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St Augustine, present-day Florida - founded by the Spanish. North America is already inhabited by several distinct groups of people, who go into decline following the arrival of settlers.
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Began growing tobacco
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Near Cape Cod, is founded by the Pilgrim Fathers, whose example is followed by other English Puritans in New England.
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Britain gains control of territory up to the Mississippi river following victory over France in Seven Years' War.
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Colonists form First Continental Congress as Britain closes down Boston harbour and deploys troops in Massachusetts.
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George Washington leads Continental Army to fight against British rule.
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Declaration of Independence endorsed by Congress; colonies declare independence.
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Britain accepts loss of colonies by virtue of Treaty of Paris.
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Founding Fathers draw up new constitution for United States of America. Constitution comes into effect in 1788.
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George Washington elected first president of USA.
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Bill of Rights guarantees individual freedom.
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France sells Louisiana territories to USA.
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Atlantic slave trade is abolished.
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War of 1812 between the US and Britain, partly over the effects of British restrictions on US trade during the Napoleonic Wars.
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US acquires vast tracts of Mexican territory in wake of Mexican War including California and New Mexico.
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Opponents of slavery, or abolitionists, set up Republican Party.
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Eleven pro-slavery southern states secede from Union and form the Confederate States of America, triggering civil war with abolitionist northern states.
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Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in Confederate states to be free.
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Confederates defeated; slavery abolished under Thirteenth Amendment. Lincoln is assassinated.
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US gains Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines and Cuba following the Spanish-American war. US annexes Hawaii.