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Missouri Compromise
Allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state but preserved the balance between North and South by carving free-soil Maine out of Massachusetts and prohibiting slavery from territories acquired in the Lousiana Purchase, north of the line of 36°30'. -
Manifest Destiny
During the 1840s and 1850s, American nationalism and westward expansion had merged into the widespread belief in manifest destiny. Proud of their democratic roots and traditions, faced with a seemingly boundless continent, many Americans thought of themselves as the forbearers of freedom.Belief that the U.S. was destined by God to spread its "empire of liberty" across North America. -
Mexican War
US annexes Republic of Texas, Mexico sees this as a declaration of war. President James K. Pole sends John L. Slidell to Mexico, authority to purchase New Mexico and California for $30 million. After an attack leaves five US patrol troops dead, Congress declares war 1846 May 13. 1847 September 14, Mexico City captured, Mexico surrenders. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; US purchases NM and CA for $15 million, pays $3 million more in damage claims, US-Mexico border set at Rio Grande River. -
United States annexes Texas
After James K. Polk becomes President of the United States in January, Congress passes a measure approving annexation, trusting Polk to oversee Texas' admission more effectively than John Tyler would have. Five months after the United States Congress votes to annex Texas, a Texas convention votes to accept annexation, despite the warning by the Mexican government that any agreement to join the United States will be equivalent to a declaration of war. -
Gold is discovered in California
An American carpenter finds gold at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, sparking a gold rush which brings tens of thousands of new settlers to California, establishing towns and cities, and accelerating the drive toward statehood. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is Signed
At the close of the Mexican War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo cedes Texas, New Mexico, and California to the United States, which now controls land stretching all the way across North America. -
Compromise of 1850
Five bills intended to simmer down North-South tensions. First bill, California admitted as free state. Second bill, New Mexico and Utah would sue popular soverignty to decide on slavery. Third bill, Texas gives up claims to its lands in modern NM, recieves $10 million to pay off debt with Mexico. Fourth bill,slave trade abolished in District of Colombia. Fifth bill, Fugitive Slave Act requires all citizens to help return escaped slaves to their owners, denied trial to escaped slaves. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas and Nebraska would vote on whether slavery would be allowed. Infuriates Northerners. Pro- and anitslavery settlers rush to Kansas to alter outcome. Proslavery wins, but antislavery charges them with fraud, doesn't accept results. Antislavery settlers hold another election, proslavery settlers refuse to vote. Two opposing legislatures in Kansas. Violence erupts, territory gains nickname "Bleedin Kansas". Congress does not recognise pro-slavery legislature, KS not allowed to ener US -
Election of 1860
N. Democrats elect Stephen Douglas, S. Democrats elect John C. Breckinridge Constutitional Union (former Whigs) nominates John Bell, have popularity in Border States, fail to win any sort of true popularity. Republican Party selects Abraham Lincoln. Willian H. Steward (R) leads in initial votes, Lincoln wins on third ballot. Lincoln visits South, preaches value of Union. Says he will use force if needed. Lincoln only wins North states, but wins electoral collage by large margin. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Considered the first battle of the American Civil War. Battle lasted less than two days, little tactical significance, greatly symbolic. Begins with Confederate shelling of the fort, Union returns fire. Throughout the day, boyh sides exchange shots until nightfall. The next morning, fires catches in Fort Sumter. Major General Robert Anderson force to surrender. No reported casualities. Anderson considered national hero when he arrives in New York, tours northern states to gether troops.
