Maine in AP United States History
Timeline
- 1602: English expedition led by George Waymouth explores the Maine coast.
- 1620: Pilgrims land at Plymouth, which later becomes part of Maine.
- 1639: Henry Jocelyn settles in the St. Croix River Valley, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Maine.
- 1652: Maine becomes a province of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- 1812: Maine fails to ratify the Hartford Convention, which sought to amend the Constitution and weaken the federal government.
- 1820: Maine separates from Massachusetts and becomes the 23rd state.
- 1832: Maine passes the first prohibition law in the United States.
- 1854: Maine passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repeals the Missouri Compromise and allows slavery in the western territories.
- 1861: Maine sends troops to fight in the Civil War.
- 1914: Maine passes the Seventeenth Amendment, which provides for the direct election of senators.
- 1930s: Maine experiences economic decline during the Great Depression.
- 1991: Maine passes a law banning smoking in public places.
Important Legislation
- Maine Law of 1851: The first prohibition law in the United States.
- Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: Repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed slavery in the western territories.
- Seventeenth Amendment of 1914: Provided for the direct election of senators.
Important Court Cases
- Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review.
- "McCulloch v Maryland" (1819): Upheld the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States and established the principle of implied powers.
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and outlawed racial segregation in public schools.
Major Industry
- Forestry: Logging, paper mills, and wood products have been the mainstay of Maine’s economy since the colonial era.
- Tourism: Maine’s natural beauty, including its coastline, mountains, and forests, attracts millions of visitors each year.
- Agriculture: Maine produces dairy products, potatoes, blueberries, and maple syrup.
Impact on the Rest of the Country
- Prohibition: Maine’s prohibition law was a model for other states and helped inspire the adoption of the Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol nationwide.
- Civil War: Maine was one of the first states to send troops to fight in the Civil War, and its troops played a key role in the Union victory.
- Direct Election of Senators: Maine’s passage of the Seventeenth Amendment led to the direct election of senators by popular vote, giving voters more power in the federal government.
- Forestry: Maine’s forestry industry has provided lumber and paper for the entire United States, contributing to the country’s economic development.