Compromise of 1850- Settled the dispute over California between the North and South. California was admitted to the Union as a free state, but a new and more effective fugitive slave law was proposed in favor of the South. (September, 1850)
The Kansas Nebraska Act- This repealed the Missouri Compromise, and established Kansas and Nebraska. Popular Sovereignty was allowed in both new territories. (1854)
Bleeding Kansas- A breakout of violence on the borders of Kansas and Missouri. The reason was due to the conflict of weather Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state or free state. (1855)
The Dred Scott Decision- Dred Scott was a slave who tried to sue for his freedom after his master brought him into a free territory. After many appeals, his case came before the supreme court. The court however, said that blacks could never become a citizen of the U.S. and therefor were unable to sue in federal court. (1857)
Lincoln- Douglas Debates- These were a series of seven debates between Republican presidential candidate, Abraham Lincoln, and Democratic presidential candidate, Stephen Douglas. The debate mainly centered on the issue of slavery. (1858)
Harper's Ferry- Harpers Ferry is known best for John Browns raid on the armory in his attempt to create a slave uprising. He was captured however, and killed. (1859)
Lincoln's Election- Lincoln was elected president over Stephen Douglas. This was a major trigger to the secession of Southern states that would eventually lead to the Civil War. (1860)
Fort Sumter- The first battle of the civil war, though there were no casualties. Union forces surrendered the fort to the confederates after being fired upon, and being unable to effectively retaliate. (1861)
Bull Run- The battle of Bull Run was the first land battle of the Civil War. An inexperienced Union army advanced on the Confederate capitol of Richmond Virginia, but were met by a confederate army. In the end, the Union forces were forced to retreat. (July 1861)
Antietam- Known as the bloodiest single day battle in american history with 23,000 casualties on both sides. Though it was a draw, the Union army forced the Confederates back, forcing them to retreat. McClellan and Lee were the opposing generals of the battle. (1862)
Emancipation Proclamation- The Emancipation Proclamation was an order issued by Lincoln, freeing all slaves in Confederate territory. This did not affect many slaves in the beginning, but as Union armies advanced and expanded their territory, more slaves were freed. (1863)
Gettysburg and Gettysburg Address- In the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate and Union forces clashed, until the Confederates launched a large attack at the Union center. This attack was repelled, leading to the Confederate defeat. This final charge was known as Pickett's charge. After the battle, President Lincoln gave his famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, in which he honored the fallen soldiers. (July 1-3, 1863) ( November 19, 1863)
Andersonville Prison- (also known as camp Sumter). This was a prison constructed by the Confederates during the Civil war, due to an increasing amount of Union prisoners. Of the 43,000 Union soldiers who passed through this prison, 12,913 died inside the walls. (1864)
Surrender at Appomattox Court house- One of the last battles of the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee and his men were surrounded by Ulysses S. Grant's troops at Appomattox Court house, leading to Lee's eventual surrender on April 9, 1865.
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln- John Wilkes Booth, a stage actor and Confederate sympathizer, shot and killed President Lincoln at Fords Theater in Washington D.C. The attack came only days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, as the war was drawing to a close.
Reconstruction- The Reconstruction is the term used to define the rebuilding of The United States, and readmission of the south back into the Union after the Civil War came to a close. (1865-1877)