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Battle of Lexington & Concord
This battle was known as the "shot heard around the world". It was a war between the colonists and the British army. This war is also a signal to the British this would be a long, difficult, and expensive war. In the end, the colonists lost. This event is important to US history because it is the start of a long war during the revolution. -
Battle of Saratoga
In this battle, the Continental Army defeated the British. This battle also signaled the French that the colonists had a chance to succeed. This led to the French declaring war against the British. French was already a natural enemy to the British. This event is important to US history because this battle is a turning point in the war. -
Battle of Yorktwn
This battle led to the ending of the American Revolution. This was an American victory for the US. This led to the talk of the British surrender. This was also one of the most important battles of the American Revolution. This event is important to US history because it was part of the ending of the American Revolution. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was created after the war between the US and Britain. The Treaty of Paris has signed it was an agreement settle between the US and Britain in which Britain could no longer have control over colonies/territories from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. As a result of this treaty, the territory was now under the control of the national congress. The Northwest Ordinance is important to US history because it allowed for states to enter the US. -
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase was purchased by Thomas Jefferson. The territory was acquired by the US through France. After the territory was purchased Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore hoping to find a Northwest Passage. Instead, the Oregon territory was discovered. This event is important to US history because control of the Mississippi River was gained as a highway and more government-owned land was provided. -
Missouri Compromise
The US tried to keep the balance of slave states and free states and they did. Until the state wanted to be a slave state this then threw off the balance. As a result, the Missouri compromise was created which turned Missouri into a slave state and Maine into a free state. The 36'60" line was drawn for the expansion of slavery. This event is important to US history because this ended the expansion of slave states. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine is issued by President James Monroe in which told the Europeans to not recolonize Latin America. Enforcement of the Doctrine depended on the British navy. US military power was limited. After everything that has happened the Doctrine did nothing immediately. This event is important for US history was used as a basis for future president with Latin American affairs. -
Nullification Crisis
This event occurred because the federal government passed high protective tariffs. As a result John c. Calhoun tried nullifying the tariffs and SC wouldn't pay. Andrew Jackson wanted to prove that the federal government was strong but didn't want to lose the South's support. As result tariffs were lowered and SC was forced to pay. This event is important to US history because the government is now able to handle taxes within its boundaries. -
Texas Annexation
9 years after Texas gained its independence from Mexico it was acquired by America through annexation. Annexation is the process of adding territory. The reason for Mexico gaining its independence from Mexico was because Mexico outlawed slavery. Border disputes and slavery issues were the reasons that Texas could not be admitted as a state and were independent for a decade. This event is important to U.S. history because it leads to the Mexican American War. -
Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Territory was jointly claimed and established by Americans, British, and the Spanish. Spanish claimed it after the Adams-Onis treaty was signed. America and the British soon had a conflict that led to a negotiation of the border. All of this resulted in a headline "54'40 or fight" which was a supporting war. The negotiation led to the Oregon treaty. This event is important to US history because the US gained control of land 49 parallel and avoided war. -
Mexican Cession (Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago)
The Mexican Cession made up most of the Southwestern US. It was acquired by the US through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago. This treaty was a peace treaty that ended the Mexican American War. The Mexican Cession was a result of the Mexican-American War. This event is important to US history because it completed the Manifest Destiney. Manifest Destiney gives America control of all states from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 introduced popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty was a way for voters to vote on the issue of slavery. During the Compromise of 1850 California was admitted as a free state. New fugitive slave slaws were also enforced which required the north to return any runaway slaves. This event is important to US history because popular sovereignty is introduced. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act overturned the Missouri Compromise. This allowed popular sovereignty north of the 36'30". Stephen Douglas suggested popular sovereignty to decide whether or not states would be slave or free. So other states tried to sway voters to vote. This event is important to US history because it expanded the increase in slave and free states. -
Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas
As a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Bleeding Kansas occurred. Competition of pro-slavery and anti-slavery caused this war. This war led to the creation of a new political party the Republicans. This was a very violent war hence the name. This event is important to US history because a new political party was created. -
John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry
The goal of this violent raid was to start a rebellion. The raid as a result struck fear in slave owners. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter was the first war. The war only lasted a day. It started on April 12th and ended on April 13th when the commander of the garrison surrender. The result of the war depended on economic resources and geographic features. This event is important to US history because it was the first war. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run was one of the first battles as a result the Confederates won. It took place in Bull Run Creek. In the beginning, the Union had an advantage but the Confederacy succeeded in the end. People hoped the war ended sooner as they were unprepared. This event is important to US history because it was the first major war of the Civil War. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day of the war. With a total of 23,000 casualties. This was the first time that the South had invaded the North. Commander Robert E. Lee retreated to Virginia. This event is important to US history because this was the opportunity Lincoln used to move on with the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was won by the Union. Their swift thinking and use of strategies led them to victory. Lee retreated to Virginia again. This was also the South's second attempt of invading the North. This event is important to US history because it was a turning point in the Civil War. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was known as "The Turning Point". It allowed African Americans to fight in the war on the Union side. It did not attempt to free slaves. If slaves joined the war they had a chance of freedom. This event is important to US history because it was a Turning Point. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg occurred in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Union won with the help of Ulysses s. Grant. The surrender split the Confederacy. Lincoln also believed this was key to ending the war. This event is important to US history because it was the turning point in the western theatre. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address in Lincoln's famous speech. The famous speech was given after the war of Gettysburg on the battlefield dedicated as a cemetery. The speech talks about the struggles of the Civil War. Also a struggle of the Declaration of Independence. This event is important to US history because it was one of the most important US history. -
Shermans March to the Sea
William T. Sherman used the total war strategy. As a result, led his army on the march to the sea. Used the scorched earth method. The goal of this march was to capture a port at Savannah, Georgia. This event is important to US history because of the damage that was left behind. -
13th Amendment Passed
The 13th amendment ended slavery. The government for the South was formed around this amendment. Black codes had already been put in place. Though people were not willing to recognize the rights of freedmen. This is important to US history because it ended slavery. -
14th Amendment Passed
2 years after the 13th amendment the 14th amendment was passed. This amendment gave African American men citizenship. This amendment also overturned the Dred Scott decision. Equal protection under this law was also given. This event is important to US history because it grants citizenship to all men. -
Presidential Reconstruction
The presidential reconstruction consisted of 2 presidents Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Lincoln created the 10% plan in which 10% of voters have to oblige by certain rules. After Lincoln died Johnson took over and maintained the 10% plan with an added proposal. However, Johnson was soon impeached and power was weakened. This event is important to US history because it lays down the foundation for future president and the future of America. -
15th Amendment Passed
3 Years later after the 14th amendment, the 15th was passed. The 15th amendment grants all men including African Americans to vote. A desire was then created by the Republican party to create political power in the South. This amendment would soon be challenging for African American men. This event is important to US history because gave all men the right to vote. -
Congressional Reconstruction
Also known as Radical Reconstruction. The main goal of this reconstruction was to punish the South. The Military Act of 1867 created 5 military districts controlled by the US army. This also required the South to ratify the 14th amendment. This event is important to US history because the South has no choice but to ratify the 14th amendment. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson is a supreme court case that ruled "separate but equal". This case legalized segregation/discrimination. The government had now let go of protecting rights. This also bought moe, Jim Crow Laws. This event is important to US history because it legalizes segregation and discrimination.