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Salem Witchcraft Trials
These cases were heard in Salem Massachusetts after a group of girls were accused of being possessed by the devil and for practicing witchcraft. Many were accused, found guilty and ultimately hung. Years later, families of the accused were eventually given indemnities. -
Stono Rebellion
This revolt included a large group of slaves ho raided a store, killing the owner in the process. They continued moving throughout the south, killing more whites and inviting blacks to join their cause. Soon after, there was a duty placed on the importation of slaves. -
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French and Indian War
This war, also known as the Seven Years War, began in the colonies due to conflicts over the Ohio River Valley. It was a conflict between the English and the French and Indians. Ultimately, the English prevailed and were once again proven to be a super power in the world. -
Declaration of Independence
Favored by most members of Congress, the declaration of Independence state specific grievances from the thirteen colonies as well as justification for revolting and the colonies formally declaring their independence. This document was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Treaty of Paris
Signed by King Charles lll, this treaty ended the American Revolution. U.S. gains in this document included the extension of boundaries to the west, recognition of American Independence, and evacuation of the British in Northwest forts. -
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French Revolution
Shortly after the republic was forming in America, there were revolts breaking out in France against the monarchy. Feudalism was abolished and the declaration of the Right of Man and of the Citizen was modeled in France. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Invented by Eli Whitney, this invention increased productivity in cotton production. It resulted in the ability to put more land under cultivation. In turn, this led to a higher demand for slaves. Prior to this invention, slavery was thought to be a dying industry. -
Treaty of Amiens
Signed by the Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands, it temporarily eased the conflict in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars. This peace in Europe only lasted for one year. -
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Napoleonic Wars
This series of wars involved France, while under the rule of Napoleon, and other European nations. There was an enormous amount of blood shed during this time. Napoleon invaded nations, including Russia. The wars were brought to an end at the battle of Borodino in 1812. -
Embargo Act of 1807
Approved by Jefferson, Madison and John Quincy Adams, this embargo put a halt to American trade with European merchants. "All three believed the United States could survive as a self-sufficient economy, abandoning imports in favor of home manufactures and mitigating the effects of the embargo while the U.S. government built a larger navy and armed her cargo ships" (Unger 143). This embargo dramatically hurt the U.S. economy, specifically small merchants who heavily depended on foreign trade. -
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War of 1812
Fought between Great Britain and the United States, this war arose due to impressment of American ships and America's want for more land. The war, which lasted 2 years, ended when the Treaty of Ghent was signed by both sides. The post war era in America was filled with a strong sense of nationalism. -
Treaty of Ghent
Signed by the United States and the United Kingdom, this treaty simply returned things to how they were prior to the War of 1812. "In the end, the Treaty of Ghent represented a stinging defeat for both sides, each of which accepted nothing more than a return to the status quo ante bellum after a costly two-year war" (Unger 174). -
Adams-Onis Treaty
In this treaty, also known as the Transcontinental or Florida Purchase Treaty, the U.S. received Florida from Spain for the price of $5 million. "Together with the rest of the Louisiana Purchase and the Florida conquest, the treaty expanded the small, East Coast nation that George Washington had governed into a vast, rich, and powerful empire, within a relatively impregnable wall of natural defenses" (Unger 209). -
McCulloch v Maryland
This Supreme Court case involved the second Bank of the United States after the Panic of 1819. Maryland levied special taxes against the bank in an attempt to tax it out of existence. This case raised questions such as, "is the bank constitutional?" and "can states tax the federal government?" Ultimately, the court ruled that states cannot tax agencies in the federal government and it established the precedent of accepting loose constitutionalism -
Missouri Compromise
One of the conflicts that arose with western expansion was the debate over the extension of slavery into those territories. This compromise stated that Missouri would enter as a slave state, Maine as a free state and slavery would be banned in the Louisiana purchase territory north of the 36-60 line except Missouri. -
Monroe Doctrine
This U.S. foreign policy concerned relations with European countries. It stated that European nations needed to abstain from involvement in affairs in the western hemisphere. It defined the western hemisphere as the United States' sphere of interest. -
Indian Removal Act
Passed during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, this act called for Indian tribes to move west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their homelands. This act was heavily supported by southerners who wanted the land that the Indians were inhabiting. -
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Irish Potato Famine
Also known as the Great Famine, the Irish Potato Famine took place in Ireland. The potato crop was destroyed multiple times over the span of a few years due to a disease that essentially ruined the edible parts of the plant. This famine led to an increase in Irish Immigration to the U.S. in the 1840's. -
Compromise of 1850
Thought up by Henry Clay, this compromise called for many things. Of them, California would be admitted as a free state, the fugitive slave would be enforced, and their would be popular sovereignty to settle slavery issues in New Mexico and Utah. This was ultimately more beneficial for the south than the north. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This law guaranteed the right of a slave owner to have their slave rightfully returned in the event that they escaped. It was enforced heavily after the Compromise of 1850. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Inspired by the Fugitive Slave Law, this book was an anti-slavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the first year that it was published. Its purpose was to inform the north as well as other parts of the U.S. of the evils associated with slavery.
