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Essentials: Documents and Law

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Season 1

Plessy v. Ferguson

In 1892, Homer Plessy's arrest for sitting in a train car reserved for White passengers led to a Supreme Court decision that endorsed racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

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174. Plessy v. Ferguson

In 1892, Homer Plessy's arrest for sitting in a train car reserved for White passengers led to a Supreme Court decision that endorsed racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

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The Reconstruction Acts

The Reconstruction Acts aimed to unify the United States after the Civil War by readmitting Southern states and addressing racial inequalities, but their impact was all too brief.

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170. The Reconstruction Acts

The Reconstruction Acts aimed to unify the United States after the Civil War by readmitting Southern states and addressing racial inequalities, but their impact was all too brief.

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The 15th Amendment secured the voting rights for African American men, marking the culmination of progressive legislative changes during the Reconstruction era.

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169. 15th Amendment

The 15th Amendment secured the voting rights for African American men, marking the culmination of progressive legislative changes during the Reconstruction era.

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The 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, redefined American liberty by ensuring citizenship rights, due process, and equal protection under the law, marking a pivotal shift during Reconstruction.

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168. The 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, redefined American liberty by ensuring citizenship rights, due process, and equal protection under the law, marking a pivotal shift during Reconstruction.

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The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States in 1865. But it was just the beginning of a long fight for equality and civil rights.

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167. 13th Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States in 1865. But it was just the beginning of a long fight for equality and civil rights.

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The Indian Removal Act of 1830

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of Indigenous Peoples from the fertile East to the arid West, marking a tragic chapter in U.S. history with the harrowing Trail of Tears.

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142. The Indian Removal Act of 1830

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of Indigenous Peoples from the fertile East to the arid West, marking a tragic chapter in U.S. history with the harrowing Trail of Tears.

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Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation created the United States' first government. This foundational document paved the way for the development of a more unified and powerful federal system, under the U.S. Constitution.

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127. Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation created the United States' first government. This foundational document paved the way for the development of a more unified and powerful federal system, under the U.S. Constitution.

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The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed the first direct British tax on American colonists, igniting widespread protest and setting the stage for rebellion.

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122. The Stamp Act

The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed the first direct British tax on American colonists, igniting widespread protest and setting the stage for rebellion.

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Treaty of Ghent

The War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain, ended with the Treaty of Ghent. This historic agreement, negotiated in Belgium over five months, proved that the U.S. could achieve its aims through diplomacy.

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119. Treaty of Ghent

The War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain, ended with the Treaty of Ghent. This historic agreement, negotiated in Belgium over five months, proved that the U.S. could achieve its aims through diplomacy.

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The Treaty of Paris

In 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution. This historic document secured American independence but failed to address important issues that would lead to future divisions.

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118. The Treaty of Paris

In 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the American Revolution. This historic document secured American independence but failed to address important issues that would lead to future divisions.

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Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase of 1804 nearly doubled the size of the United States. But expansion to the West would bring new challenges for the fledgling country.

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103. Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase of 1804 nearly doubled the size of the United States. But expansion to the West would bring new challenges for the fledgling country.

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The Coercive Acts

Learn how Britain's Coercive Acts, aimed at punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, encouraged rebellion in the Thirteen Colonies.

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95. The Coercive Acts

Learn how Britain's Coercive Acts, aimed at punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, encouraged rebellion in the Thirteen Colonies.

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The Townshend Acts

The Townshend Acts of 1767-68 imposed heavy taxes on American colonists, sparking widespread protests and setting the stage for the American Revolution.

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94. The Townshend Acts

The Townshend Acts of 1767-68 imposed heavy taxes on American colonists, sparking widespread protests and setting the stage for the American Revolution.

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The Mayflower Compact

In September 1620, a group of colonists left England to make a new life. By the time they reached North America, they had written the Mayflower Compact: a document that would lay the groundwork for democracy in the U.S.

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91. The Mayflower Compact

In September 1620, a group of colonists left England to make a new life. By the time they reached North America, they had written the Mayflower Compact: a document that would lay the groundwork for democracy in the U.S.

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The Navigation Acts

The Navigation Acts were a series of trade laws passed by the British Parliament in the 1600s. Learn about how they fuelled discontent in the Thirteen Colonies, setting the stage for the American Revolution.

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89. The Navigation Acts

The Navigation Acts were a series of trade laws passed by the British Parliament in the 1600s. Learn about how they fuelled discontent in the Thirteen Colonies, setting the stage for the American Revolution.

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Ratified in 1791, The Bill of Rights is recognised as a cornerstone of American democracy. In this video, learn about why it was created and what rights it grants citizens.

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6. Bill of Rights

Ratified in 1791, The Bill of Rights is recognised as a cornerstone of American democracy. In this video, learn about why it was created and what rights it grants citizens.

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Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in history. But why was it written, what did it say and what impact did it have?

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5. Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in history. But why was it written, what did it say and what impact did it have?

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