Colonial America and Early Settlements

A document signed by 41 men on the Mayflower, establishing a system of self-governance for their new colony.

A British law in 1765 that required a tax stamp on all printed materials in the American colonies, sparking widespread anger and resentment.

This law in 1764 placed new taxes on sugar and molasses, aiming to raise revenue for Britain and regulate trade.

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that argued for American Independence from Britain, outlining the reasons for separation.

A document written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the independence of the American colonies from Britain, outlining the principles of self-government and individual rights.

A series of four acts passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, designed to punish the colonists and tighten control over Massachusetts.

A violent clash between British soldiers and townspeople in Boston, where soldiers fired on the crowd, escalating tensions between colonists and the British.

The first major battle of the American Revolution, fought in Massachusetts in June 1775, where American Patriots were ultimately defeated by British forces.

A turning point in the American Revolution, where American victory convinced France to join the war on their side, providing crucial military support.

The final major battle of the American Revolution, where combined American and French forces defeated the British, leading to their surrender.

The first governing document of the United States, established a 'league of friendship' between the states but lacked a strong central government, resulting in weaknesses like a weak military and limited power to tax.

A group of Scottish-Irish settlers in Pennsylvania who attacked Native Americans, contributing to racial tensions and highlighting a need for better relations.

A law passed in 1796 that facilitated the sale of western lands to settlers, fueling westward expansion and speculation in land markets.

A group of explorers led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who mapped and studied the territory, exploring the Missouri River and its tributaries.

A set of 13 values, proposed by Benjamin Franklin, that emphasized virtues like temperance, order, and justice, offering a model for citizen conduct and public morality.

The treaty that ended the Quasi-War between the United States and France in 1800.

A system where elected officials appoint loyal supporters to government positions, regardless of their qualifications.

A controversial law strengthening earlier fugitive slave laws, making it harder for runaway slaves to gain freedom and imposing penalties on those who helped them.

A high tariff on imported goods, aimed at protecting Northern manufacturing, but causing economic hardship in the South.

A canal connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, facilitating trade and sparking New York's growth.

A political doctrine allowing states to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, leading to conflict with the federal government.

A significant personal scandal during Jackson's presidency involving his support of Peggy Eaton, causing a divide in Washington society and highlighting the power of personal grievances in politics.

Observations by Alexis de Tocqueville on American democracy, highlighting the potential for majority opinion to suppress individual freedoms and minority rights.

An attempt to address slavery by promoting the relocation of free black people to Africa, with Thomas Jefferson as a key figure.

The forced relocation of Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee, during the 1830s by the US government under President Andrew Jackson, resulting in suffering and loss of life.

A policy that was widely used in the early 19th century. It reflected the belief that the United States had a God-given right to expand westward across North America. This concept fueled American expansion and territorial disputes.

The forced migration of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to Oklahoma, characterized by harsh conditions and devastating losses, known for its tragic human cost.

A political slogan adopted by the Democratic Party in 1844, advocating for the annexation of the Oregon Territory from British control. It reflected the strong belief in Manifest Destiny and the willingness to engage in conflict to achieve it.

A series of debates held in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during their campaigns for the Illinois Senate. These debates focused on the contentious issue of slavery and its expansion into territories.

The agreement that officially concluded the Mexican-American War in 1848. It established the Rio Grande as the boundary between the United States and Mexico and also saw the U.S. pay Mexico $15 million for the cession of several territories, including California and Arizona.

A war fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It arose from disputed territory between the two nations and was partly fueled by the American belief in Manifest Destiny.

A landmark Supreme Court case of 1857 that ruled that slaves were not considered citizens of the United States and had no standing to sue in federal court. It also reinforced that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in the territories.

A group of colonists who resisted British policies like the Stamp Act through protests and actions, sometimes involving violence. They were based in the North and played a significant role in the early stages of the American Revolution.

A turning point in the American Revolution where the Continental Army, under General George Washington, surprised and defeated Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. This boosted American morale and gave them a crucial victory.

A political philosophy centered on virtuous citizens and a government where leaders are elected by the people. It draws inspiration from the Roman Republic and typically gives power to property owners.

A series of protests and armed uprisings by farmers and veterans of the Revolutionary War who faced economic hardship. This rebellion, led by Daniel Shay, primarily aimed to achieve debt relief and challenged the new government's ability to maintain order.

The first battle of the American Revolution where British troops clashed with Massachusetts militias. This exchange of fire, immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson, marked the start of the American Revolution.

An act of resistance by colonial women who actively promoted boycotting British goods. Their efforts played a key role in the Non-Importation Act and their organized protests significantly impacted the British.

The British aimed to seize control of the high ground during this battle, which ultimately cost them heavily. This colonial victory significantly boosted morale and fueled their belief in a potential rebellion.

A series of laws passed in 1850 to address tensions over slavery, including the Fugitive Slave Act and California's admission as a free state. It temporarily reduced tension but also deepened sectional animosities.

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1857 that ruled African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. Further inflamed tensions over slavery.

A radical abolitionist who led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He aimed to incite slave uprisings, further escalating tensions between the North and South.

The election of 1860, with Abraham Lincoln's anti-slavery stance, heightened Southern fears of losing power and control over slavery. This ultimately led to Southern states seceding and the outbreak of the Civil War.

A significant battle fought in Pennsylvania during the Civil War. A major turning point in the war, General Lee suffered heavy losses, marking a shift in favor of the Union.

A speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln after the Battle of Gettysburg. Emphasized equality, unity, and the importance of preserving the nation, solidifying its place in American history.

A proclamation issued by President Lincoln during the Civil War, declaring the emancipation of slaves in Confederate-held territory. Marked a shift in the war's objective from preserving the Union to ending slavery.

A pivotal point in the Civil War that changed the trajectory of the conflict, often symbolized by the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Marked a shift in the war's goals and began the Union's path toward victory.