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Mayflower compact Signed
This agreement reached between the pilgrims was one of the first steps in a self governed new world. The document bound the pilgrims to live by their own set of laws creating their own civil society. -
Industrial revolution in England
The movement of textiles and other goods being produced inside homes to more centralized locations that are able to mass produce single items. This industrialization would improve transportation, communication and banking. -
James Watt Invents the Steam Engine
This invention would play a major role in the industrial revolution. It increased productivity drastically and allowed for a higher quality of life for a lot of the population. -
Boston Massacre
This incident between the British and a mod of colonist ending up causing a huge amount of resentment between the two parties. The British fired upon the mob resulting in the death of five people. This event would later be blown out of proportion in the anti-loyalist media, causing a majority of colonist to be against the British. -
First continental Congress
A gathering of twelve of the thirteen colonies to organize and make decision regarding the state of the colonies. The group wanted to organize colonial resistance of British goods and hoped that it would cause Britain to repeal some of the taxes on the colonies. -
Second Continental Congress
This Congress acted as leaders in the Revolutionary War. They worked to organize the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as the commander-and-chief and discussed/adopted the Declaration of Independence. -
JQA: Witness to Bunker Hill
Quotes: "Seven-year-old John Quincy and his mother watched a second wave of British troops surge upward over the fallen comrades-only to fall back again,regroup, and charge a third time, tripping over lifeless bodies, sprawling to the ground in pools of blood and torn flesh.." (Unger 15) This battle would leave a lasting impression on Quincy when referring back to the revolution. -
JQA: Harvard Graduate
John Quincy was a scholar in many aspects of his life, and fluent in several languages. While at Harvard Quincy worked on his degree in the Bachelor of Arts and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Now the oldest honor society associated with the liberal arts and regarded as the most prestigious honor society. -
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Executed
Louis XVI was convicted for conspiring with foreign powers and the French National Government sentenced him to death. He was executed by the guillotine at "Revolution Square". Marie Antoinette was convicted of High treason and was executed the same year. -
JQA: Minister to Netherlands
Adams spent a large portion of his life as a foreign diplomat. Under George Washington, Adams was assigned to be an advocate for the United States in the Netherlands. This was a prestigious position and Adams was highly respected by President Washington. -
Napoleon Conquers Italy
Napoleon was given control of the French Army of Italy and was ordered to attack northern Italy. The French believed that this would cause the Austrians to move troops south from the Rhine Fort. -
JQA: Minister to Russia
Several presidents would recognize Quincy as being a great diplomat. When James Madison was elected he appointed Quincy to become the first U.S. diplomat in Russia. Adams realized the mutual benefits of trade and commerce with Russia and advocated for a partnership. -
JQA: Envoy to Great Britian
During this time Quincy was essential for improving Anglo-American relations and was a leader when it came to ended the War of 1812. He did this by leading the commission that negotiated the Treaty of Ghent that ended the war. -
JQA: Secretary of State
Finally after many years serving as a diplomat Quincy is appointed to the position of Secretary of State by President James Monroe. Still committed to public service, Quincy made quick work of the department he headed even setting the standard for the Measurements of Weights and Measurements. He would even establish the Bureau of Weights and Measurements. Quote: "His report on Weights and Measures...became a classic in its field and was the basis for the system still used today." (Unger 200) -
JQA: 6th President of the United States
After serving as Secretary of State, Quincy fought for the Presidency and took a victory over Andrew Jackson. He would put a large focus in building up the infrastructure of the US such as roads, ports and canals. Quincy also reduced the national debt from 16 to 5 million while in office Quote: "Our political creed is...that the will of the people is the source, and the happiness of the people the end of all legitimate government upon earth." (Unger 239) -
JQA: Lost Election of 1828
Andrew Jackson won most of the western and southern states while Quincy only held a small majority in the New England territories. This election ushered in the era of Jacksonian Democracy and the switch from the single party system to the two party system. -
Victoria Becomes Queen of Great Britain
Victoria took the position of Queen at a young age of only 18. Over time she would become an icon for the values of personal morality and strict standards. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise allowed for congress to avoid the topic of slavery for several years, as it was a very controversial. Congress was very divided at the time and the original bill introduced would never pass because of this. A majority of the bill regarded territories and how slavery would treated in such. Stephen A. Douglas would break the bill into fifths appealing to separate groups to pass each part of the bill at different times. -
Fugitive Slave Law
A law passed apart of the compromise of 1850 that would allow southern slave holders to capture the ran away slaves that escaped to the northern free states. People are hired to capture the slaves and return them to the south. -
Uncle Toms Cabin
This novel influenced the north and boosted their sense of morality against slavery. It also depicted the horrors of slavery reinforcing the north's vision. -
Dred Scot Decision
This decision made by the supreme court decided that slaves, regarding to the constitution, would be regarded as property rather than people. An advocate for partisan opinion Roger Taney provided his reasons as said that the slaves had "been regarded...as so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect." (Oakes 430)
