U.S. History Key Events and Concepts

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Northwest Ordinance

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Guidelines for new states joining the U.S.; required 60,000 residents to apply; self-governance for territories.

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Worcester v. Georgia

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Indian Removal Act forced Natives off lands; Cherokee sued to keep land; Court favored Natives; Jackson ignored the Court and forced Natives to relocate to present-day Oklahoma.

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Manifest Destiny

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U.S. desire to own land from coast to coast; associated with James K. Polk; causes include land equating to wealth and a population boom.

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Oregon Territory

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Acquired from Britain in a treaty; U.S. achieved goal of Manifest Destiny.

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U.S.-Mexican War

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Caused by U.S. annexing Texas; border dispute between Texas and Mexico.

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Mexican Cession

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Land U.S. acquired after U.S.-Mexican War in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; led to debates over expansion of slavery into new territories.

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California Gold Rush

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Population increased; Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. and later worked on Transcontinental Railroad and faced discrimination.