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US history
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Mayflower Compact
Shortly after anchoring in Provencetown Harbor, "saints" aboard the Mayflower ship agreed on the Mayflower compact. The compact was the first governing document of Plymouth colony. It was written by seperatists, also called saints, who were running from religious persecution in England. The compact was an attempt to establish a form of self-government and "rules" within the colony. -
Navigation Acts
The Navigation acts were a series of laws from England that placed restrictions on the colonies. These restrictions were designed to regulate the trade of the empire and provide profit for the mother country (England) from the colonies. One of the Navigation acts required colonial ships to go through England first before carrying out their exports. This took profits away from the colonies and benefitted England greatly. -
King Phillips War
This war marks the last efforts made by Native Americans to drive out settlers in southern New England. Tensions arose from unkept trade partnerships and rapid, aggressive expansion of colonists. Pokunoket chief Metacom led violent and bloody revolts with different Indian tribes. Fighting ended a year later, August 1676, when Metacom was captured and beheaded. -
Bacons rebellion
Bacons rebellion was led by Nathaniel Bacon in Virginia. The rebellion was against governor Sir William Berkley, who favored the wealthy, taxed the poor, and didnt protect the poor. Nathaniel and his followers were indentured servants who were mostly poor, didnt own land, and had no voting rights. The rebels were fed up with Berkley and his unfair laws toward them; so, the rebels had an armed revolt down the streets. -
Pueblo Revolt
Pueblo revolt was an Indian revolt, led by Pope, against the Spanish in New Mexico. The Indians were fed up with the Spaniards not allowing them to practice their own religion and forcing them to work in forced labor systems called ecomiendas. This was one of the very few successful Indian revolts. Although successful, once Pope died, the Pueblo were taken over. -
French and Indian War
Also known as the 7 years war, the French and Indian war was more conflict with European nations. When the French settled in the Ohio Valley, the British colonies declared war on them in efforts to keep their land. The war began rough for the British but then turned around when the British got a new leader, William Pitt. With the peace conclusions from this war, the British won lands from France and Spain that opened up the Mississippi Valley for westward expansion; the Treaty of Paris 1763. -
Pontiacs Rebellion
Pontiacs rebellion was sparked from the Native Americans because they feared harassment. When the colonists tried to move out west,the Natives would fight back and try to hack anyone that went on their lands. Pontiacs rebellion and the natives resistance led to the Proclomation Act of 1763. -
Sugar Act
In result of the French and Indian War, the British parliament implemented the sugar act. The sugar act was in efforts to end smuggling of sugar and to increase revenues for the British. It taxed sugar and molasses that was imported to the colonies; this would effect the manufactoring of rum in New England. Colonists protested these taxes. -
Stamp Act
This act by the British parliament taxed all paper documents in the colonies. Parliament implemented this tax due to the immense amount of debt they were in from the French and Indian war. The colonists protected this act and claimed that it was unconstitutional. After these efforts by the colonists, parliament ended up repealing the act. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend acts taxed paper, lead, paint, and tea in the colonies. These taxes were indirect and were added on to the price of the goods by the British parliament. Eventhough the taxes were indirect, the colonists still protested. The colonists viewed this taxation as an abuse of power. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston tea party was acted upon in resistance to the British parliament's taxes set on the colonists. The Sons of Liberty led men to the Boston Harbor, dressed as Indians, and threw tons tea overboard the ships. In response to the Boston tea party, parliament just implemented more taxes, such as the Coercive acts. This then led the colonists closer to acting upon war. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was sparked with built up frustration with the British government. Even though the Americans were heavily out numbered and out skilled, they fought with patriotism and spirit. The turning point for the colonists was the Battle of Saratoga. This battle convinced France to get involoved in the war and help the colonists. This ultimately won the war for the colonists. The American Revolution was concluded in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris. -
Declaration of Independence
While the Revolutionary war was in full swing, more and more colonists desired total independence from Britain. The delegates in the Continental Congress then had to vote on the issue. The Declaration of Independence served the purpose of telling Britain what their intentions were; American independence. It was written by Thomas Jefferson on July 4, 1776; a day that is now celebrated as the birth of American independence. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was adopted by the Continental Congress and served as the United States' first constitution. But, the articles had many issues and was shortly replaced in 1789 with the Constitution that is still in effect today. Some of the issues included: a weak central government, no power to tax (raise money), no power to enforce laws, and no power to build up an army. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris (1783) was signed in Paris by King George III of Great Britain and American representatives. This treaty ended the American Revolution and gave America independence. -
Shays rebellion
This rebellion was a series of protests against state and local enforcement of tax collection. The rebellion was most serious in Massachusetts where bad harvests, economic depression, and high taxes threatened farmers with the loss of their lands. It was led by Daniel Shay in Massachusetts. -
Ratification of US Constitution
The Constitution was signed by delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It established Americas national government, laws, and guarenteed certain basic rights for citizens. Because the Articles of Confederation implemented a very weak national government, the delegates were sure that the Constitution would provide a strong national government. In efforts to form a strong national government, the Constitution planned for three branches with checks and balances. -
Whiskey rebellion
This rebellion was years after the Revolutionary War and was a rebellion of the tax on whiskey. Many farmers would use left over crops and make whiskey to make a few extra bucks. The colonists, especially southerners, did not like this tax. To the colonists this was simiilar to the British taxes that were set on them. George Washington was sent to shut down the rebellion and he was successful. This showed that the national government and the Constitution were there to stay and were successful. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments of the Constitution. The amendments include basic rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The Bill of Rights were added to the Constitution out of efforts from James Madison in 1791. -
Louisiana Purchase
With this purchase from France, the United States doubled the size of their country. This purchase would allow colonists to move out west and pursue new technological advancements. The purchase completely got rid of France in the Americas. During Thomas Jefferson's presidency, this was one of his most important accomplishments. -
Lewis and Clark expedition
A few months after the purchase of the Lousiana territory, Lewis and Clark were sent on a mission to explore the Missouri river and find waterways to the Pacific Ocean. This was Americas first expedition to cross the western portion of the United States. While on the journey they discovered valuable information of the characteristics of the land. Along the way Lewis and Clark were helped by an American Indian, Sacagawea, who was native to the land and knew everything about it. -
Embargo Act
This act made all exports in America illegal. It was an act acted upon by President Thomas Jefferson and congress. It was in efforts to protect the US economy and trade ships that were being attacked by the British navy. The overall goal was to force France and Britain to respect the American rights. In the end, this act greatly hurt the American economy. -
War of 1812
The war was caused by British attempts to restrict the US' trade trade with their navy. There were British invasions in the states and the national capitol was captured. But, although a young country, the US was able to hold off the British. This war ended with many things stil unresolved. The Treaty of Ghent was signed to end the war two years later in 1814. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine states that if European nations were to interfere or colonize in the Americas, they would view it as aggression toward the US and act upon accordingly. This was to be sure that the United States was there to stay and that the US was serious about their new, independent country.
