Exploration & Colonial Era 1492-1763 i Reasons for Exploration God spread Christianity Gold gain wealth Glory fame and international recognition, nationalism Leads to discovery of North America and its colonization Important Dates 1607 Jamestown founded: 1st permanent English settlement 1620 Plymouth founded: Pilgrims traveled to Plymouth and signed the Mayflower Compact to establish self-government Early Representative Government Virginia House of Burgesses 1 st representative assembly in North America Mayflower Compact signed by Pilgrim men, who agreed to self-government through a social contract Establishing Colonies Religious and Political freedom Economic Opportunity (Mercantilism and land ownership) Settlement of the American Colonies New England: settled by Pilgrims and Puritans to escape religious persecution in England Mid-Atlantic: Diversity & religious tolerance; NY key trading area; Quakers led by William Penn founded Pennsylvania Lower South: Maryland founded by persecuted Catholics; Georgia was created for outcasts and debtors Slavery Established The need for cheap laborers to grow cash crops encouraged white settlers to use African slaves Farmers grew cash crops on plantations in the South and used slaves so they could practice commercial agriculture cheaply. Invention of the cotton gin made it even easier and cheaper to grow cotton. This led to a higher demand for cotton and thus, more slaves. As America acquired more territory, the issue of slavery became a controversial issue. People of the Colonies Thomas Hooker founder of Connecticut, who adopted the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, America s first written Constitution. William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers. He supported freedom of worship, welcomed immigrants, and sought peace with Native Americans. Anne Hutchinson banished from Massachusetts for preaching; one of the founders of Rhode Island. New England Southern Middle Triangular Trade French and Indian War Mercantilism benefits Britain British colonists wanted French land in North America British fought against French and Native American allies Native Americans fought against the British because they were afraid the British would take their land Treaty of Paris, 1763 Ended the French and Indian War Britain was left in debt and began taxing the colonists to pay for the war and the Proclamation of 1763 was established to keep colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mts.
Revolutionary Era 1763-1789 New Ways of Thinking The Enlightenment belief that government s sole purpose is to protect the rights of its people; questioned Kings authority First Great Awakening religious revival; belief that God speaks to all people, not just the wealthy or elite; questioned authority Increasing Tension with Britain British Policy Definition Colonial Reaction Proclamation of 1763 Sugar Act Stamp Act Forbade settlement west of Appalachians Tax on sugar Tax on documents Angry; ignored it, moved anyway Taxation without representation Protests; formed the Sons of Liberty Townshend Acts Tax on imports Boycotts; riots Tea Act Tax on tea Boston Tea Party Intolerable Acts Revolutionary War Closed Boston Harbor First Continental Congress Lexington & Concord first battles of the Revolution British planned to arrest colonial leaders and seize weapons Paul Revere made famous Midnight Ride to warn the militia Known as the shot heard round the world Second Continental Congress Chose Washington as commander of the Continental Army Approved the creation of a Declaration of Independence Became the nation s first acting government Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 written primarily by Thomas Jefferson listed grievances against George III and claimed independence from Britain based on the philosophies of John Locke Saratoga turning point of the war convinced the French king to recognize and aide Americans Valley Forge harsh winter endured by Continental Army Many deserted, Washington had to motivate his troops to stay Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Stueben arrive from Europe to help train the army Yorktown last major battle of the war French ships prevent British supplies from reaching Yorktown British General Cornwallis is forced to surrender Treaty of Paris, 1783 ended the American Revolution The 13 colonies become independent from England The boundary of the U.S. extends to the Mississippi River Key Individuals of the American Revolution George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; despite loses, kept his army together and motivated Crispus Attucks African American who was the first man to die at the Boston Massacre Samuel Adams Boston patriot who established the Committees of Correspondence to keep colonists informed of British actions; Leader of the Sons of Liberty Benjamin Franklin author, publisher, inventor and diplomat Patrick Henry Virginia patriot who gave his famous speech ending in, give me liberty, or give me death! Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense to justify the colonists independence; wrote American Crisis to motivate soldiers to keep fighting despite losses and a hard winter at Valley Forge Abigail Adams wife of John Adams, known for her support of women s rights from letters to her husband Wentworth Cheswell African-American patriot; rode with Paul Revere during the Midnight Ride; fought at Saratoga Mercy Otis Warren Patriot writer who supported independence and convinced other to join the cause. First woman historian of the American Revolution James Armistead African-American spy during the war; spied on General Cornwallis camp Bernardo de Galvez Spaniard sailor who held off the British fleet in New Orleans during the war Haym Salomon Jewish banker who spied on the British and also helped finance the war Marquis de Lafayette French nobleman who helped train American soldiers during the war John Paul Jones father of the U.S. Navy ; Led raids on British ships and famously said, I have not yet begun to fight! King George III King of England during the Revolutionary War Articles of Confederation Adopted by the states in 1781 as the nation s 1st constitution Loose Confederation of states, each with one vote in Congress Northwest Land Ordinance set procedure for orderly expansion of the U.S. Weaknesses: no power to tax or raise an army; states printed own money; Shay s Rebellion was stopped by a state militia Constitutional Convention, 1787 Also called the Philadelphia Convention Delegates met to revise the Articles of Confederation; instead they wrote an entirely new constitution and formed a new government.
Forming a New Nation 1783-1791 People and Documents that influenced American Government Magna Carta, 1215 limited the power of the King; guaranteed the right to a trial by jury English Bill of Rights frequent elections; guaranteed right to bear arms, forbade cruel and unusual punishment; trial by jury John Locke wrote that govt is a social contract. Govt exists by the consent of the people and must protect unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and Property Charles de Montesquieu French philosopher who defined the principle of separation of powers and checks & balances in govt. William Blackstone defined individual rights in English law that could not be violated, even by a king 7 Principles of the Constitution (cont d) Separation of Powers splits the powers of govt into 3 branches Checks and Balances each branch makes sure the others are working the way they are supposed to Debate and Compromise over Representation in Congress The Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) Virginia Plan Representation based on population New Jersey Plan Equal representation for all states The 3/5ths Compromise slaves were counted as 3/5ths (60%) of a white citizen for purposes of representation and taxation 7 Principles of the Constitution The Great Compromise U.S. Congress One house based on population (House of Representatives) One house based on equal representation (Senate) Limited Government everyone, even govt officials, are subject to the law Popular Sovereignty the government was created by the people in order to govern themselves; majority rules Republicanism the desires of the people are represented in government by elected representatives Federalism power of the government is shared between the states and the national government Individual Rights Bill of Rights protects personal freedoms against the powers of the government Ratification Debates Federalists support ratification (approval) of the Constitution Anti-Federalist oppose ratification of the Constitution Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison Favored a strong nat l govt Wrote Federalist Papers to gain support from the people Separation of Powers will safeguard against tyranny Anti-Federalists Led by Patrick Henry and George Mason Favored strong state govt s Wrote Anti-Federalist papers to gain support from people Only a Bill of Rights will safeguard against tyranny The Constitution was ratified in 1788 and the Bill of Rights were added in 1791. Bill of Rights first 10 Amendments to the Constitution 1 st Freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly 2 nd right to bear arms 3 rd protection from quartering of troops 4 th protection from unreasonable searches and seizures 5 th protection from double jeopardy and self-incrimination 6 th right to a speedy and public trial by jury in criminal cases 7 th right to a jury in civil cases 8 th No cruel or unusual punishment or excessive bail 9 th Protection of rights not stated in the Constitution 10 th Powers not listed belong to the states and/or people
Early Republic 1789-1825 Development of Political Parties Federalists Democratic- Republicans Leaders Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson John Adams James Madison Government Strong nat l govt Weak nat l govt Constitution Loose interpretation Strict interpretation Economy Based on industry Based on agriculture Democracy Fear of mob rule Fear of rule by one or a few Foreign Affairs Favored England Favored France First 5 Presidents George Washington no Political Party Hamilton s Financial Plan create a national bank; place a tariff on imported goods Farewell address encouraged isolationism and no forming of political parties John Adams Federalist Party XYZ Affair; Alien and Sedition Acts Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican Marbury v. Madison (1803) said that the Supreme Court had right to review all laws made by Congress; established the principle of Judicial Review Louisiana Purchase (1803) purchased from France for $15 million, doubled the size of the U.S. Mercantilism v. Free Enterprise Free enterprise economic system where the people decide what to make, buy, and sell Mercantilism British imposed strict control of colonial economy Colonies discouraged from manufacturing goods Colonies forced to buy British goods Colonial trade with other countries is restricted British controlled prices of goods Industrialization Free Enterprise Govt. does not control but regulates trade to make it fair Americans free to produce whatever goods we want Americans can buy goods from any country Free trade: Americans can trade with any country Consumer controls price of goods with supply & demand Factors that led to Industrialization: War of 1812 America was forced to make their own goods Inventions changed the way goods were produced Improvements in transportation made it easier, faster and cheaper to send goods to buyers Main features of Industrialization: More people worked, including women, children, & immigrants People moved to cities to be near their jobs = Urbanization Protective tariffs encouraged Americans to buy domestic goods James Madison Democratic-Republican War of 1812 James Monroe Democratic-Republican Monroe Doctrine stated that Europe can no longer establish colonies in North or South America U.S. promised to stay out of European affairs McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) said that a state could not tax a national bank; increased the power of the Federal Govt. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) said that federal government had the power to regulate trade between states **John Marshall One of the most influential Supreme Court Chief Justices; rulings increased the power of the national Govt. War of 1812 Causes England prevented trade with other countries Impressment of U.S. sailors (forced to work on British ships) England encouraged Native Americans to attack settlers Effects Foreign Affairs America proved it could protect itself Economy U.S. became more independent of foreign trade; created their own goods, sparked the Industrial Revolution Nationalism Americans felt more patriotic about their country Key Inventions Cotton gin removes seeds from cotton fiber; faster production Power loom weaves cotton into textiles (fabric); demand for cotton increases Interchangeable parts identical parts that can easily replace another; allows for easy assembly and repair; low skilled jobs Bessemer process inexpensive mass production of steal Telegraph uses Morse Code to send messages across a cable Plow and reaper tools that improved agricultural production Improvements in Transportation Canals helped link western farms to northern cities and made it easier to transport people and goods: Erie Canal in NY Steam boat allowed for goods to travel faster Railroads helped expand the growth of cities, trade, and the migration of people
Age of Jackson & Antebellum Era 1825-1860 Key issues during Jackson s Presidency: Election of 1828 Jackson defeats incumbent John Q. Adams; prior to the election, the Democratic-Republican party splits Jacksonian Democracy as champion of the common man, Jackson supported increased male suffrage (right to vote) Spoils System where an elected official hires his supporters into public office; allows average people to work in govt. jobs Nullification Crisis South Carolina, led by Vice-President John C. Calhoun, threatened secession if they could not nullify the Tariff of Abominations because it hurt Southern interests o Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, created a plan to satisfy both S. Carolina and Jackson, and thus, avoided war War on the Bank Jackson vetoed the renewal of the 2 nd Bank of the U.S. and transferred its deposits into state banks. This both killed the bank and led to an economic panic Whig Party Political Party that opposed the policies of Andrew Jackson; led by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay Native American Policies Indian Removal Act law that would relocate 5 southeastern Native American tribes to Oklahoma Worcester v. Georgia Cherokee nation sued Georgia to keep their lands and won; however, Jackson did not enforce the ruling Trail of Tears harsh journey of the Cherokee into Indian Territory; estimated 4,000 out of 16,000 died along the way Reform in America Second Great Awakening religious revival that focused on change and repairing moral wrongs; launched the Age of Reform: Public Education Horace Mann believed all children should have an education Labor Workers protested to get better wages, hours and conditions Temperance Social movement to stop the sale and consumption of alcohol Prison/Hospital Dorothea Dix fought to rehabilitate prisoners and to improve conditions for the mentally ill Transcendentalism Ralph Waldo Emerson stressed spiritual importance in life Henry David Thoreau wrote Civil Disobedience, refused to pay tax that supported war with Mexico/expansion of slavery Women s Rights sought equal treatment & suffrage for women Susan B. Anthony leader in women s suffrage movement Elizabeth Cady Stanton author and women s rights activist Seneca Falls Convention meeting in Seneca Falls, NY Declaration of Sentiments drafted which defines the injustices of men toward women; demanded equal treatment in society Abolition the movement to end slavery The North banned slavery and wanted the South to do the same William Lloyd Garrison published abolitionist newspaper The Liberator Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom s Cabin, which portrayed the realities of slavery Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth both escaped slavery and became leading abolitionist speakers Harriet Tubman former slave and conductor of the Underground Railroad, escape routes into Canada John Brown militant abolitionist who killed slavery supporters in Kansas and led a raid on a federal arsenal at Harper s Ferry Reasons for Westward Expansion: Manifest Destiny the idea that America is destined to expand from Sea to shining Sea - the Atlantic to the Pacific Wealth from rich farm lands, timber, minerals and gold Belief that Americans should own their own piece of land Compromises on Slavery As the nation expanded, the question of whether slavery would be allowed in newly acquired territories was a continuous debate: Missouri Compromise (1820) admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state kept balance between free and slave states in Congress prohibited slavery north of Missouri Compromise of 1850 California becomes a free state no slave trade in D.C. popular sovereignty to determine slavery in Mexican Cession Fugitive Slave Law helped slave owners recover their runaway slaves from the North Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) replaced the Missouri Compromise Slavery in each territory to be decided by popular sovereignty Bleeding Kansas Conflict between pro-slavery and antislavery supporters in Kansas from 1854-1859
Civil War & Reconstruction 1860-1877 Sectionalism Tension between the North and South as each section of the country placed its own interests above the nation as a whole Factors that increased Sectionalism: Different Economies Abolitionist Movement o Industry in the North Bleeding Kansas o Agriculture in the South Dred Scott v Sandford States Rights Tariffs/Nullification Crisis John Brown s raid on Harper s Ferry Election of 1860 Republican Abraham Lincoln wins the Election of 1860 South Carolina secedes (withdraws) from the Union o Within months, 10 other states secede and form the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis becomes President of the Confederacy o Based on the idea of States Rights, he argues that states voluntarily joined the Union and thus had the right to leave Civil War 1861-1865 Fort Sumter first shots of the Civil War No casualties, but Ft. Sumter falls to Confederate forces Battle of Antietam bloodiest battle in the Civil War Battle was inconclusive, but had nearly 23,000 casualties Emancipation Proclamation Decreed by Lincoln on Jan 1 st, 1863 Set the slaves free in the rebellious southern states Battle of Gettysburg turning point of the war Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in honor of the dead soldiers stating the Union was worth fighting for included ideas about liberty & equality; new birth of freedom Siege of Vicksburg Union gains control of the Mississippi River Surrounds and splits Confederacy in two Success of the Anaconda Plan Election of 1864 Lincoln wins re-election No punishment of the South; with malice toward none... Promises to bind up the nation s wounds Civil War (cont d) Appomattox Courthouse ends the Civil War Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant No prisoners taken; all soldiers sent home w food & supplies Lincoln Assassinated Five days after Lee s surrender, Lincoln is shot in the head at Ford s Theater by John Wilkes Booth Andrew Johnson, the Vice-President, becomes President People of the Civil War/Reconstruction Era Ulysses S. Grant Commanding General of the Union army William Carney 1st African-American awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as the flag bearer in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment at the Battle of Fort Wagner Philip Bazaar Latino Navy Seaman who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor in the Battle for Fort Fisher Robert E. Lee Commanding General of the Confederate army Stonewall Jackson Confederate General who won many victories despite the odds; accidently shot by one of his own men Hiram Rhodes Revels first African American to be elected to Congress (Senate) Reconstruction 1865-1877 The process of re-admitting Southern States into the Union Andrew Johnson followed Lincoln s goals Reconstruction Ex-Confederates swore allegiance to the U.S. to avoid treason States adopted the 13 th Amendment to send members back to Congress Freedman s Bureau established to help freed slaves (freedmen) with food, clothing, medical care, and education Black Codes series of laws in the South that limited the freedom of former slaves Radical Republicans Congressmen who sought reforms to: punish and impose a new order on the South grant citizenship rights to former slaves Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution 13 th Amendment Slavery outlawed; all current slaves set Free 14 th Amendment Made all former slaves American Citizens 15 th Amendment Citizens regardless of race allowed to Vote Western Territories Homestead Act offered 160 acres of land, free to anyone who agreed to live on and improve the land for 5 years Morrill Act land grant that established universities that taught agriculture and the mechanical arts (Texas A&M) Dawes Act Indian policy that broke up Indian reservations into individual land plots; forced cultural assimilation