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Period: to
Pre-Civil War
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Gabriel's Rebellion
Gabriel Prosser was a literate slave and the leader of an attempted slave rebellion. A traitor warned the authorities before the attacks occurred, and Prosser, along with 26 other slaves, were hanged. As a result, the Virginian slave laws became more harsh. -
Louisiana Purchase
The acquistion of the Lousiana territory by the United States from France. Included states such as Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. -
Embargo Act of 1807
An embargo that made all exports in United States illegal. It was an effort by th United States to avoid conflict and remain neutal in the Napoleonic Wars. -
Abolition of Slave Trade
Congress formally abolishes American participation in the African Slave Trade and bans the importation of slaves into the United States. -
Non-Intercourse Act
This replaced the Embargo Act of 1807 and it formally re-opened trade with all nations except England and France. The implementation of this act was meant to display their neutrality in the war between Britain and France. -
Macon's Bill No. 2
This law was made as a bargaining measure: the US would lift all embargoes with Britain and France for three months; if one country ceased attacks upon American ships, the US would end trade with the other. -
Charter of the First Bank of United States expires
The first national bank's charter expires. -
War of 1812 officially declared
The United States officially declares war on Britain due to several reasons, including the impressment of American sailors into the British Royal Navy, trade restrictions brought about by Britain's war with France, and British support for the Native Americans. -
American Colonization Society (ACS)
The American Colonization Society (ACS) was established as a national organization that encouraged free blacks to emigrate to the colony of Liberia. ACS members saw no way for free blacks to truly integrate into American society and viewed relocation as the best solution for all parties involved. -
Second Bank of the United States becomes chartered
The Second Bank of the United States was chartered with the same responsibilites and powers as the First Bank. -
The Adams-Onís Treaty
Treaty between United States and Spain that ceded the state of Florida to U.S. -
Panic of 1819
A financial crisis that occured in the United States due to some of the Second Bank's policies. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an act that allowed Missouri to enter the U.S. as a slave state, Maine to enter as a free state, and banned slavery in all areas north of latitude 36°30′ in the Louisiana territory. -
Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey was the leader of an attempted slave rebellion that set out to liberate all blacks and kill all whites in Charlestown, South Carolina. -
Tariff of 1828
A protective tariff that protected industry in northern United States by rising price on imported goods. -
Construction began on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
First railroad built in the United States that was intented for human transporation. Established by Baltimore merchants and connected Virginia -
Indian Removal Act was passed
Authorized government to remove souther Indian tribes to territory west of the Mississippi River. -
Underground Railroads established
A network of secret routes used by slaves to escape slaves states to free states. -
Oregon Trail established
An emigrant trail that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. Established by early settlers. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner led the most successful and bloody slave rebellion in American history, in Southhampton county, Virginia. Killing somewhere between 55 and 65 Virginians, this rebellion instilled fear into the hearts of the white slaveowners. -
Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper
Cyrus invents the mechanical reaper which automates crop harvest. -
Tariff of 1832
Reduced the tariffs of 1828 to resolve conflict. -
Jackson vetos the renewal of the Second Bank of the United States
Jackson believes that having a single federal bank can prove hazardous. The bank would have too much power. -
American Anti-Slavery Society founded
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Specie Circular
Requried government payments to be made in gold and silver instead of paper money. -
Panic of 1837
Another financial crisis where many people went bankrupt after being unable to pay for the government debts. -
Trail of Tears
A series of forced relocations of Native Americans. -
Invention of the telegraph
Due to the increased size of the country, a developed communication systems was strongly needed. Developed by Samuel Morse in 1848, the telegraph revolutionized long distance communication in the US. -
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass published
Friedrick Douglass publishes his memoir regarding his experiences as an escaped slave, an orator, and an abolitionist. -
Invention of the sewing machine
Through the design of inventor John Fisher, Elias Howe and Isaac Merritt Singer built the first modern sewing machine using all the elements incorporated from the previous half century of innovation. This invention revolutionized the clothing manufacturing industry, as clothes were now made in factories rather than at home. -
Wilmot Proviso
This controversial proviso banned slavery in any territory that might be acquired from Mexico. This heavily increased the tension between the North and the South. -
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California
Discovery of gold which sparked and initiated the gold rush movements. -
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
The Treaty brought the official end of the Mexican-American War. It forced Mexico to agree to the conditions in the Slidell Mission. -
Married Women's Property Act
This act officially protects the property rights of married women across the US. -
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
After Harriet Tubman escaped from her slaveowner and became free, she went back to the south many times to help other slaves escape to the free northern states and to Canada. -
Compromise of 1850
Senator Henry Clay drafted a resolution that consisted of five laws concerning the issue of slavery. -
Fugitive Slave Act passed by US Congress
Passed after widespread resistance of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. It added more limitations on runaways and levied harsher punishments against those who interfere. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin published
In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published her novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The book sold more than 300,000 copies in its first year and was one of the most popular books of its time. Its anti-slavery message inspired great controversy in the North and in the South as it had strengthened the abolitionist movement in the North, threatening the South. In response to its popularity, many Southerns wrote "anti-Tom" books that portrayed slavery and Southern society more positively. -
Gadsden Purchase Treaty
A treaty signed by United States that purchased present day Arizona and New Mexico. -
Republican Party formed
Republican Party founded by former Whigs and Free-Soilers. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act mandated "popular sovereignty", allowing the settlers of a new terrritory to decide whether or not slavery is allowed. -
Supreme Court hands down ruling on Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott was the slave of an army surgeon. He sued the estate of Sanford when they went to a free state but didn't free him. The court ruled against him because he had no rights as a slave. The Supreme Court ruling dictated that Congress had no right to outlaw slavery in its territories. -
John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry
John Brown was a zealous abolitionist who believed that God was personally carrying out his vengeance through Brown. In 1859, he led a raid on the armory at Harper's Ferry. He was captured and executed. Southerners condemned him as a murderer and abolitionists hailed him as a martyr. -
Lincoln elected as president
The Republic candidate Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. This inspired discontent in the south, as many of them thought that Lincoln was too biased in favor of Northern sentiments. -
South Carolina declares secession from Union
South Carolina declares its secession from the union. It inspires the other Southern states to follow its example. -
First Battle of Fort Sumter opened
The Civil War officially begins.
