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Compromise of 1850
Divisions over slavery in land gained in the Mexican-American War were resolved. -
The Kansas Nebraska Act
Opened up the territories of Kansas and Nebraska for settlement. -
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Bleeding Kansas
A violent outbreaking in Kansas caused by disputes of whether or not Kansas should be a free or slave state. -
The Dred Scott Decision
A court case where a Missourri (slave state) slave was taken to Wisconsin (free state). He sued for his freedom, but lost the case because he was a slave and slaves had no rights. -
Lincoln - Douglas Debates
Debates held between Lincoln and Douglas. Lincoln pushing for slave rights and more free states, while Douglas pushed for letting the people decide whether or not they wanted slavery in there state. -
Harpers Ferry
A group of 20 some slaves led by a white abolitionist named John Brown attacked an arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in hopes of casing an armed slave revolt. -
Lincoln's Election
Lincoln was elected president after running against Douglas. -
Fort Sumter
A fort held by the union which was bombarded heavily by confederate forces and evacuated extremely quickly. -
Bull Run
The first major battle of the Civil War. The Confederates beat the Union. -
Battle of Antietam
First major battle to take place on Union soil. Bloodiest single day in American history with 22,000 deaths, wounded, and missing. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Isssued by Abe Lincoln stating that all peoples held as slaves are free. -
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Battle of Gettysburg
A battle that is often described as the turning point of the war. -
Gettysbrug Address
A speech was given in Gettysburg by Abe Lincoln later talking about how the country needs to unite. -
Andersonville Prison
A place where the Confederates kept Union prisoners of war. Due to lack of funds, the prisoners suffered from over crowding, malnutrition, and disease. -
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Reconstruction
A period of time devoted to rebuilding the South's economy and structures. The war had completely depleted the South so the North had to help a lot to try to mix back into one country. -
Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Where General Robert E. Lee (Confederate) surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant (Union). -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
At the Ford Theatre a man named John Wilkes Booth snuck into Abe's seating area and shot him in the back of the head. Abe died early the next morning.