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1781 - Articles of Confederation

All thirteen states ratify the Articles of Confederation which calls for a firm league of friendship between states. However, each state remains sovereign and independent. Congress continues to manage foreign affairs, determine currency, regulate the postal services and other services, but they could not regulate commerce or raise money or enlist troops directly. Eventually serious problems arise.

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1800 - Slave Resistance

Plantation owners fear their slaves may plan to run away or revolt. To prevent this, slaves are forbidden to meet in groups or learn to read. They live in huts and cabins where the supervisors, or overseers, can watch them. Often, husbands and wives are separated. But the slaves gather in secret to worship, study and sing hymns. One is called Steal Away, and some slaves believe the words are a sacred message telling them to seek freedom.A street through slave quarters

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1807 - Educating Ladies

Most girls receive no formal education. They learn homemaking skills from their mothers. Families who can afford the $5 per session tuition send their daughters to Mrs. Milligan's Young Ladies' School. Pupils learn reading, writing, grammar and needlework. Five years later, Mrs. Bevens will open a girls' boarding school.

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1781 - Serving Her Country

November 1781 - The British have allowed American nurses to care for wounded American prisoners, so Elizabeth Jackson travels to Charleston, South Carolina. Andrew Jackson is only 14 years old when he receives a small bundle from Charleston. The package contains his mother's belongings. Elizabeth Jackson has contracted the plague and died while caring for her country's fighting men.

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1814 - Treaty of Ghent

December 24, 1814 - The U.S. and Great Britain sign a treaty at Ghent, Belgium that will end the War of 1812. But before word of the treaty that is signed across the Atlantic Ocean reaches America, the British will attack again. One more major battle will erupt, this time on Southern soil.

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1808 - End of the Slave Trade

The United States will no longer allow slaves to be brought here, or imported, from foreign countries. But this ruling does not affect slaves who are already here. It will take a war to win their freedom.

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1781 - Jackson Tragedy

<p>April 9, 1781 - The British are chasing him, but wily Andy Jackson escapes. His cousin, Thomas Crawford, is not as lucky. On the way to warn Crawford&#39;s family, Jackson too is captured. So is his brother, Robert. Soldiers force the boys to march to a South Carolina prison. Their mother, Elizabeth Jackson, rides to Camden and demands their release. She succeeds. But both boys have fallen ill with smallpox, and Robert dies just two days after returning home.</p>

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1800 - Prison Welfare

Lawbreakers imprisoned in sheriff James Neal's jail are well-fed while incarcerated. Each day they receive one pound of wholesome bread, one pound of good roasted or boiled meat and all water needed.

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1778 - War in the South

December 29, 1778 - After three years of fighting, the British still cannot defeat the Americans in the northern states. They have pushed south to attack, and capture Savannah, Georgia. Soldiers battle their way through South Carolina and will soon make their way to North Carolina.

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1786 - How to Govern

America's leaders still disagree when discussing how to formulate the young country's government. Now free from Britain's tyranny, there is no king who rules America. Who should be in charge? How can we defend ourselves against invasion by another country? Who will protect each of the 13 states? How much power will the government have? The Articles of Confederation does not provide for these concerns.

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