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Henry Clay develops the Compromise of 1850 which proposed a more effective fugitive slave law and provided that California be admitted as a free slave
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The Kansas-Nebraska act is passed. This established popular sovereignty which allowed citizens to vote for or against slavery
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This decision declared that being on free territory didn't make a slave free
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Abolitionist John Brown led a slave uprising at Harper's Ferry. Brown was later captured by Robert E. Lee
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Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th president after he is elected, even though he wasn't on ballots in the South, South Carolina secedes from the Union because of this
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First shots of the Civil War are fired at Fort Sumter
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Confederates win the first major battle of the Civil War
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Battle of Antietam takes place, Americans claim victory after Robert E. Lee withdrew to Virginia but both sides suffer major losses
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President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves
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Battle of Gettysburg occurs, it was a 3 day battle and was the turning point of the war
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President Lincoln gives his infamous speech at the battle ground of Gettysburg, he says the country will be one nation again
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The Union allows African Americans to join the Army
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Sherman destroys Atlanta while General Grant destroyed Lee's army
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General Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox Court House which ends the Civil War
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President Abraham Lincoln is shot and killed at Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth
