american historical events from 1776-1918 Flashcards
(38 cards)
What did the Louisiana Purchase give the U.S. complete control of?
The Mississippi River and a critical trade route.
Who wanted the Louisiana territory to secure the U.S. from threats from Great Britain, France, and Spain?
President Thomas Jefferson
What were 3 goals of Lewis and Clark in their expedition?
- Find the Northwest Passage.
- Enable trade across the U.S. and the Pacific.
- Establish trade and American sovereignty over Native populations.
What were 4 consequences of the Louisiana Purchase?
- Doubled the size of the U.S.
- Removed the threat of French invasion.
- Changed the world’s perception of the U.S.
- Provided untapped natural resources.
What event accelerated the settlement process in the 1840s, sending thousands of prospectors to California and other points west?
The Gold Rush
Who signed Congress’ Declaration of War for the War of 1812?
President James Madison
What was the primary reason for the start of the War of 1812?
Interference with America’s neutrality rights by Great Britain and France.
What did the Battle of Tippecanoe lead to in relation to the War of 1812?
Further inflamed relations between the U.S. and Tecumseh’s Confederation.
When was the Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812?
The news of the treaty did not reach New Orleans before the Battle of New Orleans.
What event marked a decisive victory for the Americans at the end of the War of 1812?
Battle of New Orleans
What event ushered in the Era of Good Feelings in America?
What event ushered in the Era of Good Feelings in America?
Describe 3 reasons why Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) was important.
- Promoted neutrality.
- Discouraged foreign involvement.
- Prioritized national unity.
Who wrote the words to “The Star Spangled Banner?”
Francis Scott Key in 1814
What was important about the Missouri Compromise (1820)?
Balance the power in Congress between free and slave states.
Admission of Missouri as a slave state and Maine admitted as a free state.
What caused the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)?
American annexation of Texas.
American settlers moving into Mexican lands in the Southwest.
What were 3 ways the Gold Rush (1848-1855) changed California?
Removal of Native Americans accelerated, many more died due to conflict and disease.
More settlers moved into California.
White settlers pushed for California independence from Mexico.
What were 3 reasons why the Compromise of 1850 is important?
Addressed the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves and denied alleged fugitive slaves the right to a jury trial
Helped to temporarily avert the outbreak of civil war by providing a temporary solution to the growing sectional conflict, buying time for further political negotiation and compromise.
What was the law passed by Congress that required escaped slaves to be returned to their owners?
Fugitive Slave Act
(1850)
Why was the Dred Scott decision (1857) so significant?
The decision stated that African Americans were not citizens.
What were 2 impacts of Abraham Lincoln being elected in 1860?
Southern states began to secede from the Union.
April 1861 Battle of Fort Sumter begins Civil War.
Why was the Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862) important?
President Abraham Lincoln afterward issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which changed the war’s focus to include the abolition of slavery as a Union war aim.
What executive order declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory?
The Emancipation Proclamation
Why was The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) important in American history?
Ended Confederate second invasion of the North.
What event effectively marked the end of the Civil War?
The Surrender at Appomattox Court House.
