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The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was enacted to help reduce the conflict between slave and free states. On January 29, 1850, Senator Henry Clay presented a set of proposals aimed at finding a solution to avoid a crisis between the North and South. This compromise included changes to the Fugitive Slave Act and ended the slave trade in Washington, D.C. https://guides.loc.gov/compromise-1850#:~:text=Senator%20Henry%20Clay%20introduced%20a,Washington%2C%20D.C.%2C%20was%20abolished. -
President Taylor's death
He passed away 5 days after the 4th of July from a stomach virus. They believe it was linked to the unsanitary conditions in Washington. He was the second president to die in office. https://clintonwhitehouse3.archives.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/zt12.html -
1st Issue of New York Times
The inaugural edition of The New York Times was released on September 18, 1851, initially called the New-York Daily Times. It was established by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones in New York City. The first issue announced that the newspaper would be published every morning, excluding Sundays, for an unspecified number of years. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/insider/new-york-times-year.html -
Uncle Tom's Cabin Published
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin to reveal the brutal realities of slavery and sway public opinion against it. She sought to portray enslaved people as real human beings and bring attention to their suffering. Stowe believed that her impactful story could motivate readers to take action, helping to advance the abolitionist movement and shape public attitudes as the Civil War approached. https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/harriet-beecher-stowe/uncle-toms-cabin/ -
Crimean War
The Crimean War (1853-1856) was a conflict mainly involving Russia against a coalition made up of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Sardinia. The war arose from territorial disagreements and the weakening of Ottoman power, especially concerning control of the Black Sea and access to Christian religious sites in the Middle East. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1856. https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/crimean-war -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act overturned the Missouri Compromise, established two new territories, and introduced the concept of popular sovereignty. This led to a violent conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas,” as both proslavery and antislavery supporters moved into the territories to influence the voting. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/kansas-nebraska-act -
The Panama Railroad opened
The Panama Railroad opened on January 28, 1855, becoming the first transcontinental railway in the Americas. It connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans across Panama, providing an important transport route. This railroad was a major engineering accomplishment and played a key role in global trade and travel by significantly reducing travel time for goods and people, even before the Panama Canal existed. http://www.panarail.com/en/history/index.html -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
In the 1857 Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, the court decided that Black individuals, whether enslaved or free, were not considered U.S. citizens and therefore could not bring lawsuits in federal court. Additionally, the ruling stated that Congress did not have the authority to ban slavery in federal territories. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/dred-scott-v-sandford#:~:text=In%20this%20ruling%2C%20the%20U.S.,slavery%20from%20a%20Federal%20territory. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, and the sitting Senator, Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. The main focus of these debates was the issue of slavery, especially whether it should expand into new U.S. territories. https://www.britannica.com/event/Lincoln-Douglas-debates -
John Brown's Harpers Ferry Raid
The Harpers Ferry Raid, was led by abolitionist John Brown, who aimed to spark a slave rebellion by seizing a federal armory in Virginia and arming enslaved people. Brown and his group were quickly defeated by local forces under Colonel Robert E. Lee. Brown was captured, tried, and executed, becoming a martyr in the North and further dividing the nation over slavery, helping to set the stage for the Civil War. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/topics/john-browns-harpers-ferry-raid -
Abraham Lincoln Elected President
Lincoln was the candidate for the newly formed Republican Party, which aimed to stop the spread of slavery. Shortly before 2 o'clock in the morning his election was confirmed by telegram from New York. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-day-abraham-lincoln-was-elected-president -
Attack on Fort Sumter
After South Carolina seceded from the Union, Confederate forces demanded the surrender of the fort. General P.G.T. Beauregard bombarded Fort Sumter for over 30 hours. Anderson eventually surrendered, and the Confederates took control of the fort. Although there were no casualties during the battle, it greatly increased tensions between the North and South, triggering the start of the Civil War. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/battle-fort-sumter/ -
The Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam, near Sharpsburg, MD, was a crucial event in the Civil War and became the deadliest single-day battle in U.S. history, with around 22,000 casualties. Union General George McClellan's forces clashed with Confederate General Robert E. Lee's troops. Although the battle ended without a clear victor, it stopped Lee's invasion of the North and allowed President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/antietam -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclaimed the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate territories. It didn't immediately free every enslaved individual, it marked a crucial step toward abolition. Additionally, it enabled the recruitment of Black soldiers into the Union Army, shifting the focus of the Civil War to include the fight against slavery. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation#:~:text=President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%20issued%20the,and%20henceforward%20shall%20be%20free.%22 -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a significant turning point in the Civil War. It was one of the bloodiest battles, resulting in about 51,000 casualties. Union forces, commanded by General George Meade, faced Confederate troops led by General Robert E. Lee. The Union's victory halted Lee's invasion of the North and boosted Northern morale, making it a key moment that contributed to the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/gettysburg -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was given during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, highlighted human equality and the need to preserve the Union. In a few brief paragraphs, Lincoln paid tribute to the soldiers who fought there, reiterated the Civil War's purpose, and called for a "new birth of freedom" to ensure that a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" endures. https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm -
Lincoln Elected to 2nd Term
Abraham Lincoln was re-elected as President on November 8, 1864, during the Civil War, defeating Democratic candidate George B. McClellan. His victory was supported by recent Union military successes, which increased public backing. This re-election enabled Lincoln to pursue ending slavery and restoring the Union, ultimately contributing to the war's conclusion and significant societal changes in America. https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1864 -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was approved by Congress and ratified later that year. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the country, except as punishment for a crime. This amendment was a crucial turning point in American history, guaranteeing freedom for millions and altering the legal landscape concerning human rights and liberty. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment#:~:text=Passed%20by%20Congress%20on%20January,slavery%20in%20the%20United%20States. -
Lincoln Shot at Fords Theater
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate supporter, in Washington, D.C., while attending a play. He died the next day, which marked a significant and tragic moment in American history. Booth acted out of opposition to Lincoln's policies and the South's defeat. The assassination shocked the nation and resulted in widespread mourning, as Lincoln was viewed as a symbol of hope and unity for a recovering America. https://fords.org/lincolns-assassination/ -
Grand Army of the Republic Formed
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was established on April 6, 1866, as a group for Union Civil War veterans. It focused on securing veterans' benefits like pensions and promoted patriotic education. The GAR became a significant political influence in the late 1800s, especially supporting Republican candidates. It also helped organize Memorial Day events, shaping how the nation honored the Civil War and its soldiers. https://suvcw.org/brief-history-of-the-grand-army-of-the-republic -
Alaska Purchased
A 7.2mil deal brokered by Secretary of State Seward. Called "Seward's Folly," the purchase faced criticism but later revealed its value due to Alaska's rich natural resources, including gold and oil. This acquisition significantly expanded U.S. territory and established a strategic presence in the North Pacific. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/check-for-the-purchase-of-alaska#:~:text=Edouard%20de%20Stoeckl%2C%20Russian%20minister,acquired%20nearly%20600%2C000%20square%20miles. -
Memorial Day Created
Decoration Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Initiated by General John A. Logan, it involved decorating soldiers' graves with flowers. This event set the stage for what would become Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember all American military personnel who have died in service. https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/memday.pdf -
"Black Friday"
This Black Friday was a financial crisis in the U.S. triggered by speculators Jay Gould and James Fisk attempting to manipulate the gold market. Their actions caused a sharp decline in stock prices, leading to widespread panic and substantial financial losses for investors. This event revealed weaknesses in the financial system and underscored the dangers of market speculation. https://www.britannica.com/money/Black-Friday-1869 -
15th Amendment Ratified
The Amendment was ratified to give voting rights to African American men. It prohibits federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on race, color, or past servitude. This amendment was a significant advancement in the civil rights movement, although various discriminatory practices would later undermine its effectiveness for many years. https://archives.gov/milestone-documents/15th-amendment#:~:text=Passed%20by%20Congress%20February%2026,men%20the%20right%20to%20vote.