The most important events that shaped the history of the US –

Group 4
American Revolution
(1765-1783)
The American Revolution, also known
as the U.S. War of Independence, was a
pivotal event in the history of the U.S. It
was a war in which 13 of Great Britain’s
North American colonies won political
independence and formed the US

Cause of the American

Revolution
Ideals of Enlightenment: The
Enlightenment ideals of liberty,
equality, and self-government inspired
many colonists to challenge British rule.
Lack of representation: The colonists
believed they should have a say in their
own government, but they were not
represented in the British Parliament.
This led to the slogan "No taxation
without representation!"
Increased taxation: The British
Empire imposed a series of taxes on the
colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the
Tea Act, without giving them
representation in Parliament. This
angered the colonists, who felt they
were being unfairly taxed.
 Main events of the American Revolution
1764 – 1766, the Sugar Act (1764), and the
Stamp Act (1765) is enacted to provide
revenue for the British crown. This act places
a tax on legal documents, newspaper
advertisements, and other printed materials.
Enraged colonists protest the Stamp Act, and
the British government ends the tax.
1767–1768, Britain passes the Townshend
Acts, a series of additional taxes. The
colonists vehemently object to these taxes,
particularly in Boston, Massachusetts.
March 5, 1770, In Boston a small British
army troop is threatened by mob harassment
and opens fire, killing five colonists. This
incident becomes known as the Boston
Massacre.

In a show of protest against the British tax on

tea. Bostonians disguised as Mohawk Indians
board ships at anchor and dump thousands of
dollars worth of tea into the harbor, an event
popularly known as the Boston Tea Party
(1773).

March–June 1774
In retaliation for colonial resistance, the
British Empire imposes four measures
known as the Intolerable Acts
September, 1774
The First Continental Congress meets in
Philadelphia. Representatives from twelve
colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss how
to respond to the Intolerable Acts.
 April, 1775: The Battles of Lexington and
Concord marked the beginning of the
American Revolution. In Lexington, officers
on both sides ordered their men to hold their
positions and not to fire their weapons. It’s
unclear who fired “the shot heard ’round the
world.”
The first major battle of the war, the Battle
of Bunker Hill, was fought June 17, 1775,
primarily on Breed’s Hill in Charlestown,
Massachusetts. Although the British won,
the hard-fought battle proved that the
colonists could stand up against the British
Empire.

On July 2, 1776, the Congress, with New

York abstaining, unanimously resolved “these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent states.” Two days later it
approved the Declaration of Independence.

The Continental Army fought the British

Army in a long and bloody war. The last
major battle of the war was the defeat of
British General Charles Cornwallis at the
siege of Yorktown in Virginia, virtually
ending military campaigns in the American
Revolution.

September, 1783
The Peace of Paris is signed on this day,
formally ending the war. Britain recognizes
the independence of the United States with
generous boundaries to the Mississippi River
but retains Canada.
Outcomes of the American Revolution:
• The establishment of the United States of America: The American Revolution led to
the creation of a new nation based on the principles of democracy and republicanism.
• Inspiration for other revolutions: The American Revolution inspired other revolutions
around the world, such as the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution.
• The development of American democracy: The American Revolution led to the
development of American democracy, with a system of government based on a
written constitution and separation of powers.
➔ The American Revolution was a complex and significant event that shaped the course
of American history and had a lasting impact on the world.

Civil War (1861-1865)

The American Civil War, also known as the War Between the States, was a civil war in the
United States fought between the Union (the North) and the Confederacy (the South) from
1861 to 1865. The primary cause of the war was the institution of slavery, which had deeply
divided the country for decades.

Causes of the Civil War

Slavery: The Southern states relied heavily
on slave labor for their agricultural economy,
while the Northern states had largely
abolished slavery. This fundamental
difference in economic and social systems led
to growing tensions between the two regions.

States' rights: The Southern states believed

in states' rights, arguing that they had the
right to decide their own laws and policies,
including the right to maintain slavery. The
Northern states believed in a strong federal
government and opposed the expansion of
slavery into new territories.
 • Westward expansion: The issue of slavery became even more divisive as new states
were added to the Union. The question of whether these new states would be slave or
free states further inflamed the tensions between the North and South.

Major Events of the Civil War:

• In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected
president on an anti-slavery platform.
This led to the secession of eleven
Southern states, which formed the
Confederate States of America.

• In April 1861, Confederate forces fired

on Fort Sumter, a Union fort in
Abraham Lincoln: inauguration. The inauguration
Charleston, South Carolina, marking the
of Abraham Lincoln as U.S.
beginning of the American Civil war.
president,WashingtoD.C., March 4, 1861

• Battle of Antietam (1862): This bloodiest day in American history resulted in a Union
victory that stopped the Confederate advance into Maryland and turned the tide of the war
in favor of the Union.
• Emancipation Proclamation (1863): President
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation,
which declared all slaves in Confederate-held
territory to be free. This was a major turning point
in the war, as it transformed the conflict into a
fight for both the preservation of the Union and
the abolition of slavery.

Emancipation Proclamation
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863): This three-day battle was the largest and most
devastating of the war, and it resulted in a decisive Union victory that effectively ended
Confederate hopes of winning independence.
• Siege of Vicksburg (July 4, 1863): Union forces captured the strategically important city
of Vicksburg, Mississippi, splitting the Confederacy in two and giving the Union control
of the Mississippi River.

• Appomattox Court House (1865): Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to

Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending
the war.

American Civil War: Robert E. Lee surrenders

Aftermath of the Civil War:

The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history, with an estimated 620,000
soldiers killed. The war also had a profound impact on American society, ending slavery and
ushering in a new era of federal power. However, the legacy of the Civil War continues to be
debated today, as the issues of race, equality, and states' rights remain relevant in American
society.
The Civil War was a complex and bloody conflict that had a profound impact on the United
States. It is important to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the
war, and to learn from the mistakes of the past in order to build a more just and equitable
future.
World Wars
The United States hasn't actually fought in any wars officially designated as "World Wars."
However, they were heavily involved in both World War I and World War II, which were
global conflicts that spanned multiple continents and involved numerous countries. Here's a
breakdown of their involvement in each:

World War I (1914-1918):

• Entry into the war: The US initially remained neutral, despite the war raging in
Europe for nearly three years. However, several factors ultimately drew them in,
including German unrestricted submarine warfare targeting American ships, the
interception of the Zimmermann Telegram (a proposal from Germany to Mexico to
ally against the US), and public outrage over atrocities committed by Germany. The
US officially declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
• Role in the war: The US provided critical manpower and resources to the Allied
forces. Over 4.7 million American soldiers served in the war, and their fresh troops
helped turn the tide in favor of the Allies. They also supplied vast quantities of food,
munitions, and financial aid.
• Impact on the US: World War I marked a significant turning point for the US. It
solidified their position as a major global power and led to their increased
involvement in international affairs. However, the war also came at a significant cost,
with over 116,000 American soldiers losing their lives.

b. World War II (1939-1945):

• Entry into the war: Initially, the US maintained a policy of neutrality, similar to WWI.
However, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, thrust them
directly into the conflict. The US declared war on both Japan and Germany shortly
thereafter.
• Role in the war: The US played a decisive role in defeating both the Axis powers in
Europe and Japan in the Pacific. They mobilized millions of troops, developed and
deployed cutting-edge technologies like the atomic bomb, and provided crucial
resources to their allies. The US military campaigns in North Africa, Italy, France,
 and Germany on the European front, and the island-hopping campaign and atomic
bombings in the Pacific, were instrumental in achieving victory.
• Impact on the US: World War II transformed the US into the world's sole superpower.
They emerged from the war with a vastly expanded military and economic power, and
played a leading role in establishing the post-war international order. However, the
war also had a devastating human cost, with over 400,000 American service members
killed.

Civil Rights Movements

The Civil Rights Movement in the United States was a long and hard-fought battle for
equality for Black Americans. It began in the mid-1950s and continued through the 1960s,
with major victories achieved through nonviolent protests, civil disobedience, and legal
challenges.

The key events of the Civil Rights Movement

The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956):
Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus
to a white man sparked a year-long boycott of
the Montgomery bus system, led by Martin
Luther King Jr. The boycott brought national
attention to the issue of racial segregation and
helped to launch King as a major civil rights
leader.

The Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court decision (1954): This
landmark decision declared that racial
segregation in public schools was
unconstitutional. It was a major victory
for the civil rights movement and helped
to pave the way for desegregation in
schools across the country.
 The Greensboro sit-ins (1960): Four college
students in Greensboro, North Carolina, staged a
sit-in at a segregated lunch counter, refusing to
leave until they were served. This action
inspired similar sit-ins across the country,
challenging segregation in public
accommodations.

The Freedom Rides (1961): Groups of

Black and white activists rode interstate
buses into the South to challenge
segregation in bus terminals and other
facilities. They were met with violence
and arrests, but their actions helped to
focus national attention on the issue of
segregation.

The March on Washington for Jobs and

Freedom (1963): Over 200,000 people gathered
in Washington, D.C., to demand an end to racial
discrimination and economic inequality. Martin
Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a
Dream" speech at this event.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964: This

landmark legislation outlawed
discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin in public
accommodations, employment, and
education. It was a major victory for the
civil rights movement.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965: This law
prohibited literacy tests and other
discriminatory practices that had been
used to prevent Black Americans from
voting. It helped to dramatically increase
Black voter registration and participation
in the South.

➔ The Civil Rights Movement was a complex and challenging struggle, but it achieved
significant progress in advancing racial equality in the United States. However, the
fight for civil rights is not over, and there are still many challenges that remain.

References
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, May 19). Key Facts About the American Civil
Rights Movement. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Key-
Facts-About-the-American-Civil-Rights-Movement

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, July 28). Timeline of the American Civil
Rights Movement. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-
american-civil-rights-movement

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, October 22). Key Facts of the American
Revolution. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Key-Facts-of-
the-American-Revolution

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, October 22). American Revolution Timeline.

Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/American-Revolution-
Timeline

Wallenfeldt, J. (2018, March 26). Timeline of the American Revolution. Encyclopedia

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-american-revolution