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The Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay's proposed agreement that allowed California to enter the Union as a free state and divided the rest of the Mexican Cession into two territories where slavery would be decided by popular sovereignty. It is significant because it allows California to be a free state where slaves can go to have freedom. -
Fugitive Slave Act
A law that made it a crime to help runaway slaves; allowed for the arrest of escaped slaves in areas where slavery was illegal and required their return to slaveholders. This is significant because it shows how people did not care about slaves freedom. -
Kansas Nebraska Act
A law that allowed voters in Kansas and Nebraska to choose whether to allow slavery. This is significant because it gave the slaves more options on where to go. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
A series of debates between Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen Douglas during the 1858 U.S. senate campaign in Illinois. This is significant because it allowed us to see their opinions on different topics. -
John Brown's Raid
John Brown was planning a raid on the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to get guns for a slave revolt. This is significant because it allose us to see that he wanted to help the slaves get freedom. -
Confederates States of America
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Flordia, and Georgia seceded. These states met to establish their own government as the Confederate States of America. This is significant because they all had a separate government. -
Fort Sumter
The first battle of the Civil War; surrendered by the Union on April 14, 1861. It's significant because its where the first battle of the American Civil war was fought. -
Battle of Bull Run
The first major battle of the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory; showing the North that the Civil War would not be won easily. This is significant because it shows that the North is strong. -
Battle of Shiloh
A Civil War battle in Tennesse in which the union army gained greater control over the Mississippi River valley. This is significant because it gave the union control over the Mississippi River. -
Battle of Antietam
A Union victory in the Civil War that marked the bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. military history. This is significant because it resulted in President Abraham Lincoln issuing his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. -
Emancipation Proclamation
An order issued by President Abraham Lincoln freeing the slaves in areas rebelling against the Union; took effect January 1, 1863. This is significant because slaves were free from some states. -
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Reconstruction
The laws that put the southern states under U.S. military control and required them to draft new constitutions upholding the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Battle of Chancellorsville
Civil War battle that was one of the Confederate army's major victories. This is significant because it was General Robert E. Lee's greatest defense victory. -
Battle of Gettysburg
A Union Civil War victory that turned the tide against the Confederates. this is significant because it stopped the Confederate second invasion of the North. -
Thirteenth Amendment
A constitutional amendment that outlawed slavery. This is significant because slavery ended. -
Lincoln is assassinated
Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, while the president sat watching a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. This is significant because he was the first president to be assassinated. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
A law that gave African Americans legal rights to those of white Americans. This is significant because more African Americans had rights. -
14th Amendment
A constitutional amendment giving full rights of citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, except for American Indians. This is significant because everybody would be equal. -
Fitfthteenth Amendment
A constitutional amendment that gave African American men the right to vote. This is significant because African-Americans were given more rights. -
Compromise of 1877
The compromise of 1877 puts Rutherford B. Hayes in the White House and removes federal troops from the South. This is significant because it shows that Rutherford has more control.
