-
Fugitive Slave Act 1
The first fugitive slave act said that slaves who escaped had to be returned to their owner. It also said that any suspected slave that was found could be brought to a judge where the judge would decide whether it was or wasn't a slave. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson sent James Monroe over to France to negotiate the sale of the port of New Orleans which was in the Louisiana Territory. Napoleon (the leader of France) did not need the Louisiana territory. Napoleon (the leader of France) did not need the Louisiana territory anymore and needed more money to wage war with Britain. The entire territory was purchased then for $15 million. -
Acquisition of Florida- Treaty of Adam-Onis
Brief Description: There were slaves running away from the US into Florida territory that was by Spain. There were also Seminoles that would come and raid land it Georgia. Andrew Jackson was sent to patrol the border and send Seminoles back. Instead he invaded Florida. President Monroe was then advised to send a message to Spain, “govern or get out.” Spain decided to give up Florida. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to become the 24th state in the United States. Maine and Missouri were the two states to be added. Maine became a free state, while Missouri became a slave state. Something significant about Missouri's southern border was that every state added north of it wouldn't involve slavery. -
Trail of Tears
Andrew Jackson ignored the orders of a treaty with the Cherokee. U.S. troops rounded up about 15,000 Cherokee and put them in prison camps. Local residents burned the native’s homes. Troops then sent the Cherokee west in groups of about 1,000 on a path known now as the Trail of Tears. -
Annexation of Texas
Stephen F Austin brought around 300 settlers into Texas that was owned by Mexico. They decided they did not want to be apart of Mexico anymore and started their own revolution. In the end, Texas won its independence and was its own for country for 10 years. The US then decided to annex (add on) Texas in 1845 under President Polk. -
Gold Rush
John Augustus Sutter is the person who discovered gold. Once the news got out about the gold, many people went to his property to try and find it for themselves. Because of the gold rush, Francisco in California was built. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty was signed to end the Mexican-American war. As a result, the border between Texas and Mexico was established as the Rio Grande River. The US also acquired the Mexican cession which included the modern states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. -
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay created this compromise that affected New Mexico, Utah, California, and the District of Columbia. The compromise suggested that New Mexico and Utah should be slave states, and California should get rid of it. -
Fugitive Slave Act 2
The second fugitive slave act said that whoever tried to help a slave escape would be punished severely. -
Period: to
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail started in Independence, Missouri and ended in what is now Northern Oregon (Columbia River). It spread to about 2,000 miles long. It was used for many things, but it was mostly used as a trail for pioneers where they would pull wagons through and hunt for food. -
Kansas - Nebraska Act
Kansas and Nebraska were the two territories added to the US. This act allowed settlers in these areas to let them decide if they would allow slavery or not. The Missouri Compromise was repealed because of this act. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act gave African Americans the right to own land. It gave them 160 acres of land to own, which was a big change from not being able to own any land at all. Although this was a new privilege, there were four rules that had to be taken into consideration when acquiring the land... The homesteader be either the head of a family or 21 years of age; thus, U.S. citizens, freed slaves, new immigrants intending to become naturalized, single women, and people of all races were eligible. -
Period: to
Transcontinental Railroad
The two companies involved in building it were The Union Pacific Railroad and The Central Pacific Railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad started their railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, while the Central Pacific Railroad started their railroad in Sacramento, California. This event was very important because it made transportation simpler and eased difficulties.
