Evolution of national citizenry

  • Congress abolishes slave trade

    Congress abolishes slave trade
    Enacted by Thomas Jefferson who favored the idea of abolishing slave trade since 1770.
  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    Missouri was deemed a slave state and Maine was deemed a free state. The compromise of 1820 was created to keep it equal between states with slaves and states without. By Missouri being a slave state, the South had an extra state. So they made Maine the free state to make it balanced.
  • The Trail of Tears

    The Trail of Tears
    White settlers wanted to take over Indians land and grow crops, so the government sent the Indians to a different spot near the Mississippi River. To get there, they had to march through the "Trail of Tears". The trail of tears was approximately 5,000 miles long, and the march was 1,000 miles long. Over 4,000 Indians died crossing it.
  • Harriet Tubman conducts the Underground Railroad

    Harriet Tubman conducts the Underground Railroad
    Harriet Tubman used the Underground Railroad to free herself. She also helped free over 300 additional slaves between 1850-1860 during her 19 trips through the Underground Railroad.
  • Dred Scott V. Sandford

    Dred Scott V. Sandford
    Dred Scott filed a case stating that he was a free man. The Supreme Court declared that African Americans were not considered citizens, and had no place to sue in court.
  • Lincoln's Administration

    Lincoln's Administration
    Lincoln was elected as president. When he took over, he deemed that free African Americans were American citizens.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    Abolishment of slavery, and African Americans could join the Army in the Union.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Civil Rights Act of 1866
    Congress declared that all people born in the United States were citizens of the country and the state where they resided. This means race does not determine citizenship.
  • 15th Amendment (Ratified)

    15th Amendment (Ratified)
    Gives African American men the right to vote.