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War of 1812
A series of economic sanctions taken by the British and French against the US and American outrage at the British practice of impressment caused the War of 1812. The war began with an attack on Canada which had long troubled the US. -
Missouri Compromise
Under the Missouri Compromise, Congress agreed to allow Missouri (a border state) to join the United States as a slave state, only if Maine (a north-eastern state)agreed to join as a free state. The purpose of this was to avoid disturbing the equal numbers of slave and free states. The compromise also included that the Louisiana Territory bought from France in 1803 would not allow slavery in any territory north of the latitude 36°30', unless already awarded statehood. -
Texas annexed by the USA
After Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836, Texans debated whether Texas should remain independent, or join with the USA. Under Mexican control, slavery was illegal; American settlers, many with slaves, had moved to Texas. The United States offered to annex Texas in early 1845, and an agreement was reached a year later. This event led to increased tension between Mexico and the United States. -
US-Mexican War
From April 1846 to February 1848 the US and Mexico were at war. They were fighting over territory (specifically texas) the election of James K. Polk, and the US's belief in Manifest Destiny. -
War with Mexico begins
President James Polk offered to buy the two northernmost territories of Mexico soon after the annexation of Texas into the USA; Mexico denied the offer. US troops were then sent past the Mexican-Texan border, the Nueces River, towards the Rio Grande, 240 km further south. Forces met and war began. The Mexican capital was taken by US troops, remaining until a peace treaty was signed. -
USA settles disputes with Britain over Oregon
James Polk sent the British government an offer for division along the 49th parallel (latitude 49°). Britain, however, argued for a border along the Columbia River. Many Democrats urged Polk to annex the 54°40′ parallel north. Just before the outbreak of the Mexican–American War, Polk returned to his earlier position of a border along the 49th parallel. The 1846 Oregon Treaty established acceptance of this border between British North America and the United States, naming Oregon as US territory. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends US-Mexican War
The US agreed to this treaty that declared American victory in the US-Mexican War. The USA gained two territories, Upper California and New Mexico. The treaty also established the Rio Grande as the official boundary between Texas and Mexico, in return for $15 million to be paid to Mexico by America. Now USA-owned land, above the Rio Grande, would be known as the Mexican Cession. -
Compromise of 1850
Millard Fillmore, vice president to president Zachary Taylor, agreed to solve some issues during this time, such as free/slave states. Under the Compromise of 1850, California joined the USA as a free state, New Mexico and Utah would decide whether to be free or slave, teh slave trade was abolished in Washington, DC, and a new Fugitive Slave Act was passed. All sides compromised, reducing the risk of future war. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin; affect on the war
The novel called "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852.This book was focused on the opposition of slavery and the abolitionist cause. It immediately became the most successful novel of the 19th century. The nickname "Uncle Tom" became an insult against the black man who serves the white people and their culture. The book encouraged abolition of slavery across the North and even spread in the South. -
The Gadsden Purchase
James Gadsden (US Minister to Mexico) and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana (President of Mexico) met in Mexico City to sign the Gadsden Purchase. The purpose of the treaty was to officially settle the dispute over the location of the mexican border to be west of El Paso for $10 million. -
Formation of the Republican Party
Northern Whigs, Northern Democrats, and the Free Soil Party united to form the Republican Party in 1854. Each of these groups opposed slavery and its expansion, as well as the Kansas-Nebraska act. The majority of Northerners supported this new political party. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act; Bleeding Kansas (to 1861)
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and provided states with he option of choosing their slave/free status, regardless of geographical location. This led to 'Bleeding Kansas', in which pro-slavery groups from Missouri, known as Border Ruffians, would 'persuade' voters to support Kansas becoming a slave state. This resulted in a local civil war between the two sides, in which over 200 people died. -
'Dred Scott' Judgement
Dred Scott, a slave that had lived in both free and slave states, went to court to gain US Citizenship, resulting in a decision by the US Supreme Court. The rulings included: Dred Scott had no right to be a US citizen, Dred Scott was bound by the laws of the slave state he had left, the original slave owner's property rights had to be respected, and Congress had no authority to limit slavery to certain parts of the USA. -
Treaty of Tianjin with China
The Treaty of Tianjin with China ended the first phase of the Second Opium War. The Ta-tsing Empire, Russian, and Second French Empires, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the parties involved.This opened more treaty ports to foreign trade, permitted foreign legations in beijing, allowed christian missionary activity, and legalized the import of Opium. -
Raid on Harper's Ferry
A group of 22 men attacked the US army's munitions depot in the town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Led by John Brown, the men hoped that the seizure of weapons would encourage African-Americans in the area to rise in support. However, this theory was wrong. The men were tried and punished. John Brown was hanged. This event divided the nation by opinion and support. -
Abraham Lincoln elected as president
Lincoln was the first Republican candidate to be elected. Lincoln won over the borderline states for the nomination, and outwon the John Breckenridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas in 1860 (Douglas won the 1856 elections). -
South Carolina secedes from the USA
South Carolina was the first state to vote to secede from the Union, claiming that Lincoln's election posed a direct threat to the Southern way of life. However, Lincoln explicitly stated that he did not intend to act against the institution of slavery in the Southern states. Also, the South had numerous interests; it would be difficult to oppose each of them. -
Jefferson Davis appointed president of the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis was a democratic member of Congress. Davis led troops to invade Fort Sumter and ordered that Sumter either surrender or be taken by force. Davis also led the Confederate states to form a new constitution. -
Six other states secede from the USA; the Confederacy established
Following South Carolina and the special assembly for dissolution of the state from the Union, the states of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded from the Union. These states joined with similar views on slavery to form the Confederate States. -
Lincoln Inaugurated as President
President-elect Abraham Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address in March of 1861. He claimed that he does not intend to interfere with slavery in already existing slave states. States that were unsure if this was true seceded from the Union. Those that accepted this truth or accepted his antislavery opinions, remained. -
Confederate States' Constitution was ratified
The Confederate States formed a constitution that protected Southern-valued rights such as slavery. The South also created an army and adopted its own flag in order to present itself with a new identity separate from that of the North. Southern legislature consisted of politically or economically influential men that could create a respected constitution in little time. -
Four more states join the Confederacy
Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia left the Union soon after fighting began in 1861. Although these states opposed Lincoln and supported slavery, some states continued to support slavery and remain in the USA. -
Attack on Fort Sumter
Confederate president Jefferson Davis led troops into Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, which was commanded by Union-loyalist Major Robert Anderson. Lincoln attempted to protect the Fort and avoid surrender, but Davis cut off supply to foods and weaponry. Confederate forces fired onto the fort on April 12, 1861, resulting in surrender by the federal commander. -
CSA forces take Fort Sumter
South Carolina succeeded from the Union in 1860. Confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Sumter and it resulted in Confederate victory in 1861. General Anderson from the Union reported he only had six weeks of food and supplies left. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard demanded the forts surrender and Anderson refused.Shortly after Confederacy opened fire and they did because they wanted a foreign force in its area which would be South Carolina. -
Beginning of War
After the surrender of Fort Sumter, the North was provoked. Lincoln called for arms on April 15 and acquired 75,000 men to defend the Union. four days later, he announced a naval blockade of the Confederate states. Each army grew immensely and the war had begun. -
Four slave states decided to stay in USA
Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri were four slave states that decided to stay in the Union. They decided this in June 1861. These states were known as border states because they were slave states that did not declare succession from the Union and did not join the Confederacy. They decided this because of widespread concern with military coercion of the Confederacy. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run consisted of the Confederacy and the Union. It happened July 21st, 1861. It was the first major battle of the Civil War. Each side had around 18,000 poorly trained troops in their first battle. It was followed by a disorganized retreat of Union forces. It took place in Virginia and it happened because tensions built up after Fort Sumter to start the war, -
Jefferson Davis elected president of CSA
Jefferson Davis was elected president of the Confederate States of America on November 6th, 1861. He ran unopposed and was elected to serve for a six year term. Davis had already been serving as the temporary president for almost a year. He had a military background and respected and shared Southern values. -
Trent Affair
The United States, U.K., and the CSA were all involved in the Trent Affair on November 8th,1861. The Union intercepted the British mail packet RMS Trent and removed to Confederate diplomats as contraband of war. They were James Mason and John Slidell. They were on their way to Britain and France to press the Confederacy's case for diplomatic recognition and military support. The U.K. was furious at the Union for the Trent affair and it almost caused a war between them. -
USA abolishes slavery in Washington D.C.
President Lincoln signed an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia which ended slavery in Washington D.C. by paying slave owners for releasing their slaves. This happened April 16th,1862 in the District of Columbia. He did this because he wanted to take slavery out of the nations capital to display that its morally wrong. -
The Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln and encouraged Western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of public land. Homesteaders had to pay a small filing fee and complete 5 years of residence before receiving ownership of the land. -
Second Battle of Bull Run
As a large Union force commanded by John Pope waited for George McClellan's army, Confederate General Robert E. Lee decided to strike first. Lee sent half of his army of Northern Virginia to hit the Federal supply base at Manassas. Led by Stonewall Jackson, the Confederates seized supplies and burned the depot. Then they took hidden positions in the woods. Popes men clashed with Jacksons men and both sides suffered greatly. It was a Confederate victory. August 28th-30th,1862 -
Battle of Antietam
General George B. McClellan of the Union army launched attacks against General Lee's Confederate army in defensive positions behind Antietam Creek. It was considered the single most bloodiest battle in American history to occur in one day. Although it was inconclusive, the Confederate troops had withdrawn from the battle field first making it a Union victory. It was the battle that gave Abraham Lincoln the confidence to announce the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation was an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln. He announced the Emancipation Proclamation after the Union victory at the Battle of Antietam. It granted freedom to slaves if the CSA did not return to the USA by January 1st, 1863. The proclamation also ordered that suitable persons among those freed could be enrolled into the paid service of the US armed forces. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was between the CSA and the USA and it lasted from July 1st-3rd, 1863. After a victory over Union forces at Chancellorville, General Lee marched his army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in June 1863. On July 1st, The Confederacy and the Union clashed at the crossroads town of Gettysburg. The next day there was even more intense fighting. It was the bloodiest battle in American history over the span of multiple days and it resulted in a USA victory. -
US Congress passes Wade-Davis Bill
The bill required 50% of the 1860 electorate to take a tougher "ironclad oath" of the past and future loyalty to the Union. They had to state that they had never given any voluntary help to Confederate forces. It excluded all those involved in the Confederacy from any role in future government and it demanded that the state constitution be changed to abolish slavery. Lincoln vetoed the Wade- Davis Bill because be believed it would prolong war but Congress passed it. -
Atlanta falls to US forces by Sherman
On September 1st, 1864 Union General Sherman captured Atlanta, Georgia which is a critical confederate spot. He instilled fear in the civilians and cut off supply lines. The Confederates retreated and destroyed the city's munitions as they went. He captured it to have control over a major Confederate territory. -
Lincoln defeats McClellan to be re-elected as US president
On November 8th, 1864 Republican Abraham Lincoln ran for re-election against Democratic candidate George B. McClellan. George B. McClellan portrayed himself as the peace candidate who wanted to bring the Civil War to a quick end. Lincoln was re-elected president by a huge lead in the Electoral College. -
Shermans March to the Sea through Georgia
From November 15th until December 21st, 1864 Union General William T. Sherman led 60,000 soldiers on a 285 mile march from Atlanta Georgia to Savannah Georgia.The purpose of this "March to the Sea'" was to frighten Georgia's civilians into abandoning the confederate cause. They stole livestock, food, and burned houses and barns of people who fought back. -
Richmond falls to US forces
On April 1st, 1865 Ulysses S. Grant crushed the end of General Lee's line of southwest of Petersburg. On April 2nd,1865 Union forces struck all along the Petersburg line, and the Confederates collapsed. The Confederate government fled the city with the army right behind. On April 3rd, Union forces entered Richmond and took over. -
Appomattox Court House
Confederate General Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in front of the Appomattox Court in Virginia on April 9th, 1865. Days earlier Lee abandoned the Confederate capital of Richmond and city of Petersburg, hoping to escape with the rest of his army of Northern Virginia, meet up with more confederate forces in North Carolina and resume fighting. Union forces cut off his retreat and Lee was forced to surrender making it the official end to the American Civil War. -
Lincoln Assassination
On April 14th, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln at a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth was a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer. He shot Lincoln five days after Confederate General Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court house in Virginia ending the American Civil War. Andrew Johnson, the vice president at the time, took over the presidency. -
13th Amendment to the Constitution
The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted on December 6th, 1865. It changed federal position on slavery because it meant that full emancipation was granted across the USA. Congress approved the Amendment in January of 1865. By the end of 1865, enough states had approved the 13th Amendment for it to become a law. It was meant to free the slaves and many Amendments were created to help former slaves and African Americans become productive members of society. -
Klu Klux Klan was founded
The KKK was founded by a group of Confederate veterans in Pulaski, Tennessee on December 24th, 1865. The KKK grew quickly from a secret society to a movement against the Reconstruction Era in the south. The KKK employed violence as a way of pushing back Reconstruction and its plan to give civil rights to African Americans. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first US Federal law to define citizenship and state that all citizens are equally protected by the law. Its sole purpose was to protect the civil rights of African Americans that were either born or brought to the U.S. It was passed by Congress and then vetoed by Andrew Johnson. Congress passed it again and Andrew Johnson vetoed it again except this time a two-thirds majority out did the veto and the Civil Rights Act became a law. -
The Great Sioux War
The Great Sioux War of 1876 was a series of battles and negotiations from 1876-1877 between the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and the US government. The war began over the US government wanting ownership of the Black Hills from the recent discovery of gold here. However, the Native Americans refused to cede ownership of the lands. -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act authorized the President of the United States to survey American Indian tribal land and divide it for individual Indians. -
Spanish-American War: aquisition of Cuba, Hawaii, and the Philippines
The Spanish American War was a conflict between the US and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin America. The war began from the Cuban struggle for independence in February of 1895. It eventually led to the US gaining Cuba, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. -
Theodore Roosevelt becomes President
At age 42, Teddy Roosevelt became the youngest man to assume the U.S. presidency after President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. He won a second term in 1904. He was involved in many important foreign affairs like the panama canal and writing the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. -
The Philippine Organic Act
Also known as the Cooper Act, named after Henry A. Cooper a member of the US house of representatives, was the first fundamental law created and enacted by Congress in order to establish a bicameral legislature 2 years after being established. This was supposedly established after peace was achieved but war was unofficially continued by a group known as the Irreconcilables. -
President Roosevelt issues the Monroe Corollary
The Monroe Doctrine had been sought to prevent European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, but now the Roosevelt Corollary justified American intervention throughout the Western Hemisphere. It stated that the US would intervene as a last resort to ensure that other nations in the Western Hemisphere fulfilled their obligations to international creditors, and did not violate the rights of the United States or invite “foreign aggression to the detriment of the entire body of American nations.” -
Woodrow Wilson becomes President
Wilson (Democrat) was elected in the election of 1912 to be the President of the United States. He is known for leading America through World War I and crafting the Treaty of Versailles "Fourteen Points," the last of which was creating a League of Nations to ensure world peace. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
In Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated by the Serbian nationalist group the Black Hand. The killings sparked a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I. -
First World War breaks out in Europe
The complicated system of alliances that formed in Europe along with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and European nationalism eventually led to the outbreak of the First World War. -
USA enters WWI
the U.S. joined its allies--Britain, France, and Russia--to fight in World War I. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering the war and wanted to remain neutral. German unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman telegram led to the US involvement in WWI. -
President Wilson Issues the Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points was a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. The principles were outlined in a speech on war aims and peace terms to the United States Congress by President Woodrow Wilson. -
Treaty of Versailles
The purpose of the Treaty of Versailles, outside of establishing guidelines for continued peace, was to put strict treaty obligations on Germany in hopes of preventing further war and make the country pay reparations for the damages caused during the war. All nations involved in WWI were included. -
Creation of the League of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created after the First World War to provide a forum for resolving international disputes.
