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Northwest Ordinance
The northwest ordinance set a precedent for allowing new states to enter the union on equal terms to the 13 colonies. Also was the first attempt to make slavery illegal in an area. Increased tensions between different sections of the country due to the question of whether slavery should be spread to new territories. -
Louisiana Purchase
Territory purchased by Thomas Jefferson from Napoleon who needed money for the revolution. He sent Lewis and Clark to explore this territory in hopes of locating a Northwest passage. This is the largest bought territory in the US and is essential for making up a good portion of the country. -
Missouri Compromise
Compromise that entered Missouri in the US as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Also drew the line for the expansion of slavery at 36’30” line aka Mason-Dixon Line. This would allow for the debate over slavery to continue since the amount of slave states and free states are equal. -
Monroe Doctrine
Issued by President James Monroe that warns European Countries not to recolonize Latin America. It says "The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects." Was enforced by the British navy. Several presidents later on would use this doctrine notably Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. -
Nullification Crisis
States have the right to declare a federal law or tax null and void if it hurts the state. Started by John C. Calhoun who was angered by the Federal Government passing a very high protective tariff and attempted to nullify the tariff stating South Carolina wouldn't pay it. A compromise was eventually reached and the tariff was lowered and SC was forced to pay. Issue of states' rights would continue to stew. -
Texas Annexation
Texas was an independent republic but Mexico refused to acknowledge this. They weren't allowed to enter the US as a state because of the border disputes. The issue on Slavery as well was a factor which took almost 10 years before they were admitted as a state. -
Oregon Treaty
Land acquired by the US over a conflict with the British. The US was ready to go to war over this territory even headlining several newspapers "54'40* or Fight!". After negotiations the US end up controlling the south of the 49th Parallel and avoid war with the British. -
Mexican Cession
Polk sends troops to Rio Grande causing war. Was acquired by the US through war with Mexico ending in a treaty and completed Manifest Destiny. Very essential in making up a large part of the United States and compromised of several states today just from this territory. -
Compromise of 1850
Introduced the principle of Popular Sovereignty to decide the slave question. California is entered as a free state. Sale of slaves(not slavery) was prohibited in Washington D.C. New Fugitive Slave Law required the north to return runaway slaves. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Proposed popular sovereignty to decide whether the two states would be slave or free. And overturned the Missouri compromise allowing popular sovereignty north of 36'30". Led to a violent conflict known as Bleeding Kansas. -
Bleeding Kansas
Competition between of pro-slavery and anti-slavery which turned deadly and became known as bleeding Kansas.
Led to creation of a new party(Republican). -
Battle of Bull Run
A win for the Confederacy although the Union had the upper hand. Shocked several who hoped that the war would end quickly and the several dead soldiers that would result from the battle. Lincoln replace General McDowell with McClellan in hopes of guiding the Union into Victory. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Where the first gunshots were fired and declared the official start of the Civil War. Outcome depended on the amount of resources of the North and South as well as several geographic factors that influenced strategies, and the military and political leadership that influences public support. -
The Battle of Antietam
Known as the single bloodiest day of the war. Resulted in the death and injuries of 23,000 soldiers. Was the first Southern invasion into the North. Was a Tactical Draw in Antietam Creek, Sharpsburg, Maryland. Lee retreats to Virginia and this allows for Lincoln to push forward with the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Presidential Reconstruction
Plans to re-establish participation of the South back into the Union. Started with Lincoln's Plan that would require only 10% of voters to swear oath and accept terms of emancipating slaves. After his assassination Johnson the new president wanted to continue this plan but pardon those who swore allegiance and Congress saw this as being to lenient to the South and attempt to impeach him but he was acquitted by 1 Senate vote. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Although this document did not free the slaves unless in a state that was in rebellion it did allow for African Americans to fight on the side of the Union. Also made it impossible for the British to support the Southern War efforts. Was somewhat a step in getting AAs their rights. -
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln dedicates a cemetery to the fallen soldiers and describes the Civil War as a struggle to fulfill the DOC and preserve a nation dedicated to the idea that all men are created equal. -
The Battle of Vicksburg
Was a Union victory that results in the split of the Confederacy at the Mississippi River and gives the US control of the river. Believes the capture of Vicksburg is the key to ending the war. Key turning point in western theatre. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Lee retreats to Virginia. Was the Second and last attempt of the South to invade the North. Resulted in a Big Union victory. Causes nearly 1/3 of his fighting group to be killed or injured. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
William Tecumseh Sherman used total-war strategy leading forces on a march to the sea from the Tennessee-Georgia border using scorching east methods. His main goal was to obtain the port located at Savannah, Georgia. -
13th Amendment Passed
Amendment passed by Congress that would end Slavery permanently. Southern states would also have to recognize this amendment in order to form governments. Certain laws that would be referred to as "black code" would continue to negatively impact the lives of African Americans since southerners didn't want to recognize their rights. -
14th Amendment Passed
This amendment grants all men birthright citizenship. This overturns the Dred Scott decision by granting African Americans birthright citizenship. A big step in granting rights for African Americans. -
Congressional Reconstruction
Also know as the Radical Republican ReconstructionMain goal was to have the states submit to the will of the federal government. Also wanted the punish the South for the cause of the Civil War. Was much more strict than the Presidential Reconstruction. -
15th Amendment Passed
Amendment that allows for all men no matter the differences to be able to vote. African Americans would be sure to vote for the Republican Party to make sure their rights would continue to be protected. Another huge step in granting rights for African Americans. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Supreme Court upheld that segregation was legal as long as the facilities were deemed "equal" which led to the phrase "separate but equal. Also introduced more Jim Crow Laws. Of course these facilities weren't actually equal and would later on be overturned during the civil rights era via Brown v. Board of education.