Conflicts leading up to the Civil War

  • The battle of Tippecanoe

    The battle of Tippecanoe
    A conflict between the confederacy of native warriors led by Tecumseh, a Shawnee tribe member, and United States armed forces under the leadership of General William Henry Harrison. Fought primarily over white expansion into Indian territory.
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    War of 1812

    Over nine battles took place over a three year period
  • Battle of Queenston Heights

    Battle of Queenston Heights
    The battle of Queenston heights was a failed attempt by the US to invade Canada. A total of 925 U.S. troops were surrounded then captured by the British, after the main body of troops refused to cross the Niagara River in support.
  • Battle of Lake Erie

    Battle of Lake Erie
    Nine American ships engaged six British warships. Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry sailed directly into the British line, firing and forcing British surrender. The British then had to abandon Detroit.
  • Battle of Moraviantown

    Battle of Moraviantown
    US victory over British forces in Ontario, Canada. The victory gave the US control over the northwest
  • Battle of Châteauguay

    Battle of Châteauguay
    An attack by the British to influence the US to abandon a projected attack on Montreal.
  • Battle of Crysler's Farm

    Battle of Crysler's Farm
    The battle took place on farmland right by the St. Lawrence River. It ended with the Americans surrender after more than 400 men lost their lives.
  • Seminole War (1817-1818)

    Seminole War (1817-1818)
    The First Seminole War began over attempts by U.S. authorities to recapture runaway black slaves living among Seminole bands. U.S. military forces invaded the area wreaking havoc.
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    The Missouri Crisis

    Missouri bid to become the first state west of the Mississippi River, and to allow slavery within its borders. In the North, many people felt that adding Missouri as a slave state would upset the balance.
  • Missouri Compromise

    Missouri Compromise
    A group of northern congressmen accepted a deal that allowed Maine to enter the Union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. The deal preserved the balance between the north and south.
  • Indian Removal Act

    Indian Removal Act
    When congress passed the Indian Removal Act, over 46,000 Native Americans were forced to abandon their homes and relocate to the new “Indian Territory.” Many of them died on the trail from lack of food, proper clothing, and shelter. It became known as the Trail of Tears.
  • The Second Seminole War (1835-1842)

    The Second Seminole War (1835-1842)
    The Second Seminole War followed the refusal of most Seminoles to abandon the reservation that had been specifically established for them. The Seminole Warriors fought vigorously to defend their homeland, using guerrilla tactics. As many as 2,000 U.S. soldiers were killed during the prolonged fighting.
  • Panic of 1837

    Panic of 1837
    The Panic of 1837 was a major recession in the US economy that began in the spring of 1837 and lasted until the mid-1840s. During the “panic,” hundreds of banks collapsed, currency lost value as prices soared, and farmers, merchants, and business owners across the country suffered severe financial losses.
  • Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

    Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
    Mexican troops cross north of the Rio Grande River and opened fire on U.S. troops at Fort Texas. After Mexican troops retreat, General Taylor declares his army victorious.
  • Gadsden Purchase

    Gadsden Purchase
    United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizona and New Mexico.
  • The Third Seminole War (1855-1858)

    The Third Seminole War (1855-1858)
    The Third Seminole War was an effort to get the rest of the Seminole left to move west. The government ended up paying them to move.
  • The Battle of Fort Sumter

    The Battle of Fort Sumter
    Confederate warships turned back the supply convoy to Fort Sumter and opened a 34-hour bombardment on the stronghold. Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to join the Northern army.