The document discusses several key events and developments in the Americas during the 19th century. It describes how many immigrants fled to the Americas for new opportunities during this time. It also discusses how most countries in the western hemisphere gained independence from European powers. Additionally, it summarizes the key events of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history, which turned the tide of the Civil War in favor of the Union and prompted Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

1. A Difficult Past: How the Americas Change History 141: AUBREE BALKAN

3. Almost all the lands of the western hemisphere won their independence from European colonial powers during these times.

5. While the United States fought for their freedom, Canada gained theirs without war.

7. Famines, crop failure, diseases were all results of the Little Ice Age.

9. Jefferson succeeded to help extend the nation to a new horizon making the United States a world power.

10. Although the U.S. was primarily interested in New Orleans solely, the distraction of France by Haiti lead to a major break through and deciding the fate of 40% of what is now the United States.

14. The Battle of Antietam remains the bloodiest day in American history with roughly 6,500 lives lost.

16. the Confederates were typically 'winning'. The war until this point were also working on an allegiance with Britain and France.

18. Lincoln gave the Confederate one last chance to rejoin the Union and keep their slaves.

19. McPherson further examines how by the act of signing this proclamation, the entire focus of the war changed from a battle to simply reunite the country, to one based upon a moral imperative to free an enslaved people.