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Battle of Lexington & Concord
This Battle was the start of the American Revolutionary War. The Battle began with the British Commander heard that supplies was being kept by the Patriots in Lexington & Concord. The minutemen first met with the British at Lexington in the morning and were defeated. The minutemen defeated the soldiers at Concord and pushed them back into Boston. -
Declaration of Independence
An document that declared the colonists independence from Great Britain. It stated the colonists' motivations for wanting their independence and their problems with England. It also explains the things the colonists did to try and solve the problems before reaching this point. It addresses parliament, the king, also the people still loyal to the kings.Also, meant to further the cause of the fight between the colonists and England. -
Battle of Saratoga
After declaring their independence, the colonists enter into alliance with the French. This battle was a key turning point in the war.This was a big Signal for the French that the colonists did actually have a chance at winning the Revolutionary War. Which led to the French assisting the colonists with military & financial aid against the British. -
Articles of Confederation
Put in place to address the issues the colonists had with England. While doing so, it gives more power to the states resulting in weak central gov. Consisting of a Unicameral Congress. This was the first US Constitution, which was created at the Second Continental Congress. One of the earliest forms of US government. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was a significant conflict, when the British surrendered to the colonists as French and American military. This American Victory led to Britain Surrendering. Yorktown was the Final Battle of the American Revolution and the British started making peace negotiations after the colonists victory. This led to the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the war. -
Northwest Ordinance
An act of the Second Continental Congress that created a government for the Northwest Territory. It provided a example for admitting new states into the Union. The bill of rights was guaranteed in the territories. Which causes tension between the North and The South, because of issues on slavery. -
Constitution
The document solved the problems that the Articles of Confederation had. Established a strong central gov. Covers the ideas of checks & balances, Federalism, Limited gov, and Separation of Powers. It also Establishes a government by the people. A very important document which protects the individual freedoms of the people and is the basis for the US government. -
Bill Of Rights
This was a compromise between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists so the Constitution could be ratified. This protects the rights of the people from the power of the central government. Consisting of the first 10 amendments, which guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and protects the right of assembly, etc. -
Alien & Sedition Acts
The federalists passed this to put restrictions on citizenship & political speech. Restricting the activities of foreigners in the US and their attempts on becoming citizens. While also taking away their freedom of speech in the US. Basically getting rid of any scandalous writing against Congress/President and made it illegal to oppose any measure on the gov. This act also made it hard for immigrants to vote. -
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
Political statements written by Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, while being Democratic-Republicans. It allowed state legs. to be able to nullify and protest the Alien & Sedition Acts created by the Federalists. Taking the position that the acts were violating the states' rights and were unconstitutional. -
Marbury v Madison
This court case established the idea of judicial review meaning that the judicial branch has the power to examine the law and decide whether its constitutional or unconstitutional. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican, someone who has a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Which made him hesitant to make this purchase. This set the precedent for all other future land acquisitions. This purchased secured control over the mississippi river, being used as a market. This territory was explored by Lewis & Clark , while looking for the Northwest passage. Adding 15 more states. -
War of 1812
A conflict that was fought between the United States, Britain, and their allies. Which was caused by the British reconstructions on U.S. trade and America wants to expand its territory. The United States took on Britain's naval power. This war was a tie but the Native Americans lost in the end. -
Battle of New Orleans
This was the last major battle of the War of 1812. The American forces were successful in pushing back the British Army. Resulting in American Victory. -
Missouri Compromise
Was put into place to preserve the balance of power in congress between slave and freed states. This also was a way to fix sectionalism and other political issues involved with the expansion of slavery. when it was passed, it admitted missouri as a slave state.This was repealed by Kansas-Nebraska Act. -
Monroe Doctorine
US policy toward the western hemisphere, created by President James Madison. This was meant to warn European countries to not try and recolonize Latin America. This threat was dependent on the British navy because US military hasn't grown larger yet. This was used as a reason for future presidents' involvement in foreign affairs which led to resentment. -
Nullification Crisis
The central government passed a high protective tariff that angered the Southern states. John C. Calhoun attempted to nullify the tariff saying that South Carolina is not going to pay. While Andrew Jackson wanted the federal government to be stronger than the states. They created a compromise and the tariff was lowered. The South was threatened to pay it , which continued the issues of states' rights. -
Texas Annexation
Americans leaving in Texas and declared their independence from Mexico, after they outlawed slavery. The US than acquired the Republic of Texas through annexation about 9 years after texas declared its independence. Mexico wanted to keep texas, and we feared it would cause war over a new state entering as a slave or non slave state. When it was added into the US, it increased sectionalism. -
Oregeon Treaty
Was a treaty between Britain and the US to settle border disputes. Resulting in a Newspaper headline reading "54'40 or Fight ", supporting war with the British over this territory. Treaty allowed for them avoid war. British territory was north 49th parallel while US territory was South of the 49th parallel. This one of the first successes of Manifest Destiny. -
Mexican Cession
Territory that was gained through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo after the Mexican-American War. It was wanted by Americans so they could complete the idea of Manifest Destiny. This also increased sectionalism and caused more disputes on the expansion of slavery. Adding around 7 states to the Union. -
Declaration of Sentiments
Document that was signed by 68 women & 32 men. The Declaration of Sentiments was one of America's most important documents that advocated women's rights. It was written mostly by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and was shown to the participants at the America's first women's rights convention, in Seneca Falls. Santon believed that women should be granted the right to vote. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise introduced the principle of popular sovereignty that let's the people decide if a state should be slave or freed. It admitted california as a free states and other states would be determined by the people. This also introduced the Fugitive Slave Law Act, which required northerners to return any runaway slaves in the South. In Washington, D.C. the slave trade was abolished. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe published a novel on anti-slavery. This novel intensified the effect of people perspective toward African Americans slavery in the US. Helped kick-start the Civil War. It caused people in the North to become more aware of slavery and oppose to it. It also helped make slavery less popular by putting names and faces to the slaves and slaves owners -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This was proposed by Stephen Douglas , which allowed the people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery within the borders. Which example of popular sovereignty . This act repealed Missouri Compromise which prohibited slavery north of the 36 30 line. Pro-slavery & Anti-slavery supporters were voting and thing got violent, known as Bleeding Kansas. Which led to the creation of the Republican Party. -
Bleeding Kansas
This was a "border war", a time period where many conflicts occurred between Kansas and Missouri and about slavery in Kansas. Resulting in Kansas entering the Union as a freed state. -
John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry
This was an effort by John Brown to initiate an armed slave revolt that consisted of Taking over Harper's Ferry, Virginia. John Brown and his group was defeated by the US Marines. Brown was put on trial and charged with treason, murder, and slave rebellion. He was then captured and hung. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
This was the first battle of Civil War. After this Battle many new states seceded from the Union. -
Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle in the Civil War. The Union troops had the upper hand at the beginning of the battle, but the confederacy which was led by General Thomas Jackson who ended up with the victory. This shocked the people who were hoping that the war would end quickly. Also those who were unprepared for the massacre warfare that it will produce. Lincoln replaced the former General withe McClellan in hopes to win. -
Battle of Antietam
A battle that was fought between the confederacy and the Union, known as a "tactical draw" General Robert E. Lee led the confederacy and General George G. McClellan led the Union. The result in the end was one of the important battles in the civil war. This was the bloodiest single day in American History, and led to the creation of the Emancipation Proclamation. Even Though, the union had more losses. Lee retreated to Virginia -
Presidential Reconstruction (1863-1867)
This was plan for reconstruction that President Lincoln & Johnson had. Their idea for reconstruction was to get the south to join back into Union, main goal being peace & unification. They wanted it as fast as possible doing so by getting at least 10% of the south to swear an oath to the Union. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Was created by Abraham Lincoln, this document was put into place to grant all the slaves their freedom. By stating that " all persons held as as a slave are now free. It didn't officially give them freedom, but it made it to where they could fight for it. -
Battle of Vicksburg
This battle completed the second part in in Andrew Johnson's Anaconda Plan, which was to capture the Mississippi River. -
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln's speech he delivered at the dedication of Soldiers National Cemetery. A cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Lincoln supports the words of the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln said that the Civil War not just a fight to preserve the Union. Was meant to bring equality to all citizen of the US. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's goal was scare to scare Georgia civilians into leaving the confederacy or going against. Sherman and his army captured Atlanta, which was an important value to the Confederacy. This a big victory for the Union. -
Freedman's Bureau
Organization that was created in 1865 by Congress to help former black slaves and poor whites in the South in the after the Civil War. It was set up by Radical Republicans to ensure protection for the freedmen. It also set up schools and help these people gain land. This group helped with the negotiation of labor contracts. They were able to gain economic dependence and destitution. -
13th amendment
After the Emancipation Proclamation, the saves weren't freed. It wasn't until this amendment was passed that slavery was abolished. It created constitutional amendment that banned slavery in all of states. It outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment crime. -
14th amendment
Amendment that says that all former slaves have equal rights and protection as anybody else. This amendment was to insurethat freedmen were able to have the same rights and equal opportunity as white men. -
Congressional Reconstruction (1867-1877)
This was congress idea for reconstruction. This was meant to harshly punish the south for leaving the Union and causing the Civil War. -
15th amendment
Gave African American Men the right to vote. Even Though they were given this right, they weren't able to fully exercise this right because of the South. Using Black Codes, Poll Tax, Grandfather clause and Literacy test. -
Plessy v Ferguson
This was very important court case that established the idea of "separate but equal." Making it to where everybody had public facilities to use, but colored people couldn't use the same ones as whites.