Major U.S. Events from 1800 to 1900

1800–1850

• 1803: Louisiana Purchase doubles U.S. size.
• 1812–1815: War of 1812 with Britain.
• 1820: Missouri Compromise on slavery boundary.
• 1846–1848: Mexican–American War.
• 1848: California Gold Rush begins.
• 1850: Compromise of 1850 (CA free state, Fugitive Slave Act strengthened).

1850–1900

• 1861–1865: American Civil War.
• 1862: Homestead Act grants public land to settlers.
• 1863: Emancipation Proclamation frees Confederate slaves.
• 1865: 13th Amendment abolishes slavery.
• 1868: 14th Amendment grants birthright citizenship.
• 1870: 15th Amendment guarantees voting rights regardless of race.
• 1890: Sherman Antitrust Act breaks monopolies.
• 1895: Plessy v. Ferguson upholds "separate but equal."
• 1898: Spanish–American War.
• 1900: Women's suffrage movement gains momentum.