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1820, Author: U.S. Congress. Shows the division between the slave and free states.

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The Missouri Compromise was significant because it temporarily eased tensions between North and South by maintaining a balance in Congress. However it exposed deep sectional divisions over slavery, setting the stage for future conflicts and ultimately the Civil War.

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Map showing free and slave states after the missouri compromise in 1820

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1851, Author: Unknown. Warns African Americans of danger under new law.

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The Fugitive Slave Act heightened Northern opposition to slavery by forcing citizens to participate in its enforcement. It increased sectional hostility and mobilized activist sentiment, making compromise increasingly difficult.

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poster warning free blacks about slave catchers

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1856, Author: Harper's weekly. Depicts violent clashes over slavery

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The Kansas-Nebraska Act led to violent conflicts ("Bleeding Kansas") as pro- and anti-slavery settlers fought for control. This event demonstrated that popular sovereignty could not resolve the slavery issue peacefully, pushing the nation closer to war.

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newspaper of violence in Kansas in 1850s

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1862, Author: Alexander Gardner. Shows devastation after battle.

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The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day in American history and gave Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. It marked a turning point by discouraging European intervention and redefining the wars purpose.

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the battlefield of the battle of Antietam aftermath

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1863, Author: Abraham Lincoln. Official proclamation freeing slaves in rebelling states.

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The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the Civil War from a fight to preserve the Union into a battle for freedom. It undermined the Confederacy's labor force and encouraged enslaved people to seek freedom, altering the war.s social and political landscape.

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1865, Author: Tom Lovell. Depicts formal surrender ending major hostilities.

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Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse (1865)

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Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse (1865)

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The surrender at Appomattox ended the Civil War's major fighting, symbolizing the defeat of the Confederacy. It paved the way for national reunification and the beginning of Reconstruction, though many challenges remained.

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1865, Author: U.S. Congress. Officially abolishes slavery.

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The 13th Amendment legally ended slavery throughout the United States, representing a monumental shift in American society. It laid the foundation for further civil rights advancements, though implementation faced resistance.

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1866, Author: Unknown. Shows freedmen receiving education.

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The Freedmen.s Bureau provided critical support to formerly enslaved people, offering food, education, and legal assistance. While it had successes, its limited resources and opposition hindered its effectiveness, highlighting Reconstructions challenges.

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1865, Author: Mississippi Legislature. Restricts rights of African Americans.

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The Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states to restrict the freedoms of African Americans, demonstrating resistance to Reconstruction reforms. They led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the 14th Amendment, but also showed the persistence of racial inequality.

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1877, Author: Harper's Weekly. Illustrates end of federal protection in the South.

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Compromise of 1877 and the End of Reconstruction (1877)

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Compromise of 1877 and the End of Reconstruction (1877)

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The Compromise of 1877 ended Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South, allowing white supremacist governments to regain control. This marked a failure of Reconstruction, leading to decades of segregation and disenfranchisement for African Americans.

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political cartoon depicting withdrawal of troops 1877