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Period: to
Individual Actions Leading to Significant Changes
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Thomas Paine writes Common Sense
Thomas Paine anonymously published Common Sense, which presented colonists with a strong reason to fight for their freedom against the British. Gordon S. Wood called this document, "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary area." -
John Hancock and 55 others sign Declaration of Independence
Fifty-six individuals risked being hung for treason when they signed the Declaration of independence. This document signified the separation of the U.S. from Britain and allowed foreign governments to recognize the United States as a soverign nation. -
Ben Franklin negotiates Treaty of Paris
Ben Franklin, acting as US Ambassador to France, negotiated the Treaty of Paris which was signed in 1783, ending the Revolutionary War. -
James Madison Bill of RIghts
To address the concerns of anti-Federalists, Madison proposed 17 ammendments to the Constitution that documented individual rights such as Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly and Petition. Twelve passed the House and ten passed the Senate, eventully becoming the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791. -
Eli WHitney patents cotton gin
The invention of the cotton gin made cotton a much more profitable business and by the mid-19th century, cotton was America's leading export. This increased the need for slaves in the south. -
George Washington's farewell address
In his farewell address, George Washington set the stage for the behavior of future presidents and the role of government. He also set the precedent of limiting the presidency to two terms, but this did not become law until the 20th Century. -
Thomas Jefferson purchases Louisiana from France
Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana from Napolean, doubling the size of the United States and allowing Western Expasion to thrive. This was a disaster for the Native Americans who had been living ion this land for centuries. -
Sequoyah begins creating sylabary of Cherokee language
The Cherokee language is very complex. Sequoyah spent 12 years simplifying it to 86 symbols, each representing a unique sound of Cherokee speech. This personal act, for which he was ridiculed, is helping to preserve Cherokee culture. -
War of 1812 - Madison declares War on England
Madison was the first US president to declare war on another country, Britain. This war led to the demise the Federalist party and strengthened US nationalism, causing the "era of good feelings." This war was the beginning of America's regular standing army.
