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Albany Plan of Union
This was a plan created by the settlers, it stated that if the French attacked any of the colonies, all of the colonies came together to create a line of defense. This was the first "thought balloon" that the colonies were stronger together. Even though the plan didn't get put into motion, everyone was talking about the idea afterward. -
Proclamation of 1763
This Proclamation was put in place by the British Government stating that the colonists couldn't settle past the Appalachian Mountains. This angered the colonists because they wanted to be somewhat independent and expand in their new land, so some of them settled there anyways. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
The British government enforced a rule on the settlers stating that troops should be let into their homes if approached. If any troops are staying in your house, you must provide food and shelter for them. This helped move towards the war for American Independence. -
2nd Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress helped immensely in the war against Britain, especially by establishing the Continental Army. They also appointed a general to lead them, created the currency, and organized a committee to deal with foreign nations. -
Declaration Of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, this was a huge job, so the delegates edited and approved it. This declared the independence of America from Britain and started a war between them, the colonists fighting with everything they had for independence from Britain. -
Common Sense Pamphlet
Written by Thomas Paine, it was written to empower the soldiers fighting for independence, especially when their spirits were down. It lays out a passionate case for independence in the language of the common people. -
The Battle Of Saratoga
This was the turning point in the war, the Americans ambushed the British while their army was stuck in the swamps. 10,000 British troops surrendered and were held as captives, this caused the morale of the Americans to heighten immensely, whilst the British morale went down. Winning this war helped to gain French support as well. -
Treaty Of Paris
This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War and the British recognized the American colonies as independent. The colonies also got all of the land west of the Appalachians. This really brought all of the colonists together and was a very significant part of their foundation. -
Shay's Rebellion
Farmers were forced to sell their farms to help cover the national debt, and 5,000 angry farmers attacked courthouses and marched toward Boston. This rebellion, however, did shine a light on the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the lack of military force able to handle such outbreaks. -
The Northwest Ordinance
This was a pathway to citizenship of forming colonies, it organized the Northwest territory consisting of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. It stated that to become a state the population had to be 60,000 and it outlawed slavery in the Northwest territories. -
George Washington First Presidential Moves
George Washington is inaugurated as president with John Adams as his vice president. Washington established the court system and passed the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 (passed by Congress) establishing the independent federal court, supreme courts, and lower-level courts are established. And Washington appoints John Jay as chief justice. -
Hamilton's Financial Plan
In this plan, Hamilton thought that the war debt should be paid off through tariffs and taxes. The tariffs would encourage the growth of American Industry and raise money for the federal government. He also wanted to create a National Bank along with National Debt, strengthening the federal government. -
Pinckney's Treaty
This treaty was Spain giving the Americans the right to travel freely on the Mississippi River and use the ports of New Orleans. This was very important in building the economy of the newly founded America. Not only that, but it also established the border between American and Spanish territories. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
These resolutions stated that since the Constitution was a 'pact' between the states and the federal government, and if the government did something to break that 'pact' the states could decide that those laws were void in their state. This showed some resistance against the government as a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts passed earlier that year. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Commissioned by Jefferson, Lewis and Clark were sent to explore the new territory the Americans had just gained in the Louisiana Purchase. They also began trading with Native Americans and they found a water route to the Pacific Ocean. This is good for trading and, in turn, the economy. -
Embargo of 1807
Great Britain and France were at war again, but we had decent trading relationships with both of them, so Jefferson wanted to remain neutral. So, he imposed an embargo on all foreign trade, which was unpopular among merchants, traders, and business companies. It also does immense damage to the American economy but encourages the growth of domestic manufacturing. -
The Battle of Thames (Seesaw Battle)
The British and Indian forces were defeated by American forces in Canada. Tecumseh is killed, therefore that ends Indian resistance in the Ohio River Valley, which allows America to consolidate its control over the Northwest. -
The Star Spangled Banner
Written by Francis Scott Key, a prisoner on a British barge, witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore for 12 hours. In the morning he observed the American flag was still there, so he created a poem called "The Defence of Fort McHenry" which eventually became "The Star Spangled Banner". -
Election of 1824
Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford were running in this election. No candidate received the majority of the electoral votes, so the House of Representatives got the vote, which caused Henry Clay to drop out because he was the Speaker of the House. Adams and Clay met privately, no one knows what they discussed, but the House elected Adams to become president, and 3 days later, Adams appointed Clay to become the Secretary of State. -
Invention of the Sewing Machine
It was invented by Elias Howe and later perfected by Thomas Singer, the sewing machine was the foundation of the new textile industry in the North. It also provided greater productivity and lower prices for the new textile industry. -
The Liberator
The Liberator was an abolitionist newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison. It served as a major platform for attacking pro-slavers, and slavery as a whole. It also promoted equal rights for all and it inspired abolitionist action. -
Invention of the Telegraph
The telegraph was created by Samuel Morse, it allowed messages to be spread through a wire throughout the country. That linked the U.S. Postal Service to every area in the nation and was the envy of the world. It was another step in the Americans feeling more brought together. -
Publishing of The North Star
Frederick Douglas published The North Star which denounced slavery, it also fought for the emancipation of women and other oppressed groups. It represented the actual North Star for people who were oppressed and looking for representation and support, it helped them find their way to representation, no matter how big or small. -
California Gold Rush
This brought around 300,000 people to California, helping in the Westward expansion immensely. It also propelled significant industrial and agricultural development, which spurred its economic growth and helped it transition into statehood. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
There were 3 parts to this treaty, 1. Texas belongs to the United States; 2. The Rio Grande is the border; 3. They must give up the Mexican Cession. This also officially brought the end of the Mexican-American War, which helped move into the Westward Expansion. -
Publishing of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe published this book, it opened the reader's eyes to the reality of slavery and the humanity of enslaved people. So much so that it was banned in most of the South. Stowe's intention with this book was to create empathy for the characters, in turn creating empathy for enslaved people. -
The Founding of Oberlin College
This was the first University for women and for admission of black students in a coeducational program. This college inspired many other colleges to accept women and colored people, causing more and more universities to become coeducational. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
This attack started the Civil War, this happened because people were taking what Lincoln said and taking pieces of it, putting it into the paper, and trying to scare the South. The Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter, then less than 34 hours later, the Union forces surrendered. -
Lincoln's 10% Plan
In this plan, pardons would be given to any Confederate leader who swore an oath to the Union and Constitution, that also agreed to emancipation. It also states that any state could be readmitted once at least 10% of its voters had sworn loyalty and oaths. States also had to form new state constitutions that outlawed slavery. -
The Freedmen's Bureau
This bureau was created to help newly freed blacks transition into a life of freedom in many ways. Those ways were starting schools, negotiating labor contracts, securing loans, helping find and purchase lands, and providing legal aid. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866
This act gave citizenship to African Americans and offered some protection against Black Codes. This was a very important act for African Americans who had been freed and tricked back into almost being slaves again by sharecropping. -
14th Amendment
This amendment expands citizenship to all people born on U.S. soil, including former slaves. It also required all citizens to have equal protection under the law. Making another big step for freedmen. -
NAWSA (National American Women's Suffrage Association)
Founded by Susan B. Anthony, this association spoke up to advocate women's suffrage and became the biggest women's suffrage movement in the country. It played a big part in women getting the right to vote later on. -
15th Amendment
This amendment extended voting rights to all citizens regardless of race, though it was very unpopular. It was so unpopular that the Republicans had to push it through, costing them power in Congress. This shows how important this amendment was to them and to society. -
Establishment of The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
Founded by Francis Willard, this group brought awareness to alcoholism and how it was affecting everyday life. It brought light onto the fact that alcoholism doesn't just affect your physical health, but your mental health too, it also led to bad habits such as violence, unemployment, gambling, and crime, as well as bringing your reputation down. -
Sharecropping
Since freedmen needed jobs, shelter, food, and water, and landowners needed labor but didn't have enough money to pay wages, they created a system. Freedmen would farm land, they wouldn't get paid, but they also wouldn't pay board. When crops were harvested, freedmen paid the landowner a percent of the profits. -
Civil Rights Act of 1876
This act banned discrimination in public accommodations, it wasn't enforced by presidents after Grant's presidency. However, the Southern states were allowed to vote, so there was a lot of voting fraud. This also caused the KKK to start, and Southerners tried to intimidate freed blacks and white Republicans.