-
Missouri Compromise
This compromise decided that Missouri would be a slave state, and all land above 36o30N would be free. -
First telegraph message
Samuel Morse invented the telegraph. It sent the first message from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore, Maryland. -
Sewing Machine Invented
Elias Howe invented the sewing machine. This changed the way clothes were made forever! -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise undid the Missouri Compromise. It decided California to be free and remaining territory to be decided by popular vote. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This Act stated that runaways will be arrested, given no trial, and ALL citizens must help capture. -
Safety Elevator Invented
Elisha Otis invented the first safety elevator. This prevented elevator cars from falling. -
Republican Party forms
The main concern of the Republican party was slavery. They quickly gained power in politics, however lost the election. -
Election of 1860
Lincoln won 60% of electoral votes and became president. -
Union Collapses and meets in Charleston
Southern states left the Union and declared the Union of the United States of America dissolved. -
Confedercy forms
Confederate States of America was formed along with a new constitution. This constitution declared the independence of states and the protection of slavery. Their president was Jefferson Davis. -
Civil War Begins
The Civil War began due to the attack on Fort Sumter. President officially started it by sending out a call for 75,000 men. -
Habeas Corpus
Lincoln suspended habeas corpus. This allows union soldiers to make arrests on anyone who is "disloyal". For this reason, many people were sent to jail. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This freed slaves in the rebelling states. It was an "official war measure." This did not outlaw slavery, give free slaves citizenship, or reimburse slave owners. Freed slaves joined the Union Army which then consisted of 180,000 black soldiers. -
Congress passes draft law
This draft law helped put more people in the war to fight. Many people were upset by this, causing riots and protests to break out. They thought you shouldn't be volunteered or chosen to be in the war. -
Freedmen Bureau
The Freedmen Bureau was established during reconstruction. This helped all the free slaves. It aided them through military protection. -
Civil War Ends
The civil war ended with Lee's surrender. He was a general in the war that called it quits. This officially ended the war. -
Lincoln Assassinated
Lincoln was assassinated while in office. This led for his vice president to take over. This was Andrew Johnson. He helped carry out all of Lincoln's ideas. -
14th Amendment
This amendment stated that all born in the U.S. are U,S, citizens. This helped slaves become citizens. -
15th Amendment
This amendment gave voting rights to all males. This included blacks, immigrants, and poor people as well. -
Yellowstone National Park
This National Park was created to preserve land. There was soil erosion in other areas from over farming. Factory and mining pollution was also ruining land. -
The Gilded Age
Mark Twain wrote about American life in his novel "The Guilded Age". This described how America was rotten at the core but covered in gold. -
Election of 1876
Tilden vs. Rutherford B. Hayes. Tilden won popular vote, but Hayes became president. It was said that Hayes would be the president if all troops were withdrawn from the south. This ended reconstruction. -
Railroads Strike 1877
This strike innitiated due to a wage cut. This led to violence and destruction. It prompted other violent strikes. -
Light Bulb invented
Thomas Edison patented the electric light bulb. This eventually led into him installing a street-lighting system in New York City. -
Steam Boiler Furnace invented
Granville Woods invented a steam-powered furnace. This was used to help run trains. -
First Skyscraper
With the invention of skyscrapers, there was more space. Some people could not stand skyscrapers! However this opened many jobs for the building of them. -
Haymarked Square 1886
This started because workers wanted an 8 hour day. This led to more violence, bombs, and deaths. -
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
This helped regulate U.S. bussinesses. With the growing industry, small businesses and consumers were being affected. This helped regulation. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
This act helped regulate trusts. People thought it was unfair that people could get around the law with monopolies and trusts. This made monopolies illegal. -
Homestead 1892
Workers wages were cut, starting this strike. At this point, public opion of unions was turning. -
American Railway Union formed
This was started by Eugene V. Debs. He was later arrested for refusal to end the strike. This caused the union to lose power. -
Pullman 1893
This strike started like the rest; from cut wages. However this in this case, wages were cut, but the cost of living was not. This ended up creating the American Railway Union. -
First Public Underground Subway
The first underground subway was opened in Boston. This helped with the major traffic jam issues. -
Women could ride subway
In 1903, females were allowed to ride in female-only subway cars.