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Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first shot, which is now famously known as “the shot heard around the world”, this shot marked the beginning of the war. This shot also made, Paul Revere and his men went out in search of the military that the “Regulars are coming”. The minutemen met the British army in Lexington on April 19, 1775, and were defeated, but redeemed themselves in concord by defeating the British, who chased them back to Boston. This was important because it began the American Revolution. -
The Battle of Saratoga
To accomplish their goal of independence America, needed to build alliances, so the french helped them battle their mutual enemy. This gave the colonists hope they could win this war of independence. The French gave the colonies military aid and financial aid. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Americans finally won the war. This is important because it signaled a turning point in the American Revolution. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Americans and the French forcing the British army to surrender ends the battles in the revolution. This war leads to a lot of things for one it grants the Americans freedom from British rule and makes future-president Washington a great leader in the eyes of the nation. This popularity leads to Washington to become the first president of the United States. This is important because it made the British surrender, which marked American Independence. -
Northwest Ordianance
The Northwest Ordinance set a procedure for how new states join the union, by allowing these states to apply for statehood, and write their own constitution after they reached a certain number of people. The states were able to function normally and in unison with the other 13. This territory is the government's first attempt to try to outlaw slavery. This is important because it sets the precedent for new states to join the union, and it outlawed slavery in that territory. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson acquired this land through Napoleon and the Treaty of France. The reason Napoleon was selling this land for money for the French Revolution. After this acquisition, Jefferson sent Clark and Lewis to explore this land and find a way to travel quicker to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Lewis and Clark would travel this land and what would become the Oregon Territory. .This event is important because it was the first big acquisition of land, and started westward expansion. -
Missouri Comprimise
In 1819 the balance was maintained until Missouri made itself a slave state. So in response to this Maine was admitted as a free state. This compromise establishes the Mason-Dixie Line. This line made everything above it a free state and everything below a slave state. This is important because it rose tensions between the free states and slave states, which drove sectionalism and helped caused the civil war. -
Monroe Doctrine
This was an act passed by James Monroe to stop the European interference in the Western Hemisphere. This act stated that they shall not claim land in the Western Hemisphere. This act would only ever be used by a few presidents. This was important because it showed nations that America was serious in their ideas of manifest destiny, and showed their sturdiness on the exploration of the hemisphere. -
Nullifacation Crisis
In 1830 the federal government passed high protective tariffs. These tariffs were viewed as abominations to John C. Calhoun. So he nullified these acts. Andrew Jackson had to show that the federal government had power, but still wanted support for the people so he came to a compromise with Calhoun. This is important because it was the first time that a state government nullified a federal law, and continued the feud between state and federal government. -
Texas Annexation
Mexico didn't want to give independence to Texas, which prohibited them from becoming a state. So texas remained under their rule for a decade. America couldn't receive independence and become a part of the Americas because of their border issue, and the decision to make them a slave state or free state. If it was admitted as one it would throw off the balance in congress. It is important because it caused sectionalism, and helped manifest destiny. -
Oregon Treaty
This land was originally owned partly by British, Americans, and Spanish. The Spanish rule over the landed ended with the Adams-Onis treaty. This caused America and British tensions about the area. Many media in America were pushing the quote 54'50 of the fight, invoking war with the British. Finally, the British and Americans came to an agreement to let the U.S have the southern portion. This is important to the completion of Manifest destiny. -
Mexican Cession
This land was originally ruled by Mexico. This land is the southwestern portion of the U.S. This land was acquired through a treaty with Mexico, called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This is important because it helped complete Manifest Destiny. -
Compromise of 1850
This introduced Popular Sovereignty. It admitted California as a free state. Used the new tactic of popular sovereignty to settle the debate of slavery in the Mexican Cession territory. It banned the sale of slaves in Washington D.C. It also created a new fugitive slave law, stating that all runaway slaves must be returned to their owners. Many northern folks didn't oblige and kept the slaves. This important because it introduced a lot of ideas, and helped drive sectionalism. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen Douglas implemented popular sovereignty to settle the slave issue in the states. This overturns Missouri comprise by using popular sovereignty North of the Mason-Dixie Line. Slave states and free states sent supporters there to persuade voters in favor of their vote. This caused competition between free and slave states which caused Bleeding Kansas. This all caused the birth of the republican party. This is important because it led to Bleeding Kansas, and birthed the Republican Party. -
Bleeding (Bloody) Kansas
During the Kansas-Nebraska act, many pro-slavery and non-slavey supporters were there to sway votes on the admittance of the state as a slave state. This led to many tensions boiling. These tensions reached their peak during Bleeding Kansas. Bleeding Kansas was a conflict between non-slavery and pro-slavery supporters in Kansas. This was important because it led to the creation of the Republican Party. -
John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry
A martyr abolitionist John Brown, lead a rebellion against slavery on Virginia arsenal, he wanted to arm slaves but failed. This was important because it rose tensions once again because it scared slave owners and made them more stern on protecting their way of life, also making them wonder what the North’s intentions were. -
Battle of Bull Run
In July of 1861 in Manassas, Virginia. The union troops originally had an advantage, but the Stonewall Jackson lead confederates won. This made people think the war would end quickly with the south winning. This loss caused made Lincoln George McClellan the new general to lead Union to victory. This was important because it was a Confederate victory. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
It began on April 12, 1861, when the confederate army held Garrison, who later surrendered the next day. Then it began when the Union army fired on Fort Sumter, in Charleston. This is important because it was the first battle of the Civil War. -
Battle of Antietam
In September 1862 in Antietam Creek, Maryland the single bloodiest day of the Civil War happened. Over 23,000 soldiers died. This war marked the first invasion of the North by the south. This was a memorable moment in the Civil war because it was a draw. This was important because it gave Lincoln the opportunity to put the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Battle of Vicksburg
In May of 1863 in Vickburg, Mississippi General Grant has multiple attempts at the siege of this city. President Lincoln wants to control the city because he thinks it could end the war. After General Grant attempts he succeeds and the surrender of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Louisiana made the confederate army split at the Mississippi. The Union took control of the Mississippi and was a turning point of the war. This is important because it gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. -
Gettysburg Address
In November of 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln dedicates a speech to fallen soldiers of the Gettysburg battlefield. His speech reveals his true feelings about the Civil War. He sees this a distraction to preserve the nation. He goes on to quote the DOI to truly make a nation where all men are created equal. This was important because it gave the Nation and a new sense of togetherness and it makes a new period in America. -
Emancipation Proclamation
It stated that the states who succeeded as of Jan 1, 1863. The union received a lot of slave population, for the chance at freedom. This allowed African Americans to fight in the Union. This was important because it tried to free slaves in the confederate control or the border states. -
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Presidential Reconstruction (Hugs)
This period was the easiest way and a non-harsh way for the south to rejoin the Union. Presidents Lincoln's plan was called the 10% plan because of 10% of the southern voters needed to swear an oath to the Union and accept the terms of the EP. After the assassination of Lincoln, Vice president Andrew Johnson continue Lincoln's plan. He excused those he swore an oath to the Union. This is important because it leads to the Impeachment of Johnson, and radical reconstruction. -
Battle of Gettysburg
In July of 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. General Lee had a plan to claim Union territory. The Union forces were quick-witted and responded to Lee's plans. This made a third of Lee's soldiers to die, and Lee to Retreat to Virginia. This marked the last instance of the south to invade the North. This is important because General Lee retreats to Virginia. -
The Passing of the 13th Ammendment
On new years day of 1865, the 13th amendment was passed. This amendment states that all slavery is unlawful, unless for the punishment of crimes. Congress makes the south recognize this amendment. They respond by bypassing the black codes. The black codes uphold these rights and show the south unwillingness to recognize these amendments. This is important because it finally frees all slaves. -
Sherman's March to the Sea
On November 15, 1864, William Sherman followed the total war strategy. He led his army to a march to the Atlantic from the Georgia Border. During this march, he and his forced burned civilians' houses and farms. The purpose of this march was to capture the Savannah, Georgia port. This is important because it displayed total war, and stroke fears into southern civilians. -
The Passing of the 14th Ammendment
In 1866 the 14th amendment was passed. The 14th amendment granted citizenship to African Americans. This new amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision. This also states that everyone has the right to the constitution and bill of rights. This is important because it gives citizenship to black people, and marks the only time that a supreme court ruling was overturned. -
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Congressional Reconstruction (Slugs)
This was the plan to punish the south. This implements to plan to send military soldiers to the south to protect the rights of African Americans. This also split the confederate Army into five districts. This plan forced the south to ratify the 14th amendment, and give the African Americans the right to vote. This plan implemented the freedmen's bureau, which gave women and freed slaves education and many other things. This was important because it gave rights to black people. -
The Passing of the 15th Ammendment
In 1869 the 15th was passed, This amendment granted all MEN the right to vote. This would allow Republicans to build power in the south. Blacks voted for the republicans to have their rights protected. This was the last reconstruction amendment. This was important because it allowed black men the right to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a supreme court case in 1896. It was brought up when a black man named refused to sit in the blacks-only car. The ruling wasn't in favor of him, and it allowed segregation in America. This decision influences the term "SEPERATE BUT EQUAL". This would later go on to influence Jim Crow laws. This case was important because it allowed the act of segregation in the United States.
