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President Thomas Jefferson buys the Louisiana territory from France doubling the size of the United States. -
President James Madison and Congress declare war against Britain as the British raise a blockade against the U.S.
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While the British occupied Washington D.C. during the War of 1812, they burned down the White House forcing President James Madison to evacuate -
Led by Sam Houston, the Texas army fights against Mexico for independence.
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War is declared by the United States after Mexicans settled on Texas land. Southern states were in favor of declaring war, while northern states were not.
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In response to Abraham Lincoln's presidency, South Carolina becomes the first southern state to secede from the Union -
Confederate Forces bombard Fort Sumter in the first battle of the Civil War after U.S. forces refused to leave the fort which was on Confederate land. -
The First Battle of Bull Run is the first major battle in the Civil War. Taking place in Manassas, it showed that the Civil War would not be over quickly -
A three day battle that killed more than 51,000 people is known as he bloodiest battle of the Civil War. The Union won the battle but at great cost. Five months later, Abraham Lincoln gave his most famous speech on that battleground. -
After four years General Robert E. Lee surrenders his 27,000 troops to General Grant -
The Thirteenth Amendment takes effect, abolishing slavery in the United States -
The right to vote is given to black Americans with the passage of the 15th amendment.