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The Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620 by English Protestant Separatists and other settlers aboard the Mayflower, was an early agreement for self-governance. Seeking religious freedom and land ownership, the signers established a framework for political order and collective decision-making in the Plymouth Colony. This compact laid the groundwork for democratic principles by emphasizing the importance of cooperation and consent among the settlers. -
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Lesson 4
The colonial period shaped American ideals through the Mayflower Compact, promoting self-government and liberty. Colonies emerged for religious freedom, while Indigenous peoples lost land and slavery spread. Events like the Zenger trial supported press freedom, and the Great Awakening encouraged independent thought, emphasizing self-governance and moral questioning of slavery, influencing the nation’s values. -
The Proclamation
In 1763, the British government issued the Proclamation, limiting colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains to stabilize relations with Native Americans. This frustrated colonists eager for new land. Britain also imposed new taxes to recover debts from the French and Indian War, fueling resentment among colonists who felt taxed without representation. These actions increased tensions and contributed to the lead up of the American Revolution. -
Tension of the American Revolutions outbreak
In 1775, tensions between the American colonists and British rule reached a boiling point, leading to the outbreak of the American Revolution. Key events included the formation of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress and the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition by King George III. The year marked significant battles, such as Lexington and Concord, where the first shots of the revolution were fired, signaling the colonies' determination to fight for independence. -
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Lesson 5
The American Revolution began as colonists rebelled against British rule, by events like the Boston Massacre. In 1775, the Continental Congress formed an army, and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" urged independence. The rejection of the Olive Branch Petition intensified this push. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and victory at Yorktown, aided by the French, led to the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which recognized American sovereignty and inspired future revolutions. -
End of American Revolutionary war
In 1783, the American Revolutionary War came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty recognized American sovereignty and established the United States as an independent nation. The successful collaboration between American and French forces during the decisive Battle of Yorktown was a turning point in the war, leading to this historic agreement and the triumph of independence and democratic ideals influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. -
Constitutional Convention
In 1787, the Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia, where delegates from the states gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. They ultimately drafted the United States Constitution, establishing a stronger central government with a system of checks and balances among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. -
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Lesson 6
The text talks about the early development of U.S. government, starting with state constitutions that promoted ideas like written documents and separation of powers. These influenced the U.S. Constitution. It highlights the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, like a weak central government and difficulties in taxation. It also describes Florida's government structure, which includes three branches with checks and balances. -
The Bill of Right
In 1791, the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution. This first ten amendments were created to address concerns raised during the ratification debate, ensuring the protection of individual liberties and limiting the powers of the federal government. -
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, the United States made the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the country's size by adding a large sized territory which at the time was owned by France. This expansion allowed for more westward settlement, but it also led to the forced removal of Indigenous people from their lands, causing significant harm to many tribes. -
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Lesson 8
The text discusses important events from the early to mid-19th century. It highlights the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented the Declaration of Sentiments, demanding equal rights for women. It also describes the Trail of Tears, when the Cherokees were forcibly removed from their land in the 1830s, resulting in suffering and loss. Despite these challenges, the Cherokee Nation rebuilt its community and continues to thrive today while honoring its history. -
Women's Rights to Vote
NJ repealed its law allowing women to vote, which had been in place since 1790. This repeal ended the brief period during which women in NJ could participate as voters. The law had identified voters as "he/she" reflecting an inclusive approach to voting rights, but the repeal marked a setback for women's suffrage. After this change, women would not gain the right to vote nationally until the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which ensured voting rights couldn't be denied based on $ex. -
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Lesson 7
The text explains that the U.S. Constitution, over 200 years old, forms the foundation of the American government with three branches and checks and balances. It highlights the Constitution's ability to adapt while protecting economic and property rights. Additionally, it addresses the historical and ongoing struggles for civil rights, including voting rights for African Americans and women, and stresses the importance of informed action for achieving equality. -
Nat Turner Revolt
In 1831, Denmark Vesey, a free Black man, planned a rebellion against slavery in Charleston. That same year, Nat Turner led a revolt in Virginia, killing about 60 White people before being caught. The Fugitive Slave Act also caused tension in the North, as seen when Anthony Burns was captured in Boston. These events increased the conflict over slavery in the United States. -
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Lesson 9
The text talks about Abraham Lincoln's 1858 speech at the Illinois Republican State Convention, where he stressed the need for unity in the Republican Party. It also describes the roles of men and women in the 19th century, focusing on the idea of True Womanhood. Additionally, it highlights the struggles of immigrant and working-class families, along with enslaved African Americans, in keeping their families together during that time. -
Seneca Falls Convention
In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention took place, marking the start of the women's rights movement in the United States. Leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought for equal rights, creating the Declaration of Sentiments to demand equality not just for women but also Men. This event began the slow progress toward improving laws about women's rights, including issues like property ownership and divorce. -
"A House Divided" Speech-Abraham Lincoln
In 1858, tensions over slavery in the US were rising. Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "A House Divided" speech, saying that the country couldn't stay half free and half slave. This highlighted the growing conflict that would eventually lead to the Civil War. At the same time, abolitionists faced challenges, especially in Boston, where they worked to protect free Black people from being captured under the Fugitive Slave Act. There were also divisions among those fighting against slavery. -
The Civil War
In 1861, the Civil War started when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in April. This led seven Southern states to leave the Union. The Union had more resources, a larger population, and a stronger economy than the Confederacy. The war lasted four years and included important battles like the First Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Gettysburg. -
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Lesson 10
The Civil War began in 1861 with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter and lasted 4 years. In 1863, Lincoln freed slaves in Confederate states with the Emancipation Proclamation. The Union won key battles, leading to the Confederacy's surrender in 1865, which ended slavery. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the official day of freedom for slaves in Texas and became a federal holiday in 2021. African American women contributed significantly as spies, nurses, and teachers during the war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. This aimed to link the war to a moral cause and gain support. Union generals, like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, used strategies like the Anaconda Plan and total war to defeat the Confederacy. -
Juneteenth
In 1865, Juneteenth was celebrated on June 19, marking the end of slavery in the U.S. Union soldiers announced the freedom of all enslaved people in Texas, freeing over 250,000 individuals. This day became an important celebration for former slaves and their families. Slavery was officially ended later that year with the Thirteenth Amendment. Juneteenth was recognized as a state holiday in Texas in 1980 and became a federal holiday in June 2021. -
Civil Rights Act-Reconstruction
In 1866, the U.S. started Reconstruction after the Civil War. After President Lincoln was assassinated, Vice President Andrew Johnson took over but ignored the rights of freed African Americans. The Black Codes limited their freedoms, causing conflict with Congress. The Freedmen's Bureau helped former slaves with food and education. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fourteenth Amendment to protect their rights, and the South was placed under military rule to ensure equality. -
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Lesson 11
After the Civil War, the U.S. began Reconstruction. President Lincoln was killed, and Vice President Johnson did not protect freed African Americans, leading to the Black Codes. The Freedmen's Bureau helped, but White violence, like the Ku Klux Klan, created problems. By 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes's election ended Reconstruction, reversing gains for African Americans and enforcing segregation with Jim Crow laws. African American women faced discrimination but stayed active in their communities. -
The Fifteenth Amendment
In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting African American men the right to vote. This amendment prohibited the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This was a significant step towards civil rights for African Americans, although the struggle for voting rights would continue, particularly with various discriminatory practices that persisted in many states. -
The Compromise-R.B. Hayes Presidency
In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes became president, ending Reconstruction. The Compromise of 1877 gave him disputed electoral votes. Southern leaders took away rights from African Americans, cutting school funding and restricting voting. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, and the Supreme Court's Plessy v. Ferguson case established "separate but equal." Many African Americans protested or moved North, while others stayed in the South, focusing on family and education.