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George Washington
During the French and Indian War, George Washington started to become a recognized man. He of course becomes the first president of the United States. George Washington was given a task to raid Fort Duquesne from Robert Dinwiddie. A job like this wouldn't have been given to a regular person. This shows George Washington was a well respected and trustful person. George Washington was in a famous battle with General Edward where his Platoon got ambushed by French and Indian troops. -
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The French and Indian War
The French and Indian war sparked in 1754, when the British governor of Virginia sent George Washington to attack the French troops in Ohio country, at Fort Duquesne. George Washington's attack was successful, until the French counterattacked. After many battles went on, the British in 1759, cut French supplies going to the colonies which made Indians turn to the British for supplies. In 1760, the British later captured General Montreal and forced the French to give up the land they had. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is very important in history. The British basically won the seven year war by a land slide. In fact, the British won other battles that were taking place in the eastern part of the world. Most of the land that the French had was given to the British including some parts of Canada, Ohio River valley, the Great lakes region, and Florida, since Florida was given from Spain to the French. Britain drove out the French from North America, but the treaty brought them together. -
Quartering Act
In 1765, British Parliament released the Quartering Act to continue to provide defense for the colonists. Parliament knew the colonists hated direct tax, however, they needed to collect money. The Quartering Act, an indirect tax, stated that the colonists must be able to house and take care of a soldier so the soldiers can be able to protect the colonists even more. There were more than a thousand troops stationed. The colonists had to pay more money for the soldiers and they still protested. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty are a group of patriots who formed this group to unite and to revolt against Britain. Their most famous leader was Samuel Adams. They were protesting as large groups, especially during the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act affected every colonist. The Sons of Liberty led a huge revolt and tore down the office and house of the stamp tax collector. Another mob destroyed the Massachusetts lieutenant governor's house. -
Boycotts featuring the Daughters of Liberty
Local committees decided to have a boycott on British goods. Britain was taxing the people far too much. The Daughters of Liberty were a huge help to the boycott. The colonists stopped buying British goods such as cloth, which made the Daughters of Liberty produce homespun cloths. The women committed to not buy any British goods. They wanted Britain to be in economic ruin. Their work was praised by the men and by newspaper publishers. They gained the name Daughters of Liberty for their effort. -
Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney is an American inventor who is most recognizable for the invention of the cotton gin. The cotton gin's job was to separate the cotton seeds from the cotton itself so that it could be made into other products. Eli Whitney also is credited for interchangeable parts. A French inventor first made this idea, and later on Eli Whitney developed this idea in the United States. The general idea was that a part in a musket can work if that same part was planted inside of a different musket. -
XYZ Affair
After the Jay treaty was made with the British, the French seemed to be annoyed with America because the treaty between America and Britain betrayed their treaty of alliance with the United States. The French started to seize American ships. John Adams sent representatives to France to have peace talks, however French representatives, know as X, Y, and Z, wanted bribes over 250,000 dollars. Adams backed away from the peace talks and expanded the Army and Navy that fought against France. -
John Adam's election
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had a fair battle during the 1796 presidential election. John Adams barely won against Thomas Jefferson. He won the electoral vote by 2.2 percent causing him to become president. The North favored Adams and the South preferred Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson, because he was in second place for president, became Vice President. These two men, despite being in opposing political parties, were very intelligent and very unique in their own way. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
John Adams faced a lot of criticism during his administration. He was fed up and disliked everyone who spread negativity toward the federal government. He created the Alien and Sedition Acts which prevented other people from speaking badly about the government or about the president. Anyone who spoke against the government were eventually going to be arrested and deported. People saw the acts as a problem because it violated the 1st amendment. It was unconstitutional and was a big problem. -
Louisiana purchase
In 1801, the leader of France, Napoleon, forced Spain in giving France the Louisiana Territory. America wanted New Orleans, however, France now owned the city. France threatened to block American access to markets in New Orleans, which cased many to want to fight a war between the French. Jefferson, trying to avoid war, decided to buy Louisiana Territory. Napoleon was so stressed about their constant battles that he sold the Louisiana Territory to Jefferson. Jefferson couldn't ignore this deal. -
Barbary War
In North Africa, pirate states like Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli were stealing American ships and sailors and making a profit on their cargo. George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson paid these pirates so America would be free from piracy. Jefferson stopped giving pirates money when they increased the price. Jefferson sent a Navy ship to blockade the port of Tripoli. The pirates knew they made a mistake which led to the end the Barbary War in peaceful terms. -
Embargo Act
America was participating in the re-export trade, which created a boom in America's economy. Britain disliked the trade so Britain decided to impress American sailors and take away their ships. Jefferson had to do something about these unfair acts. He avoided war with Britain by establishing the Embargo act. Jefferson wanted to hurt Britain economically by not trading with anyone. The Embargo act failed because Britain traded with others and made a profit. America then suffered by not trading. -
Tariff of 1816
After the war of 1812, British goods returned to the United States. There was a lot of competition between British goods and American manufacturers. Congress decided that they need to protect American industry. Congress placed the tariff of 1816 increased the price heavily on imported goods. This made Americans buy products that was made in America, which of course, helps America's economy. However, the tariff only benefitted industry and not farming. People down south paid more for goods. -
The invention of Steamboats
Robert Fulton was the first man to make a successful steamboat that was used for commercial business. The steamboat became the first big advancement in transportation. Steam was created by burning wood and coal, which caused the engine to boil water that eventually created steam. It had advanced mechanisms such as the rotating paddle that pushed the boat in the water. The steamboat was efficient for travel because of the time it took to reach its destination and it was cheaper than land trade. -
United States gains Florida
Spain occupied Florida for a long time. Indians in Florida, known as the Seminole Indians, had their uprising and started a war in Spain. The first Seminole War occurred in 1818. Spain felt pressured and they felt like they needed to give up their land away. America tried to persuade Spain to give Florida to them. Andrew Jackson led forces into Florida to take dominance over Spanish forts and Indians. Spain's control was very weak. The Adams-Onis treaty then led to America owning Florida. -
Gibbons vs Ogden case
John Marshall served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Marshall was present at the time of the Gibbons vs Ogden case. The case was about Ogden receiving a special privilege from the state of New York saying he could operate steamboats at a certain area. Gibbons, apparently operated steamboats in the area, but without permission of the state of New York. He had a federal license for interstate commerce. Gibbons won because Marshall shows us how federal laws are superior to state laws. -
Bland-Allison Act
In 1873, Congress demonetized silver. Congress tried to make the United States dependent on only the gold standard. Western states advocated for silver and they wanted silver as part of their currency so that money can circulate more. People fought for the reinstatement for silver. The House and the Senate had a liberal versus a conservative view on the bill that provided for the coinage of silver. Bland and Allison then agreed on terms of silver being legal currency and its bought from the west -
Whisky Ring
The Whisky Ring occured during the Grant administration in the year 1875. It was a big scandel. A group of distillers in St. Louis didn't like paying taxes on their products. John McDonald, a member of Grants administration, reduced the the taxes by undercounting the number of kegs of booze. John McDonald ended up confessing to be messing around with the presidency and that he was involved with the Whisky Ring corruption. It was said the tax money was used to reelect President Grant once again. -
The Civil service act of 1883
The Civil Service Act of 1883 was passed and it propoesed a new merit system. The merit system for 10 percent of federal employees chosen by examination rather than being someone's favorite political figure. It made it illegal for people to be fired beacuse of their political backgroung; however, it made politicians dependant on donation from big companies instead of relying on other political figures helping them. The donations from big companies helped them almost win any election. -
Hawaiian Rebellion
American sugar growers in Hawaii revolted against its monarchy. The U.S. Marines provided support against this revolt. However, American sugar growers actually lost power in 1891. Monarchy played a huge role in Hawaii. The American minister to Hawaii told the Marines to be in Hawaii in order to protect American lives. America was trying to annex Hawaii but the Democrats refused. Hawaiians opposed annexation and Cleveland pulled U.S. troops out of Hawaii and stated monarchy should be put back. -
Populist Party
The Populist party was a party that appealed to the people such as miners and industrial workers. The party was successful in Colorado and Idaho. People in the west were so engaged in the Populist party that they let women to vote in the 1890s which raised the populist electoral value. The party was for bimetallism or the free coinage of silver. This however caused inflation which hurt laborers. People feared the party would be tied down to only free silver which hesitated the from voting. -
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall was a political machine that helped win elections to gain power. Tammany Hall dominated the democratic party politics in New York during the late 1800s to the 1900s. These political machines were associated with corruption. Tammany Hall found a way for a person to get more than one vote by changing his physical appearance. Tammany Hall tried to get all the votes in New York to help them grow in power. They helped provide service to immigrants and poor people in the cities. -
Coxey's army
Jacob S. Coxey's army was a group of about 500 unemployed people who marched to Washington D.C. to fight for a program for roadbuilding which would increase money circulation and provide plenty of jobs for the unemployed. He proposed this program in the form of a congressional bill, but regardless of its popularity among the unemployed, the program was never able to be set up. The march ended when Coxey was arrested for trespassing in the Capitol. -
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was a democrat who was in favor of the Populist party movement. He advocated for the free coinage of silver in order to increase cash flow to increase prices for farmers so that the people can pay off their debts. William Bryan ran for the presidential election of 1896 and lost again William Mickenly. It was known as the first moden election. William Mckenly won because of the 10 million dollar donation he got from the big businesses. -
Dingley Tariff
The Dingley Tariff is a protective tariff that increased prices on foreign goods. Prices were increased to 57 percent. Republicans usually kept tariffs high as a way to help the U.S. Treasury to get rebuilt financially. It was the highest protective tariff in U.S. history. This led to a coalition that was made between eastern and western senators that provided higher rates of goods for support of the others region. This caused many people to buy all American products. -
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt became the first progressive president in 1901. Teddy Roosevelt was a president who was the middle man to monopolies and the workers trying to find common ground. He broke up illegal trusts not all trusts because some served toward the common good. Panic of 1907 seemed as he was overstepping his bounds. After he served his term, Taft became president and he didn't do the things Roosevelt thought he would. So he made the progressive moose party and lost against Wilson. -
Muckrakers
Muckrakers is a name that Teddy Roosevelt called people who would expose political or business corruption. Teddy Roosevelt did not like these muckrakers because these people would only expose it and not clean it up. In fact, they would only make it worse. As the muck raker term suggests the people rake up muck. They rack not mop or sweep muck that is only being toyed with by the rake. However, people like Jacob Riis and Ida Tarbell expose meat scandel, Standarad Oil, how immigrants live and etc. -
Political Reforms
There were three major political reforms during the Progressive Era that has major impact in politics today. One of those reforms was Initiative which was made so that voters could directly propose legislation themselves, bypassing boss-bought state legislatures. Referendum was made so that the people could vote on laws. Recall was made so that voters could be able to remove failing or corrupted elected officials from their political positions. -
Roosevelts Square deal
The Square deal was made by Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy knew the problem of monopolies taking advantages of the common people but he broke the ones that were bad and kept the good. He formed the Square deal in order to prevent big businesses from taking advantage of small business of the poor. He wanted to regulare big business. 3 C's were Control of the corporations, Consumer protection, and Conservation of natural resources. He was the middle man for corporations and the worker. -
Big stick diplomacy
Big Stick Diplomacy was a foreign policy made by Teddy Roosevelt in order to negotiate with smaller countries in the world such as the Latin American countries. The policy was based on negotiating with countries easily but having a huge military in the background as a quiet threat. Countries would be intimidated and they would try not to offend America in any way because they know that it would be good for them. -
George Plunkitt
George Plunkitt was a small boss not very public in New York. He wrote Plunkitt of Tammany Hall talking about the difference about honest and dishonest graft. In doing so he tired saying that corruption was evil, and he doesn't do things the way other bosses does them (like using violence to take votes). In reality he does have corrupt tactics in politics, but he is only trying to justify his actions saying its "honest graft". He also defended the actions of Tammany hall. -
Dollar diplomacy
The Dollar Diplomacy was created by the second progressive President William Taft. This was a foreign policy that was created in response to the Big Stick Diplomacy. This foreign policy basically has that military power; however, focuses on the economic opportunity another country has that the United States can benefit from. The United States makes negotiations based on economic sucess off another country to see how it can benefit the U.S. With the military force, it is likely that it will favor -
Carrie A. Nation
Carrie A. Nation was a Christian woman who would destroy and ruin saloons and bars. Christian people did not like alcohol. In fact this led to the prohibition movement. Carrie A. Nation being a strong woman tat she was, destroyed bars making a claim that this was endangering the society and that woman can be strong. Alcohol, in the eyes of Christians, was something that made husbands beat their wives and spend their whole pay check on alcohol. Also, people became jobless. -
Moral Diplomacy
Moral diplomacy was created by the last progressive president, Woodrow Wilson. The Moral Diplomacy is painting a picture on America being the good country. This foreign policy is saying that we need to help other countries who are in need of help because the U.S. can provide. Wilson believed that a just government must rest upon the consent of the governed. -
16th-19th Amendments
The 16th-19th Amendments were made during the time of the Progressive Era. The 16th amendment was the power that was given to congress to crate the graduated income tax for the rich. The rich got taxed more than the poor. The 17th amendment was that the people could directly elect senators of their state. The 18th Amendment was prohibition or the banning of alcohol. The 19th Amendment was the right for women to vote. -
Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham was an American architect and urban planner who greatly impacted American cities. He was part of the making of skyscrapers and part of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. He developed Americas first world fair of the 19th century which gave ten thousand men jobs. He created D.H. Burnham and company and overtime has made more than 200 buildings making this significant in American architectural history. -
Social gospel
The Social Gospel was an mass Christian idea that was spread all over America. The Social Gospel was not about the idea of individual salvation but the salvation of the whole society. Many Christians worked hard to make settlement houses which promoted shelter for the homeless and better living conditions. Many Christians worked on Americanizing immigrants and teaching others how to read and write. Many Christians fought against alcohol leading into the prohibition movement. -
Why history is so important
Why is history significant? Well first off, History helps us advance in life. History lets everyone know the mistakes and all the events that happened to lead us to where we are now. A governor now wouldn't make the mistakes as a governor in the New England colonies. We can recall how the product of tobacco gained so much money and we can apply that to our own use to do the same. We can learn how to alter documents like the Mayflower compact to be better designed. History helps us improve daily.
