Timeline

By Glaysen Small
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
This was a purchase on a big territory that gave us the 2nd third of the country
that we had today. This also made Thomas Jefferson understand that the
Constitution should be loosely interpreted. This was sold by France because
Napoleon need money for his dream of conquering.
Embargo Act of 1807
This was made to stop American ships to stop entering foreign ports by not
trading. This was used to stop British from kidnapping American sailors. This had
little effect on the problem and soon after the War of 1812 started.
War of 1812
This was a second war with Britain after British started to seal American sailors.
President Jefferson tried to use the embargo act of 1807 to avoid war. However,
in 1812 the American had too much and went to war. Andrew Jackson lead a
quick victory in the battle of New Orleans leaving Britain with another loss. After
this the Democratic Republican party was split into two parties: the Whigs and
Democrats.
Missouri Compromise (1820)
This Compromise made Missouri as slave state. This also established the Mason-
Dixon Line at 36°, 30°. This also made Maine a free state. Later on this with be
overturned and deemed unconstitutional.
Election of Andrew Jackson (December 2, 1828)
He was elected because he was representing the common man. He was also from
the west so many other people liked him. Him being elected lead to the passing of
the Tariff of Abominations that helped the North industry, but soon lead to the
Nullification Crisis.
Tariff of Abominations (1828)
This was a tax to protect industries in the north. This tax stirred up the south
making them even more angry with government for hurting their economy. This
soon lead to the Nullification Crisis lead by John C. Calhoun.
Nullification Crisis (1828 - 1833)
John C. Calhoun said that a state has the right to nullify a law passed by Congress
if the law hurts them too much. The crisis happened when government passed the
Tariff of Abominations. In the end, the government lower the cost to ease the
argument but, the anger will still stay.
Indian Removal Act of 1830
This act was made to take all the Native Americans in the Louisiana territory and
move them all into oklahoma. This caused the Trail of Tears and rebellion from
some of the tribes. The rebellions were unsuccessful and this soon lead to the
almost complete extinction of the Native American blood.
The Trail of Tears (1838-1839)
This was a sad time for the Cherokees who did not rebell and went along soundly.
They went on a long walk from Florida-Georgia region to Oklahoma. This was with
harsh conditions with deaths of Cherokees with a small fraction of them to
survive. With the deaths they will shed tears.
Election of James K. Polk (1840)
The election of Polk sparked to the annexation of Texas. He used this and telling
that he will give the oregon territory to the North to get his votes from both the
North and South. He soon accepted a threat that lead to the Mexican-American
War.
US annexes Texas (1845)
The United States annexed Texas after the US declined Texas´ previous attempt to
be annexed by US. The Mexicans grew mad at this because Texas gained
independence forcely (this area was independent with Americans) on Mexican
territory. Soon after they accepted it a war will rise of Mexico vs. United States.
Mexican-American War Begins (April 25, 1846)
After Texas was annexed by the US the US brought troops down to protect Texas
just in case of retaliation of Mexico. The Mexicans were scared that they will go
and take their land so they fired at the US army. This lead to Polk taking this as a
threat and the US declared war on Mexico.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb 2 1848)
This treaty said that Mexico lost the war with America. This also gave the US a
Great piece of land called the Mexican Cession. This lost gave Mexicans a bitter
mood against America. This is known when Germany tried to communicate with
Mexico during WW1.
Mexican Cession (Feb 2 1848)
This was a territory that was given by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. After this
was claimed there was a discussion about which states should be free or slave
states because of the size. One man proposed the Wilmot Proviso which make all
the states free, but this did not work. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was used instead.
Seneca Falls Convention (July 19 1848)
This was a meeting for women to get the right to be in an abolitionist convention.
This was just one of the examples of how women were treated back then. This
was unsuccessful during the Antebellum Period and women rights will not show
up until later.
Oregon Territory (August 14, 1848)
This was gained after using a treaty to acquire this land. The British previously
owned the territory and allowed Americans to share the land with them. We could
have easily taken the land by force. Instead we just settle a treaty at the 49 parallel
line the still divides the US and Canada.
Compromise of 1850
This compromise introduced popular sovereignty to decide the slave question.
California is a free state. The other Mexican Cession states would be decided by
the people. Sale of slaves is prohibited but no slavery is allowed in Washington
D.C. The Fugitive slave law act was now put into full force, but some people went
against it and others despise the new law.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852)
This was a book published to show the harshness of being a slave in the South.
The South banned the book from being published to stop the spread of how
slavery is to the slaves, so people don't ban slavery. On the other hand, the North
was very intrigued by this and abolitionist used this in many of their arguments.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This was used to settle what states would be slave or free states. This in fact
overturned the Missouri Compromise because it made free states pass the Mason
Dixon Line. Also the state was divided as either through popular sovereignty.
Sadly, this lead to a bad event called Bleeding Kansas.
Bleeding Kansas
This happen because popular sovereignty, in this case was to vote to see if the
state is a slave or free state. In Kansas people from the North and South stockpile
there to tip over the votes to get more power on their claims. The people there
both argued there and it soon lead to a bloody battle between both sides. This
event tore the North and South further apart.
Dred Scott vs. Sanford (1857)
The slave Scott tried to sue his master Sanford to get out of being a slave in a free
state. This backfired when the judge said that slaves are in fact property and the
owner can do what he wants with it. This meant that the Missouri Compromise,
Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the separation of slaves and free states are
unconstitutional based on the Declaration of Independence. This made many
people mad at this.
John Brown’s Raid at Harper’s Ferry (1859)
John Brown wanted to arm the slaves with guns by stealing it from a Virginia
arsenal. This was unsuccessful and Brown was Hung as quick as possible for
fear's sake. The South now wanted to protect slavery even more and got paranoid
about the North’s intentions. While the North depicted Brown as a Martyr for the
cause of abolition.
Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860)
Abraham Lincoln was not an abolitionist instead he was a free soiler which just
wanted to stop expansion of slavery. More importantly he just wanted to preserve
the Union (United States) not get rid of slavery. Soon after his election, South
Carolina seceded from the Union.
South Carolina succeeds from the Union Dec. 20,
1860
After Lincoln wins the election South Carolina said they had enough and the
succeeded from the Union. At first they were all by themselves, but as time went
on they got more and more states to join them. This lead to the creation of the
Confederates who soon started the Civil War.
Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861)
This attack was on the union base of Fort Sumter. With the Confederates fearing
that the north will use this against them to start the war; it being right next to
South Carolina would give the Union a great advantage. This in mind the
Confederates went and took the fort. This was the signal that Lincoln used to start
the Civil War.
The Battle of Antietam (September 1862)
This was the bloodiest battle of the war with 23,000 soldiers lay dead or wounded.
This battle ended with a draw with General Lee withdrawing his troops
(Confederates) and General Mclean (Union) doing the same. This battle also told
the Union that they needed better strategy. Soon after Lincoln used this to make
the Emancipation Proclamation.
Emancipation Proclamation (Sept 22, 1862)
If Lincoln pushed for the abolition of slavery then the border states, which stilled
allow slavery would secede. To counteract this he said it was a military measure.
This document would be put in place but not be effective until later.
Battle of Vicksburg (May 1863)
Lincoln believes that capturing Vicksburg is key to bringing an end to the war.
After many attempts General Ulysses S. Grant comes in and takes siege of
Vicksburg capturing it. This battle was very important because it help split the
Confederates in two at the Mississippi River.
 Emancipation Proclamation takes
effect (Sept 22, 1863)
After making sure that the border states were fine with the Emancipation
Proclamation they released to take effect. This said that the goal of the civil was
now pushed to ending slavery in the United States. This would stop support of the
British, who now strongly opposed slavery, to the South. It also said that only
states in rebellion would be commanded to free their slaves. When slaves heard of
this they ran to the Union to join the army.
Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
This battle was the last time the Confederates would battle in Union territory. Lee
wanted to take some of Union ground. At first this seemed to be what was going
to happen, but once nighttime hit the Union Army took their advantage and struck,
which lead Lee to retreat to Virginia with ⅓ of his army.
54th Massachusetts Regiment (July 18, 1863)
This was a small group of African Americans soldiers under the Emancipation
Proclamation who lead a gallant but futile attack on Fort Wagner in the Charleston
Harbor. This disproved all the myths about the capability and race of African
Americans.
The Gettysburg Address (November 1863)
Abraham Lincoln went to visit the battlefield of Gettysburg to speak for the dead
soldiers. He states that this was for the fact that “all men are created”. This
address was a motivation boost for the Union Army.
Grant takes Control (March 1864)
Lincoln gets Grant to take control of the entire army. Grant used his new found
leadership to call for total war (striking civilian as well as military targets which
weakens economy and the army.) until the war is won. His main part of the plan is
now called Sherman's March to the Sea.
Election of 1864
Lincoln’s presidency seemed in jeopardy, however he still won the election. This
was the final chance for the Confederates that the Union would cave in and
negotiate a peace. After the election, Sherman was ready to lay siege to capture
the port in Georgia.
Sherman’s March to the Sea (November 15, 1864)
He used total war to get to the port at Savannah. He left a trail of fire destroying and
killing anything in sight not on his size completely destroying a good portion of the
South. This gave the South a huge debt to pay off once they reunite with the Union.
Freedmen's Bureau established (March 3, 1865)
This was a group set up by the Radical Republicans to protect freedom of African
Americans. The group set up new schools, help to get freeman land, and assisted
in the negotiation of labor contracts. This heped African Americans until the end
of Reconstruction when Solid South came to be.
Lee surrenders to Grant (April 9,1865)
Lee was losing tons and tons of soldiers and civilians (total war caused deaths of
civilians) during the war. Soon enough Lee had enough and surrendered to Grant
at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Once the treaty was signed this
marked the end of the war.
Lincoln’s Assassination (April 14, 1865)
Lincoln was enjoying his time at the theatre when John Wilkes Booth shot him
dead. Soon after president Andrew Johnson took his place. Jonathan supported
Lincoln fully, so when reconstruction came he wanted to continue the same plan
Lincoln had.
Johnson takes office (April 15, 1865)
The Vice President Andrew Johnson took office after the death of Lincoln. Like
said in the previous slide, Johnson want to follow in Lincoln's footsteps. This was
fine if it was for the fact that the plan used was not to punish the South, but to just
let them back in the Union as fast as possible. This made Congress very made
who wanted to punish the South
13th Amendment ratified (Dec 6, 1865)
This officially ended slavery in the US. This did not however end any discrimination
of the new Freemen (African Americans).This did not given them citizen rights and
the rise of the Ku Klux Klan that tortured them for until a very long time when the
klan was dealt with. Even after the KKK there was still segregation until the 1950’s.
The KKK (December 24, 1865)
After the abolition of slavery was official with the 13th Amendment most southern
people were just bitter about it. Then, there were other southerners who
established the KKK to rain terror over the Freedmen, Carpetbaggers, and
Scalawags. These people would threaten their families’ lives to prevent to do
something to do something. This threating use to stop African Americans voting.
Military Reconstruction Act of 1867
This was Congress’ first way of punishing the South. This act divides the previous
called Confederate States of America to 5 military districts controlled by the Army.
Soon after the 14th and 15th Amendment were passed the districts must follow
by these rules.
Impeachment Trial of Johnson (Feb. 24, 1868)
Congress did not like what Johnson was trying to do which was giving it easy for
the South. This lead to Congress denying most of Johnson’s plans. With this and
Johnson not agreeing with Congress by vetoing Johnson was put on
impeachment. Surprising Johnson keep his term by 1 vote for him to stay
however, he was made to have no power so Congress could take over.
14th Amendment (July 6, 1868)
This Amendment gave African Americans their birthright citizenship and gave
them equal protection under the law. This of course overturned the Dred Scott
decision that African Americans are property. This amendment was enforced by
the US Army in the South, but there were not enough soldiers to protect all the new
citizens.
15th Amendment ratified February 3, 1870
This made it that all men now have the right to vote in any political election in
jurisdiction of state and federal. Once this passed the KKK started to shift votes
with treating and violence. Then, when Reconstruction ended the Southern states
created poll taxes and literacy test to limit African American vote.
Disputed Hayes/Tilden Election (Nov. 1876)
This was a very close presidential election where Tilden won popular vote while
Hayes won electoral vote. This election was said to be mess with to tip the vote,
and no one knew which way either which lead to a stalemate. It took until next
year to decide a compromise to see who will be president.
Compromise of 1877
This compromise said that Hayes will become president, but all US soldier issued
in the South are to be removed. This event ended Reconstruction and lead to the
creation of Solid South. Which lead the African Americans in the South to be put
through poll taxes, literacy tests and various threatens and attacks on them.
Tuskegee Institute Founded (Booker T
Washington)
Founded: July 4, 1881

This Institute was used to help educate African American even more after the
passing of Reconstruction. It was made by many people, but mostly by Booker T
Washington. Washington was born as a slave so he know how harsh Southerners
could. He said that we should accept this second class citizenship. Many people
disagreed but did not know that second class citizenship was a way of saving the
African Americans from this harshness the Southerns still had.This saved him
because the white community liked him more than others.
Plessy v. Ferguson (May 18, 1896)
This was a court between an African American named Plessy versus a white male
named Ferguson over segregation. Plessy refused to go to his Jim Crow car on
the train made by the Jim Crow laws for African Americans. The Judge said that
Plessy is wrong because it does not violate the 14th amendment, because Jim
Crow laws are “Separate, but equal” which saids segregation is allowed.
NAACP founded (W.E.B. DuBois)
Founded: feb. 12 1909

This institute was made solely as a civil rights group headquarter. The main
founder was W.E.B. DuBois who was born a free man so his ideas were already
different. He wanted full 100 percent equality as fast as possible and opposed
Washington's strategy. He was less acceptable to the white community with his
forward push to equality.