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Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance comes from Treaty of Paris 1783 which gives the US control of territory west of the Appalachian Mountains. It states that slavery is illegal in the Northwest territory. It also set the precedent for how new states would enter the union. It was important because it expanded the U.S. and let new states enter the Union on the same footing. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was purchased by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson purchased it from a treaty with France. It Secured control of the Mississippi River as a highway for American products through port of New Orleans to world markets. It was important because it set a precedent on future land acquisitions. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Main as a free state. It also drew a line at at 36’30”. This line was called the Mason Dixon Line. It was important because it set a rule on what states were going to be free and what states were going to have slaves. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was issued by President James Monroe. It warned European countries not to recolonize Latin America. The Monroe Doctrine didn't do anything immediately, but it was used as a basis for future presidents’ involvement with Latin American affairs. It was important because it helped future presidents’ involvement with Latin American affairs. -
Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis happened because the federal government passed a very high protective tariff. John C. Calhoun declared that states have the right to nullify federal law if it hurt the state. Andrew Jackson wanted to do something but he didn't want to lose the support of the south. It was important because it ended up lowering the tariff for the south. -
Texas Annexation
Texas couldn't be annexed because Mexico didn't recognize them as free. They also couldn't be annexed because of the balance of free and slave states. Texas remained an independent republic for almost a decade while the slavery issue was figured out. It was important because it expanded the U.S.'s territory. -
Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Treaty was made because America and Britain were fighting over the Oregon territory. Americans said “54’40o or Fight!”. America and Britain negotiated and agreed that the US would control south of the 49th parallel. I was important because the treaty prevented war. -
Mexican Cession (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo)
The Mexican Cession happened after the Mexican American War. It happened because Mexico lost the war and had to give up a lot of their land. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican American War and gave the U.S. their land including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and part of Colorado. It was important because it completed Manifest Destiny. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was passed in 1850. It replaced the Missouri Compromise. The Compromise of 1850 included the Fugitive Slave Law which required Northerners to return runaway slaves to their original owners. It was important because it increased sectionalism. -
Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas
Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas happened when the two sides sent supporters to sway the vote. The were fighting for anti-slavery and pro-slavery. The engagement turned violent and was known as Bleeding Kansas. It was important because a new party emerged call the Republican Party. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska was an act that overturned the Missouri Compromise. The Kansas Nebraska act states that it will allow states above the 36’30” to vote if they want to have slaves or not. Both sides sent supporters to sway the vote. It turned violent and is known as Bleeding Kansas. It was important because it led to the emergence to the Republican Party. -
Presidential Reconstruction
Presidential Reconstruction was Lincoln's and Johnson's plan. Presidential Reconstruction was meant to preserve the Union. Lincoln only required 10% of voters to swear an oath to the Union. It was important because it let the south back into the Union easily. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run occurred in July 1861. It happened at Bull Run Creek outside Manassas, Virginia. The Generals were General Irvin McDowell (Union) General Thomas J. Jackson (Confederacy). The Union troops had the upper and in the beginning but the confederacy won. It was important because it made Lincoln replace McDowell with General George G. McClellan in hopes he would lead the Union to victory. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter began on April 12, 1861. It started when confederate forces fired on the Union-held garrison. The garrison commander surrendered on April 13th, and was evacuated the next day. It was important because it was the first battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam occurred at Antietam Creek, Sharpsburg, Maryland. The two Generals were General George McClellan (Union) and General Robert E. Lee(Confederacy). This is the bloodiest day of the war. It was important because Lincoln had found the opportunity he needed to move forward with Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg occurred in the May of 1863. It happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The generals were Ulysses S. Grant (Union) and John Pemberton (Confederacy). Grant seiged Vicksburg after multiple attempts to capture the city. It was important because it was key to ending the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was first introduced on Sep 22, 1862. It was effective on Jan. 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves. It said states in rebellion on Jan 1, 1863 would be commanded to free their slaves. The slaves heard of the Emancipation Proclamation and they ran to the north for freedom. It was important because it allowed African Americans to fight for the Union. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was given in the November of 1863. It was given in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was delivered by Abraham Lincoln. The speech's purpose was to dedicate a cemetery to the fallen soldiers. It was important because Lincoln dedicated it to the fallen soldiers and it represented that all men are are created equal. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg occurred the July of 1863. The generals were General George G. Meade (Union) and General Robert E. Lee (Confederacy). The confederates seemed victorious as night fell, but the Union had swift thinking and that gave them and advantage. It was important because the Union was able to turn the direction of the battle and got the victory. -
Sherman’s March to the Sea
Sherman's goal was to capture the port at Savannah, Georgia. He marched from Tennessee, utilizing scorch earth methods. He also used the total war strategy. This was an important triumph, because Atlanta was a railroad hub and the industrial center of the Confederacy. -
13th Amendment passed
The 13th amendment ended slavery. Southern States had to recognize the 13th amendment before they could form governments. It was important to history because it was one of the first steps to getting freedom for African Americans -
14th Amendment passed
It granted all men born in American citizenship. It overturned the Dred Scott decision Because he was born in America. It gave equal protection and under the law and due process of law. It was important because it gave a lot of people citizenship like African Americans. -
Congressional Reconstruction
Congressional Reconstruction was passed in 1866. The goal of it was to punish the south. The south had to ratify the 14th amendment, they had to let African Americans vote, and they also split the former confederacy into 5 military districts. Congressional Reconstruction was important because it gave African Americans more rights and protection. -
15th Amendment passed
The 15th Amendment gave all men the right to vote. That meant that African American men could vote. The south passed Black Codes to try to prevent African Americans from voting. It was important because it gave African Americans more freedom. -
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Plessy v. Ferguson was a court case that legalized segregation. It made something called "separate but equal". It Negated equal protection provisions of 14th Amendment and brought more Jim Crow laws. It was important because it legalized segregation and the south didn't protect African American's rights.