Timeline

By JoelleG

  • Battle of Lexington & Concord

    Kicked off the American Revolution. Known as a major military victory. Constituted the first military conflicts of the American Revolution.

  • Battle of Saratoga

    Signaled to the French that the colonists had a chance to win the war. Led to the French declaration of war against the British.

  • Battle of Yorktown

    American victory that led to the British surrender. The American revolution ceases.

  • Northwest Ordinance

    Set precedent for allowing new states to enter the union. Northwest territory divided under this. Outlawed slavery in the territory. Enter the union on equal terms. It is important because it set the precedent for states.

  • Louisiana Purchase

    Jefferson purchased the territory from France. Gave US control over Mississippi River. Gave US control over the port of New Orleans. It is important because it gave the US additional territory.

  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri applied as a slave state, which threatened the balance of free and slave states. Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Drew the 30'60 line.

  • Monroe Doctrine

    Issued to warn European countries not to recolonize Latin America. Dependent on the British Navy.Used as the basis for future presidents. Lead to resentment between the two regions.

  • Nullification Crisis

    J. Calhoun from SC nullified federal law because it hurt the state economically. States’ have the right to declare a federal law (or tax) null and void if it harms that state. A compromise was reached, and the tariff was lowered and South Carolina was forced by threat to pay the tariff but SC did not give up the right of states to nullify acts of Congress.

  • Texas Annexation

    Annexed by James Polk. Border disputes with Mexico led the nations to war. Texas wanted to be admitted as a slave state, would throw off balance. Texas would hold more votes. It's important because it led the nations to war.

  • Mexican Cession

    Granted US control of 1/3 of Mexicos territory. Completed the manifest destiny. It is important to the US because it completed the Manifest destiny.

  • Compromise of 1850

    Introduced popular sovereignty. California was admitted as a free state. New fugitive slave law which required the north to return runaway slaves. Slave sales were prohibited in Washington D.C.

  • Kansas - Nebraska Act

    Overturned Missouri Compromise by allowing popular sovereignty north of the '36'30. Both sides sent supporters to sway votes. Pro-slavery and anti-slavery turned violent known as Bleeding Kansas. Led to the Republican Party.

  • Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas

    A series of violent civil confrontation on Kansas territory. Emerged from a political and ideological debate. As a result, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state.

  • Oregon Treaty

    Polk negotiated a treaty with the British to gain control of part of the Oregon territory. It was less land than the Americans wanted. Gave up 54'40'' line. It's important to the US because it provoked a war with Mexico.

  • John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry

    Led a raid on Virginia arsenal with the hope of arming slaves and starting a rebellion. Struck fear in slave owners.

  • Battle of Bull Run

    Happed at Bull Run Creek outside of Manassas Virginia. Between General Irvin in the union and General Thomas for the confederacy. Confederacy was triumphant. Lincoln replaced Mcdowell with General George in hopes of leading the Union to victory.

  • Battle of Fort Sumter

    It was the first battle. Confederate forces fired on the Union. Garrison commander surrendered on April 13th who then was executed that same day.

  • Battle of Antietam

    Happened in Antietam Creek at Sharpsburg Maryland. Between General George for the Union and General Robert for the confederacy. The bloodiest day of the war. 21,000 soldiers lay dead or wounded. First southern invasion into North. Found the opportunity to move forward with the Emancipation Proclamation.

  • Battle of Gettysburg

    Union victory in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. General George (Union) General Rober (confederacy). Lee wanted to take more of Unions Lee loses nearly 1/3 of his fighting force. It was the second and last attempt of the South to invade the North.

  • Battle of Vicksburg

    Happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses Grant for union and General John Pemberton for the confederacy. Grant lays siege against Vicksburg after multiple attempts to capture the city. Believed to have brought an end to the war. The key turning point in the western theatre.

  • Gettysburg Address

    Lincoln went there to dedicate a cemetery to all the fallen soldiers.

  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Was an important turning point in the war. Lincoln proposed it as a military measure against the Confederecy . The document did not free slaves.

  • Sherman's March To The Sea

    Followed total war strategy. Marched from Tennessee-Georgia border. Used scorched earth method. His goal was to capture the port at Savannah, Georgia.

  • 13th amendment passed

    Formally legalized freedom of all slaves. Southern states were forces to recognize the amendment before rejoining the Union.

  • 14th amendment passed

    Granted all men birthright citizenship. As a citizen, you were granted protection of the Constitution and Bill of rights. Overturned the Dred Scott decision. This is important because it is the only time that a court ruling has been overturned.

  • Presidential Reconstruction

    Also known as the 10% plan. Only 10% of southern voters needed to swear an oath. Lincoln excluded high military leaders, but Johnson included them.

  • 15th amendment passed

    Allowed all men to vote. Was motivated by a desire to ensure that the Republican party could establish political power in the South. African Americans voted for Republicans to ensure the protection of their freedom.

  • Congressional Reconstruction

    Also known as radical reconstruction. The main goal was to punish the south. Split the military into 5 military districts. Granted birthright citizenship, and granted African Americans the right to vote.

  • Plessy v. Ferguson

    Upheld that segregation was legal as long as people were deemed "equal". Established the principle of segregation and discrimination. As long as blacks and white were equal they could be segregated. This is important because it was later overturned during the civil rights era.