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The first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown became the foundation for English colonization and the expansion of the British Empire in the New World. -
Signed by Pilgrims upon arrival in New England, this agreement established a form of self-government and set a precedent for democratic principles in the colonies. -
A series of laws restricting colonial trade to English ships and markets, strengthening British control and fueling resentment in the colonies. -
England’s peaceful overthrow of James II reshaped colonial governance, weakening royal authority and encouraging demands for greater autonomy. -
The largest slave rebellion in colonial America, leading to harsher slave codes and revealing the deep tensions in the Southern economy. -
A widespread religious revival that emphasized personal faith, challenging traditional authority and encouraging new ideas about equality. -
A major conflict between Britain and France in North America whose enormous costs pushed Britain to tax the colonies, setting the stage for revolution. -
Colonists protested the Tea Act by destroying British tea, provoking the Coercive Acts and escalating tensions toward independence. -
The first military engagements of the American Revolution, marking the beginning of armed resistance against Britain. -
The Continental Congress formally broke ties with Britain and outlined foundational principles of liberty and natural rights. -
America’s first national government, whose weaknesses highlighted the need for a stronger federal system. -
Delegates created a new framework of government based on checks and balances, federalism, and separation of powers. -
The first ten amendments guaranteed individual freedoms and protected citizens against government abuse. -
The United States doubled in size after purchasing vast western lands from France, fueling expansion and debates over slavery. -
A conflict with Britain that affirmed U.S. independence, encouraged nationalism, and weakened Native American resistance. -
A major attempt to maintain balance between free and slave states, foreshadowing sectional tensions that led to the Civil War. -
The forced removal of Cherokee Indians from their homeland, resulting in thousands of deaths and reflecting the injustices of federal Indian policy. -
The U.S. gained vast southwestern territories, intensifying disputes over the expansion of slavery. -
A devastating conflict between the North and South over slavery and states’ rights, ultimately preserving the Union and ending legal slavery. -
Abolished slavery throughout the United States, representing one of the most significant constitutional changes in American history.