-
Violations of Civil Liberties
ImageThe Britain attempted to control the colonists by passing series of laws such as the Proclamation of 1763, which restricted where colonists could live, and the Quartering Act, which forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers at their own expense. Colonists had to pay for the crimes of British soldiers committed in the colonies. These events upset the colonist which in return impacted the formation of the U.S. by being a common cause for the colonists to band together and demand reform. -
Period: to
Developing the United States
-
American Revolution
ImageThe Revolutionary War affected everyone, including women and African Americans.After the war, many Northern states began gradual emancipation of slaves and lobbied the reduction of slave trade.As for women, they were still restricted from voting, but more schools were now accepting them;their overall literacy rate increased.The general public of men were also affected, referring to the expansion of voting rights.This breakout of reform was the start of the coming changes the US was about to see. -
Constitutional Convention
ImageDuring the Constitutional Convention, George Washington decided to disregard the Articles of Confederation and form a new plan of government, the Constitution. These decisions drastically improved our government. The Articles of Confederation had multiple flaws and was weak. As quoted by Hamilton,"A FIRM Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States." The Constituion is what made this possible, and I believe Hamilton thought this himself too. -
Judiciary Act
imageIn the Judiciary Act of 1789, the power to expand courts was granted by Congress, but the Supreme Court felt that this law went against the Constitution so they declared it unconstitutional. Following this, the princliple of judicial review was established. This allowed the Supreme Court to review Congressional acts. The judicial review is an implied power of government that is not directly written in the Constitution. This developed the US by equalizing its system of checks and balances. -
Second Great Awakening
ImageThe Second Great Awakening was a period of religious revival for many Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists. It began in the northeast in the 1790s in which people would come from miles to hear preachers speak. This movement impacted the US by leading to societal reforms and the construction of churches. The spirit of this movement led to the idea that society is responsible for individuals. The Second Great Awakening also inspired later movements to take place. -
Bill of Rights
ImageThere were fears of the government violating individual rights so Congress adopted the Bill of Rights; the fisrt ten amendments of the Constitution. This document definitely shaped the United States by protecting American rights. If the Bill of Rights was not added we wouldn't be the country we are today. For example, the first amendment states that Congress can't make laws establishing a national religion. This freedom was what attracted most settlers, so imagine if it was never established. -
Independence from Mexico
ImageThe Mexican government wanted to ensure settlements in its northern territories so they encouraged American farmers to move to the region, with a few rules attached.The settlers were required to obey Mexican law, adopt Mexican customs, and convert to Catholicism.These obligations were not withheld so Mexico closed its border to immigration and instituted taxes on American goods.Mexico became a dictatorship which angered settlers; war broke out.The settlers won & Texas became part of the US. -
Second Seminole War
ImageAngered by the Indian Removal Act, the Seminole Nation took up arms against the American settlers trying to drive them from their lands in Florida.This started a seven year war.Later, the US restricted Indians to reservations.Due to this, numerous wars occured between the US and the Indians.Once the wars ended, Native Americans slowly gained the rights of what rights they hold today.Currently the US government recognizes over 500 tribal governments, which have the right to self govenment. -
Manifest Destiny
ImageManifest Destiny is what compelled the Americans to expand their country. Manifest Destiny is the belief that America has the God-given right to expand westward. Based on this notion, Americans believed that they were brought to North America to spread the ideals of liberty and democracy. This idea developed the United States in the sense of moving forth the expansion and occupation of American territory. -
Gold Rush
ImageJames Wilson Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, but news didn't spread until 1849.This attracted people from far and near to California. The men who were involved in the Gold Rush were known as the "forty niners," named after the year the Gold Rush flourished. In 1845, there were only 700 hundred Americans settling in California. That number sky-rocketed due to the amount of settlers being attracted to California for the Gold Rush, which further developed the population of the US
