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Ohio joins the Union
Ohio becomes the 17th state in the Union -
Thomas Jefferson buys the Louisiana Purchase
The United States purchased this land, which adds up to 828,000 square miles for 15 million. -
War of 1812 begins
After rising tensions between the United States and Great Britain, battles break out and lead to war -
Adam-Onis Treaty is signed
This treaty is also referred to as the acquisition of Florida, and it led to the US gaining more land -
Trail of Tears begins
The Trail of Tears was a part of the Indian Removal Act. It was systemic ethnic cleansing and forced movement of around 60,000 Natives -
Texas entered the Union
After spending nearly a decade as its own sovereign state, Texas became the 28th state to enter the Union -
California Gold Rush begins
After gold was found at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, over 300,000 people traveled to California to strike rich -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
After many disputes and political battles over slavery, South Carolina becomes the first state to leave the union -
Uncle Tom's Cabin is published
Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous abolitionist novel was considered groundbreaking for its time and context despite negative stereotypes -
John Brown raids Harper Ferry
Intending to start a slave revolt, John Brown took over the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and this event is considered the direct prelude to the Civil War -
Civil War Begins
Battles ensue over slavery between the newly formed, pro-slavery Confederacy, and the Union. The war lasts until 1865, in which the Union prevails and slavery ends -
The Reconstruction era nears its end
After many years of rebuliding, the process of reforming the Union begins to end, and a new era of Jim Crow laws and violence towards African Americans starts. Without slavery, the South begins new ways of oppressing African Americans.