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Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 provided for popular sovereignty to be used in New Mexico and Utah on the issue of slavery. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act 1854
The Kansas- Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty to be used in deciding slavery in the Kansas and Nebraska territories. -
Dred Scott Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott was not free and not a citizen. The ruling also reinforced the idea that slaves were only property. -
Lincoln- Douglas Debates
The Lincoln- Douglas debates were a series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in an Illinois Senate race. -
Harper's Ferry
John Brown an abolitionist attempted a raid on Harper's Ferry to seize the federal arsenal to lead a slave uprising. -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States. -
South Carolina Secedes from the Union
South Carolina would become the first southern state to secede from the Union. -
Confederate States
In February 1861 the states that seceded from the Union form the Confederate States of America. -
Battle of Bull Run
The first battle of the Civil War occurred just 25 miles away from Washington D.C.. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania turned out to be a turning point of the war, as a victory by the Union proved Robert E. Lee was able to be beaten. -
Gettysburg Address
President Lincoln's memorable speech after the Battle of Gettysburg that helped the country realize that it was one country not just a collection of states. -
Confederates Surrender at Appomattox
The Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House ends the American Civil War. -
Lincoln is assassinated
On April 14th, 1865 President Lincoln is shot by actor John Wilkes Booth and days a day later on April 15th. -
13th Amendment Ratified
The ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution ended slavery for good in the United States of America. -
End of Reconstruction
A political deal to decide the election of 1876 brings about the end of reconstruction.
