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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document signed by King John of England that gave the people more rights. By signing this document, the King was granted less power, but the people were granted more. This was the basis for constitutional governments. Many ideas of the Magna Carta are in today's constitution. -
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact kept the Pilgrims unified until a Charter was signed saying that they could stay there permenantly. It stated that they are all equal, creating a democracy for the people. This was the kind of government the United States was based upon. -
New England Confederation
The New Endland Confederation was formed because of the Peuot War. All four colonies (Massachusetts, New Haven, Connecticut, and Plymouth), met in Boston to discuss King Phillip's War. At the meetings, two representatives from each colony discussed stategies for war, and the cost of the war. -
Albany Plan of Union
The Albany Plan of Union was drafted by Benjamin Franklin, at a meeting in Albany, New York. The Plan was ahead of its time and focused on unifying the country while also making points about finances, commerce, and defense. It made a plan for a government that can be created. -
French and Indian War Begins
The French and Indian War began in 1754. The French and the Natives fought against Britain. Britain wanted to take over the fur trade from France, and the Native Americans did not want Britain ruling over them. The war ended in 1763 -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed February 10, 1763. This treaty ended the Seven Year War. This treaty wsa made possible because of Britain's victory over France and Spain. -
Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation was issued in 1763 on October 7. The Proclamation did not allow the settlers to settle past the Appalachian Mountains. It was made to strengthen relations between Britain and the Native Americans. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was placed on April 5, 1764. The colonists had to pay a tax on incoming molasses. As a result, the colonists bought sugar from the East West Indies instead of from England. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed on March 22, 1765. This act made the colonists pay a tax on every piece of printed paper. This tax was used to help pay for the protection along the Appalachian Mountains. This tax offended the people because it was used to raise money, not to regulate commerce. -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress met in New York during October of 1765. The Congress voiced "no taxation without representation" and was divided into moderates and radicals. The group met to discuss only the harsh taxation laws. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were put into place on June 15, 1767. The taxed items were: lead, glass, paper, paint, and tea. They were later lifted on everything except tea. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770. The Regulars had been living in Boston for a while, and the tensions peaked. A group of sailors were taunting the Regular on guard and as the guard called for help, a scuffle broke out.. The soldiers "accidentally" fired. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party happened on November 29, 1773. The Sons of Liberty dressed up as Indians and dumped tons of tea into the Boston Harbor. They did this to protest the harsh tea taxes that Britain imposed. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met on September 5, 1774. The group met in Phillidelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss the Intolerable Acts imposed by Britain. -
"Give me Liberty"
Patrick Henry said "give me liberty or give me death" on March 23, 1775. He said it at the Second Virginia Convention. Patrick Henry was a big supporter of the Revolution and freedom for teh United States. -
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere happened on April 18. 1775. The ride was used to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the Regulars were coming to arrest them. They also warnedthe people to prepare for battle. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military actions of the Revolutionary War. The British walked from Boston to Concord in order to catch the colonials off guard. The British hastily retreated because of the harsh fire. -
Benedict Arnold Plans Found Out
The Benedict Arnold Plan was used as a tactic to get more money for Arnold (about 20,000 pounds). He planned on selling West Point to the British, and weakened West Point by dispatching soldiers, so it would ensure the British would win the attack. He was found out and never trusted again. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga was locotated on Lake Champlain. It was used as access to Canada and the Hudson River. It was the first America win in battle. -
Second Continental Congress Meets
The Scond Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775. The point of this meeting was for the 13 delegates to meet and discuss the next steps in battle. They met at the State House in Philidelphia. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill occured on June 17, 1775. It happened on the Charlestown Peninsula. Although Britain technically won, the colonists had less casualties and only retreated because they ran out of ammuntition. -
Common Sense Published
Common Sense was published on January 10, 1776. It was a pamphlet that challenged Britain and their ruling. It was written in plain language and appealed to the people of the colonies. -
British Evacuate Boston
British Forces were forced to evacuate Boston on March 17, 1776. The colonists, led by George Washington, carefully placed cannons along Dorcester Heights, causing the retreat. This win gave George Washington the first medal ever awarded by the continental congress. -
Declaration of Independence Announced
The Declaration was Announced on July 8, 1776. It was signed on the fourth, but was not released to the public until the eighth. It was voted in secret. -
The Crisis Published
The Crisis was published in 1776, and was written by Thomas Paine. It was written to inspire colonists during the American Revolution. -
Washington aptures Trenton
The Battle of Trenton happened on December 25, and lasted 45 minutes. They captured 900 Hessians. This was important because it helped to gain ammunition and supplies for the militia. -
British Defeated at Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga happened on October 17, 1777. This Battle was a turning point for the war. The British and Hessian soldiers surrendered all their arms/weapons. -
Winter at Valley Forge
The Winter at Valley Forge was cold and the soldiers were left wanting many supplies. This was also a turning point for the soldiers, as it made the amateur American soldiers into trained ones. -
John Paul Jones Defeats the Serapis
John Paul Jones defeated the Serapis on April 22, 1778. He led a small detachment and raided two British ships at Whitehaven, England. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. He surrendered in Yorktown Virginia. This ended the American Revolution. -
Newburgh Conspiracy
The Newburgh Conspiracy happened because of lack of trust from the soldiers in the revolutionary war and their government. Congress was not paying soldiers in the war, and this caused the soldiers to doubt their country and government. The Newbourgh Address stated that if the soldiers do not get their pay and the war is not resolved, they will refuse to fight and go back to the British. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris was the document that officially ended the revolutionary war in America against Britain. The American negotiators traveled to Paris to discuss a treaty. The preliminary parts of the treaty were signed on November 30, 1782, but the official treaty wasnt signed until September 3, 1783. -
Spain Closes Mississippi River
Spain Closed the Mississippi River in June of 1784. Spain claimed that they owned the river and the land around it, and if any United States boats were on it, they could be searched or even taken. -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinace of 1785 was a document that listed the policies for the American land until th Homestead Act in the 1800s. The document stated that all land would be divided into 6 mile sqaures, or towns. The remaining land could be sold at auction for $1.00 per acre or more. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was started between New England Farmers and the wealthier merchants. It was started in Massachusetts and threatened to send America into a civil war. The ending of the Revolutionary War sent soldiers back to their farms. However, they did not recieve an pay from the military, and were unable to feed themselves or their families. The problem was resolved when John Hancock, the new governor, helped his people in their need. -
The Annapolis Convention
The Annapolis Convention was a meeting called to order by 12 delegates to discuss the faults in the new government. Howver, becaause of the absence of dlegates from other states, they did not come to any desicion to move forward in taking action against the faults. -
Massahusetts Ratifies the Constitution
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ratified the Constitution on February 6, 1788. However, unlike Delaware, Massachusetts addressed issues to be looked at. There were nine issues in totale that Massachusetts wanted added, including the right to a jury during trial. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention opened May 25, 1787. It took place in the State House in Philidelphia. Fifty-five delegates met to form a Constitution that would define America. The delegates met for four months and debated until a compromise was made between the representatives. -
Ordinance of Religious Freedom
The Ordinanc of Religious Freedom was granted on July 13, 1787. The Ordinance promised freedom of religion for all and also stated that no one should be targeted for choosing to practice a certain rligion. It also denounced slavery and promoted civic values. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a government for the northwestern territory. It also declared that new states would be equal to the other states. It also promoted civil rights and banned slavery in the newly created states. -
The Great Compromise (The Connecticut Compromise)
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, created the standard for representation. The Compromise split government into two houses; the House of Representatives, and the Senate. In the House of Representatives, each state has a number proportional to their state. In th Senate, each state has the same number of seats. The Great Compromise set the standard for representatives in office. -
Ratification of the Constitution
On September 28, 1787, Congress sent the newly-made constitution to the states for ratification. There were two major sides to the debate of the Consitutions; the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. THe federalists supported the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists believed a Bill of Rights needed to be added. -
Federalists Papers Appear
The Federalist Papers were 85 documents that explained why the Constitution should be ratified. The documents were published between October 1787 and August of 1788. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first Constitution of America. Although it was written in 1777, it was not put into effect until 1781. John Hanson was the first president under this document, and was put into office on November 5, 1787. -
Delaware Ratifies the Constitution
Delaware Ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787. Delaware was the first state that ratified the Constitution. Delaware agreed to all of the Constitution, and 30 signers, ten from each county, signed the ratification of the Constitution. -
New Hampshire Ratifies Constitution
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. Like Massachusetts, New Hampshire offered twelve requests to the Constitution. One of these suggestions states that the government is not allowed to force any religion on a person. -
Anti-Federalist Articles Appear
The Anti-Federalist articles started to appear between 1787 and 1789. The articles were used by anti-federalists to help gain supporters for their beliefs. Anti-federalists did not believe in the ratification of the Constitution as there was no Bill of Rights. -
Congress Meets for the First Time
Congress met on March 4, 1789 for the first time ever. This meeting marked New America, as the Constitution had been ratified. There were 21 governors that went to the first meeting of Congress. -
George Washington Elected President
George Washington was elected president on April 30, 1789. He was the first president of the United States. George Washington remained neutral about foreign affairs and was not "pro-British" or "pro-French." -
Bill of Rights Sent to States for Ratification
The Bill of Rights was sent to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789. The Bill of Rights stated the rights of the people but there was some debate over compensation for the officers in Congress. -
Bill of Rights Ratified
The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. There were twelve articles originally put through for ratification; however, only ten of them were ratified. -
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were written in 1798-1799 by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They were written in response to Alien and Sedations Acts. They were protests on the limitations on civil liberties. -
Hartford Convention Meets suring war of 1812
The Hartford Convention met from Decmeber 15, 1814 to January 4, 1815. It served as a way to consider the problems of the war. The meeting resolved what New England thought as unfair treatment towards them as opposed to the Southern States. They proposed serveral constitutional ammendments focused on what New England thought as unfair treatment. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a paper that made Missouri the 24th state. The bill was passed in 1820, and Missouri became th 24th state on August 10, 1821. -
The Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of Abominations protected the United States exports by adding a tax on the imports. -
South Carolina tries to Nullify
South Carolina tried to nullify in 1832. They believed the Tariffs wwere unconstitutional and therefore, they shouldn't have to follow them. -
Abolition of Slavery Act
The Abolition of Slavery Act passd in 1833 in Britain. It prohibited slavery throughout the British Empire. However, some territories were excluded. -
Texas declares Independence from Mexico
Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. People met to write a declaration and 58 members signed the document, making Texas the Republic of Texas. -
James Polk Elected
James Polk was elected on November 5, 1844. He was not expected to win as he was not well known, but he campaigned a lot and won the vote for the democratic party. He wanted the westward expansion. -
Mexican War
The Mexican War began on April 25, 1846. It began when mexicans attacked americans along the Texas border. There was a border dispute, and America claimed they controlled more land than Mexico believed they had. -
Wilmot Proviso
Wilmot Proviso was one of the major events leading up to the Civil War. It would have banned slavery in all of the new territory gained by the Mexican war. -
California Enters the Union
California Entered the Union on September 9, 1850. It became the 31st state in the United States. -
Fugitive Slave Law Enacted
The Fugitive Slave Law came to be on September 18, 1850. The Law said that all runaway slaves had to be returned to their masters. -
Publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin was published on March 20, 1852. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and was in rebellion to the FUgitive Slave Law. It focused on a runaway slave. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed on May 30, 1854. It gave the people in Kansas and Nebraska the right to choose whther or not slavery was to be allowed in their states. -
Formation of the Republican Party
The Republican Party formed in 1854 to stop the Kansa-Nebraska Act, which threatened to expand slavery. They wanted to abolish slavery once and for all. -
"Border Ruffians" attack Lawrence
Border Ruffians attacked Lawrence on December 1, 1855. The Republicans wanted Kansas to enter the Union as a free state, while Democrats wanted it to enter as a slave state. The pro-slavery
members of the union went to Lawrence to arrest them for treason, and the people went willingly. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
Charles Sumner was attacked on May 22, 1856 by Preston Brooks. Apparantly, Sumner used offensive language in one of his speeches. The South Carolina delegate attcked SUmner with his cane three days later. Brooks became a leader for the south and many people sent him new canes, where as Sumner's seat was left open until he recovered, and he became and idol for the northern states. -
Pottawatomie Creek
On May 24, 1856 John Brown killed five men from Kansas at Pottawatomie Creek. He believed that God wanted him to kill these people, as slavery was going on for too long and it was the only right decision. -
Dred Scott Decision Announced
The Dred Scott decision was announced in March of 1857. The Supreme court, led by Taney, decided that since Scott was black, he was not a citizen and could not sue. Dred Scott was denied his freedom and lost the case. -
Lecompton Constitution Passed
The Lecompton Constitution was the fourth constitution proposed for Kansas. It was rejected by Kansas citizens, because it would enter them as a slave state, adn they wanted to be entered as a free state. It was ultimately entered as a free state. -
Lincold-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln Douglas Debates happened in 1858, between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The two were running for the senate office against eachother. Lincoln was a republican, and deemed against slavery, while Douglas was a southern democrat, and believed in popular sovereignty. Douglas won the senate seat. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
The Raid at Harper's Ferry happened on October 16, 1859. John Brown and a group of men went into Haper's Ferry to try to take control of the arsenal, where weapons were kept. The got to the arsenal, but were trapped in by the marines and townsfolk. Brown was sentenced to hanging and this was executed two months after the event. -
Election of 1860
The Election of 1860 happened on November 6. It was between Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell. Lincoln won 40% of the popular vote, but won the electoral vote. This election made the South want to separate from the United States. -
Democrats Split in 1860
The Democratic Party split in 1860. The Northern Democrats supported Douglas and his compromise with popular sovereignty. However, the southern democrats demanded that Douglas try to spread slavery, and when he didn't, they boke from the main group. -
Formation of Constitutional Union Party
The Constitutional Union Party was formed in 1860. It was formed by former Whigs that did not want the disunion of the United States over the slavery issue. They wanted to push aside the issue. -
Abraham Lincoln announces Plans for Reconstruction
Abraham Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan happened in late 1863. All people of the Confederacy would have to take an oath saying that they would pay attention to all laws in the Union about slavery. When one tenth of voters in a state took that oath, they could elect members in Congress. Civil governments were set up in every state except Texas. -
Wade-Davis BIll Recieves Pocket Veto
The Wade Davis Bill was created in February 1864. It imposed harsher rules for the Confederate states to re-enter the Union than Lincoln's Reconstruction Plans. it required a 50% oath of loyalty and gave blacks the right to vote. however, Lincoln never signed it and it was pocket vetoed. -
Ratification of the 13th Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment was passed on April 8, 1864. The amendment was the firstof three reconstruction amendments and made slavery or "involuntary servitude" illegal. -
Lincoln Re-elected President
Lincoln was Re-elected president on November 8, 1864. He was elected in the midst of the war, and many were doubtful an election was even going to take place. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. He was assassinated at Ford's Theatre while watching the play "Our American Cousin." John Wilkes Booth was a popular actor from the South that did not like Lincoln's plans for Reformation. -
Formation of Freedman's Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was established on May 3, 1865. It was formed to aid and protect the blacks in the South. However, the bill was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson. -
President Johnonson announces Plans for Reconstruction
President Andrew Johnson announced his plans for reconstuction in May of 1865. He gives pardons easily and is less harsh that Lincoln about his plans. The government is allowed to meet and he is very forgiving. -
Black Codes Created in Mississippi
The Black Codes were a set of codes in the South that limtied where blacks could eat, work, travel, and overall activited of African Americans. The codes were prominent in the South and created a more clear divide between blacks and whites. They affected any people with 1/8 or more of AFrican ancestry. -
Klu Klux Klan Created
The Klu Klux Klan was created on December 24, 1865 by six Confederate soldiers. Their goal was to keep whites above black and make sure racial inequality lasted forever. They did this with violence. -
Civil Rights Act Enacted
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was put into effect April 9, 1866. The Act gave the same freedoms to blacks as to whites. Black males could now have the same jobs, education, and voting rights as white males. -
President Andrew Johnson Impeached
Andrew Johnson was impeached on February 24, 1868. The main reason he was impeached was because he violated the Tenure Act. However, Johnson was not removed from office by one vote, but he held little power. -
Ratification of the 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment was ratified on July 9, 1868. It was the second reconstruction amendment that overruled the supreme court decision that slaves were property. The amenment protects people from being deprived of their natural rights because of race. -
Ulysses S. Grant elected President
Ulysses S. Grant was elected as president on March 4, 1869. He was the 18th president and was a former Union soldier. In his presidency he stabilized the nation after the destructive civil war. -
Hiram Revels elected to Senate
Hiram Revels was elected to senate on February 25, 1870. He was the first African American Senator in US history. Revels was from Mississippi. Many tried to stop this from happening, and said he had not been a citizen for the nine years required. -
Ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified on April 3, 1870. The bill said that no persons shall be denied the right to vote because of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." -
Klu Klux Klan Act Enacted
The Klu Klux Klan Act, also know as the Civil Rights Act, was created in 1871 and was used to help African Americans. It made sure that people could not take away anyones rights. Anyone that took away a persons' rights, or saw someone take away a persons' rights and did nothing to help, could be punished. -
Freedmen's Bureau Abolished
Freedmen's Bureau was abolished on June 28, 1872. The Secretary of War decided to discontinue the bureau and from then on the bureau's actions were carried by the general of the U.S. Army. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875 Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed to protect the rights of all Americans at public accomodations, no matter their race. The segregation of blacks and whites in public places was deemed constitutional by the Plessy v. Fergesun case. -
Reconstruction Rights Enacted
The Reconstruction Acts were enacted March 1, 1875. It protectected all people, regardless of race, to public areas such as restaurants, trains, bathrooms, etc. However, the Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional in the Plessy v. Fergusen case. -
Jim Crow enters the American Cultural Language
Jim Crow laws entered the cultural language in 1877. These laws were set to ensure racial inequality. The laws seperated black and whites and were the "black laws" that all African Americans had to follow. -
Rutherford B. Hayes Elected President
Rutherford B. Hayes was elected president on March 4, 1877. He organized the end of the Reconstruction period and was at the beginning of the Second Industrial Revolution. He was a former lawyer and a Union soldier in the Civil War. He tried to end the Reconstruction Period. -
Last National Troops Leave South Carolina
The last National Troops left on November 2, 1877, after President Hayes was elected president. He believed that Reconstruction needed to end, as it was too harsh on the South. In effect, he required the national troops to leave South Carolina. -
Civil Rights Act Overturned
The Civil Rights Act was deemed unconstitutional in 1883. It stated that it did not support the 13th or 14th amendments and that segregation was to be declared by state governments. -
Florida Requires Segregation in Places of Public Accommodation
Florida was the first state to require segregation in places of public accommodation in 1887. Jim Crow laws emerge again here, and seven states followed Florida's lead by 1892. -
Case of Plessy v. Ferguson
The Case of Plessy v. Ferguson was decided on May 18, 1896. It was decided that there could be seperate but equal, and it could work. It was decided by a 7 to 1 vote.
