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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise regulated slavery in the west, north of the parallel 36°30′ north. It was important because it set up a dividing line about whether new states would allow slavery or not. -
Monroe Doctrine
A principle of US policy that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas is a potentially hostile act against the US. It was important because it showed that new independent states wouldn't tolerate European countries interfering. -
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Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a 13 day attack from Mexico on the Alamo Mission. It was important because the Texans were fighting for their independence from Mexico. -
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was an event caused by President Jackson refusing to renew the charter of Second Bank. It was important because it caused a 5 year depression. -
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Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears forced the Cherokee Nation to give up its land and move east of the Mississippi River. It was important because it's one of the most tragic and shameful events in American history. -
Pre-emption Act
The Pre-emption Act was passed in response to the Western States that squatters be allowed to preempt lands. It was important because pioneers had been settling on public lands before they could be surveyed and auctioned by the US government. -
Bear Flag Revolt
The Bear Flag Revolt was a small group of American settlers that rebelled against the Mexican government. It was important because after the revolt, the US military was able to occupy California, letting it join the union in 1850. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was was created to make peace between the North and the South. It was important because the South got the Fugitive Slave Law, and the North got a new free state, California. -
Fugitive Slave Law
The Fugitive Slave Law was passed as part of the Compromise of 1850 between Southern slave-holding interests and Northern Free-Soilers. It was important because it deepened the dividion in the country over the issue of slavery. -
Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase was an agreement beyween the US and Mexico where America payed $10 million for a 29, 670 square mile portion of Mexico. It was important because it gave the US land to Arizona and New Mexico. -
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent political confrontations in the US involving anti-slavery and pro-slavery elements in Kansas. It was important because the people causing these attack would help determine whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Case was a landmark decision by the US Supreme Court US labor law and constitutional law. It was important because it determined whether a slave in a free state and territory could be entitled to freedom, and that they could never be citizens. -
Harper's Ferry
In 1859, John Brown initiated an armed slave revolt, taking over a US Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. It was important because he was trying to end the institution of slavery. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation declared that "all persons held as slaves" are free. It was important because it abolished slavery in the Union. -
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by President Lincoln at the official dedication ceremony for the National Cemetery of Gettysburg. It was important because in the speech, he invokes the principles of human equality. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the US. This was important because it freed an entire race of people that were living in America. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment addressed citizenship rights and and equal protection of the laws related to former slaves. This was important because it let former slaves gain the rights that US citizens had. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment prohibited governments from denying people the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude". This was important because it meant that former slaves could now legally vote.