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The Panic of 1819
The Panic of 1819 ended the Era of Good Feelings. It was the first economic disaster since the ratification of the Constitution. There was unemployment, bankruptcy, and debt imprisonment. The Panic caused nationalistic beliefs to waver. It was important because people started calling for reform and expressing their strong opposition.
Rank: 1
Rank: 1 -
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise would call for admitting Missouri as a slave-holding state, admitting Maine as a free state, and prohibiting slavery in the rest of the Louisiana Territory north of latitude 36 30'. It preserved sectional balance for more than 30 years and gave the nation time to mature. This led to a divide between nationalism and sectionalism.
Rank: 7
Rank: 7 -
Slave Revolts
The slave revolts gave hope to slaves and drove Southern states to tighten already strict slave codes. These revolts polarized the country by making slaveholders more defensive and non-slaveholders more critical.
Rank: 5 -
The Monroe Doctrine
This doctrine said that American continents were not subject for future colonization by European powers. It had less signifance at first, but later it was used by politicians and citizens regarding foreign policy.
Rank: 2 -
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White Male Suffrage
All white males could vote regardless of their class or religion due to the state constitutions that allowed them to vote and hold office. This was important because it caused a large division between white males and Afrian American males.
Rank: 4
Rank: 6
Rank: 4 -
Wilmot Proviso
Congressman David Wilmot proposed a bill to be amended to forbid slavery in any of the new territories acquired by Mexico. This increased tensions between the North and the South.
Rate: 8 -
The Election of 1844
One of the biggest issues of this election was the annexation of Texas. Northerners opposed it because slavery was allowed there, so slavery had an effect on this election. James K Polk ended up winning and the democrats interpreted the election as a justification to adding Texas to the Union. It showed sectionalism again, because the North opposed it and the South was in favor of it.
Rank: 9
Rank: 3 -
Popular Sovereignty
Lewis Cass proposed that the people who settle a territory should get to vote and decide whether or not to allow slavery. Popular sovereignty received support from moderate Northerners and moderate Southerners. This was important because it allowed them to make their own decisions on big issues.
Rank: 6
Rank: 8
Rate: 9 -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this book about a slave and his slave owner that led Northerners to think of all slave owners as cruel and inhumane. Southerners looked down upon it as proof of prejudice. This drove a wedge between the North and the South.
Rate:10 -
Bleeding Kansas
Conflict between antislavery farmers and pro slavery slave owners erupted. The proslavery Missourians attacked the free soil town of Lawrence and killed people as well as destroyed homes and businesses. This occurred because of the slavery issue.
Rank: 3
