816 only protected the industrialized north; this made the south argue for “nullification”. This now meant if a state found an unconstitutional law they could nullify within the state. -
Abolition of Slavery Act (1833)
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The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was when Parliament of the United Kingdom abolished slavery throughout the British Empire except for the Territories in the Possession of the East India Company, the Island of Ceylon, and the Island of Saint Helena; these exceptions were taken away in 1843. -
James Polk elected
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James Polk surprisingly won the election of 1844; he campaigned vigorously and was a strong speaker. Many people were surprised that Polk won over Henry Clay. -
Texas declares independence from Mexico
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On March 1st, 1836 delegates from the seventeen Mexican municipalities of Texas and the settlement of Pecan Point met at Washington on the Brazos to discuss their independence from Mexico. George C. Childress drafted a declaration of independence. On March 2nd, 1836 58 members signed the document and Texas became the Republic of Texas. -
Mexican War
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The Mexican war was a conflict between the United States and Mexico. Mexico thought the Texas annexation was part of their territory regardless of the Texas Revolution of 1836. The conflict lasted until 1848. -
Wilmot Proviso
[link](www.ushistory.org/us/30a.asp)
The proposal created by David Wilmot stated that none of the Mexican acquired territory could have slavery. Sectional conflict in the south continued until the Compromise of 1850. -
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Fugitive Slave Law enacted
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The Fugitive Slave Law was a group of laws also known as the Compromise of 1850. The law was passed between Southern slave-holding states and Northern Free-Soilers. This law declared that any runaway slaves were returned to their masters. -
Publications of Uncle Tom's Cabin
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Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin changed America’s view on slavery forever. It demanded that the country stop slavery and contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War. -
Formation of Republican Party
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The Republican Party formed in March of 1854. They formed fighting against the Nebraska Act which was going to extend slavery into the territories. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act passed
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The Kansas-Nebraska Act came from the Missouri Compromise which allowed slavery in the territories north of the 36° 30´ latitude line. The Kansas-Nebraska Act also decided that the issue of slavery would be decided by each states residence, also known as popular sovereignty. This act made conflicts which led to the Civil War. -
"Border Ruffians" attack Lawrence
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The Border Ruffians were pro-slavery activists from Missouri which was a slave state. In 1854 they crossed the state border into Kansas Territory and forced slavery onto the people. Armed Ruffians attacked Free-State settlements. This was where the phrase “Bleeding Kansas" came from. -
Charles Sumner attacked
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Charles Sumner was a Senator from Massachusetts who led anti-slavery forces and leader of the Radical Republicans. Preston Brooks was a congressman from South Carolina who attacked Sumner inside his office. A few days earlier Sumner made an anti-slavery speech which used offensive language according to southerners. -
Pottawatomie Creek
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On May 24, 1856 John Brown and his Free State volunteers murdered five men by Pottawatomie Creek in Southeastern Kansas. The victims were pro-slavery but owned no slaves. This massacre happened three days after the Border Ruffian attacks and 2 days after Senator Charles Sumner was brutally beat by congressmen Preston Brooks. -
Dred Scott decision announced
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Dred Scott was a slave who lived in the free state of Illinois and the free territory of Wisconsin before moving back to the slave state of Missouri. Scott declared his freedom insisting he was put under the hands of slavery illegally. -
Lecompton Constitution passed
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The Lecompton Constitution was the second out of four constitutions for the state of Kansas. It was written due to the anti-slavery position of the 1855 Topeka Constitution of James H. Lane. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
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During the Illinois Election for U.S senate, Stephen Douglas created the idea of popular sovereignty using the Kansas Nebraska Act. His opponent Abraham Lincoln wanted to end the expansion of slavery. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
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During Harper’s Ferry John Brown wanted to steal weapons from a federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA. His plan was to give the slave weapons and the slaves would then form an uprising. He then thought other slaves from the south would also join the uprising. John Brown and his men were captured in the arsenal by marines. John Brown was hanged for his crime on December 2nd, 1859. -
Democrats split in 1860
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After the election of 1860 the democrats in the south split from the democrats in the north. Most Democrats in the south thought of Stephen Douglas as a “traitor” because he continued to support popular sovereignty in a state they could be a Free State. This led to the election of Breckenridge. -
Formation of Constitutional Union Party
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The Constitutional Union Party was a political party in the United States made up of conservative former Whigs who wanted to avoid disunion over the slavery issue. The former Whigs teamed up with former Know-Nothings and a few Southern Democrats. -
Election of 1860
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The 19th United States Presidential election was between Stephen Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, John Bell and Abraham Lincoln. Abraham was elected president of the United States of America during the election of 1860. -
Abraham Lincoln Announces Plans for Reconstruction
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1)A general amnesty would be granted to all who would take an oath of loyalty to the United States and pledge to obey all federal laws pertaining to slavery.
2) High Confederate officials and military leaders were to be temporarily excluded from the process.
3) Allow each state to hold a constitutional convention, and allowed voting. -
Wade-Davis Bill receives Pocket Veto
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Many people didn't agree with Lincolns 10% plan so senator Wade and representative Davis created a Bill were Southern states could come back into the Union if 50% of the states population took the oath, blacks would also have the right to vote. Congress passed the bill but Lincoln pocket veto it. -
Lincoln Re-Elected President
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When Lincoln was re-elected radical republicans were angry because they didnt like his reconstruction plan. Lincoln and the Union defeated the Confederacy and Lincoln enforced his plan for reconstruction. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
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Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14th, 1865. Booth felt he was doing the right thing and was flustered by the loss the Confederacy had just faced, this led to Abraham Lincoln’s sudden death, and a sudden halt to his plans for reconstruction. -
Formation of the Freedman's Bureau
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The Freedmen's Bureau was orginally formed to aid and protect the newly freed blacks in the South after the Civil War. The Freedmen's Bureau had was to provide medical care to the newly freed slaves. They also had to divide 850,000 acres of government seized land into forty acre sections. -
President Andrew Johnson Announce Plans for Reconstruction
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1. Pardon southerners who swear allegiance to the Union. 2. Each state can hold a constitutional convention. 3. States require to avoid secession and abolish slavery. 4. States could hold elections and rejoin the Union. -
Black Codes created in Mississippi
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After the Civil War slaves were free, this meant the south was going to punish them as much as they could. This is when The Black Codes were created; these laws meant blacks had different schools, bathrooms and restaurants. The Black Codes also created many laws that prevented African Americans from owning property and starting businesses. -
Ratification of the 13th Amedment
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The 13th Amendment was ratified by Southern states after the Civil War. It states: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." -
Ku Klux Klan created
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The "Ku Klux Klan" was created because white southerners were angry that blacks were getting so much, they feared black children in clasrooms with their own white children. The KKK plated burning crosses in front of African American homes, dragged them from their homes, tortured them and sometimes brutally killed them. -
Civil Rights Act (1866) Enacted
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Congress realized something needed to be done about the KKK so they passed the Enforcement Act of 1870, which banned violence that prevented people from voting due to their race. In 1875 Congress guaranteed African American Civil Rights, from the Civil Rights Act of 1875. -
Reconstruction Acts Enacted
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The First Reconstruction Act divided the states in the South into five districts. Each district was in charge of a northern general. It also put in place new state delegates and constitutions, ratification of the fourteenth amendment and equal rights to all citizens. -
President Andrew Johnson Impeached
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Johnson, the first President to be impeached in America, was impeached because he violated the Tenure of Office Act by removing secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton. -
Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment
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The 14th amendment suspended The Black Codes, allowed citizenship and equal rights. If someone was born or “naturalized” in the United States of America they would be considered U.S citizens. It was possible for both your parents to have been illegal immigrants and you being born in the U.S, would become a citizen with equal rights. African Americans were encouraged to go to school, get a job, and get married. -
Ulysses S. Grant elected President
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Grant, a republican was elected and allowed for the Radical Republican's plan for Reconstruction. -
Ratification of the 15th Amendment
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The 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote, “regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Using these right African Americans attained an education; this was against the law in most southern states before the war. -
Hiram Revels elected to Senate
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Revels was elected to Senate and was the first African American member of the United States. -
Ku Klux Klan Enacted
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President Grant declared martial law, which led to him using military force against the KKK. -
Freedman's Bureau Abolished
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The Freedman's Bureau assisted ex-slaves. They provided food, supplies, education, justice and land distribution. President Johnson attempted to veto the organization but Congress overrode. -
Civil Rights Act (1875) passed
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This act applied to all Americans, regardless of race and allowed them in access to public accommodations. It also protected the right to serve on juries. This act was never passed and was declared unconstitutional. -
"Jim Crow" enters the American cultural language
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The Jim Crow Law’s were mandated in all public factories in Southern States of the former Confederacy, they created a “separate but equal” status for African Americans. Some examples of Jim Crow Laws are segregation of public schools, public places, and public transportation, and the segregation of restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains for whites and blacks. These laws followed The Black Codes of 1800-1866. -
Last National Troops Leave South Carolina
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At the end of Reconstruction northern troops were taken out of the South from controlling and protecting rights in the South. -
Rutherford B. Hayes elected President
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At the end of reconstruction Hayes was elected as President. Hayes took Federal control out of the South this ended Reconstruction. -
Civil Rights Act Overturned (1883)
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Several Civil Rights Cases led to the Civil Rights Act of 1875 being declared unconstitutional. -
Florida Requires Segregation in Places of Public Accommodation
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Florida was the first state to apply these laws untill several other southern states followed. These laws interfered with the blacks rights to vote and their rights in court.They forced in literacy tests and poll taxes which made most blacks unable to vote. -
Case of Plessey v. Ferguson
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Plessy was 1/8 black, On June 7th, 1892 he purchased a first-class ticket from New Orleans to Covington. Plessy sat in the railroad that was on meant for whites. He was arrested and put on trial for violating the Separate Car Act. In court Plessy argued that the Separate Car Act violated the 14th Amendment, therefore he did nothing wrong, Plessy was still found guilty.
