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battle of lexington and concord
The first battle of the revolutionary war. Many minutemen were lost, but the colonies considered it a victory. It proved to them that the British would not step foot on their land violently. They were fought in Massachusetts. This is important because it was the beginning of the revolutionary war. -
battle of saratoga
The first real victory by America. Included two battles that added the French to America's line up. The French have had many disputes with the British so they were on America's side. It took place in New York. This is significant because this battle was the turning point of the war. -
battle of yorktown
This was the last battle of the revolutionary war. America's army with the French outnumbered the British heavily. This took place in Virginia. The General that led them was George Washington. This is important because the British surrendered, giving America the win. -
northwest ordinance
The northwest ordinance was the first territory bought outside of the 13 colonies. They were originally set as a free state. This land encompassed modern-day Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and part of Minnesota. This gave access to the great lakes, which was useful for trade. This is significant because it set a precedent for buying new land in the country. -
louisiana purchase
Thomas Jefferson purchased a large piece of land from Napolean in 1803 that was the beginning of manifest destiny. Lewis and Clark were sent to discover the northwest passage, but such a thing did not exist. Jefferson also struggled with the unconstitutionality of the purchase. It gave more land to everyone and appealed to farmers. This was important because it solidified manifest destiny. -
missouri compromise
admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This was highly disputed because Missouri was above the 36' 30 lines. It would disrupt the balance of free and slave states if it were admitted. This is why Maine was admitted as a free state to keep the balance. Maine was also already functioning on its own as a state, so this was easy. This is important because it showed how they can begin keeping the balance. -
monroe doctrine
President James Monroe issued a doctrine to the European nations through congress. It stated that these nations shall not interfere with Latin affairs. If they did, there would be consequences. Latin America provided great benefit to America at the time and it didn't want anyone to steal those resources. Other presidents used it after the creation of the doctrine. -
nullification crisis
John C. Calhoun believed the tariffs were being raised too high and refused to pay them. Henry Clay developed a compromise that slowly lowered the tariffs. This was eventually accepted by South Carolina. This was dealt with while Andrew Jackson was president, This is important because it demonstrated the south's disliking of taxes. -
texas annexation
Texas was originally Mexican territory, but they allowed Americans to settle there if they abided by their laws. This worked for a while, but Texas wanted to become independent. Mexico did not recognize this, but American troops were sent to watch the border and Mexico took this as war. They signed the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo and Texas was trying to become a slave state, but this upset the balance, so it was a while before it became a state. Texas can secede from the union. -
oregon treaty
The Oregon territory was being managed by America and Britain at the same time, but they needed to settle the boundary dispute. Originally America was supposed to get more, but the treaty gave up to the 49th parallel. Britain got the land above. This created a solid line across a majority of the northern border. This is important because this helped complete the long coast. -
mexican cession
The war had ended and the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo gave land to America. This completed manifest destiny. However, there was an issue with this. Previously, the 36' 30 line was to determine where slavery was allowed, but California was on both sides of this line. This is important because it created tensions about the conversation of slavery. -
compromise of 1850
To make up for the election since there was an issue with the popular/majority vote, a compromise was determined. This passed 5 laws that adjudicated what to do with slaves. In D.C., slavery was abolished. However, the fugitive slave act was passed, making sure runaway slaves return to their masters. This was significant because it notoriously made things more difficult for enslaved peoples at the time. -
kansas-nebraska act
Allowed the people of Kansas and Nebraska to decide if they wanted to employ slavery within their states. It also didn't allow any states above the 36' 30 line to become a slave state. This would later be an issue with the acquirement of the Mexican Cession. It also repealed the Missouri Compromise. This was significant because it increased tensions regarding slavery. -
bleeding kansas
Violent confrontations at the border of Kansas. These disputes were catalyzed by the issue of slavery and the issues it caused. Kansas would eventually be admitted as a free state. The violent protests resulted in many deaths, hence the name. This is important because it showed the power of the people. -
john brown's raid at harper's ferry
John Brown was an abolitionist. He took over Harper's Ferry with slaves and eventually died. His plan was to take over the arsenal and lead a violent protest against slavery. This was eventually seen as the beginning of the civil war, or at least the precursor. This was important because it set the tone against slavery and the civil war to come. -
battle of fort sumter
This was the first battle of the civil war. The confederacy captured fort Sumter. It was located in Charleston. This was unfair to the north since this was being fought on southern soil. The United States surrendered. This is significant because this was the beginning of the civil war. -
battle of bull run
The first battle of the civil war. It was a confederate win. It was fought in Virginia. This demonstrated that the south was able to combat the north ferociously. This also set the tone as a bloody war. This is significant because it was the beginning of the civil war. -
battle of antietam
Took place in Maryland. It was a tactically inconclusive battle. It prompted the issue of the emancipation proclamation. This became a small piece of hope for the union that it was turning around. This is significant because there was no true winner. -
emancipation proclamation
Declared that all slaves should be free. It was ordered during the civil war, which upset the south greatly. However, this only freed slaves not under union control. The other limiting factor was the confederacy had to rejoin the union for this to work. This was important because it was the beginning of abolishing slavery. -
gettysburg address
This is a speech given by Abraham Lincoln. It was a dedication to the soldiers that fought for their rights and died doing so. It reinforced the idea of union and equality for all. This took place in Pennsylvania at the Gettysburg cemetery. This was important as it addressed both sides and their dedication. -
battle of vicksburg
The union began taking over the Mississippi River and this split the confederacy in two. This severely stopped communication for the confederacy. This also stopped the transportation of troops and supplies. This was turning the war in favor of the union. This is significant for that reason. -
battle of gettysburg
Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the north failed. This was a Union Victory. Lee retreats, and this becomes the turning point of the war. The union had a large advantage over the south. This was important because it signified that the union was gonna win. -
sherman's march to the sea
Major General Sherman led fire attacks throughout the confederacy. This destroyed many plantations and other properties. It occurred throughout Georgia. It is considered a union victory. It was to scare the Georgia population out of joining the confederacy. -
presidential reconstruction
Began with Lincoln's plan. President Johnson picked it up after Lincoln's assassination. This asked that only 10% of the confederacy pledged allegiance to the union. This was much more lenient than Congress's plan. This is important because it showed how little the presidents required to feel satisfied. -
congressional reconstruction
Much more radical approach to reconstruction compared to presidential reconstruction. This wasn't just concerned about preserving the union but abolishing slavery. This would make the south pay for the issues they caused by supporting slavery. This would protect slaves. This is important because it brought us closer to a better future for African Americans. -
13th amendment passed
This amendment abolished slavery except in cases of punishment for crimes. It gave African Americans freedom. The south was very upset with this and violent groups erupted. The main one is the KKK, who participated in lynching and other violent fear tactics. This was significant because it set slaves free. -
14th amendment
This amendment stated that all people born on American soil are naturalized citizens. No state shall deprive them of their privileges or immunities. They shall not deprive them of their life, liberty, or property without due process of the law. This gave natural-born children American rights. This is important because this made it so African Americans can be considered citizens if they were born in America. -
15th amendment passed
While it states all citizens should be allowed to vote, this truly only meant men. They shall not be discriminated against on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This was eventually curbed by adding disadvantages to the voting system. This included the Jim Crow laws and illiteracy tests and taxes. This is important because African Americans could vote. -
plessy v. ferguson
Plessy v Ferguson was a way to limit African Americans after slavery. This established the "separate but equal" mentality. This made a constitutional justification for racism. African American areas were never upheld and this gave a major economic deficit. Jim Crow laws were also established. This is significant because it demonstrated that we were far from equality.