HIST FINAL
1840 Manifest Destiny
"Young America" Movement, 1840s : idealization of America, and the West. By 1840s: industrialization, railroad revolution, commercial boom in West. Manifest Destiny (O'Sullivan): God-given purpose of USA to extend to Pacific—and possibly to tip of South America & Canada. Pro-expansionist politicians in 1840s (Presidents John C. Tyler, James K. Polk) risking war w/ both Britain & Mexico to expand. Western expansion tied in w/ slave struggle as slavery moved West as well.
1630's Puritan Great Migration
1629-41 Seventy thousand refugees left England during the 1630s. Some were Puritan and 20,000 came to Massachusetts. Many of these refugees were attracted to the West Indies, especially Barbados. However, many immigrated to the Bay Colony. Like so many other emigrants to America, Puritans came in search of liberty, especially the right to worship and govern themselves in what they deemed a truly Christian manner.
1812 Andrew Jackson
(1767-1845) was a Major General in the United States Army during the War of 1812. During the War of 1812, Jackson was appointed a Major General and sent to New Orleans to prepare the city's defenses against an impending British attack. His army of Tennessee and Kentucky volunteers defeated an invading British force of 7500 men and forced the British to withdraw from the region. The political future of the "Hero of New Orleans" was secured by this victory.
1794 Jay's Treaty
- it was a convention between the United States and Britain, concluded on Nov. 19, 1794, by U. S. Chief Justice John Jay and British Foreign Minister Lord Grenville, which settled numerous issues remaining from the treaty of peace ending the American Revolution in 1783. - Jay's Treaty adjusted matters of commerce, frontier posts and boundaries, Indian relations, prewar debts to British creditors, and treatment of returning British Loyalists—all potential sources of conflict. - Unpopular in the United States, where anti-Federalists charged "surrender," the treaty nevertheless preserved Anglo-American amity and confirmed U. S. neutrality in the European wars resulting from the French Revolution. - Jay's Treaty helped us normalize relations with Britain after the Revolutionary War. Britain was still fighting with France and trade between the new US and Europe was threatened. - The treaty made it possible for American ships to trade with both England and France, and this was very important because export was a huge business for us in those days. - It also strengthened the Federalist party and led to the creation of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties in the US, the same two-party system we have today. - The treaty was only for 10 years. It ran out in 1803 and we weren't able to renew or replace it, and this eventually led to the War of 1812.
1820 Lowell Mills
. In the 1820's a group of merchants called the Boston Associates expanded their enterprise by creating an entirely new factory town (incorporated as the city of Lowell in 1836) on the Merrimack River, 27 miles from Boston. Here they built a group of modern textile factories known as the Lowell Mills, that brought together all phases of production from the spinning thread to the weaving and finishing of cloth. By 1850, Lowell's 52 mills employed more than 10,000 workers. Across New England, small industrial cities sprang up patterned on Waltham and Lowell. Massachusetts soon became the second most industrialized region of the world, after Great Britain.
1500's Protestant Reformation
16th century series of religious actions which led to establishment of the Protestant churches. Martin Luther: doctrine of works vs. doctrine of grace. John Calvin: Doctrine of Predestination. Challenges in both theology & organization. 17th century belief: ideal one king, one faith, one God. In 1517, Martin Luther, a German priest,posted his Ninety-Five Theses, which accused the Church of worldliness and corruption. Luther wanted to cleanse the Church of abuses such as the sale of indulgences (official dispensations forgiving sins). He insisted that all believers should read the Bible for themselves, rather than relying on priests to interpret it for them. His call for reform led to the rise of new Protestant churches independent of Rome and plunged Europe into more than a century of religious and political strife.
1820 2nd Great Awakening
1790s-1840s, height 1820s-30s. Salvation through good works. More emotional, evangelical religions. Itinerant preachers. Methodists, Baptists 2 biggest churches by 1820s. Huge among slaves, on frontier, in South Spur to reform movements The Second Great Awakening democratized American Christianity,making it a truly mass enterprise. At the time of independence, fewer than 2,000 Christian ministers preached in the United States. In 1845, they numbered 40,000. Evangelical denominations like the Methodists and Baptists enjoyed explosive growth in membership, and smaller sects proliferated.By the 1840s, Methodism, with more than 1 million members, had become the country's largest denomination. Deism, a form of religious belief hos-tile to organized churches, had been prominent among the generation of the founding fathers. It now waned, and Christianity became even more central to American culture. The Second Great Awakening stressed the right of private judgment in spiritual matters and the possibility of universal salvation through faith and good works. Every person, Finney insisted, was a "moral free agent"—that is, a person free to choose between a Christian life and sin.
1817 Erie Canal
1817-25—linked NYC to Great Lakes. 18 aqueducts, 83 locks. allowed goods to flow between the Great Lakes and New York City.
1828 Tariff of Abominations
1828 tariff, passed at end of J.Q. Adams adm. significantly raised tariffs on textiles and manufactured goods—to about 50% of their value. Designed to help North. Hurt South significantly. Calhoun once in favor, but now Southern defender. South Carolina threatens to "nullify" a tariff law they don't like: 1828 "Tariff of Abominations." Meant that a state could decide that a federal law not in their interests—& declare it null & void in their area
1833 Santa Anna, Gen.
1833: Gen. Santa Anna comes to power in Mexico as president, then military leader by 1834. 1834: Gen. Santa Anna stages coup, abolishes Constitution of 1824. apart of the battle of the alamo and the goliad massacre Santa Anna captured but released. 1836: Treaty of Velasco w/ Santa Anna recognized independent Texas w/ border at Rio Grande. Santa Anna repudiated it once freed.
1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico loses half its territory, over ½ million square miles. Feb. 2, 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed, ending Mexican War. Texas' Southern border established at the Rio Grande.
1860 Election of Lincoln
1st Presidential candidate from Republican (abolition) Party. Abolitionist, but ran on platform of union, not abolition. Election in 1860 helped trigger Civil War. No votes from South. States started seceding before his inauguration.
1765 non - importation agreements
1st boycotts—started 1765. Circular letters, agreements by 1768. Agreements not to import from English. Enforced by peer pressure, intimidation . Considered illegal by British govt.
1807 Embargo Act of 1807
: A law passed by congress and signed by Thomas Jefferson when he was president, in 1807. During a war between Britain and France, America tried to remain neutral to gain economic profit however both Britain and France began regulating trade with the United States because of their neutrality. The Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited any ship from leaving the US port for a foreign port. This was Jeffersons misguided attempt at hitting the British economy, however Americans suffered more and the act was diminished in 1809.
1808 James Madison
A Virginian and lifelong ally of Thomas Jefferson who thought deeply of political freedom. Ironically, he wrote most of the U.S. constitution that helped shape the strong federal government. He also helped Hamilton to write the Federalist Papers that were meant to sway the public to ratify the new constitution. He later would go on to write the Virginia Resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. He was secretary of state from 1801-09. He ran against Charles Pinckney in the 1808 election. He won and was the 4th president of the United States under the Republican Party. He ran for re-election in 1812 and easily won against Dewitt Clinton. He was president from 1808 - 1816.
1787 Federalist Papers
After realizing that the Articles of Confederation were not working, the constitution was drafted. However not all representatives were happy with the changes made to the government, especially in the state of New York. The federalist papers were written by Alexander Hamilton along with James Madison, and John Jay in the years of 1787 and 1788. They aimed to persuade the citizens of New York that the Constitution was the best form of government for the American people. 85 essays collectively, they outlined how the new government would operate in response to critics of the Constitution.
1790 Hamilton's Economic Agenda
Alexander Hamilton was a leader of the nationalists in the 1780s. He served in the cabinet for George Washington's presidency (1789-1796). Hamilton proposed an agenda that would be modeled after the British government. It was comprised of five different aspects which overall supported a strong central government and giving control of the United States to the elites. His first part was the creation of federal bonds that acted as loans which would be used pay of national debt created by American Revolution. Then he proposed that after paying of the national debt, that those bonds would create a new debt and stop the influx of currency. Another aspect was a creation of a national bank, which was modeled after the Bank of England. The fourth aspect was to raise support for industry through tariffs and government subsidies which would encourage develop of factories. The last aspect was the taxation on producers of whiskey, which was intended to raise revenue. This part of Hamilton's agenda led to the Whiskey Exercises and the Whiskey Rebellion. His agenda was opposed on the premise of being too much like the British government, particularly Thomas Jefferson. These opposition's led to the creation of the first political party.
1804 Lewis & Clark Expedition
An expedition dispatched by Jefferson and led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They were sent on this expedition in the spring of 1804 to explore the newly purchased Louisiana territory. They spent their winter in present day North Dakota are and continued their journey in April of 1805. They were guided on their journey by and Indian woman named Sacajawea. They returned home in 1806 with information about the region as well as plant and animal specimens. They did not find a direct route to Asia. However, their journey strengthened the belief that American territory was destined to reach all the way to the Pacific.
1785 Barbary Pirates
Barbary Pirates These pirates located on the Northern coast of Africa preyed on ships in the Mediterranean and Atlantic sea during 1785-1796. They captured 13 American ships and held over 100 sailors captive as slaves, which stopped American trade with the Mediterranean. The American government paid large sums of ransom and agreed to make annual payments to ensure peace. In 1801, Jefferson refused their demands for increased payments which was the catalyst for the pasha of Tripoli declaring war on the US. After a series of wars the interference of these pirates would end when compelled by Britain. The attacks of these pirates led directly to the creation of the US Navy. The fights with these pirates where some of our nation's first encounters with the Islamic world. Conflicts established a long lasting pattern where Americans viewed Islamic forms of government, such as monarchy and aristocracy, as opposites to freedom
1845 Underground Railroad
Began in early 19th century Some parts of network grew out of older maroon communities. Worked by word-of-mouth ("grapevine"). Peak: 1840s-50s. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850—meant they had to go to Canada.
1650 mercantilism
Beginning around 1650, the British government pursued a policy of mercantilism in international trade. it was a guiding economy philosophy in period, mercantilism assumes the world's wealth is a finite amount. For one nation to prosper, another has to lose. Colonies exist solely for the benefit of the mother country. Home govt. should control all aspects of trade, running a closed network. (colonies do not trade with the "enemy"—other European powers or their colonies).
1780Siege of Charlestown
Between March 29 - May 12, 1780, The Battle of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces numbering about 5,000 to the British. It was the largest surrender of an American armed force at the time .They intended to use Charleston as a base for further operations in the north.
1820 Missouri Compromise of 1820
By 1819, slavery banned in North. Missouri 1st Western state (west of Miss. River). 1819: MO applied for statehood as slave state. Slavery prohibited north of 36°30' excepting MO. Missouri presented to Congress its new constitution, which not only protected slavery but prohibited free blacks from entering the state. Since some northern states still considered blacks citizens, this seemed to violate the federal Constitution's"comity"clause,which requires each state to recognize the rights of citizens of other states. Henry Clay engineered a second Missouri Compromise, according to which Congress accepted the state's constitution as written, but instructed Missouri that it could not deprive the citizens of any states of their rights under the U.S.Constitution. Missouri, however, largely ignored this provision.
1824 Election of 1824
Candidates: Andrew Jackson, J.Q. Adams,, Henry Clay, William Crawford, John C. Calhoun. 12th Amendment (after 1800 election) threw close elections to House of Rep. Jackson won popular vote narrowly, but House chose J.Q. Adams—Jackson distrusted by Washington establishment. "Corrupt bargain"—Clay named Sect. of State. Jackson defeated J.Q. Adams soundly in 1828. Election of 1824: five candidates, all Dem/Rep. Results: Jackson (W, TN) JQ Adams (N, MA) Crawford (S, GA) Clay (W, KY) Calhoun (S, SC) Jackson's popular vote almost equal to Adams & Crawford combined, but no one got majority. Top 3 thrown to House. Clay threw support to JQ Adams. Became Adams' Sec. of State: "corrupt bargain." 1824 election bitter disappointment. Clay dubbed "Great Traitor" by West. Huge surge of popular interest in politics after election. 1828 Election: J.Q. Adams accused of gambling, misuse of public funds. Jackson accused of murder, adultery & bigamy. Jackson landslide.
1862 battle of antietam
Early Sept: Lee begins invasion of the North, heading into Maryland. Bloodiest day of the war 26,000 dead, wounded or missing by nightfall. Union army stops Lee's forces Lee withdraws to Va. Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation one week after.
1778 French-American Treaty of 1778
During the American Revolution, an alliance between America and France formed in an agreement of France helping America with military and funding. America's victory in the Battle of Saratoga persuaded the French that it was possible for America to win this war. The French signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1778, which was led by US diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, and France joined the cause in the hopes of weakening Britain. This treaty gave America the advantage of winning the American Revolution. Their alliance convinced Spain to join the American side, and they played a major part in attacking Britain territories in the West Indians, which distracted Britain from the war with America colonies. Ultimately, the French-American Treaty was the advantage that the United States needed to win the Revolution and it was the cause of the birth of America.
1856 Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott, a slave taken into free territory by his owner but returned to Missouri, sued for freedom in 1846. 1856: Supreme Court finally ruled against him—as a bondsman, not a citizen, no right to sue in courts. Decision questioned Congressional prohibition of slavery in the territories. Ramifications: meant slavery could conceivably spread anywhere. Missouri had always acknowledged "once free, always free," and dozens of petitions like the Scotts had been accepted. Earlier trials turned on whether Dred and his wife Harriet were free since they had lived on free soil—does slavery re-attach?
1800 Impressment
Enforcement of military or naval service on able-bodied but unwilling men through crude and violent methods. Until the early 19th century this practice flourished in port towns throughout the world. Generally impressment could provide effective crews only when patriotism was not an essential of military success. Impressed men were held to their duty by uncompromising and brutal discipline, although in war they seem to have fought with no less spirit and courage than those who served voluntarily.
1692 Salem Witch Trials
Essex Co., Mass. Summer of 1692. Last gasp of European-wide phenomena of witch persecutions. 19 hanged, one pressed to death. The events in Salem discredited the tradition of prosecuting witches and accelerated a commitment among prominent colonists to finding scientific explanations for natural events like comets and illnesses, rather than attributing them to magic. In future years, only two accused witches would be brought to trial in Massachusetts, and both were found not guilty.
1600's Penn's Sylvania
Est. as Quaker refuge by William Penn. Paid Delaware Indians £1200 for land. Religious freedom, liberal franchise & penal code. French, German immigrants welcomed. "Best Poor Man's Country." Philadelphia biggest city by 18th century. Tendency toward liberal laws & democratic society. Ironically, the freedoms Pennsylvania offered to European immigrants contributed to the deterioration of freedom for others. The colony's successful efforts to attract settlers would eventually come into conflict with Penn's benevolent Indian policy. And the opening of Pennsylvania led to an immediate decline in the number of indentured servants choosing to sail for Virginia and Maryland, a development that did much to shift those colonies toward reliance on slave labor
1793 Citizen Genet
Formally known as Edmond-Charles Genêt, Edmond was a French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution. In 1793, he was dispatched to the United States to promote American support for France's wars with Spain and Britain. He arrived in Charlstown, South Carolina on April 8th. Genêt's goals in South Carolina were to recruit and arm American privateers who would join French expeditions against the British. He commissioned four privateering ships in total, including the Republicaine, the Anti-George, the Sans-Culotte, and the Citizen Genêt. Genêt organized American volunteers to fight Britain's Spanish allies in Florida. After raising a militia, Genêt set sail toward Philadelphia, stopping along the way to marshal support for the French cause and arriving on May 18. He encouraged Democratic-Republican Societies, but President Washington denounced them and they quickly withered away.
1861 Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter (Charleston, SC, 1861) April 6, 1861. 1st shots fired in Civil War. Fort fired upon by Confederate forces when Lincoln tried to strengthen garrison. Surrendered without casualties.
1854 Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe wife of famous evangelical, Pub. best-seller of 19th century in 1854. Evangelical style: focused on old Christian man, mother and child. Lincoln called her the "little woman who started the big war." modeled on the autobiography of fugitive slave Josiah Henson. Serialized in 1851 in a Washington antislavery newspaper and published as a book the following year, Uncle Tom's Cabin sold more than 1 million copies by 1854, and it also inspired numerous stage versions. By portraying slaves as sympathetic men and women,and as Christians at the mercy of slaveholders who split up families and set blood hounds on innocent mothers and children, Stowe's melodrama gave the abolitionist message a powerful human appeal.
1791 Bill of Rights
In 1791 the first ten amendments, authored by James Madison, were adopted into the US Constitution to guarantee individual rights against infringement by the federal government. 1. freedom of speech, religion, the press, free assembly, petition 2. right to bear arms 3. no quartering of soldiers 4. habeas corpus - no searches without warrants 5. right to jury trial - no double jepardy 6. right to counsel, speedy justice 7. jury trial in large amount civil cases 8. no excessive bail; no cruel and unusual punishment 9. enumeration of rights doesn't deny existence of other rights 10. power not delegated to the federal government For decades, it was largely ignored but in the 20th century it would come to be revered as an indispensable expression of American freedom.
1793 Democratic-Republican Clubs
In 1793 and 1794, nearly 50 Democratic- Republican societies were formed by supporters of the French Revolution and critics of Washington administration. They helped to legitimize the right of "any portion of the people," irrespective of station in life, to express political opinions and take an active role in public life. The societies disappeared by the end of 1795 as it was blamed by the Federalists for helping to inspire the Whiskey Rebellion. The origins of this party lie in the Anti-Federalist Party, the group that opposed the adoption of the United States Constitution and insisted on the Bill of Rights. After the Federalist presidency of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson became the first Democratic-Republican President. Briefly, the Democratic-Republican Party was the sole dominant party in U.S. politics. The party split into two sections: the Democratic Party, led by Andrew Jackson, and the Whig Party, which was formed from the anti-Jackson coalition.
1786 Bill for establishing religious freedom
In 1786 Thomas Jefferson authored a bill eliminating religious requirements for voting, office holding, government financial support for churches, and barred the state from forcing individuals to adopt any certain religion. Religious liberty became the model for the revolutionary generation's definition of rights as private matters that must be protected from the governments interference. In an overwhelmingly Christian nation, the separation of church and state drew a sharp line between public authority and a realm defined as "private", reinforcing the idea that rights exists as restraints on the power of government.
1814 Hartford Convention
In December 1814, New England Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut to voice their party's grievances such as the domination of the federal government by Virginia Presidents and their own region's declining influence due to new western states coming into the Union. They wanted to get rid of the 3/5ths clause that strengthened southern political power. The Hartford convention affirmed the right of a state to interpose its authority if the government was in violation of the constitution. A few years later the Federalist party no longer existed due to accusations of lacking patriotism and how they were not on the democratic side for the country
1778 Battle of Saratoga
In the summer of 1777, a second British army, led by General John Burgoyne, advanced south from Canada hoping to link up with Howe and isolate New England. But in July, Howe instead moved his forces from New York City to attack Philadelphia. In September, the Continental Congress fled to Lancaster, in central Pennsylvania, and Howe occupied the City of Brotherly Love. Not having been informed of Burgoyne's plans, Howe had unintentionally abandoned him. American forces blocked Burgoyne's way, surrounded his army, and on October 17, 1777, forced him to surrender at Saratoga. The victory provided a significant boost to American morale. Saratoga helped to persuade the French that American victory was possible. In 1778, American diplomats led by Benjamin Franklin concluded a Treaty of Amity and Commerce in which France recognized the United States and agreed to supply military assistance.
1862 Emancipation Proclamation
Issued Sept. 1862, partly in response to Antietam—very costly victory. Finalized Proclamation issued Jan. 1, 1863: freed all slaves in rebel territories. Union begins recruitment of black soldiers. Not only did the Emancipation Proclamation alter the nature of the Civil War and the course of American history, but it also represented a turning point in Lincoln's own thinking. It contained no reference to compensation to slaveholders or to colonization of the freed people. For the first time, it committed the government to enlisting black soldiers in the Union army.
1836 Whig Party
Jackson increased infrastructure spending—particularly in West Killed the National Bank by veto, 1832-33—personal feud with bank president Nicholas Biddle. Refused to intervene for Cherokee Indians vs. GA. Ignored two pro-Indian Supreme Court decisions (1831 and 1832). Whig Party, 1836—formed to oppose him.
1609 Jamestown's "starving time"
Jamestown lay beside a swamp containing malaria-carrying mosquitoes,andthe garbage settlers dumped in to the local river bred germs that caused dysentery and typhoid fever. Disease and lack of food took a heavy toll. By the end of the first year, the original population of 104 had fallen by half. New arrivals (including the first two women, who landed in 1608) brought the numbers up to 400 in 1609, but by 1610, after a winter long remembered as the "starving time," only 65 settlers remained alive. At one point, the survivors abandoned Jamestown and sailed for England, only to be intercepted and persuaded to return to Virginia by ships carrying a new governor, 250 colonists,and supplies. By 1616, about 80 percent of the immigrants who had arrived in the first decade were dead.
1863 battle of gettysburg
June 1863: Lee begins 2nd (more aggressive) invasion of North. Gettysburg 3-day battle in Pennsylvania. Ultimately Union victory. Gettysburg remains the largest battle ever fought on the North American continent. Lee found himself in the unusual position of confronting entrenched Union forces.After two days of failing to dislodge them, he decided to attack the center of the Union line. On July 3, Confederate forces, led by Major General George E. Pickett's crack division, marched across an open field toward Union forces. Withering artillery and rifle fire met the charge, and most of Pickett's soldiers never reached Union lines. Of the 14,000 men who made the advance—the flower of Lee's army—fewer than half returned. Later remembered as "the high tide of the Confederacy," Pickett's Charge was also Lee's greatest blunder. His army retreated to Virginia,never again to set foot on northern soil. The simultaneous defeats at Gettysburg and Vicksburg dealt a heavy blow to southern morale.
1675 King Phillip's War
King's Phillips war was a conflict between Native Americans led by Metacom, the leader of the Wampanoag tribe and British colonists between 1675 and 1676. It was the bloodiest and most bitter conflict between Native Americans and colonists living in colonial New England. During the conflict over 80 New England towns were burned, 1000 colonists were killed and settlers in New England were pushed back to the Atlantic Coast. Over 3000 Native Americans were killed during the war and the remaining populations were either killed or sold into slavery in the West Indies.
1836 Alamo & Goliad
March 1836: Bad month for martyrs. Alamo falls with all hands. Goliad Massacre: Gen. Santa Anna executes 400 surrendered Texans. the battle of the alamo had no real military reason 342 Texans surrendered at Goliad Santa Anna ordered them executed Alamo and Goliad become rallying cries for the Texans
1838 Frederick Douglass
MD. slave, escaped 1838. Celebrated abolitionist. Autobiography pub. 1854 1847-63: North Star. Also a champion of women's rights. Involved in recruitment of blacks into the Union Army during the Civil War. Born into slavery in 1818, he became a major figure in the crusade for abolition, the drama of emancipation, and the effort during Reconstruction to give meaning to black freedom. Frederick Douglass went on to become the most influential African-American of the nineteenth century and the nation's preeminent advocate of racial equality."He who has endured the cruel pangs of slavery,"he wrote, "is the man to advocate liberty."
1780 General Nathanael Greene
Major General of the United States Continental Army during the America Revolution. Nathanael Green was appointed General of the Southern Continental Army in 1780 after replacing Horatio Gates because of his terrible loss at the Battle of Camden. During his southern campaign, he was faced against Cornwallis and his 8,000 men regimen and using "fox hunting", which was a fighting strategy of briefly fighting and then retreat away, the British forces chased them through North and South Carolina. General Greene's victory at Guilford Courthouse led to Cornwallis retreating to Virginia, where he eventually surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown and the final battle of the American Revolution.
1823 Monroe Doctrine
Napoleonic Wars disrupted Latin America Latin American states declared independence from Spain & Portugal in 1820s & 30s. Monroe Doctrine opposed European intervention on American continent. In essence: "stay on your side of the pond." First, the United States would oppose any further efforts at colonization by European powers in the Americas (a statement aimed not only against Spain but also at France, which had designs on Cuba, and at Russia, which was seeking to expand its holdings on the Pacific coast). Second, the United States would abstain from involvement in the wars of Europe. Finally, Monroe warned European powers not to interfere with the newly independent states of Latin America.The Monroe Doctrine is sometimes called America's diplomatic declaration of independence. For many decades, it remained a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
1838 Trail of Tears
National troops forced move West, 1838. 18000 men women,and children in to stockades and then forced them to move west. At least one-quarter perished during the winter of 1838-1839 on the Trail of Tears, as the removal route from Georgia to the area of present day Oklahoma came to be called.
1807 Chesapeake vs. Leopard
Occurred on June 22, 1807 off Port Chesapeake when a British warship boarded the American frigate USS Chesapeake, as the crew of the Leopard had been following then proceeded to attack and board the American frigate looking for deserters from the Royal Navy. This resulted in surrendering after firing only one shot. The Leopard intercepted the American ship near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It extended the restriction to trade between any two hostile ports which limited the trade at sea. This was a factor in creating American hostility that led first to an embargo and then preceding to the war of 1812, between United States and Great Brittan.
1803 Louisiana purchase
On April 30, 1803 the nation of France sold 828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River to the young United States of America in a treaty commonly known as the Louisiana Purchase. - President Thomas Jefferson, in one of his greatest achievements, more than doubled the size of the United States at a time when the young nation's population growth was beginning to quicken. -the Louisiana purchase was an great deal for the US, the final cost totaling less than five cents per acre at $15 million (about $283 million in today's dollars). France's land was mainly unexplored wilderness, and so the fertile soils and other valuable natural resources we know are present today might not have been factored in the relatively low cost at the time. The Louisiana Purchase was significant because Napoleon, who could have gained much more financially, sold it to the US for just pennies on the dollar. It gave the US ownership over the land that our communities were being built and established on. The size of America doubled after the purchase. - We got the port of New Orleans as well as the navigation 'rights' on the Mississippi River and Missouri Rivers. It opened up a vast region that encompasses the current region of 15 states. - In 1812, Louisiana became the first state to join the union from land bought in the purchase. Louisiana was allowed to enter the United States with its French legal traditions largely in place.
1814 Burning of Washington DC
On August 24, 1814, after defeating the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington City and set fire to many public buildings. The facilities of the U.S. government, including the White House and U.S. Capitol, were largely destroyed. It was an incident during the War of 1812 between the forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and those of the United States of America. *This was the only time since the Revolutionary War that a foreign power captured and occupied the United States capital.
1790 Federalist Party
One of the two first national political parties; led by George Washington, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton that favored a strong central government in the mid-1790's. The federalists supported Hamilton's economic program, wanted to maintain ties with Britain, and an industrial-based economy. Prosperous merchants, farmers, lawyers and established political leaders tended to support the Federalists. They opposed a war with Britain and were disbanded after the war began and the Democratic-Rebublican party became more prominent in the early 1800's. The Federalist party impacted the way the United States would continue to have two opposing parties in the political sphere.
1776 Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776
Pennsylvania's constitution no longer required ownership of property, but it retained the taxpaying qualification. As a result, it enfranchised nearly all of the state's free male population but left a small number, mainly paupers and domestic servants, still barred from voting. Nonetheless, even with the taxpaying requirement, it represented a dramatic departure from the colonial practice of restricting the suffrage to those who could claim to be economically independent. It elevated "personal liberty," in the words of one essayist, to a position more important than property ownership in defining the boundaries of the political nation
1610 Captain John Smith
Realizing that the colonists depended on the Indians for food, John Smith tried to stop settlers from seizing produce from nearby villages, lest the Indians cut off all trade.In the first two years of Jamestown's existence, relations with Indians were mostly peaceful and based on a fairly equal give-and-take. At one point,Smith was captured by the Indians and threatened with execution by Powhatan, only to be rescued by Pocahontas, reputedly the favorite among his many children by dozens of wives. In fact, it was probably part of an elaborate ceremony designed by Powhatan to demonstrate his power over the colonists and incorporate them into his realm. Pocahontas subsequently became an intermediary between the two peoples, bringing food and messages to Jamestown. John Smith's return to England raised tensions between the two groups and a period of sporadic conflict began in 1610, with the English massacring villagers indiscriminately and destroying Indian crops.
1765 Stamp Act
Stationary tax on wide variety of printed matter—1st direct tax. Widespread protests, rioting. All Stamp Act distributors forced to resign. Stamps themselves destroyed, or locked up. Stamp Act Congress (9/13 attending). "No taxation without representation." Also a issue of trial rights. Parliament attempted to raise money from direct taxes in the colonies rather than through the regulation of trade. The act required that all sorts of printed material produced in the colonies—newspapers, books, court documents, commercial papers, land deeds, almanacs, etc.—carry a stamp purchased from authorities. Its purpose was to help finance the operations of the empire, including the cost of stationing British troops in North America, without seeking revenue from colonial assemblies.
1787 Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, 25th May to the 17th of September 1787. During this time the delegates elected George Washington to preside over the proceedings. Under Washington's control there was a document in which was drafted, following a period of intensive debate, for the provision or withholding of ratification on the part of the U.S. state legislatures. However, deputies were chosen for the Constitutional Convention as they were appointed by the legislatures of the different states. This then brought the Three-Fifths Compromise into action as they assessed the population by adding the number of allowed persons to three-fifths of "all other persons" (slaves). This was agreed to without serious dispute of the nation. The U.S had been ruled under the 1781 Articles of Confederation since independence from Britain, however, this was causing problems. The purpose of the Convention was to fix these problems, but a number of delegates wanted a new government and system altogether, rather than fixing the existing one.
1819 Elastic Clause
The Elastic clause is also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause. It is the provision in Article One of the United States Constitution. It states that Congress has the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers. These tax laws produced another of John Marshall's landmark Supreme Court decisions, in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).Reasserting his broad interpretation of governmental powers, Marshall declared the Bank a legitimate exercise of congressional authority under the Constitution's clause that allowed Congress to pass "necessary and proper" laws.
1793 French Revolution
The French monarchy collapsed in 1789, and in 1793 King Louis XVI was executed along with numerous aristocrats and other foes of the new atheist republic; French declared war on Great Britain; Also in 1793 the French republic sent "Citizen Genet" to bring Americans to their cause, this lasted for 3 months until Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality in the Anglo-French War. The French revolution sparked many problems with Britain. For example the English would seize American ships, and take their cargo and force the Americans to join their navy. Washington thought to prevent this from further happening he would make the American ships stay home instead of trading; thus causing an increase in smuggling from Canada. The French Revolution ended when Napolean came into power in 1799.The French Revolution led to Jay's Treaty, which created a deep political divide and the creation of political parties.
1619 indentured servants
The first 20 Africans arrived in Virgina in 1619, and just like white indentured servants, they worked for 7 years and were then freed. People who could not afford passage to the colonies could become indentured servants. Another person would pay their passage, and in exchange, the indentured servant would serve that person for a set length of time (usually seven years) and then would be free. out of the 120,000 immigrants to the Chesapeake in the 17th century, 2/3 of them were indentured servants. becoming an indentured servant was a popular way of coming to the new found territory.
1803 Marbury v Madison
The first landmark decision of the Marshall Court came in 1803, in the case of Marbury v. Madison. On the eve of leaving office, Adams had appointed a number of justices of the peace for the District of Columbia. Madison, Jefferson's secretary of state, refused to issue commissions (the official documents entitling them to assume their posts) to these "midnight judges."Four, including William Marbury, sued for their offices. Marshall's decision declared unconstitutional the section of the Judiciary Act of 1789 that allowed the courts to order executive officials to deliver judges' commissions. It exceeded the power of Congress as outlined in the Constitution and was therefore void. Marbury, in other words, may have been entitled to his commission, but the Court had no power under the Constitution to order Madison to deliver it. On the immediate issue, therefore, the administration got its way. But the cost, as Jefferson saw it, was high. The Supreme Court had assumed the right to determine whether an act of Congress violates the Constitution—a power known as "judicial review."
1764 paxton boys
They were a group of Scots-Irish men living in the Appalachian hills that wanted protection from Indian attacks. They made an armed march on Philadelphia in 1764. They protested the lenient way that the Quakers treated the Indians. Their ideas started the Regulator Movement in North Carolina. In December 1763, while Pontiac's Rebellion still raged, a party of fifty armed men, mostly Scotch-Irish farmers from the vicinity of the Pennsylvania town of Paxton, destroyed the Indian village of Conestoga, massacring half a dozen men, women, and children who lived there under the protection of Pennsylvania's governor. They then marched on Lancaster, where they killed fourteen additional Indians. Like participants in Bacon's Rebellion nearly a century earlier, they accused colonial authorities of treating Indians too leniently. They petitioned the legislature to remove all Indians from the colony. The Indians'"claim to free demand independency, "they insisted, threatened Pennsylvania's stability. When the Paxton Boys marched on Philadelphia in February 1764, intending to attack Moravian Indians who resided near the city, the governor ordered the expulsion of much of the Indian population. By the 1760s, Pennsylvania's Holy Experiment was a tan end and with it William Penn's promise of "true friendship and amity"between colonists and the native population. No other large colony had a smaller Indian population or a more remorseless determination on the part of settlers to eliminate those who remained.
1 830Garrison's Liberator
Walker's language alarmed both slaveholders and many white critics of slavery. When free black sailors secretly distributed the pamphlet in the South,some southern states put a price on Walker's head. Walker, however, did not create an abolitionist organization, and he died in mysterious circumstances in 1830. Not until the appearance in 1831 of The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison's weekly journal published in Boston, did the new breed of abolitionism find a permanent voice. "I will be as harsh as truth," Garrison announced,"and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak,or write,with moderation. . . . I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a single inch—and I will be heard."
1640 Quaker Invasion of Massachusetts
When Quakers appeared in Massachusetts, colonial officials had them whipped,fined, and banished. In 1659 and 1660, four Quakers who returned from exile were hanged, including Mary Dyer, a former disciple of Hutchinson.The treatment of Quakers gave Massachusetts a reputation in England as a hot bed of religious persecution. When Charles II, after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, reaffirmed the Massachusetts charter, he ordered the colony to recognize the "liberty of conscience" of all Protestants. But while hangings ceased, efforts to suppress the Quakers continued, as did attacks on Baptists, whose disdain for a learned ministry also seemed to threaten Puritan beliefs.
1850 Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
allowed government officials to arrest any person accused of being a runaway slave; all that was needed to take away someone's freedoms was word of a white person; northerners required to help capture runaways if requested, suspects had no right to trial this meant run away slaves traveling on the underground railroad had to travel all the way to canada to become free.
1793 Cotton Gin
apart of the start of industrialization invented by Eli Whitley Whitney's cotton gin, 1793—allowed use of short-staple cotton. "King Cotton"—by mid-19th century, South accounting for 3/5 of exports, mainly cotton. Huge boost for slavery. caused a decrease in the need for slaves.
1731 Library Company of Philadelphia
as the popularity of the printing press increased, so did the number of political broadsides and pamphlets published, especially at election time. Widespread literacy created an expanding market for printed materials. By the eve of the American Revolution, some three-quarters of the free adult male population in the colonies (and more than one-third of the women) could read and write, and a majority of American families owned at least one book. Circulating libraries appeared in many colonial cities and towns, making possible a wider dissemination of knowledge at a time when books were still expensive. The first, the Library Company of Philadelphia, was established by Benjamin Franklin in 1731.
1775 Second Continental Congress
called 1775, after Concord & Lexington. Met 1775-1781. All 13 colonies sent reps. Eventually took over govt. responsibilities. Organized military resistance, sent out diplomats, & organized wartime colonial govts. signed the declaration of independence
1619 New Netherlands
dutch territory consisting of new york and the carribean
1607 new france
french settlement in 1607 that consisted of parts of Canada, Louisiana, and the Caribbean France est. Quebec in 1608, Montreal soon after. Trapper economy; too cold for much agriculture. Sparsely settled, loosely controlled by French Crown. Generally good relations with indigenous people—not farming. Wars with English throughout the 18th century..
1774 intolerable acts
response to Boston Tea Party, 4 acts passed in 1774, Port of Boston closed, reduced power of assemblies in colonies, permitted royal officers to be tried elsewhere, provided for quartering of troop's in barns and empty houses. also known as the coercive acts, this was one of the last straws for America. These acts eventually lead to the revolutionary war.
1660 Restoration of 1660
restoring monarchy with Charles II, king couldn't interfere with Parliament, couldn't raise taxes without Parliament's consent, most ministers from gentry In 1649, Charles I was beheaded,the monarchy abolished, and England declared "a Commonwealth and Free State"—a nation governed by the will of the people. Oliver Cromwell,the head of the victorious Parliamentary army, ruled for almost a decade after the execution of the king. In 1660, the monarchy was restored and Charles II assumed the throne. But by then, the breakdown of authority had stimulated intense discussions of liberty, authority, and what it meant to be a "freeborn Englishman."
1819 Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819
spain sold FL for 5 million dollars Also known as the transcontinental treaty between the United States and Spain giving Florida to the US. It was made between John Quincy Adams and Spanish minister Do Luis de Onis to set a new border and is seen as an American triumph of diplomacy. Spain was seen as weakened after this. Florida fell into American hands despite the resistance of local Indians and Spain's rejection of American offers to buy the area. In 1810, American residents of West Florida rebelled and seized Baton Rouge,and the United States soon annexed the area. The drive for the acquisition of East Florida was spurred by Georgia and Alabama planters who wished to eliminate a refuge for fugitive slaves and hostile Seminole Indians. Andrew Jackson led troops into the area in 1818. While on foreign soil, he created an international crisis by executing two British traders and a number of Indian chiefs. Although Jackson withdrew, Spain,aware that it could not defend the territory, sold it to the United States in the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.
1830 Cherokee Phoenix
the first native american newspaper articles in late 1820s early 1830s. this was only possible due to the lower cost of printing. was considered a "alternative" newspaper
1775 Loyalists
those who retained their allegiance to the crown—experienced the conflict and its aftermath as a loss of liberty. Many leading Loyalists had supported American resistance in the 1760s but drew back at the prospect of independence and war. Altogether, an estimated 20 to 25 percent of free Americans remained loyal to the British, and nearly 20,000 fought on their side.