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Declaration of Independence
On July 4 1776, The Declaration of Independence was passed by the Continental Congress. This Declaration declared the 13th American colonies free and independent of Great Britian. This document gave Americans liberty and equality. -
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Mexican American War
The war between Mexico and America began when Americans wanted to expand across North America which included Mexico. After many years of battling, America had defreated Mexico and claimed the northern half of Mexico, which is todays California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. -
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California Gold Rush
On January 24, James Wilson Marshall found flakes of gold in the American River at the end of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Coloma, California. James tried to keep the gold a secret but word got out. Due to the gold many people began to move to California and search for some gold of their own. This caused Californias population to increase rapidly. -
The Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act was passed by Congress on May 30, 1854. This Act allowed people in the area of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves if salvery would be allowed in their borders. After the Kansas Nebraska Act was passed, pro-slavery and anti-slavery settled in the territories to influence the results of the vote. Eventually,anti-slavery settlers outnumbered pro-slavery settlers and a new constitution was created. As a result Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state. -
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John Browns Raid
On October 16, 1859, the white abolitionist, John Brown, raided United States Armory and Arsenal, Harpers Farry with several other people. His goal was to start an armed slave revolt. John Brown did not reach his goal and was found guilty of treason. The actions of John Brown and his men brought national attention to the emotional divisions concerning slavery. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emacipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincon. It declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America that did not return to Union power. The major signifigance of this Proclamation was it altered the cause and reasons for the Civil War. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendement was established in the United States Constition and abolished slavery. Even thought the 13th amendment was passed on January 31, 1865, it was not ratified by the states untill December 6, 1865. -
14th Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendent was adopted on July 9, 1868, during the period of Reconstruction. Its goal was to establish that all citizens where treated equal, and for the protection of the laws to be equal as well. The 14th Amendment greatly expanded the protection of civil rights to all Americans. -
15th Amendment
The Fifthteenth Amendement was adopted on Febuary 26, 1869. This Amendment prohibited any government within the United States to deny a citizen the right to vote based on their appearance, such as race. This Amendment allowed many African Americans to be elected in the public office.
