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Kentucky Gains Statehood
Kentucky entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis) -
First Comprehensive Slave Code
The first comprehensive slave code was passed by the House of Burgesses, which would allow slave owners to do whatever they wanted to their slaves in order to maximize profits. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Slave Rebellion in New York
In 1712, a slave rebellion in New York City resulted in the deaths of nine whites. In response, twenty-one slaves were executed and six died by suicide before they could be burned alive. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
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Yamasee Rebellion
The Yamasee tribe rebelled against English colonists, almost destroying Charleston. They thought the English were planning an attack on them when they weren't able to trade for weapons anymore. It ended with an English victory, only because of Charleston's Cherokee allies. (YAWP, Chapter 3, British North America) -
Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
Jonathan Edwards preached his most famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." This sermon was printed in pamphlets, and would light the flames of the beginning of religious revivals. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Walking Purchase of 1737
The Walking Purchase of 1737 showed both the colonists' desire for cheap land and the changing relationship between the Natives and the English. Native leaders agreed to sell as much land as a man could walk in a day and a half. (YAWP, Chapter 3, British North America) -
Stono Rebellion
Around 80 slaves ran away from their enslavers in an act that became known as the Stono Rebellion. They burned plantations and killed at least twenty whites on their way to Spanish territory, before they were killed. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
George Washington Kills a French Diplomat
A group of Englishmen and Natives led by a young George Washington killed a French diplomat. This event would start the Seven Years' War. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
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Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War, or French and Indian War, was fought between France and their Native allies and England. It ended with an English victory. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Prussia Invades Saxony
British-allied Frederick II of Prussia invaded the neutral state of Saxony, which marked the beginning of the Seven Years' War in Europe. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Fort William Henry Burned
The French burned Fort William Henry, a British outpost, during the Seven Years' War. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Siege of Louisbourg
The French port and fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia fell to the English as part of the Seven Years' War. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
British general James Wolfe defeated French general Louis-Joseph de Montcalm in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, outside Quebec City. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
British Capture Montreal
The British captured Montreal, effectively ending war in North America. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
British Capture Quebec
England captured the French Quebec in 1760, which was met with much celebration for the English colonists. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
King George III Becomes King
King George III took the Crown, and brought Tories into his government after three decades of Whig rule. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Neolin Receives a Vision
The Native American prophet Neolin claimed to receive a vision from the Master of Life, telling him to expel the British from America. This caused the Native leader Pontiac to attack the British, starting Pontiac's War. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Spain Entered the Seven Years' War
Spain entered the Seven Years' War in 1762, and fought against the British. They successfully defended Guatemala against England, but lost Cuba and the Philippines. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Peace Treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg
The peace treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg were signed in 1763, which marked the end of the Seven Years' War. -
Siege on Fort Detroit
Native Americans tried to take Fort Detroit by surprise, but they failed, so instead the fort was sieged for six months. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation forbade colonial settlement west of the Appalachian mountains in what was the first major postwar imperial action targeting North America. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Currency Act
Parliament issued the Currency Act, which restricted colonies from producing paper money. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act cut the duty of molasses in half but increased enforcement. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Stamp Act
Parliament passed the Stamp Act, requiring documents to be stamped to show that the duty had been paid. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting of delegates from nine colonies in New York City to discuss the Stamp Act. They wrote a "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" pledging allegiance to Britain but demanding the same rights as British citizens. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
End of Pontiac's War
Pontiac's War ended when Pontiac met with British official William Johnson at Fort Ontario and negotiated for peace. After the war, the British realized that Native lands would have to be protected if the colonists wanted peace. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts placed taxes on common and necessary items, like lead, tea, and glass. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Boston Massacre
Five British soldiers fired on a crowd that was harassing them, killing five Bostonians. This was met with outrage by the colonies. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Regulating Act
Parliament passed the Regulating Act, effectively placing colonies under direct British control. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Tea Act
The Tea Act allowed the East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Boston Tea Party
When British ships holding large amounts of tea were unable to return to England without emptying their load, dozens of men disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests into the harbour. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were four laws passed by Parliament after the Boston Tea Party. It included the Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought between the British and patriots. When the militia set up fortification on Breed's Hill, the British attempted to dislodge them from the position. The patriots won. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British regiments set out to seize local militias' arms and powder stores at Lexington and Concord, but were stopped on the way by the militia. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
First Continental Congress
Elite delegates from every colony (but Georgia) came together to write a "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" at the First Continental Congress. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" Printed
Thomas Paine's revolutionary pamphlet "Common Sense" was printed by printer Robert Bell. (YAWP, Chapter 4, Colonial Society) -
America Declares Independence
Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming that America was no longer part of the British Empire. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Battle of Yorktown
In October, Washington's and the French's siege on British General Cornwallis, forcing his surrender. This was the last major stand of the British army. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, passed by the Continental Congress, allowed each state one vote in the Congress. (YAWP, Chapter 5, The American Revolution) -
American Revolution Ended
Peace negotiations taking place in France between America and Britain brought the war to an official end. -
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Shay's Rebellion
The "Shaysites", led by Daniel Shays, was a group of farmers in debt. They struggled under the weak local and national economies, signaling to Congress that a change had to be made. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Constitution Ratified
Congress announced that a majority of states had ratified the Constitution and it was now in effect. -
French Revolution Began
Americans received word that France had revolted against their king. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
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George Washington's Presidency
George Washington was president, with vice president John Adams. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Bill of Rights
Ten amendments were added to the Constitution, composing the Bill of Rights. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Vermont Gains Statehood
Vermont entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis) -
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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was a successful slave revolt against French colonial rule in the West Indies. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
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Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers attacked tax collectors and federal marshals because of Hamilton's whiskey tax. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Jay's Treaty
John Jay signed a "treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation" with the British, calling for the British to abandon its military positions in the Northwest territory and for the U.S. to treat Britain as its most prized trade partner. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was created by Eli Whitney for deseeding cotton, which caused the cotton boom. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform) -
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James Madison's Presidency
Federalist John Adams defeated Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson, who became his vice president. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation) -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These acts were a result of the French Quasi-War and the French Revolution. The Alien Act allowed the federal government to deport foreign nationals. The Sedition Act allowed the government to prosecute anyone speaking out against the government. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation)