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Declaration of Independence
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End of the Revolutionary War
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Signing of the US Constitution
The document that established the government of the United States.
Protected the institution of slavery with the Three-Fifths Clause, the ban on Congress ending the slave trade for 20 years, and the fugitive slave clause. -
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
These rights were not applied to slaves since they were considered property and not people. -
US Outlawed the African Slave Trade
While Americans could not purchase slaves from other nations, it did not stop the purchase of slaves who were born within the system. -
Missouri Compromise
Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It banned slavery in the rest of the Louisiana Purchase north of Missouri's southern border. -
Indian Removal Act
Displacement of Native Americans to the west. -
First National Women's Right Convention
Organized by the Anti-Slavery Society, this convention made women's rights and abolition allies in the war towards equality. -
"Ain't I A Woman?"
Sojourner Truth's speech that highlighted the fact that Black women were not included in the women's suffrage -
Compromise of 1850
Admitted California as a free state, provided government for Utah and New Mexico, established boundaries around Texas, called for the abolition of slavery in Washington, DC, and amended the Fugitive Slave Act. -
Dred Scott Decision
Declared the Compromise of 1850 unconstitutional, denied the legality of citizenship of Black people in America, and upheld slavery. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
Sets the stage for the Civil War. -
Beginning of the Civil War
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Emancipation Proclamation
Freed the slaves in the Confederacy as an act of war. -
Lee Surrenders to Grant
Effectively ended the Civil War. Former Confederates had to promise not to take arms against the United States and were allowed to go home. -
President Lincoln Assassinated
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Last shot of the Civil War Fire
Fighting continued in the southern states who did not know of the Lee's surrender. -
Ratification of the13th Amendment
Abolished slavery in the US -
Ratification of the 14th Amendment
Granted US Citizenship to formerly enslaved people. -
Women's Suffrage Split into Two Groups
Movement splits over abolition. -
Introduction of the Woman Suffrage Amendment
Women did not have the right to vote until 1920. -
End of Reconstruction Period