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Battle of the Alamo
The fight lasted around 90 minutes. It was argued by many that Mexico's attempts to end slavery contrasted the hopes of many white settlers in Texas at the time who moved to the region to farm cotton. The war was a battle cry for the Texans struggle for independence from Mexico. The war ended in a decisive victory for Mexican forces over "Texanian" volunteers, who were killed. -
New York City Draft Riots
The riots eruption of violence in New York City resulting from deep worker discontent with the inequalities of conscription during the Civil War. The riots were were triggered by the Conscription Act of 1863 and racial backlash against the Emancipation Proclamation. The death toll estimated about 119 people. New York resorted to firing canons and angry mobs. About 4000 troops were fighting to control the violent mobs. The next morning, the issues had subsided. -
The Compromise of 1850
Tensions developed between the North and South over whether the western land gained by the US should become free or slave territory. California sought approval to enter the Union as a free state in 1849. Senator Henry Clay, a whig from Kentucky, proposed a legislation to resolve the disputes. The Senate rejected his proposal. The final decision came to agree to disagree. Senator Stephen Douglas said Mexico should decide for themselves whether to permit slavery or not. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Act was a violent uprising known as "Bleeding Kansas." The act repealed the Missouri Compromise, creating two new territories and allowed for popular sovereignty. Pro slavery and anti slavery activists flooded into territories to sway the vote. It was passed by the U.S Congress on May 30th of 1854. The Act was to allow people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not they allow slavery within their borders. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Forces from the Confederate States attacked the U.S. military at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Less than 2 days later, the fort surrendered. No one was killed. The battle started the Civil War. Attempts by President James Buchanan to supply U.S. troops at Fort Sumter failed. The Confederate victory resulted in enormous support for military action from both the North and South. President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion, 4 more states joined the Confederacy. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown had a band of 22 men launch a raid on Harper's Ferry and captured some local citizens and seized the federal arsenal. His small force was soon attacked by the a local militia. John Brown wanted to attempt to start an armed revolt of enslaved people and destroy the institution of slavery. He wanted to give local slaves in hopes of starting a slave uprising. John Brown wanted to stop slavery because he thought it was cruel and uncivil. -
First Battle of Bull Run
Bull Run was the first battle of the Civil War. The battle took place 30 miles from Washington. It was started by the secession of the South. It was demanded a quick campaign to prevent the Confederate Congress from convening in Richmond.The Confederacy won the First Battle of Bull Run due to the Confederate soldiers' strong defense which prevented the Union army to make progress. -
Battle of Pea Ridge
Pea Ridge was the biggest battle of the Civil War and was known for strategic significance. The Union and Confederates both had 1,000 men killed or wounded. Confederate forces were forced to flee back into Indian territory and Union forces took over Fort Davis and built Fort McCulloch. Union forces pushed Confederates south and west through Missouri into northwestern Arkansas. Army of the west set out a counterattack on the Union.
Union defeat the Confederates. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issued the E.P. on January 1st of 1863 as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are , and henceforward shall be free." The E.P. did not free all slaves but rather it declared free only those slaves living in states not under union control. The E.P. also promised that the federal government and military would "recognize and maintain the freedom" of the freed slaves. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The goal of the Confederacy was to take the battle the the north to show the northern society what war looked like. Gettysburg ended the Confederacy's last full scale invasion of the North. Battle opened on the morning of July 1, 1863 with Confederates attacking Federal troops on McPherson Ridge west of town. Though outnumbered, the Federal forces held their position until afternoon, when they were finally overpowered and driven back to Cemetery Hill south of town.