Civil War and Reconstruction (1619 - 1877)

Vocabulary terms and key dates/events tracking the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era in the United States.

1619 Jamestown

The year when the first 20 slaves were sold in Jamestown and "democracy" was given to Burgesses.

1776 Bacon’s Rebellion

Described as a mini-Revolutionary War that resulted in indentured servants stopping coming.

1785 Northwest Ordinance

An act where Congress dictates slavery in territories.

1787 Great Compromise

An event that sets the U.S. on a collision course state power struggle.

1793 Eli Whitney

"Fine tunes" interchangeable parts, opening the period of Industrialization.

1800 Eli Whitney

"Invents" the Cotton Gin, giving rebirth to the dying use of slavery.

1808 African Slave Trade

The end of the African slave trade, pushed through by Virginia and Jefferson.

1819 Missouri Crisis/Compromise

Established the 36’ 30 line and required that states be admitted in pairs.

1820s 2nd Great Awakening

A religious movement that brings about the religious birth of Abolitionism.

1831 ‘The Liberator’

A publication launched by William Lloyd Garrison that argued for emancipation without money ($).

1831 Nat Turner’s Rebellion

An event that freaks out Southerners and leads to a ban on teaching reading.

1836 Gag Rule

Passed by the House of Reps to ensure no more debate on slavery was allowed.

1844 Manifest Destiny

A presidential race where Polk vows to take Texas and CA.

1846 Wilmot Proviso

Passed by the House, stating there should be no new slavery in territories.

1850 California ‘Great Compromise’

California enters as a free state combined with the Fugitive slave law.

1852 Uncle Tom’s Cabin

A book written by Harriett Beecher Stowe that enrages the North.

1853 William Walker ‘Fillibuster’

Takes over Nicaragua and asks for statehood.

1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act

Passed by Douglas; leads to the birth of the Republican Party.

1855 ‘Bleeding Kansas’

An eruption of violence as Missouri Border Ruffians race in.

1856 Senate beating of Sumner

Occurred the same year John Brown killed Kansas slave supporters.

1857 Dred Scott

Supreme Court case that allows slave holding everywhere in the U.S.

1858 Freeport Doctrine

Articulated by Douglas during the Lincoln Douglas debates; dooms his candidacy.

1859 Harpers Ferry

An attempt by John Brown to start a slave insurrection in VA.

1860 Presidential Election

Lincoln elected with only 42%; South Carolina secedes in December.

1861 Civil War Beginning

Starts with the bombing of Fort Sumter and goes poorly for the North.

1862 Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by Lincoln as a strategy involving Border States vs. Britain.

1864 Lincoln Re-election

Lincoln is re-elected with Vice President Andrew Johnson, a southern Dem.

1865 War Conclusion

Marked by Sherman’s March to Sea, the passing of the 13th Amendment, and the war ending in April.

1866 Radical Republicans

Obtained a 2/3rds majority and kicked Confederate states out of the US.

1868 Johnson Impeachment

Occurred while the 14th Amendment was being violated by Jim Crow laws.

1877 Reconstruction

The period of Reconstruction ended with the election of Hayes.

1896 Plessy v. Ferguson

A major Supreme Court case listed at the end of the timeline following Reconstruction.