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Compromise of 1850
This Compromise determined the abolition of slavery in Washington DC, California's admission as a free state, and a more effective Fugitive Slave Law. This Compromise was created by Senator Henry Clay. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was created by Senator Stephen Douglas. A new territory west of Mississippi was split into Kansas and Nebraska and Senator Douglas believed the people should have Popular Sovereignty. Popular Sovereignty allowed the people to vote whether the state was a free state or a slave state. -
The Dred Scott Case
Dred Scott was a slave who traveled with his owner to a free state. So he thought he should also be free and took it to court. The case ultimately determined Dred Scott a slave and property. This new idea that slaves are property denied them any citizen rights and was hard to defend because it's in the constitution. -
Uprising at Harper's Ferry
On October 16, 1859 John Brown, an abolitionist, led a small group in Virginia. This group was trying to start a slave revolt. -
Fort Sumter
Confederate soldiers attacked and seized Fort Sumter because Lincoln didn't send reinforcements. This ultimately caused tension to build between the North and South and was one of the main causes of the start of the war. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was the first battle in the Civil War and took place three months after Fort Sumter. The Confederates won the battle because of their leaders, including Stonewall Jackson. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves in all regions behind Confederate lines. Lincoln issued this because the victory at Antietam. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was bloodiest single day battle in the Civil War. It was a face off between Lee and McClellan, and the first battle to be fought on Union Soil. This resulted in a Union win. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil war. Over 50,000 soldiers died when the confederates confronted the Unions brigades. This was a big win for the Union. -
Battle of Vicksburg
Vicksburg was one of the two remaining strong holds the Confederacy had, the Unions plan was to weaken the South. So the Union completely destroyed the City of Vicksburg. -
Appomattox Court House
The Appomattox Court House is the location in which Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant. This was a major step in ending the physical war but the political war still continued. -
Lincoln's Assassination
Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 while at a theater. His assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was shot and killed 12 days after. Lincoln's death was devastating and a lot of people mourned his death as his coffin traveled through 180 cities to get back to his home state of Illinois. -
The Thirteenth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment was created after the Civil War ending, and established all slaves as free men. This new amendment adopted in 1865 was the first step towards making African Americans citizens. -
President Andrew Johnson's Impeachment
President Johnson was impeached after the House of Representatives believed his views were biased and favored the South. The House of Representatives came to agree that he was slowing Reconstruction. Johnson was impeached for a Federal Crime against the Tenure Act. -
Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in 1868, that made all people born or naturalized in the United States citizens of the country. This allowed all people to have equal rights, including former slaves.
