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The American Revolutionary War
This is where America truly becomes America. The Americans fought and surprisingly beat Great Britain. Displaying power to the themselves and other world powers. -
Congress Adopted the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document declaring freedom from the British control. This changed America completely, while this document was never legally binding it was powerful. You recognize July 4th as Independence Day, on this day Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. -
The Articles of Confederation Ratified
The Articles of Confederation served as America's first constitution. Even though the Articles of Confederation later failed, I believe it helped Americans figure out what they wanted in a government. -
The Constitution of the United States Ratified
The Constitution of the United States is highest law in the country. It provides a layout for the country's government with rules, law, and procedures. -
The Bill of Rights Ratified
The Bills of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the Constitution of the United States. These are the Americans rights. The Bill of Rights will forever be present in the country. The second amendment has been debated since before I was born, while the third amendment only has one notable court case. -
Eli Whitney Received a Patent for the Cotton Gin
The cotton gin is the machine that separates the seeds from the cotton plant. While this is a seemingly simple machine it changed history. This machine increased the need for slaves because of how time efficient it was. The South's economy boomed and it became "King Cotton." -
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Underground Railroad is Established
The Underground Railroad is established in the early 1800s but not mentioned until the 1830s. The Underground Railroad freed an estimate of 100,000 slaves. Prominent people like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass became well-known from the Underground Railroad. -
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Tripoli War
This war was the first war fought on foreign land for the United States. Sweden and the United States fought the Barbary Pirates. The United States learned from this war and showed strength by proving they could fight a war from home. The Marines benefit from this war and become a permanent part of American history.
"From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;"
Quoted from the Marines' Hymn -
Marbury v. Madison Decided
Marbury v. Madison was a US Supreme Court case which established judicial review. Judicial review is the US Supreme Court's power to review if a legislative act is constitutional. This power will be used throughout the rest of history. -
Louisiana Purchase Treaty Signed
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between Napoleonic France and the United States. For $15 million ($258 million as of 2019) the United States purchased 828,000 square miles of land from France. This land is positioned west of the Mississippi River on a map. Americans started moving west as the spirit of Manifest Destiny is on the horizon. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark set out to explore unknown land. They reached the Pacific Ocean, got new territory for trade, and noticed new land for settlement in the future. The expedition was a success and allowed the United States to expand and double their resources, gaining more power. -
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The War of 1812
The War of 1812 is lesser known and is sometimes called the "Second American Revolutionary War". This war made it hard for the Native Americans to resist American expansion, it allowed the United States to slightly change boundaries, it weakened Great Britain in the Napoleonic Wars and it caused the death of the Federalist Party. While neither the United States or Great Britain won, the White House was burned and that is extremely interesting to me. -
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Era of Good Feelings
After the War of 1812 and under President James Monroe's control, the United States entered the Era of Good Feelings. There was a strong nationalist pride and a desire for unity. -
Adams Onís Treaty Signed
Signing this treaty between Spain and the United States settled a boundary dispute. The United States gained the land of future Florida. -
Monroe Doctrine Declared by President James Monroe
The Monroe Doctrine is what President James Monroe's 7th annual speech to Congress is commonly referred to as. In few words it says back off to the European powers. Created to trade with Latin America and protect United State land claims, it is still used today for different reasons. The Monroe Doctrine has been used in situations such as The Battle of the Falkland Islands, Manifest Destiny and the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
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Era of the Common Man
Andrew Jackson became the 7th US President. He rose to fame because of the Battle of New Orleans. He was the first "Common Man" and won the election against John Quincy Adams. -
Indian Removal Act Signed
The Indian Removal Act gave the federal government the power to relocate Native Americans to territory west of the Mississippi River. The Trail of Tears in 1831 is the devastating effect of this act. -
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The Mexican-American War
The biggest outcome from the Mexican-American War is: the United States gained more land. Manifest Destiny was the mindset of Americans at this time. New land means more questions about slavery. -
Oregon Treaty Signed
Great Britain and the United States signed the Oregon Treaty. This treaty ended a boundary dispute and United States gained the Oregon territory. -
Compromise of 1850 Proposed by Henry Clay
The Compromise of 1850 was Clay's last compromise. This can be broken down into five parts; 1) California enters the Union as a free state; 2) Mexican cession split into the territories of New Mexico and Utah. Popular sovereignty decided if they were free or slave states; 3) Ended the Texas-New Mexico boundary dispute by a payment of $10 million; 4) Stronger Fugitive Slave Act; 5) Abolished slave trade but not slavery in Washington DC -
Commodore Perry Opens Japan
Commodore Perry forces self-isolated Japan to trade with the Western world. This not only impacts America and Japan, but every other country in the global trade market. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford Decided
The Supreme Court decided that all Americans from African descent were not American citizens. This case can be used to show the injustice towards African-Americans during this time. -
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The Civil War
The Civil War is the deadliest war fought in American history. This war ended the debate about slavery and united the Confederate South with the Union North once again. The Union proved to the world that democracy worked after winning. The Civil War time period still affects Americans. -
Gettysburg Address Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln
The Gettysburg Address reaffirms the Declaration of Independence and human equality. President Abraham Lincoln boosted morale with this speech which was much needed in the middle of the Civil War. This powerful speech is engraved in the walls of the Lincoln Memorial. -
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The Spanish-American War
The United States positioned itself as a world power because of this war. Spain was kicked out of the Western Hemisphere as Spain focused on more domestic affairs.