1800-1876

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    Haitian Revolution

    The Haitian Revolution was a successful slave revolt against French colonial rule in the West Indies. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation)
  • Cane Ridge Revival

    The Cane Ridge Revival was one of the earliest and largest revivals of the Second Great Awakening. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
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    Thomas Jefferson's Presidency

    Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson defeated Federalist John Adams and Democratic-Republican Aaron Burr, who became his vice president.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana territory from the French, doubling the size of America. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation)
  • Marbury v. Madison

    A seemingly insignificant Supreme Court case resulted in the ruling that the Supreme Court reserved the right to decide whether an act of Congress violated the Constitution, as ruled by Chief Justice John Marshall. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation)
  • Embargo Act

    Jefferson closed ports to all foreign trade in hopes of avoiding war, in a move that outraged Federalists. (YAWP, Chapter 6, A New Nation)
  • First Commercial Steamboat Service

    Robert Fulton established the first commercial steamboat service up and down the Hudson River in New York. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
  • Atlantic Slave Trade Outlawed

    The Atlantic Slave Trade was as a result of the "dirty compromise" at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
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    James Madison's Presidency

    Democratic Republican James Madison was president. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • Battle of Tippecanoe

    Fought between Tecumseh's Native Alliance and the Americans, Tecumseh's confederation floundered after the American victory.
    (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
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    War of 1812

    The War of 1812 was fought between the British and the Americans, and ended with an American victory. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • War of 1812 Began

    President James Madison signed a declaration f war with Great Britain, beginning the War of 1812. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • "The Star Spangled Banner" Written

    Francis Scott Key wrote the verses of what would become the national anthem while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • Treaty of Ghent

    The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • Battle of New Orleans

    Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans concluded the Southern Theater of the War of 1812. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • Ohio Gains Statehood

    Ohio entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Indiana Gains Statehood

    Indiana entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
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    James Monroe's Presidency

    Democratic-Republican James Monroe was president. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
  • Illinois Gains Statehood

    Illinois entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Economic Depression

    An economic depression occurred because of speculation in land. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
  • Adams-Onis Treaty

    The Adams-Onis Treaty was between Spain and America, and gave Florida to the U.S. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • Missouri Compromise

    The Missouri Compromise was negotiated by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, which was supposed to prevent any future sectional disputes over slavery and statehood. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • Maine Gains Statehood

    Maine entered the Union as a free state as part of the Missouri Compromise. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Missouri Gains Statehood

    Missouri entered the Union as a slave state as part of the Missouri Compromise. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • The Monroe Doctrine

    In what was the boldest declaration of America's postwar pride, President Monroe issued an ultimatum to Europe declaring the western hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization. (YAWP, Chapter 7, The Early Republic)
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    John Quincy Adams' Presidency

    Democratic-Republican John Quincy Adams was president. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
  • First Long-Distance Rail Line

    The United States' first long-distance rail line launched from Maryland. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
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    Andrew Jackson's Presidency

    Democratic-Republican defeated Democratic-Republican John Quincy Adams. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • Book of Mormon

    The Book of Mormon was published by Joseph Smith and became the religious text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
  • Indian Removal Act

    The Indian Removal Act transported Natives Americans from land east of the Mississippi River. It was accomplished through the Trail of Tears and other forced removals. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
  • Nat Turner's Rebellion

    Nat Turner, a slave in Virginia, claimed to have been visited by spirits and thought he was a prophet. He led a group of slaves to kill fifty-seven whites, before being caught. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
  • Treaty of New Echota

    The Treaty of New Echota was signed by Cherokee leader John Ridge in hopes to prevent further tribal bloodshed. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
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    Texas Revolution

    The Texas Revolution was a successful secessionist movement that resulted in Texas' independence. Sam Houston became the first president. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Arkansas Gains Statehood

    Arkansas entered the Union as a slave state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Texas Declared Independence

    Texas declared its independence from Mexico. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Battle of San Jacinto

    The battle of San Jacinto was a surprise attack on Mexican troops led by Sam Houston. It lasted only eighteen minutes, and led to Texas' independence. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Treaty of Velasco

    The Treaty of Velasco was signed by Santa Anna, which awarded Texas their independence. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Economic Depression

    An economic depression occurred because of speculation of land and enslaved laborers. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
  • Michigan Gains Statehood

    Michigan entered the Union as a free state. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
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    Martin van Buren's Presidency

    Democratic-Republican Martin van Buren became president. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • First National Convention of the Whigs

    The Whigs held their first national convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, thanks in part to the Panic of 1837. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
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    William Henry Harrison's Presidency

    Whig William Henry Harrison of Ohio defeated Democratic-Republican Martin van Buren. He was president for only thirty-one days. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
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    John Tyler's Presidency

    Whig John Tyler became president after President William Henry Harrison's death. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • Florida Gained Statehood

    Florida became a state and white settlement expanded. (YAWP, Chapter 11, Manifest Destiny)
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    James K. Polk's Presidency

    Democrat James K. Polk won the presidential election of 1844.
  • Texas Gains Statehood

    Texas became the twenty-eighth state after a nine-year political battle. John Tyler saw Texas' statehood as key to saving his career. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • The U.S. Declares War on Mexico

    Congress passed a declaration of war on Mexico after Mexican cavalrymen attacked American troops in the Nueces Strip. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Seneca Falls Convention

    The Seneca Falls Convention was organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to discuss the problems facing women. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
  • Gold Discovered in California

    James W. Marshall discovered gold on John Sutter's sawmill land in the Sacramento Valley in California. It resulted in the Gold Rush. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the U.S.-Mexican War. The U.S. gained California, Utah, and Nevada, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Mexico was awarded $15 million. (YAWP, Chapter 12, Manifest Destiny)
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    Zachary Taylor's Presidency

    Zachary Taylor won the 1848 election, making him the president. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Fugitive Slave Act

    The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 penalized officials who failed to arrest runaways and private citizens who tried to help them. (YAWP, Chapter 10, Religion and Reform)
  • Compromise of 1850

    The Compromise of 1850 was created by Stephen Douglas. It managed to keep the promises of the Missouri Compromise alive. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
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    Millard Fillmore's Presidency

    Millard Fillmore inherited the seat of president after Zachary Taylor's death in office. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
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    Franklin Pierce's Presidency

    Franklin Pierce became president in 1853.
  • Whig Party Broke Apart

    The Whigs broke apart because of their inability to agree on a consistent national position on slavery. (YAWP, Chapter 9, Democracy in America)
  • Economic Depression

    An economic depression occurred because of speculation on railroad bonds. (YAWP, Chapter 8, The Market Revolution)
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    James Buchanan's Presidency

    James Buchanan became president in 1857, defeating Republican John Charles Fremont. (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • South Carolina Seceded

    South Carolina voted 169-0 to secede the Union. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • First Battle of Bull Run

    The First Battle of Bull Run was a Confederate victory that proved that the Civil War would be long and costly. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
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    Abraham Lincoln's Presidency

    Republican Abraham Lincoln defeated Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, winning him the presidency. He later defeated George B. McClellan (YAWP, Chapter 13, The Sectional Crisis)
  • Mississippi Seceded

    Mississippi dissolved their union with the United States. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Florida Seceded

    Florida voted to dissolve their union with the United States.
  • Alabama Seceded

    Alabama seceded from the U.S.
  • Georgia Seceded

    Georgia seceded from the United States. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Louisiana Seceded

    Louisiana dissolved their union with the United States. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Texas Seceded

    Texas voted to dissolve their union with the United States. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Seceding States Meet in Montgomery

    The seven seceding states met in Montgomery, Alabama, to organize their nation. Jefferson Davis was elected as president and the capitol was placed in Montgomery, Alabama (later moved to Richmond). (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Assault on Fort Sumter

    Confederate Brigadier General P. G. T. Beauregard fired on Fort Sumter, forcing Major Robert Anderson to surrender. This event started the Civil War. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Battle of Shiloh

    The Battle of Shiloh was fought along the Tennessee River. It lasted only two days, but was the costliest single battle in American history up to that time. It was a Union victory. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Battle of Antietam

    Generals McClellan's and Lee's forces collided near the town of Sharpsburg. It was the first major battle of the war to happen on Union soil, and it remains the bloodiest single day in American history. It was a Union victory. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, emancipating slaves. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Battle of Chancellorsville

    The Battle of Chancellorsville was a Confederate victory, but came at the price of major general "Stonewall" Jackson, who was killed by friendly fire. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Enrollment Act

    The Enrollment Act was the first effort at a draft among the north. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Battle of Gettysburg

    The three-day battle of Gettysburg was a Union victory and Lee's final northern incursion. It remains the bloodiest battle of the war. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
  • Fall of Vicksburg

    Vicksburg fell after a siege by General Grant. It was the last holdout in the west. (YAWP, Chapter 14, The Civil War)
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    Andrew Johnson's Presidency

    Andrew Johnson became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. (YAWP, Chapter 15, Reconstruction)
  • Thirteenth Amendment

    Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment, legally abolishing slavery. (YAWP, Chapter 15, Reconstruction)
  • Lee Surrendered to Grant

    Confederate General Lee surrendered to Union General Grant at Appomattox Court House, ending major Confederate military operations and ending the Civil War.
  • Lincoln's Assassination

    Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth. (YAWP, Chapter 15, Reconstruction)
  • Creation KKK

    The Ku Klux Klan was organized, dedicated to white supremacy. (YAWP, Chapter 15, Reconstruction)
  • First Reconstruction Act

    Congress passed the first Reconstruction Act, ruling that Southern states would have to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment before rejoining the Union. (YAWP, Chapter 15, Reconstruction)
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    Ulysses S. Grant's Presidency

    Ulysses S. Grant became president.