-
The Missouri Compromise was when Missouri became slave state, as long as slavery was banned in the rest of Louisiana Purchase. It was important because it gave an even number of slave and free states.
-
The Monroe Doctrine was a policy instated by James Monroe stating that Europe was not allowed to interfere w/ western affairs, and US would not interfere w/ European affairs. It was important because it showed the US was finally a strong independent nation not wanting to deal with European powers.
-
The Battle of the Alamo was when American forces were fighting for Texas' independence from Mexico. This was important because they were fighting for independence from Mexico.
-
The Panic of 1837 was a US financial crisis that lasted a few years. It was important because there was a five year depression.
-
The Trail of Tears was the route Native Americans were forced to move west on. It was important because it was the United States' attempt at getting rid of the Native Americans.
-
Sutter's Fort was John Sutter's established fort in Sacramento built in 1839. It was important because it was used as a trade and commercial center.
-
The Pre-Emption Act was an act allowing squatters to acquire lands. It was important because it gave squatters the opportunity to buy lands befoe they went on sale.
-
The US-Mexican War was a war between Mexico and the US, in which the US won. It was important because the US was able to gain land.
-
The Bear Flag Revolt was when a number of Californian settlers revolted against Mexico in order to declare California an independent republic. It was important because it gave them the California land.
-
The Compromise of 1850 decided which states would be slave states and which would be free states in order to resolve the issues regarding the US-Mexican War. It was important because it gave a balance of free and slave states.
-
The Fugitive Slave Law was part of the Compromise of 1850, and provided slaveholders in the South with legal weapons to capture slaves that tried to escape. It was important because it caused a huge movement in anti-slavery.
-
The Gadsden Purchase was an agreement between the US and Mexico in which the US bought territory from Mexico, eventually becoming Arizona and New Mexico. It was important because it resulted in territorial gains.
-
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent uprisings in which because Kansas was not regulated by the government, brutality was happening, and many anti-slavery supporters were fighting with slavery supporters. This was important because the abolitionists were successful.
-
The Dred Scott Decision was a Supreme Court ruling saying that slaves don't get rights because they aren't actually US citizens. It was important because it ruled slaves property instead of citizens.
-
Harper's Ferry was when John Brown (abolitionist) tried to start an armed slave revolt. He seized a US arsenal. It was important because he was trying to destroy slavery.
-
South Carolina seceded.
-
Mississippi seceded.
-
Florida seceded.
-
Alabama seceded.
-
Georgia seceded.
-
Louisiana seceded.
-
Texas seceded.
-
The Civil War was a war within the United States between the Northern states and the Southern states in which the Southern states wanted to become an independent nation. It was important because after the war, Americans were brought back together and understood was it was like to be part of one united nation.
-
Virginia seceded.
-
Arkansas seceded.
-
North Carolina seceded.
-
Tennessee seceded.
-
The Emancipation Proclamation was Lincoln's order to free all slaves in the United States. It was important because it paved the path to abolishing slavery completely.
-
Gettysburg was a battle during the Civil War. It was important because it helped the US to win the war.
-
The Gettysburg Address was Lincoln's speech during the civil war to remind the people of the divided nation of the principles on which the country was founded. It was important because it helped to bring the nation back together.
-
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the US. It was important because slavery became illegal in America.
-
The 14th Amendment gave citizenship to all born in the US. It was important because now former slaves could be considered citizens, rather than just property.
-
The 15th Amendment gave all men the right to vote. This was important because no matter the man's race, they were able to vote, which helped even more to reunite the nation.