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Salem Witchcraft Trials
Colonial Massachusetts was taken by storm with the fear of witchcraft. Out of the 355 people accused of witchcraft, 103 were actually put on trial, and 20 were executed for their “crimes.” Most of the accusations came from young women, claiming they were possessed by Satan at the hands of these supposed witches. -
John Quincy Adams is born
John Quincy Adams was born to John and Abigail Adams in Braintree, Massachusetts. The family home in this small farming community would continue to be a place of familiarity through all of his travels in the years to come. -
Boston Massacre
In what was considered one of the most important events to lead to the Revolutionary War, a dispute between a colonist and British soldier turned into the murder of 5 men at the hands of the British Army. The initial fight between the two generated a large crowd, all pelting the solider with snowballs and insults. Reinforcements were called in, and the word “fire” was shouted in the scuffle. The British soldiers listened to the command and the result was the fallen men and a colonial uproar. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was witnessed first hand by seven-year old John Quincy, whose Braintree home supplied him with a view. The young boy watched as the sea of soldiers fell to the ground, witnessing family friend Dr. Joseph Warren meet his demise. “The memory of Bunker’s Hill, he said, “riveted my abhorrence of war to my soul…with abhorrence of tyrants and oppressors… [who] wage war against the rights of human nature and the liberties and rightful interest of my country.”” (Unger 17) -
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
In a pamphlet that would go on to ignite the passion of the colonists, Thomas Paine called for the independence of the colony from Britain. The most common concept touched upon in this pamphlet was the separation of the Colonists from their British ties, making them feel as if they were their own nation instead of just a branch off of another. The pamphlet sold approximately 500,000 copies, working it’s way through the colonies like wildfire. -
Secretary for Francis Dana
Proving how intelligent he was from a young age, American minister to Russia Francis Dana chose 16 year old John Quincy to act as his secretary and translator. This would be his first time of independence from his parents, and he took full advantage of transiting from a boy to a man in this time. The experiences he gained during this time in his life are what lead him to be one of the greatest politicians in European affairs later on in his career. -
United States Constitution was created
After realizing the need for a stronger central government, 55 delegates met in Philadelphia in the hot summer of 1787 to recreate the supreme law of the land. From this four month long debate, writing, and revision, the United States Constitution was produced, outlining the power of the federal government in a stronger format than before. -
The storming of Bastille
A royal fortress, the revolutionaries of paris tore down this symbol of the French monarchy. The day prior, the people began firing towards the guards in front of the fortress, and the mob formed to capture it. This marked the begin of the French Revolution. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
The Place de la Revolution in Paris is the area the blood of King Louis XVI was split in, when he was executed by guillotine of charges brought about by the French National Convention. Convicted of plotting with foreign powers after evidence of communications with Austria amongst others came out, the monarch only had one day of life after his sentencing. When put to vote, the decision to execute him barely gained the number of votes it needed to go into affect. -
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin, a machine that changed the agriculture in the South. The machine removed the seeds from the cotton, a process previously done by hand by slaves. Cotton soon because America’s leading export. Unfortunately, the efficiency of the cotton gin meant that gamer in the south could expand their business, in turn creating a higher demand for slavery. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor
After carefully swaying the vote, Napoleon was chosen to be the Emperor of France. The ceremony brought in about half a million of his supporters, and the Pope had been taken to oversea the ceremony. Bonaparte placed the crown on his own head, signifying that he was now in control of the French empire. -
Treaty of Ghent
After months of debate, the Treaty of Ghent was finally signed ending the War of 1812. This treaty put John Quincy in high regards throughout the US as the man who brought peace. On a more personal level, John Quincy gained one of his dearest friends through this treaty, Henry Clay. “I consider the day on which I signed it [the Treaty of Ghent] as the happiest of my life,” John Quincy wrote to Louisa, “because it was the day on which I had my share in restoring peace to the world.” (Unger 176) -
President John Quincy Adams
The road to the presidency wasn’t an easy one for John Quincy. Running against Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay, none of the men received the majority of electoral votes. In a tie that was broken by the House of Representatives, John Quincy Adams was selected as the 6th president of the United States. Henry Clay threw his weight during this decision in favor of Adams, and many called it the “corrupt bargain.” -
Erie Canal opened in America
The Hudson River was used as a connector of the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean, creating a trade route more efficient that ever before. The digging for the canal took over two years, and the canal ended up to be a total of 425 miles. The transport time for goods was cut in half, and settlers ran to the area to take advantage of the cheap transportation fees. -
A man of no party
Asked to run for an open seat in the House, John Quincy Adams decided something many would find shocking in any political era of the United States. He agreed to run for the seat, but refused to be a member of any one political party. He stated that the was going to represent the entire nation, not just the interests of one party. This shows how dedicated John Quincy Adams was to what he thought was true and just, and the unwavering passion he had for America. -
Gag Rule Repealed
After years of effort, John Quincy finally gained the support he needed to repeal the gag rule. He was passionate about abolishing this rule, declaring it as a constitutional violation. The rule itself prevented the speech on certain topics, in majority slavery. By getting this repealed, John Quincy allowed for the legal discussion of abolition to be brought about, starting the fight that would temporarily tear America apart. -
Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx called for the revolution of the working class over a class based society with his Communist Manifesto. He believed that this victory of the proletariat is what would bring about equality in society. Marx’s ideas didn't become popular in the 20th century, but during his lifetime he managed to start many unsuccessful revolts. -
The Death of an American hero
Working until his last moments, two days prior to his death he collapsed during a role call in the House of Representatives. He laid in a coma for two days, before passing on at 7:20 P.M.. The entire nation mourned the loss. “In the Senate, one of his bitter political foes, Thomas Hart Benton, stood to proclaim, “Whenever his presence could give aid and countenance to what was useful ad honorable to man, there he was…Where could death have found him but at the post of duty?”” (Unger 310) -
Seneca Falls Convention
The first ever women’s rights convention in the United States took place over this two day period, and was attended by approximately 300. Here the famous Declaration of Sentiments was spoken and revised, with the main author of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, calling for women to be recognized as equals in society. It was spoken in the ninth resolution for the suffrage of women, the most controversial request in this document. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin
First appearing in the newspaper the National Era, and later in a two volume book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one of the most influential books in American history. The book enlightened the American public to the horror of slavery in a more personal way, playing on the heart strings of people and showing slaves as the human they were. Politics and economics now had the competition of morality for the debates against slavery. -
Battle of Balaclava
A key battle in the Crimean War between Russia and the French, British, and Turkish, the Black Sea in southern Crimea failed to be captured by the Russian. The port was key to the supplies of the British, French, and Turkish in this war over religion. This battle inspired the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
