U.S. History Eras and Key Dates

The first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. Prevents the king from “absolute authority”

• 1215 - Magna Carta

• Federalist Papers

• 1776 - Declaration of Independence

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

This is the first permanent English Settlement in the new world. Founded for an ECONOMIC reason (Gold).

• 1215 - Magna Carta

• 1607 - Jamestown

• 1803 - Lousisiana Purchase

• 1620 - Mayflower Compact

Signed by Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony.  This is a social contract as the first form of self-government.

• 1215 - Magna Carta

• 1607 - Jamestown

• 1803 - Louisiana Purchase

• 1620 -Mayflower Compact

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author. This document was signed by members of the Continental Congress.  America declared itself as a free nation.

• 1607 - Jamestown

• 1215 - Magna Carta

• 1776 - Declaration of Independence

• 1803 - Louisiana Purchase

Drafted in 1787. The Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791. Outlines our plan of government we still use TODAY!

• 1776 - Declaration of Independence

• U.S. Constitution

• Federalist Papers

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Territory purchased from France, which DOUBLED the size of the United States. This was the largest big government play by Thomas Jefferson.

• 1803 - Louisiana Purchase

• 1853 - Gadsden Purchase

• 1848 - Mexican Cession

• 1783 - Northwest Territories

Civil War - War between the states. "Union" and the "Confederacy"

• 1812-1814

• 1846-1848

• 1861-1865

• 1775-1783

Claim NEW territory -- expand empire, create democracy, search for gold, religion

• Exploration

• Revolution

• Colonization

• Reform

Expanding suffrage, Nullification Crisis, Indian Removal Act, Spoils System, Corrupt Bargain

• Early Republic

• Colonization

• Reform

• Jackson

New England, Middle, Southern colonies -- Where you live, affects how you life, founded for religion, social, or economic reasons; transatlantic slave trade; representative government

• Reform

• Westward Expansion

• Colonization

• Reconstruction