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Northwest Ordinance
This made slavery illegal in the Northwest Territory. The Northwest Ordinance set the precedent for how new states would enter the Union. This event is important to US history because this established how the country would grow and gain more states. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson purchases the territory through the Treaty of Paris from France. Lewis and Clark were sent to explore the new territory by Jefferson. This set the precedent for future land acquisitions. This also encouraged a loose interpretation of the Constitution. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This compromise also established the 36'30" line. The Missouri Compromise proved that this was a good way to admit new states into the Union. -
Monroe Doctrine
This was a document made by the U.S. to stop European countries from colonizing Latin America. The document was dependent on the British navy because the United States military power was limited. The Monroe Doctrine was used during future presidents' presidency when they got involved with Latin America. This led to a bad relationship between Latin America and the U.S. that is still present today. -
Nullification Crisis
The federal government passes a very high tariff that angered the south. John C. Calhoun from South Carolina nullifies this law. This pushed the idea that states have the right to nullify laws they find to be unconstitutional. States' rights would continue to be questioned. This is important because this played into the role of states having their own individual rights given to them by the federal government. -
Texas Annexation
Texas gained its independence 9 years prior to this event. After the border disputes and the slavery issue were resolved, Texas was admitted into the Union as a slave state. However, there was a disagreement with borders again, which leads to the Mexican-American War. -
Oregon Treaty
There were conflicts between the U.S. and the British, so they began to negotiate. Citizens were ready to go to war with Britain over the territory, but the negotiations led to the Oregon Treaty. This gave the U.S. control south of the 49th parallel. This further pushed the precedent of future land acquisitions. -
Mexican Cession
Started because Polk sent ambassadors to try and purchase additional Mexican territory only to have Mexico refuse. He sends in troops and war begins. They fight and it ends with the U.S. winning and them signing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This completes Manifest Destiny. This war established an adversarial relationship between the U.S. and Mexico that is still seen to this day. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 introduced popular sovereignty to decide if a state would free or slave. This compromise admitted California as a free state, a Fugitive Slave Law was established, and the sale of slaves was banned in Washington, D.C. This compromise heavily influenced how America makes its decisions today and solved the dispute on how slaves would be admitted into the Union to maintain balance. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Douglas proposed popular sovereignty to decide whether these states would be free or slave states. This act overturned the Missouri Compromise. This act also led to Bleeding Kansas and the formation of the Republican Party. The Republican Party plays a huge role in today's politics. -
Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas-Nebraska Act made it so popular sovereignty would decide if the state would be free or slave. Both sides sent supports to sway the votes. This results in violence between the sides. It leads to the creation of the Republican Party. This party is still very relevant in today's politics. -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
This was the first battle of the Civil War. It took place in Fort Sumter when Confederate forces fired on Union forces. The Union surrenders on the 13th and leaves the next day. -
Battle of Bull Run
This battle takes place in Bull Run Creek outside Manassas, Virginia. This ends up being a confederate win. This battle made people realize the war was going to be longer than they anticipated. Lincoln replaces McDowell with McClellan. Stonewall Jackson led the confederacy in this battle. -
Battle of Antietam
This battle takes place in Antietam Creek, Sharpsburg, Maryland and results in a tactical draw with McClellan leading the Union and Lee leading the Confederacy. This is known as the bloodiest day of the war. This was also the South's first time invading the North. After this battle, Lincoln realized he needed to hurry up with the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Vicksburg
This battle took place in Vicksburg, Mississippi and results in a Union victory with Grant leading the Union and Pemberton leading the Confederacy. Grant captures Vicksburg and splits the Confederacy in half at the Mississippi River. This was a turning point in the war. If the North hadn't taken this victory, the battle may have lasted longer or even resulted in the North losing the entire War. -
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln gives the Gettysburg Address on the Gettysburg battlefield to dedicate a cemetery for fallen soldiers. He mentions the Declaration of Independence to highlight the idea that all men are created equal. This speech made the South realize that they're going to lose their slaves and made some people realize how unfair slavery is. This event led to some people sympathizing with African Americans and shed light on the issue. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle takes place in July 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with Meade leading the Union and Lee leading the Confederacy. This battle was a Union victory. Lee retreats to Virginia with almost one-third of his troops dead or wounded. This was the second and last attempt of the South invading the North. This battle weakened the South's forces immensely, ultimately leading to the North winning the war. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was promoted by Lincoln to free the slaves in the states that were actively rebelling against the Union. This was also a tactic to ensure the border states would rebel. This allowed African Americans to fight alongside the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation led to a conversation about slavery. -
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Presidential Reconstruction
This plan was proposed by Lincoln that stated that 10% of southern voters had to swear loyalty to the Union and accept the emancipation of slaves. Lincoln's goal was to get the south to join the Union as quickly and easily as possible. Lincoln also didn't want to punish the south. If it weren't for this plan, the South probably would have never joined the Union. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
William Tecumseh Sherman followed the total war strategy and utilized scorched earth methods. He led his troops to the sea to capture the port at Savannah, Georgia. This event ultimately led to the North winning the Civil War. -
13th Amendment Passed
This amendment was proposed by Lincoln and ended slavery. It was passed in Congress on January 1st but wasn't ratified until later that year in December. This amendment is the direct reason why slavery was banned. Without it, slavery would still be here today. -
14th Amendment Passed
This amendment gave citizenship to anyone born in the United States. This gave African Americans citizenship. This ultimately led to them having the right to equal protection under the law. This amendment is still very important today. Without it, many people wouldn't have citizenship. -
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Congressional Reconstruction
Congress wanted to punish the south for what they did. This plan passed the Military Reconstruction Act, which protected the rights of African Americans. This act is the reason why the rights of African Americans were protected after the Civil War. -
15th Amendment Passed
This amendment gave all men the right to vote, including African American men. This amendment is incredibly important. Without it, African Americans wouldn't be able to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case established "separate but equal." The Supreme Court legalized segregation and discrimination. The rights that were given to the African Americans in the 14th and 15th Amendments were slowly being taken away by Southern State Governments. This leads to the major problem we have in today's society with the discrimination of people of color.