-
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was very important since it was the first battle of the American Revolution. The minutemen met the British at Lexington. (Minutemen were people who were ready to fight at a minute's notice.) They lost that battle, but they started to drawback to Concord. It was here that the colonist won against the British. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga is important because it was considered a turning point in the war in favor of America. This was a Patriot victory as they fought. France was convinced to join America in its efforts against the British. This win also renewed the morale of the people that they have a chance to win. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown is very important because it ended the American Revoluntary War. The British surrendered after American and French forces fought on for about three weeks. George Washington and Lord Charles Cornwallis were two notable generals for their sides. The British probably would have tried to keep fighting, but they didn't resources. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was created as the land in the Northwest territory was given to America. This territory had enough people to apply for statehood and five new states were admitted to the Union. These states would have the same protection and rights as the other states. It also prohibited slavery in this territory. This event is important in history because it set the precedent for new states that want to enter the Union. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was land that Thomas Jefferson bought from France. Jefferson felt like this was unconstitutional because he had a strict interpretation of the Consitution. He didn't think that the president had the power to do that. The Northwest Ordinance had an impact on this purchase since it allowed for new territories to become states. This is important in history since it doubled the size of the country and the purchase also set the precedent for future land acquisitions. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise is important in history because it would soon cause problems in the future regarding the expansion of slavery. This compromise needed to be made there was already an equal number of slave and nonslave states when Missouri wanted to apply to become a state. Missouri ended up becoming a slave state while Maine became a free state. The Mason Dixon Line also drew the line for the expansion of slavery. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was created by James Monroe. The document said that European nations should not try to recolonize it. This wasn't very effective at the time since the other countries knew that the US couldn't keep their promise because they weren't strong enough. European nations were also annoyed that the US was trying to tell them what to do. This document is important because it was used later for future presidents. -
Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis with vice president John C Calhoun from South Carolina. The federal government passed an expensive protective tariff that Calhoun and other southerners didn't like. They argued that if a federal law harms the state, that state can nullify it. The tariff was lowered by a compromise that was made. This is important in history since state rights would continue to be a problem. -
Texas Annexation
The people in Texas rebelled against Mexico for their independence. Texas was not admitted into the Union straight away, so Texas became an independent republic for ten years while they waited for Congress to make their decision. The problem was, there was a border dispute between them and Mexico. There was also an even number of slave and nonslave states in Congress. This is important in history since it led to the Mexican American war. -
Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Territory was claimed by the British by the time that America wanted it. Americans wanted a specific amount of land at the 54'40 parallel. However, the negotiations caused conflict. To avoid war, the negotiations led to the US to control the 49th parallel instead. This is important since this land is for Manifest Destiny. -
Mexican Cession (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo)
The Mexican American War ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty let the US acquire about 1/3 of Mexico's land. This new land is the Mexican Cession. Mexico was not very happy with the US when they lost the war and their land. This event is important since it completed Manifest Destiny. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 is important because it allowed the North and the South to temporarily settle the problem of slavery. This Compromise had five parts. It introduced popular sovereignty and it would be used by states gained from the Mexican Cession. California gets admitted as a free state and the slave trade is prohibited in DC. The Fugitive Slave law strengthens that requires all escaped slaves to be returned to the South. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act is important in history because it would lead to Bleeding Kansas and lead to the emergence of the Republican Party. The states Kansas and Nebraska did not know if they were going to be slave states or not. Stephen Douglas proposed that popular sovereignty be used. This overturned the Missouri Compromise that turned into a violent conflict. -
Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas
This event is important in history because the fighting between pro and anti-slavery forces are finally starting to occur. This is going to lead to the Civil War. The people in the North didn't want Kansas to be a slave state because it was above the boundaries set for slavery. The South wanted slavery to be here, so they tried their hardest to win a victory. However, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state. -
John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry
John Brown's Raid is important in history because it led to controversy over the spread of slavery which would soon lead to war. John Brown led a raid to try to arm slaves to start a rebellion. He used violence to try to scare slave owners. The southerners felt like the North approved this, do the divide between the two increased. -
Battle of Bull Run
The Battle of Bull Run is important because it showed everybody that the war was going to last longer than people thought. In this battle, the Confederacy won. Their general was Stonewall Jackson. Lincoln also replaced General Irvin McDowell with George G. McClellan. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter is important because it was the first battle of the Civil War. The Confederacy fired first in the bombardment in South Carolina. The South won by their superior military leaders. It was also in their territory, so they were able to easily navigate the land to win. -
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam is important because it is known as the bloodiest day in the entire Civil War. This was the South's first invasion of the North. Nobody really won, so it was a draw. This battle encouraged Lincoln to plan the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Presidential Reconstruction (1863-1867)
Presidential Reconstruction is important in history because it was the first plan for Reconstruction. This was supposed to make it very easy for the South to join the Union again. Lincoln wanted the 10% plan which would make the South accept Emancipation and make an oath to the Union. Andrew Johnson also agreed with this, but he also granted pardons. Congress soon took over after he was impeached. -
Battle of Vicksburg
The Battle of Vicksburg is important because it was a turning point in the western theatre. The South lost territory when it was split and lost control of the Mississippi River. This caused the Union to win this battle. It took multiple tries to capture the city. However, Lincoln persisted. -
Battle of Gettysburg
This battle is important in history because it is known as the bloodiest battle in the whole Civil War. Robert E. Lee tried to invade Pennsylvania but had to retreat. He thought he was winning, but the Union was able to make a comeback. Lee lost 1/3 of his army. This is also the last attempt the South makes to invade the North. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was important because it promised freedom. Even though it didn't actually free many slaves, it gave slaves hope that things would change. President Lincoln made this proclamation so that the states in rebellion would be required to free there slaves. They didn't listen though. However, slaves were allowed to fight in the war with the Union, so many left the South to join the war. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is important because it showed Lincoln's true motives as president. The Gettysburg Address was made right after the Battle of Gettysburg. Many people died in this battle, so the Address was made to honor those who have fallen. Lincoln also promised that he would always preserve the Union. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea was led Willilam Sherman from the Union. He was trying to get Georgia to leave the Confederacy. From Atlanta to Savannah, land was burnt and buildings destroyed. Technically, the Union won this battle. This event is important because the stragety "total war" was used. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is important because it officially ended slavery in the US. In order to rejoin the Union, southern states must ratify this amendment. Even though they did this, the South still tried to keep things the way things were before the war. Black Codes were passed to limit the rights of freedmen. -
Congressional Reconstruction (1867-1877)
Congressional Reconstruction is also known as Radical Reconstruction. The main goal of this was to punish the South. During this, the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 was passed that split the South into military districts. They must also ratify the 14th amendment and grant African Americans the right to vote. This time period was important because African Americans are finally getting the rights that they deserved everywhere in the country. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment is important because it granted birthright citizenship no matter what your race is. This overturned the Dred Scott decision so that African Americans are finally viewed as people. This is the only time a court ruling was overturned because of an amendment. Southern states were also required to ratify this amendment to rejoin the Union as well. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment is important because it was the last reconstruction amendment. It allowed all men to vote. The main reason behind this was that the Republican Party wanted African Americans to vote for their candidates to protect their rights. This established a political power in the South. -
Plessy vs Ferguson
Plessy vs Ferguson was a case in the Supreme Court. This is important in history because it was one of the times that upheld "separate but equal". This case legalized segregation because they claimed that you could still be equal while segregated. This still violated the 14th amendment, but nobody bothered to change this case decision until later.