ARTICLES

Bleeding Kansas turned the national debate over slavery into armed conflict. Learn how disputed elections, rival governments, the Sack of Lawrence, and retaliatory violence pushed the country closer to Civil War.

The Compromise of 1850 temporarily eased a national crisis over slavery and western expansion. Learn what its five measures did, why the Fugitive Slave Act caused outrage, and why the settlement could not prevent the Civil War.

The California Gold Rush drew people from around the world after gold was discovered in 1848. See how the rush transformed California's population, economy, cities, and place in the American West.

The Mexican-American War reshaped North America between 1846 and 1848. Learn how the Texas border dispute, military campaigns, and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo dramatically expanded U.S. territory.

The Battle of the Alamo lasted less than two hours, but its story has endured for nearly two centuries. Explore the siege, the battle, the myths, and the complicated legacy behind the famous Texas landmark.

The Trail of Tears forced thousands of Cherokee people from their southeastern homelands in the 1830s. Learn what led to the removal, how the Cherokee resisted, and why this history still matters.

In 1823, President James Monroe warned European powers against new colonization and interference in the Western Hemisphere. Learn why the Monroe Doctrine emerged and how its meaning expanded over time.