15 important things that happened before 1861?

Answer 1

Before 1861, several significant events shaped history, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which marked the American colonies' break from British rule. The Constitution was ratified in 1788, establishing the framework for the U.S. government. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the nation, while the Missouri Compromise of 1820 attempted to address the contentious issue of slavery's expansion. Additionally, the California Gold Rush in 1849 spurred westward migration and economic growth, intensifying debates over slavery and sectionalism in the years leading up to the Civil War.