-
The Judiciary Act of 1801
In 1801 the lame-duck Federalist majority in Congress, which favored a strong national government, made radical changes to the federal courts. The Judiciary Act of 1801 expanded federal jurisdiction, eliminated Supreme Court justices' circuit court duties, and created 16 federal circuit court judgeships. -
Period: to
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) was a federally funded venture to explore the North American West. The expedition's principal objective was to survey the Missouri and Columbia rivers, locating routes that would connect the continental interior to the Pacific Ocean. -
Marburg vs. Madison
The U.S. Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review—the power of the federal courts to declare legislative and executive acts unconstitutional. The unanimous opinion was written by Chief Justice John Marshall. -
The Chesapeake Incident
The Chesapeake–Leopard affair was a naval engagement off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, on June 22, 1807, between the British fourth-rate HMS Leopard and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. The crew of Leopard pursued, attacked, and boarded the American frigate, looking for deserters from the Royal Navy. -
The Embargo Act
Jefferson's Embargo Act outlawed trade between America and any foreign port, effectively closing in the American economy. The Embargo Act was one of the major factors leading up to the War of 1812 as it ended up increasing the hostilities that already existed between America and Britain. -
Period: to
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 (1812-15) was fought between the United States and Great Britain, primarily over the impressment of American sailors by the British Navy, as well as disagreements over trade, western expansion, and Native American policy. The war ended inconclusively after three years of fighting. -
Period: to
The Creek War
Creek War, (1813–14), war that resulted in U.S. victory over Creek Indians, who were British allies during the War of 1812, resulting in vast cession of their lands in Alabama and Georgia. -
The Battle of Lake Champlain
Battle of Plattsburgh, also called the Battle of Lake Champlain happened September 6 to 11, 1814. It resulted in an important American victory that saved New York from a British invasion via the Hudson River valley. -
The Treaty of Ghent
A meeting in Belgium of American delegates and British commissioners ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. Great Britain agreed to relinquish claims to the Northwest Territory, and both countries pledged to work toward ending the slave trade. -
The Battle of New Orleans
In the Battle of New Orleans, future President Andrew Jackson and a motley assortment of militia fighters, frontiersmen, slaves, Native Americans and even pirates weathered a frontal assault in January 1815 by a superior British force, inflicting devastating casualties along the way.