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Colonial America was built on ideals such as liberty, democracy, and equality, though they were not universally applied. Colonists sought religious freedom, economic opportunity, and self-governance, setting the stage for the principles later embedded in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. These ideals often conflicted with realities like slavery and Native American displacement. -
The first enslaved Africans arrive in Jamestown, marking the beginning of institutional slavery in America. -
Pilgrims sign the Mayflower Compact, establishing a form of self-governance. -
Tensions between Britain and the American colonies escalated due to taxes and restrictions, such as the Stamp Act and Tea Act. Colonists united under the idea of independence, leading to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This section highlights the revolutionary spirit that led to the fight for freedom. -
Boston Tea Party protests British taxation without representation. -
Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4th. -
After the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation proved too weak to govern effectively. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 produced a stronger framework, balancing federal and state powers and addressing the need for checks and balances. -
The Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia. -
The U.S. Constitution is ratified and takes effect. -
The Constitution created a government that could adapt to change, with amendments like the Bill of Rights ensuring individual freedoms. This section emphasizes how the Constitution's flexibility and durability have allowed it to endure over time. -
The Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution. -
The U.S. experienced rapid growth and challenges, including westward expansion, industrialization, and social reforms. This period saw tensions between progress and the preservation of traditional values. -
Marbury v. Madison established judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the U.S. -
Missouri Compromise addresses the balance of free and slave states. -
Growing divisions over slavery, economics, and states' rights created tensions between the North and South. Key events like the Dred Scott decision and John Brown’s raid highlighted the nation's deepening divide. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford denies citizenship to African Americans. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected president, sparking Southern secession. -
The Civil War (1861–1865) was fought over slavery and the preservation of the Union. It resulted in the abolition of slavery and established federal supremacy over states' rights, reshaping the nation's identity. -
Emancipation Proclamation declares freedom for slaves in Confederate states. -
Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox, ending the war. -
Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. Despite some successes, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the era ended with unresolved racial tensions and systemic inequality. -
13th Amendment abolishes slavery. -
Compromise of 1877 ends Reconstruction and federal military presence in the South.