-
Jamestown Established
Chartered by the Virginia Company, founded the FIRST permanent English Colony. Colonists suffered from swampy area and settlers refused to work, since they expected to find gold and other valuable metals. John Smith would force settlers to freaking farm to save their lives and they would eventually grow TOBACCO, which saved the town because it became popular in Europe and grew well in the area. Created the FIRST representative assembly in America, HOUSE OF BURGESSES -
Plymouth Established
Settled by English Protestants who were persecuted by the church of England (Separatists) who wanted to be independent of the Church of England. Operated by Virginia Colony of London aboard the Mayflower; half would die in the first winter and were helped by local natives and celebrated with a feast (thanksgiving). Mayflower Compact was an early form of self government and constitution. -
Massachusetts Bay Colony Established
Similar to the Plymouth Colony in that they were defiant of the Church of England, but they wanted to reform the church (Puritans). Persecuted, they set out for America under John Winthrop for Massachusetts shore to create Boston and other towns. A civil war would lead to the Great Migration. Men members of the church could vote in yearly elections. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Dispute on natives located on the Potomac River where Bacon wanted to fight the natives who attacked Berkeley and his followers. Governor fled Jamestown and Bacon's army would burn down the capital. Enter Bacon's Rebellion -
Period: to
Great Awakening
Movement characterized by expressions of religious feelings among people. It would allow Americans to unify and the ideas that arose during the Great Awakening would challenge kings and other monarchies. Great Awakening -
Period: to
French and Indian War
Also known as the 7 Year's war, the war would be about land in the Americas. The French used natives to help their own war effort, but they would eventually loose and Britain would take Canada and Spanish Florida. It would establish Britain as a superpower and the British saw Americans as unorganized and uncooperative and the Americans were not impressed by the British military and their leadership. French and Indian War -
Period: to
Revolutionary War
Fighting begins at Lexington and Concord and continues for the 1780s, until the battle of Yorktown, where Washington forces Charles Cornwallis to surrender. The treaty of Paris is signed, ending the war and Britain would recognize the US as a nation, receive fishing rights off Canada, and they would pay debts. The french helped by giving money and supplies to the US. Revolution -
Declaration of Independence Ratified
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia instroduced a resolution that declared the colonies independent. 5 Delegates, including Jefferson, were chosen to create a statement that supported Lee. Listed grievances against King George III. -
Period: to
Henry Clay Alive
-
Articles of Confederation Ratified
Established a central government that consisted solely of congress. Each state had one vote and 9 votes were required to pass important laws. Amending the Articles required every single state. Congress had the power to wage war, make treaties, send representatives, and borrow money. but could NOT TAX. Shay's Rebellion was the result of the weak government and brought the Article's weaknesses to attention. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Police that surveyed and sold land in the West. Set aside a portion of the land for developing schools and public education. -
Land Ordinance of 1787
Set rules for creating new states in the Great Lakes area and Ohio River. Granted limited self-government to the territories and BANNED SLAVERY. -
Constitution Ratified
Strengthened the Federal Government by allowing it to regulate trade and place tariffs on imports but no exports. Featured a system of checks and balances; states would be equally represented in the senate and represented based on population in the House of Representatives. Federalists supported the new constitution but anti federalists opposed it because it did not feature a bill of rights. -
Period: to
Hamiltonian Economic Program
The program would accomplish 3 main things. It would have the national government assume the debt accumulated during the war. The new nation's industries would also be protected by a tariff and a national bank would be created, allowing printing of money and distribution of currency. Anti Federalists opposed the idea, such as Thomas Jefferson, who saw it as a program to benefit the rich only. Hamilton's Economic Program -
Bill of Rights Ratified
Anti-federalists wanted a bill of rights to protect the rights of American as to prevent the stronger government from infringing on one's rights. Federalists argued that it was not necessary because all rights should be assumed to be protected. It was necessary to ratify the constitution. -
Cotton Gin Invented
Cotton gin invented by Eli Whitney which allowed harsher types of cotton to be grown. Increased cotton production greatly, which required more slaves to operate plantations. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality Issued
Washington believed that the new nation was not yet strong enough to get involved in foreign affairs, such as the ongoing European war so he declared that the US would remain neutral in foreign affairs. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Retiring president Washington would write a message to newpapers where he spoke about policies and practices that future generations should not follow. This included not getting involved in foreign affairs, making permanent alliances, forming political parties, and sectionalism. -
Alien and Sedition Acts Enacted
Federalists won a majority in both houses due to anger against France in 1798; this allowed them to enact laws restricting their political opponents (Democratic-Republicans) by passing the Naturalization Acts (increased years required for US citizenship from 5 to 14) and Alien Acts (allowed president to deport aliens considered "dangerous") and Sedition Act (made criticism of president or congress illegal) Enter Alien and Sedation Acts -
Election of 1800
Because the Federalists were total jerks to immigrants (Alien and Sedation Acts and new taxes), they lost popularity. The election of 1800 gave the legislature and executive branches to Democratic-Republicans. Most of the population cast their ballot for either Jefferson or Aaron Burr and there was a tie. Congress voted on which president to elect and Jefferson was elected. The peaceful transition of political power was rare and is called the Revolution of 1800. -
Interchangeable Parts Introduced
The introduction of Interchangeable Parts by Eli Whitney would result in rapid industrialization in the North. Clocks would be the first to be interchangeable because they regulated time and workers would work based on the clock. -
Period: to
Lowell System
Started by textile mills in Lowell Massachusetts, the mills would hire women to work in the mills in exchange for housing. Many other factories would use the system and immigrants would also begin to be used. However, as time went on, the hours would increase and conditions would worsen. Lowell System -
Period: to
American System
A plan that would promote economic growth through the use of protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements (infrastructure). The tariff would be in place by 1816 and the bank would expire in 1811. American System -
Period: to
Transcendentalism Movement
Transcendentalists questioned churches and business by merchants, arguing for new ways of thinking that involved people looking for their inner self and for god in NATURE. Because of their close relation with nature, many, such as Henry David Thoreau, would become conservationists. They also sought for a more natural union between manual labor and intellect; this was shown in Brook Farm and other Communal experiments. The Transcendentalists -
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Territory was controlled bt France and Jefferson was interested in buying New Orleans since it was closed by Spanish officials. France needed funds for a war against Britain and offered 15 million for the entire Louisiana Territory. Wasn't sure if it was allowed since the constitution did not mention the purchase of land but argued that his purchase could follow under presidents power to make treaties. -
Marbury v Madison
The case was the result of Jefferson's efforts to block federalist judges appointed by Adams. Secretary of state James Madison was ordered not to deliver the commissions. Marbury, one of Adam's appointees, sued and the court ruled that Marbury has the right to his appointment. However, the court also ruled that the Judiciary Act o/1789 gave the court more power than laid out in the constitution and declared it unconstitutional. This established the court's power to declare constitutionality. -
Period: to
War of 1812
The war was caused by impressment of American sailors while at sea and conflict in the west. Britain at the time was fighting a war and as a result, they needed sailors since many would desert. Americans also wanted British Canada and Spanish Florida and often got into fights with natives.The Treaty of Ghent would end the war, restoring territory to prewar boundaries and there were no gains or losses. War of 1812 -
Period: to
Hartford Conventions
The conventions were started by radical Federalists who wanted the Constitution to be amended right before the war ended (bad timing). They proposed to secede and the convention called for 2/3 votes for both houses of congress to declare war. Hartford Convention -
Compromise of 1820 (Missouri Compromise)
Missouri was about to come in as a slave state and this alarmed the north, who wanted to keep the balance between slave and free states. Clay would propose a bill that admitted Missouri as a slave state but Maine as a free state. It also prohibited slavery north of the 36 30' line. Would cause increased sectionalism between the North and South. -
Monroe Doctrine
Britain and the US both wanted to protect North and South American from European threats. Issued by President Monroe to declare that the United States will get involved if European countries decided to colonize independent counties in the Americas. Americans would have an increased sense of nationalism but would die after domestic issues. It would also be the start of foreign relationships with South America. It would inspire future foreign policies, such as the Roosevelt Corollary. -
Andrew Jackson Elected
Jackson lost the election of 1824 but would win in 1828 since the previous election elected Adams as the result of Adams and Clay's "corrupt bargain". Jackson was seen as the representative of the people and the "common man" -
"Tariff of Abominations"
The name given to a tariff imposed in 1828 to protect northern manufacturers. Southerners opposed the tariff since it raised prices on foreign goods and South Carolina would nullify the 1828 tariff and the 1832 tariff. Jackson would prepare for military action but the issue was resolved by asking Congress to lower the tariff gradually. Tariff of Abominations -
The Liberator founded
An anti-slavery newspaper written by William Lloyd Garrison that advocated for the freedom of slaves. It would also advocate for women's rights later on. -
Manifest Destiny
Westward expansion was caused by improved railroads, immigrants seeking a new life, and economic incentives in the West and troubles east. Whigs opposed expanding west since they worried that the US government would be unable to handle the new land and feared that slavery would become a problem (and it did). Democrats supported Westward expansion since it offered more opportunities and allowed more freedom. The expansion was justified by religion. -
Election of 1844
Texas was about to be annexed and Northerners would oppose the idea since it was a slave state. Polk, the democratic nominee, would support the annexation of Texas, taking of California, and occupation of Oregon. 54 40'! Henry Clay, the Whig nominee, would be divided on the Texas annexation, which alienated voters in New York. -
Period: to
Irish Immigration
There was a potato famine in Ireland, caused nearly 2 million irish immigrants to flee to the United States. Most had few skills, were Roman Catholic, and had little money; this led to many Irish Americans being discriminated against. They mostly stayed in urban areas, such as New York and Boston. They joined the Democratic party. No Nothing Party (nativists) Irish Immigration -
Seneca Falls Convention
Occurred in New York in 1848, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony advocating for women's rights. The convention issued a document called the "Declaration of Sentiments" which declared that all men and women are created equal, while also listing grievances against customs and forms of discrimination. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Treaty that concludes the war, with Mexico recognizing the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas and the surrender California and New Mexico (Mexican Cession), where the US would pay 15 million and assume responsibility for debt of citizens in the territory. -
Compromise of 1850
1849, California created a new constitution which banned slavery. Taylor would support the entrance of California as a free state, as well as New Mexico. This caused talks of secession in the South ("fire-eaters"). Clay would propose a compromise that admitted California as free, Mexican Cession into two territories for popular sovereignty, banning slave trade in DC, and adoption of a new Fugitive Slave Law Compromise of 1850 -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen A Douglass would create a plan to build railroads while also promoting western settlement. Douglass would introduce a bill to divide the Nebraska Territory into two and allowing them to decide for themselves the issue of slavery. The bill would offer a chance to expand slavery north of the 36 30' line. Kansas-Nebraska Act -
Dred Scott Decision
Scott was a slave in Missouri that was taken to Wisconsin, where slavery was banned. He argued that he was a free slave in court, which went all the way to the Supreme court. The court ruled that Scott was still a slave, since the court did not have the power to take away property and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional since it excluded slavery from Wisconsin and other northern territories. -
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
A man in Virginia that attempted to start a slave uprising with his four slaves and other former slaves by attacking an arsenal at Harpers Ferry. That plan was to arm slaves with guns from the arsenal. The plan would fail because no slaves revolted and Lee would capture the group. The South responded negatively to the attack, enforcing stricter slave laws while the North supported Brown's actions. -
Election of 1860
The Democratic party would begin to break up around 1860 since Southerners and other slave state delegates would oppose the nominees. Republicans would nominate Lincoln and wanted protective tariffs and exclusion of slavery from NEW territories. Lincoln would win states in the north, while Douglass would win in the south. While Lincoln did not win the popular vote, he still won since the free states had enough electoral votes. -
South Carolina Secedes
South Carolina would secede in 1860 after an unanimous committee voted. In the next six weeks, more states would seceed and create the Confederacy. -
Period: to
Civil War
The war was caused by the secession of seven states in the South who opposed Lincoln's election, who was a republican that opposed slavery. The Confederates were fighting a defensive war and had better knowledge of their land. However, the Union had more people, factories, and better infrastructure. The war would end at Appomattox and Lincoln would order the reconstruction of the south and reunification of the Union. Civil War -
Emancipation Proclamation Issued
Enacted by President of the Union, Lincoln, who would free all enslaved slaves in the Confederacy; he did not free those in the middle states because he feared it would cause them to secede as well. It was issued at the victory of a major battle (Antietam). It changed the purpose of the war (now fighting against slavery) and encouraged slaves from the south to flee and join the Union's war effort.
