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The Homestead Act
The homestead act of 1862 offered 16p acres of virtually free land to anyone 21 or older. However, they had to live on the land for at least five years and had to improve it in some way. This caused a massive influx of people moving west. -
The battle of Antietam
Robert E. Lee’s second attempt to take the fight to northern soil. The fight resulted in over 20,000 casualties. It is known as the deadliest single day of the Civil War. It ended it a tactical draw, but Lincoln declared it a Union victory. -
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The Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was a clash between the armies of Robert E. Lee (South )and George Meade (North). This engagement is known as the bloodiest battle of the war. When all the casualties were added up, they equaled upwards of 50,000. Ended with a Union victory. -
Surrender at Appomattox
General Ulysses Grant met with General Robert E. Lee to discuss terms of surrender. They met in the Parlor of Wilber McLean’s house. Grant’s terms were very generous and he took no confederate prisoners and let them keep personal items. -
Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment
Andrew Johnson was the first ever president to be impeached. Congress voted to impeach him because he violated the Tenure of Office Act which stated that the president can’t remove officials without the senate’s consent. Johnson fired Edwin Stanton in February, 1868 which was quickly followed by his impeachment. However, he was not kicked out of office. -
The 15th amendment
The 15th amendment gave voting rights to black men. It ensured that their voting rights could not be interfered with. This made women’s rights groups very upset since they had been advocating for women’s right for a long time without any success. -
Completion of the transcontinental railroad
On May 10, 1869 the Union Pacific company and the Central Pacific railroad met in Promontory Point, Utah. This marked the end of a six year long period of construction. The owners of both companies hammered a gold railroad spike to signify the completion of the railroad. -
Attempted vote by Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony attempted to vote for the presidential election. She was denied the right to do so and was arrested. Her efforts did not go unnoticed as many saw her as an inspiration. -
The Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 was a result of a tied presidential election in 1876 between republicans and democrats. The deal was that the republicans got the presidency and the democrats ensured the end of reformation in the south. This meant that all southern men could now vote regardless of their allegiance during the civil war and all federal troops would be removed from the south. -
The Chinese exclusion act of 1882
The Chinese exclusion act prevented Chinese people from entering the US. This was a reaction to the declining economy and loss of job opportunities on the west coast. Many people believed that Chinese immigrants were the cause of those problems -
The Brooklyn Bridge
John A Roebling designed the Brooklyn bridge which opened to public use on May 24, 1883. It was the longest suspension bridge at the time and was a symbol of American ingenuity. However, John died before the bridge could be completed so his wife Emily Roebling finished it. -
Ida B Wells sues railroad
Ida B Wells was an African American woman who was born into slavery. She was eventually freed and later in her life had bought a 1st class train ticket, but was asked to move to a “colored” car. When she refused the train staff forcibly escorted her off the train. Wells sued the company and won $500, but the ruling was later overturned. -
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the USA from France to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the revolutionary war. It’s as designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in France and shipped to New York in many pieces. It first opened to the public in 1886. -
Oklahoma land rush
The Oklahoma land rush marked the closing of the frontier. The government offered land to anyone who could claim it before another person did. This two-million acre plot of land formerly belonged to native Americans. -
The Sherman Antitrust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act prevented large businesses from merging to become a monopoly. Monopolies were in control of economy at this point, and many abused their power. -
The opening of Ellis Island
Ellis Islamd was an immigration station. It mainly served immigrants from Europe. At the island people were required to pass many examinations and tests before they could set foot on US soil. -
Grandfather Clause
The grandfather clause stated that you could avoid the literacy test required for voting if your grandfather was eligible to vote in 1867. Southern states used this from 1895-1910 to restrict African Americans from voting. It results in a major loss of African American political power. -
Plessy vs Ferguson
Homer Plessy was a man who was 1/8th black and he refused to move from the white only train car. He was arrested for violating the separate car law. He sued the railroad and his case was presented to the supreme court. The court ruled that segregation was legal as long as facilities were “separate but equal.” -
The US declares war on Spain
Congress made a declaration of war upon Spain in 1898 due to the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. This marked the beginning of the Spanish-American war. -
The Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill was fought in Cuba between the US and Spain. Theodore Roosevelt and his “rough riders” led the charge and defeated the Spanish in a huge win for the US. This event promoted Roosevelt’s name, which caused him to become well known enough to become president. -
The Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary made it legal for the United States to intervene in Latin America whenever it was deemed necessary. It was an expansion of the Monroe doctrine, which warned European countries not to interfere in the western hemisphere where America was. -
The 17th Amendment
The 17th Amendment guaranteed popular election of senators. This meant that the civilians could vote to elect their senators. -
The 16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment enabled the government to collect federal income tax. This would quickly become the US government’s highest revenue source. -
Washington D.C. march
During the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson, thousands of women gathered to March down Pennsylvania Avenue. The goal of this March was to peacefully protest for women’s rights. However, it turned bad when spectators mobbed the street and blocked the parade. -
Completion of the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal cut 8000 miles off of the trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It made it possible for ships to avoid going around the continent of South America. Construction started with the French in 1881, but America took over construction in 1904 and the canal was completed in 1914. -
The sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania was a British passenger ship that was on route to England when it was sunk by a German U-boat. This caused outrage in America because many US citizens were on board when it sank. This was one of the major events that caused the US to join WW1. -
America Joins the war
The US originally wanted to stay out of the war and continue trading with the Allied and Central powers. However, the Zimmerman telegram was the catalyst that caused America to join the war in 1917. -
The battle of Belleau Wood
The battle of Belleau Wood was the first major battle that American troops fought in. It lasted June 1 - June 26, 1918. The result was an Allied victory. -
The end of the war
World War One was brought to a close when the exhausted Central powers sought armistice. The ceasefire went into effect on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 AM. Eventually the treaty of Versailles marked the end of the war. -
18th Amendment
The increase in a call for prohibition finally hit home when the 18th amendment was ratified. It forbade the production, selling, and transportation of alcohol. -
19th Amendment
There had been a campaign for women’s voting rights for some time. So in 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified. It allowed women to vote. -
The trial of John Scopes
John Scopes was a biology teacher in the roaring 20’s. He got in trouble for teaching the theory of evolution to his students. His trial was very publicized, but he was found guilty and fined $100. -
The 21st Amendment
Due to the absolute failure to enforce prohibition, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th. This made alcohol legal once again in the United States.