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Jefferson Davis
was born in Kentucky and was a soldier and slave owner. He became a Democratic member of the House of Representatives and then the Senate, and also served as US secretary of war between 1853 and 1857. He was chosen as president of the Confederate States of America in 1861. Davis retained this position throughout the Civil War, until the CSA's defeat in 1865. -
Abraham Lincoln
was born into a poor farming family. A largely self taught lawyer, he went on to serve for one term as a Whig in the House of Representatives. In 1856, he helped form the republican Party. Lincoln stood for the Senate in 1858. In 1860, he won the presidential election as a Republican with just 39% of the vote. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe
was a staunch abolitionist who wrote uncle toms cabin partly in response to what she saw as the injustices of the fugitive slave act. She took up writing to help support her large family and was genuinely surprised at her national and international success, and at the impact her work had. -
Stephen Douglas
was a Democratic Party nominee for president in 1860. Despite winning several debates against the Republican candidate Abraham, Douglas lost out to him in the presidential elections, A supporter of the Union who was married to a slave owner, Douglas was an advocate of popular sovereignty in the states as a solution to all problems. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny started being used in the 1840s and was the idea that the United States was destined to expand into, settle and rule over the entire North American continent. Some of the main ideas of Manifest Destiny are as follows: US expansion to Pacific, Agressive US Nationalism and spreading of Christianity/Republican Values. -
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty
This treaty was signed between Britain and the United States on August 9th 1842. As a result of this the US border along the 49th parallel remained and the United States gained The Oregon territory. -
James Polk
Conflict between the USA and Mexico became much more likely when James Polk became president in 1845 because was a strong believe in 'manifest destiny'. -
Polk sends troops
Troops were sent beyond the Nueces River, the recognised border between Texas and Mexico, to the Rio Grande, 240 km further south, which the Mexicans did not accept as a border. -
Mexican American War
On April 25, 1846, Mexican cavalry attacked a group of U.S. soldiers in the disputed zone under the command of General Zachary Taylor, killing about a dozen. -
Battle of Palo Alto
On May 8, 1846, shortly before the United States formally declared war on Mexico, General Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) defeated a superior Mexican force in the Battle of Palo Alto. The battle took place north of the Rio Grande River near present-day Brownsville, Texas. -
Resaca de la Palma
Although the Mexicans held a good defensive position, they were scattered by the Americans, who used their artillery and cavalry to good effect. Taken together, the battles were a win for the Americans, who proceeded to invade Mexico, making their way towards Monterrey and Saltillo. -
Bear Flag Revolt (John Fremont)
John Fremont led a rebellion in 1846 against the Mexicans in order to establish an independent Republic of California. The US navy then landed marines and claimed California for the United States. The Navy then defeated a combined Native American/Mexican Army at the Battle of the Plains of Mesa in 1847 which opened way for peace negotiations. -
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot ,from the Northern state of Pennsylvania, introduced an amendment to a congressional bill that would provide President Polk with 2 million to assist in peace talks with Mexico -
The California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush started on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This caused around 300,000 people to venture into California from around the United States and abroad. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago is the peace treaty signed on February 2, 1848, in the Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo between the United States and Mexico that ended the Mexican–American War. -
Political Issues
Although the creators of the US Constitution had hoped to create a system of government that would prevent political parties ever being formed, this did not happen. -
The Compromise of 1850
The failed outcome of the Wilmot Proviso led to the creation of the compromise. The Compromise added California to the USA, New Mexico and Utah became US territories, the slave trade was abolished in Washington and a new Fugitive Slave Act was passed. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
A novel published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe exposed the cruel realities of slavery. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
It effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, as the states had the option of choosing to be slave states rather than their free status being assured by federal law due to their geographic position. -
Formation of the Republican Party
Northern Whigs, Northern Democrats and the Free Soil Party came together between 1854 and 1856 united by their support for abolitionism and formed the Republican Party -
'Bleeding Kansas'
The first territorial election in Kansas was planned for the spring of 1855. Rumors spread that anti slavery groups from the north east were planning to send 20,000 supporters to dominate the election, known as border ruffians. Pro slavery won so the anti slavery supporters held their own illegal election which resulted in a civil war in which 200 people died. -
The Dred Scott case
Dred Scott was a slave who had lived in free territories as well as in slave state. He went to court to gain US citizenship and his case reached the highest court in the nation. -
The Lincoln Douglas debates
The national debate on the subject if states should be able to choose whether they were slave or free was debated by Stephan Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, Democrat and Republican respectively. -
The Raid on Harpers Ferry
A group of 22 men 17 white and 5 black attacked the US army's munitions depot in the town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Their leader was John Brown who was an ablitionist that typically used violence. The local militia regained control of the town, killing 8 men.Robert E. Lee led the US troops. -
Economic differences
By 1860, the original 13 states of the USA had grown to 18 free states and 15 slave states. The North's population was 18.6 million and the South's 10.5 million. -
Succession of the South
Even after Lincoln;s attempt of keeping the Us together by saying he would not intervene against the institution of slavery but Carolina was the first to succeed. Followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. -
Election of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was the surprise winner of the 1860 election, but he had also been an unexpected victor i the nomination process of the Republican Party. -
formation of the CSA
The south forms a new country called the Confederate States of America. They do this after the succession from the US due to civil rights and wanting to do what they please. -
Forming a Confederacy
Jefferson Davis was appointed provisional president of the Confederacy, in March a Constitution was ratified, made their own army and adopted its own flag. -
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Fort Sumter attacked
Confederate troops attack Fort Sumter when looking for supplies. No one is killed but it is the first battle of the Civil War. -
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Fort sumter attacked
Confederate troops attack Fort Sumter after the succession from the US while looking for supplies. No one is killed but it is the first battle of the Civil War. -
suspension of writ of Habeas Corpus
Lincoln suspends the writ of Habeas Corpus after threats of Maryland succeeded from the US. He suspended it in order to prevent Maryland from succeeding. -
Battle of Bull Run
fought on July 21, 1861 in Prince William County, Virginia, Confederate forces when the battle due to slow positioning of Union soldiers allowing reinforcements for the CSA. -
Naval War
Very short war in which Lincoln tried to cut off resources from the South, but when they resisted they failed. -
Battle of Shiloh
Confederates start a battle in southern Tennessee, in which they lose to the Union. -
Homestead Act of 1862
This act was signed in 1862 and gave 160 acres to any new white settler. By the end of the Civil War, 15,000 homestead claims had been established, and more followed in the postwar years. Eventually, 1.6 million individual claims would be approved; nearly ten percent of all government held property for a total of 420,000 square miles of territory. This was all to pressure the Native Americans and to take there land. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
The Second Battle of Bull Run was fought August 28–30, 1862 in Prince William County, Virginia, in which Confederate forces won. -
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest battle in the war, ending in a drawl but the US forces pushed back the confederates which Lincoln considered a victory. under the command of George McClellan, mounted a series of powerful assaults against Robert E. Lee’s forces near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln declares all slaves in the Union who rebel against the CSA will be considered free. -
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army, resulting in a confederate victory -
Siege of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War, Union victory -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. Union Victory -
Martial Law implemented
Lincoln implements Martial Law after riots on soldiers happen in Baltimore. -
Gettysburg Address
One of the most famous speeches is given by Lincoln who addresses all the deaths of the War so far and why the war is taking place. -
13th amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. In Congress, it was passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864 -
Shermans March
Sherman attempts to make the south surrender by showing them the true horrors of war during his march to the Sea -
Appomattox Surrender
Confederate Forces surrender to the Union -
Election of andrew johnson
serving from 1865 to 1869. Johnson became president as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. -
Civil rights act
The Civil Rights Act (1866) was passed by Congress on 9th April 1866 over the veto of President Andrew Johnson. The act declared that all persons born in the United States were now citizens, without regard to race, color, or previous condition. -
reconstruction acts
The Reconstruction Acts of 1867 laid out the process for readmitting Southern states into the Union. -
The purchase of Alaska 1867
Alaska was one of the last North American acquisitions and was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million on March 30th 1867. The United States purchased Alaska for the following reasons: to expand Pacific coastline of the USA, good fishing, spread US rule, good terms with Russia and to make a peaceful acquisition. -
14th amendment
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868, and granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. -
Grant elected
grant elected president against Horatio Seymour -
15th amendment
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869, and ratified February 3, 1870, the 15th amendment granted African American men the right to vote. -
Grant relected
Grant wins relection against Horace Greeley -
Financial crisis
The Panic of 1873 was a financial crisis that triggered a depression in Europe and North America that lasted from 1873 until 1879. -
The Great Sioux War
The Great Sioux War started in 1876 after gold was discovered in the Black Hills and gold prospectors/settlers were moving into to the Native American territory. Fighting began to break out between the settlers and the Native Americans which caused US army intervention triggering The Great Sioux War. -
End of reconstruction
Rutherford B. Hayes elected and end the period of reconstruction -
The Dawes Act
Congress created the Dawes Act in 1887 in order to break up the Native American tribal system and integrate Native Americans into US society. Individual Indians were given land in places where soil was unsuited for cultivation and over two-thirds of land for reservations were taken away and given to white settlement. -
Open Door Policy in China
This policy gave economic powers and trading access to countries such as the United States with an emphasis on free trade. -
The Cuban War of Independence
The Cuban War for Independence was the last liberation war that was fought with Cuba against Spain. It started on February 24th 1895 and developed into the Spanish-American War after the United States intervened. -
The sinking of the U.S.S Maine
On February 15th 1898 the U.S.S Maine exploded in Havana Harbour. Yellow Journalism quickly blamed Spain and swayed the United States into going to war against Spain in the Spanish-American War. -
The Spanish-American War
A conflict fought between the United States and Spain on April 21st 1898. This war was fought in Cuba over Cuban independence and the United States was triggered into fighting this war due to Yellow Journalism and the sinking of the Maine -
US annexation of Hawaii
Hawaii becomes annexed on July 7th 1898 as US businessmen dominated the economy and US citizens took key roles in the islands. -
1898 Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was an agreement made in 1898 that involved Spain giving Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States. -
The United States and the Philippines
Spain withdrew from the Philippines and US did not cooperate with the Filipinos which triggered the Philippine-American War on February 4th 1899. -
Foraker Act (Organic Act of 1900)
This act established a civilian government in Puerto Rico and was established on April 12th 1900. -
Panama Canal
The United States began Construction of the canal began on May 4th 1904. The canal was constructed in order to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans in order to reduce the time of maritime travel. -
United States Occupation of Nicaragua
In 1912 a US protectorate was announced and marines moved in to protect US business interests. -
President Woodrow Wilson
US president who served two terms in 1912 as well as 1916. Deeply believed in democracy, self determination and the US playing a special role in world affairs. -
The start of WWI and the US
When the War started in Europe, Woodrow Wilson believed that the United need to play a special role in world affairs. While the United States sympathized with allied forces it remained neutral in policy. -
United States occupation of Haiti
As a result of foreign debts, internal unrest, and fear of intervention of others US marines occupied Haiti on July 28th 1915. As a result of this occupation 10,000 Haitians were killed. -
Dominican Republic
The first United States occupation of the Dominican Republic lasted from 1916 to 1924. It was one of the many interventions in Latin America undertaken by the military forces of the United States in the 20th century. On May 13, 1916, Admiral William B. Caperton forced the Dominican Republic's Secretary of War Desiderio Arias, who had seized power from Juan Isidro Jimenes Pereyra, to leave Santo Domingo by threatening the city with naval bombardment. -
The Fourteen Points
On January 8th 1918 President Wilson presented his fourteen points as a part of post war peacemaking process. -
The Washington Naval Conference
The Washington Naval Conference was a military conference held in Washington, D.C., from 12 November 1921 to 6 February 1922. The United States, Japan, China, France, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Portugal all attended to discuss matters regarding interests in the Pacific Ocean and East Asia. -
Good Neighbor policy
The Good Neighbor Policy was a promise by Roosevelt to respect the rights of other nations in the Americas. This put more focus on co-operation and trade and less on the use of military force. -
Cultural differences
Although Americans from the North and South came from the same European emigrants, by the middle of the 19th century different social values emerged into the two regions. -
suspension of writ of Habeas Corpus used
In response to that Maryland may succeed from the US, Lincoln issues the suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus to try and prevent this from happening. This is the first time is has ever been suspended
