Key Events in US History: Pilgrims, Independence, Civil War
Pilgrim Fathers (Mayflower)
A religious group formed in the 16th century, dissatisfied with the religious-political environment of their country, decided to emigrate. They first went to Leiden and then to the New World. They left from Plymouth’s port in the Mayflower ship on August 15, 1620, intending to go to the Jamestown colony, but a storm led them to Cape Cod. Shortly after, they founded Plymouth. They were gathered by the Puritan Church and sought refuge from religious persecution and political instability in Europe. Their name is derived from a biblical passage.
Declaration of Independence
A statement adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House (known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. It announced that the 13 American colonies, at war with Great Britain, would no longer be under British rule. This formed a new nation – the United States. The Declaration of Independence states that the authority to govern belongs to the people, that all people are created equal, and have rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is one of the most important documents in American history, signed by fifty-six men. The committee included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson wrote the draft for the Declaration of Independence, working on it from June 11 to June 28.
War of Independence
(1775–1783), also known as the American Revolutionary War, was a global war that began as a conflict between Great Britain and its 13 Colonies, which declared independence as the United States. After 1765, growing philosophical and political differences strained the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence, with the declaration on July 4.
Constitution
It was clear that for the US, there would have to be changes to the Articles of Confederation. In February 1787, Congress asked each state to send delegates to a meeting or “convention” in Philadelphia to discuss changes. Rhode Island refused, but the other 12 agreed. The meeting, known as the Constitutional Convention, began in May 1787, and 55 men attended. They chose George Washington to lead their discussions. The delegates disagreed about the changes, but they worked out a completely new system of government for the US. They set out the plan in the Constitution of the US.
The Bill of Rights (Ten Amendments)
The Constitution went into effect in March 1789. It was still not complete. In 1791, 10 amendments, or additions, were made to it. Together, these amendments are the Bill of Rights. The reason for the Bill of Rights was that the original Constitution had said nothing about the rights and freedoms. The Bill of Rights altered this. It promised all Americans freedom of religion, a free press and speech, the right to carry arms, and protection against cruel and unusual punishments.
The Civil War
(1861–65) was fought between the US and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The Confederate states (led by Jefferson Davis) fought against the Union soldiers (led by Abraham Lincoln). Causes: Industry, Farming, State’s rights, Expansion, Slavery, and Bleeding Kansas. The first fighting over the slavery issue took place in Kansas. Main Events: The contest was marked by the ferocity and frequency of battle. One of the main events was the Battle of Fredericksburg, in which General Burnside experienced a disastrous defeat when attacking Confederate forces. The Battle of Gettysburg was the most important engagement of the American Civil War. The bombardment of Fort Sumter also marked a key event.