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Period: to
Period 3
Green -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Made the years of residency longer for american citizenship, and limited critical speech of the government. -
Period: to
Period 4
Yellow -
Marbury v Madison
Marbury v Madison established judicial review. It helped strengthen the federal power of the government. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase added land to the United States that allowed for more power and the later expansion into western territories. This also led to further debates regarding the Constitution and a strict or loose interpretation of it. -
McCulloch v Maryland
The United States government had the power to create a national bank. It was a win for federal power because it told states that they couldn’t tax branches of government. -
The Missouri Compromise
36-30 line, meant to help quell congressional fights about slavery. It established that all new and current states (except for Missouri) above the 36-30 line would be free, and all under would be slave states. -
Florida
Since Spain was weakened by invasions from Napoleon, Americans that lived in the North of Florida were able to rebel and America could gain that land. Later, with the Adams-Onis Treaty, America gained the rest of Florida, effectively ridding North America of the Spanish. -
The Monroe Doctrine
Established America as the prevailing world power in the western hemisphere. Was important because it helped establish America as a world power. -
Gibbons v Ogden
Ruled that congress could regulate interstate commerce. Was a win for the federal power. -
The Indian Removal Act
A major example of ethnic cleansing, as many native people were killed as they were forced to relocate. The start of many harmful anti-native policies. -
Worcester v Georgia
Established that non-native people could not be present on native lands. Essentially said that federal powers could overrule state laws. -
Oregon
The Oregon Treaty with Britain allowed for the gaining of the Oregon Territory and ended territorial disputes between Britain and America for this territory. This allowed people to more safely move West and made way for the Oregon Trail and further exploration of American Territory. -
Texas
Polk’s annexation of Texas came through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War. This annexation aligned with Polk’s idea of expansion and ended conflicts (Mexican-American War) with the Mexicans. -
Period: to
Period 5
Orange -
Mexican Cession
Ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, land including New Mexico, Arizona, California, and parts of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. This land allowed for further expansion desired by President Polk. -
The Compromise of 1850
Slavery decided by popular sovereignty, Fugitive Slave Act was amended, slave trade in DC was abolished, California was a free state. Meant to keep the union together for longer. -
Gadsden Purchase
The gaining of Southern Arizona and South Western New Mexico from Mexico by the Treaty of Masilla. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Repealed the Missouri compromise, created 2 new territories, and allowed for popular sovereignty. It also led to bleeding Kansas. -
Dred Scott v Sanford
Asserted that slaves were not US citizens, but property. It was a win for states power because it said that congress couldn’t ban slavery in federal territories. -
The Homestead Act
Allowed any US citizen to claim land in the west, provided they move out and farm the land. This promoted westward expansion. -
13th Amendment
Outlawed slavery. This set the post-war precedent of the Nation and helped contextualize Reconstruction. -
Period: to
Period 6
Pink -
Alaska
The purchase of Alaska was the end of Russian efforts to expand into the Pacific and marked America as a Asia-Pacific power. -
Military Reconstruction Act
Outlined the terms for readmission into the Union after the Civil War. Essentially forced the Southern states to conform to more northern ideas. -
14th Amendment
Secured the natural rights of American Citizens. This went against the Dred Scott decision in terms of giving black people the same rights as white people. -
15th Amendment
Gave all men the right to vote. This, while important for the voices of Black people, also gave rise to terrorist groups like the KKK. -
Munn v. Illinois
States have the right to regulate important public businesses like transportation. It was a win for states rights. -
The Compromise of 1877
Settled the contented election of 1876 by making Rutherford B. Hayes removed troops from the south. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
Restricted Chinese Immigration into the US. It furthered the idea of nativism in the country. -
Wabash v. Illinois
Said that states don’t have the right to regulate railroad rates for interstate shipments. It was a win for federal powers. -
The Dawes Severalty Act
Allowed the US government to break up native lands. Continued the trends set by the Indian Removal Act. -
Hawaii
The annexation of Hawaii expanded US territory into the Pacific and established the US as a Pacific power in the late 1800s. -
The Sherman Antitrust
Prohibited anything that restricted interstate commerce and competition in the marketplace. It outlawed monopolistic practices to allow for more flourishing and competitive business. -
Period: to
Period 7
Blue -
Plessy v Ferguson
“separate but equal” ruling, claimed that as long as rights were ubiquitous within a race it was not racial discrimination. It was pro-states rights because it gave states the discretion to rule racism as they saw fit. -
16th Amendment
Gave congress the power for income tax. This strengthened federal power. -
17th Amendment
Allowed voters to vote for senators directly. This allowed the people to feel more powerful and influential in government decisions. It also helps people feel better represented. -
18th Amendment
Established the prohibition of alcohol. This contextualized the prohibition era in the United States.