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French and Indian War
British-French rivalry lead to outbreak of what was to be known as the French and Indian War. (British won in 1763) -
Proclamation of 1763
After winning the French and Indian War, Britian issued a proclamation that prohibited colonists from moving West of the Appalacian Mtns. -
End of French and Indian War
The French and Indian War ends. Britain wins. -
Sugar Act
England places tax on sugar, rum, coffee, indigo, and molasses to pay for debt brought by French and Indian War. -
Quartering Act
Colonists were forced to provide British sodiers with food, shelter, etc. should they need it. -
The Stamp Act
To raise money to make up for the cost of the French and Indian War, Parliament placed a tax on newspaper and other printed material (all items had to bear a stamp showing that the tax had been paid.) -
Townshend Acts
Parliament applied taxes only to imported goods (included glass, tea, paper, and lead -- things that had to be imported) -
The Boston Massacre
Five patriots killed by British soldiers after forming a mob and harassing them. Called a massacre to recieve sympathy from other countries. -
Tea Act
Parliament passed law allowing British East India Company to ship tea without paying the taxes colonial merchants had to pay. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty dumped the British Tea in the Boston Harbor to protest the taxes. -
The Intolerable Acts
A series of laws sponsored by British Prime Minister Lord North in response to Boston Tea party. -
First Continental Congress
56 men sent as delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) came to Philadelphia to establish a political body and represent American interests. -
End of First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress draws to a close. -
Second Continental Congress
2nd Continental Congress began to govern the colonies and created the Continental Army to fight against Britain in a more organized way than the militias could. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine writes a persuasive newsletter explaining why we want to break away from Britain and become independent. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of the United States was drafted and published -
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Articles of Confederation
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Shay's Rebellion
Ex-colonel Shay led an "army" of farmers to protest for more order in the new US government (more rights for farmers) -
the Judiciary Act
George Washingtoncreated a law that established the Judicial Branch of the Federal Government. -
George Washington Elected as President
George Washington is sworn in as the first president of the United States. -
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George Washington's Presidency
George Washington serves two full terms as President of the United States -
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Industrial Revolution
America develops lots of new machinery that makes work easier, resulting in economic and population growth (bigger, busier cities) -
George Washington Re-elected
George Washington is re-elected as president of the United States with John Adams as his vice-president -
Eli Whitney and his Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney wanted to decrease slave labor and increase cotton production, so he invented the cotton gin. -
Whiskey Rebellion
In 1791, the Federal Government placed a tax on whiskey. Farmers were angry about this, and in 1794 they assaulted some tax collectors. Washington put them all under arrest but pardoned all of them. -
Jay's Treaty Signed
John Jay appointed by Chief Justice to negotiate a treaty with the British. Limited trade regulations were established, the British agreed to give up their forts in the Western frontier, and a joint commission was set up to settle border disputes. -
Pinckney's Treaty
An agreement between Spain and the US where Spain had to recognize the 31st parallel as the Southern boundary of the US and permitted free travel of the Mississippi to American ships. -
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John Adams' Presidency
John Adams is the president of the United States (serves only one term) -
the XYZ Affair
John Adams sends three diplomats (including John Marshall) to Paris to negotiate in order to avoid war. Three agents (dubbed "X", "Y", and "Z") secretly approach them and demand a large bribe in exchange for a chance to speak with the French Foreign Minister. John Marshall refuses and they go back to America as heroes. -
Mississippi Territory
The Mississippi Territory was organized and the Mississippi River began to be used for trade. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Four laws enacted by John Adams to reduce the political power of recent immigrants to the US, who tended to favor the Anti-British Democratic-Republican party. -
Kentucky-Virginia Resolution
Thomas Jefferson went to Virginia and Kentucky behind Adams' back and wrote laws stating that the Alien and Sedition Acts were illegal, thus nullifying them. -
Division of the Northwest Territory
The campaign between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson divided the Northwest Territory into Federalists (Adams) and Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson). -
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Barbary War
The United States fights against the Barbary States (pirates) and experiences its first bout with terrorism. -
Jefferson Elected
After a close election (dividing America into Federalists and Republicans) Jefferson is elected as president of the United States. -
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Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
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the Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory for $15 million (4 cents per acre), nearly doubling our country in size and providing us with many new resources. -
the 12th Amendment
The 12th Amendment is ratified, meaning that now the vice president runs with the president (like Obama and Biden) -
The Embargo Act
In response to American sovereignty, President Jefferson enforced the Embargo Act, which prevented any trade between America and Europe (hoping that this would end the fighting between France and England). Instead the Embargo Act only proved that England and France could survive without America, while America could not survive without England and France. An epic failure for Jefferson. -
Chesapeake Incident
the Leopard (a British ship) opened fire on the USS Chesapeake (a US ship) because Thomas Jefferson decided to remain neutral in the war between Britain and France. (this lead to the Embargo Act) -
Importing of Slaves becomes Illegal
Thomas Jefferson attempts (and succeeds) to make it illegal to import slaves to America. -
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Underground Railroad
A secret line of safe houses, belonging to abolitionists who aided slaves on their escape to freedom. -
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the War of 1812
Known as the 2nd Revolutionary War, the US once again fought the British and their Native American allies. America won (and made peace with England), proving that we are a strong, independent nation -
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Improvement of Transportation
The government began building roads, railroads, canals, etc. to help people travel across our vast land -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri was omitted into the US as a free state, along with the creation of the Mason-Dixon Line and a 1:1 ratio of slave states to free states. -
Tariff of Abomination
The South, already against tariffs, felt that a tariff was too high, so they refused to pay it and almost seceded from the Union. -
Nullification Crisis
After much debate as to how to fix the Tariff of Abomination problem, Henry Clay came up with a compromise bill to smooth things out. -
Indian Removal Act
The Native Americans wrote a law to keep white people off their land but President Jackson nullified it, and proceeded to kick the Native Americans out. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
Nat Turner, born and raised a slave, recieved a "prophetic dream" that told him to start a rebellion with his fellow slaves, so they murdered about 50 white men, women, and children. -
Worcester vs. Georgia (Cherokee Land Right)
Worcester refused to move off of "Indian Land", so he fought and fought, claiming that his eviction would be unconstitutional, until the Cherokee Land Rights law was nullified, and thus the Trail of Tears began. -
Jackson and the 2nd National Bank
Jackson didn't like the money of the people and the government being controlled by private bankers, so he created the National Bank. -
Texas Independence
Texas didn't like how Mexico was treating them, so they broke away, becoming closer with the USA (though not joining -- yet). -
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Mex-American War
Mexico wanted Texas back, but America wanted Texas to join them. Chaos ensued. -
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold in California led to hundreds of hopeful people to search for it (thus increasing California's population) -
Compromise of 1850
When California was omitted as a free state (and the slave-trade was abolished), the government needed to console those who were pro-slavery, so they created the Fugitive Slave Act (a compromise). -
Fugitive Slave Act
An act that declared that ANY escaped slave could be brought back for a reward, no matter the time since they'd escaped or their current situation. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exploited the horrors of slavery. (and shocked the North) -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen Douglas had the idea to let any new states decide whether they wanted to be free or slave, thus cancelling out the Compromise of 1820. -
Sumner Attacked by Preston
Charles Sumner gave a long speech against "Bleeding Kansas"/"the Kansas-Nebraska Act", and enraged Preston so much that Sumner was caned (by Preston) -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott, a slave, though he was a free man because he had once crossed the Mason-Dixon line before his owner died. Scott tried to sue his new owner, but failed. -
John Brown and Harper's Ferry
John Brown, a strong abolitionist, raided Harper's Ferry, stealing their weaponry. His plan was to arm some slaves and start an uprising, but they were caught and he was hung. -
Homestead Act
It was stated that anyone who was over 21/the head of their family could move into the Western Territory and get some free acres, as an attempt to get people to expand into the newly gained territory. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was elected as the first Republican president. -
Fort Sumter
A battle at Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina. Major Anderson (Union) and Pierre Beareguaed (Confederate) were agreeable with each other, and there was only one casualty. -
Manassas (First)/Bull Run
The first battle of the Civil War. General McClellen vs. Beauregaed. In Manassas, DC. A very long battle, won by Confederates. -
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Shiloh
Pittsburgh Landing, Shiloh. Johnston surprise attacks Union troops. First time generals were at battlefield. Johnston killed and replaced by Beauregaed. Terrible storm that night. Union won. Very bloody. -
Antietam
:ee vs. McClellan. Union discovered Lee's plan at a campsight, and came upon them with caution. "Bloodiest day in All American history". Lee lost 1/3 of his men but McClellan did not pursue him. No one really won. -
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Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Penn. Largest battle in the histroy of the W. Hemisphere. Lee realized the South was in dire straits and decided to attack North on their own territory. Lee on a mission to find shoes for soldiers, and ran into Union troops. 51000 ppl dead. Union wins -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln traveled to first memorial service for soldiers llost in the war to give a speech. Gave a short (less than 300 words and 9 sentences) but meaningful speech about why we must win the war. -
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Sherman's March to the Sea
Georgia (Atlanta to Savannah). General Sherman takes drastic measures to end the war by matching 300 miles through Georgia, destroying everything of value. "Scorched Earth Policy"- total war. Made it much easier for Grant to defeat Lee. -
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Reconstruction
After the Civil War, the South was greatly demolished so Radical Republicans took it upon themselves to rebuild all that was lost. Most Southerners did not appreciate this. -
Appomattox Court House
Virginia. As a final blow to Lee, all Confederate troops forced to take an oath of loyalty to the US as Lee surrenders. Terms of surrender very lenient and federal government had asserted its states with regards to the states. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Ford Theater, Washington DC. John Wilkes Booth, a Southern actor and conspirator, shot Lincoln as he sat, watching a performance. Booth's way of fighting for Confederates and riling up the South. His plan backfired because the South wanted to be back in the Union and Lincoln had been gracious to them, so they all hated Booth. -
Emancipation Proclamation & 13th Amendment
Abe Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in Jan. 183, stating that slaves could be free if Union won. All Confederate slaves would be released as punishment to traitors. Later modified as the 13th Amendment and put an end to all slavery and servitude. Ratified after Lincoln's death. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 granted citizenship and the same rights enjoyed by white citizens to all male people in the United States. -
The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment granted equal protecton for all freedmen in the United States. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment granted all US Citizens the right to vote. -
Ku Klux Klan Act
The Ku Klux Klan Act banned the terrorism brought on towards minorities by the Ku Klux Klan, threatening to imprison anyone who was involved in illegal activity reguarding the KKK -
The Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 was an agreement to settle the Election of 1876 in which a Republican would become President under the condition that Reconstrucion would end.
