Period 5:1844-1877

Important dates

1844

Election of James K. Polk, the “Manifest Destiny” President

1846

Mexican-American War begins, signaling America’s willingness to go to war over control of North America

1848

Mexican-American War ends, with the US acquiring the land known as the “Mexican Cession” (including California) with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848

Seneca Falls Convention, the beginning of the movement for women’s rights

1850

Compromise of 1850 signed into law, signaling Northern and Southern willingness to preserve the Union one last time

1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act passed–Republican Party created due to outrage over the act and events of “Bleeding Kansas” begin

1861

Civil War begins, indicating that sectional tensions between the North and South have become irreconcilable.

1864

Civil War ends with Union victory—ends slavery, “Reconstruction” begins

1877

Reconstruction ends, Redeemer Democrats take back control of the South