-
Start of the War of 1812
On June 18th, 1812, James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. The war came because of a series of grievances against Great Britain, mainly relating to British impressment of American sailors and conflicts with British Canadians on the frontier. The war would end in 1814 with the treaty of Ghent. -
Petit Gulf cotton discovered
In 1820, a new variety of cotton, often called Petit Gulf cotton, was discovered near Rodney, Mississipi. This new breed of cotton grew well in the American south and was easy to refine and use. Eventually, the southern economy would become based around this crop, and debate over the slave labor used to grow it would divide the nation. -
Andrew Jackson takes office
Andrew Jackson gained the presidency in 1829, running on a platform of representing the common man against the aristocratic elites. Jackon's presidency would be one of the most influential in early America. Throughout his presidency, he laid the groundwork for the ideas of universal suffrage and democracy that are a core part of American identity today. -
Start of the Mexican-American war
After a border dispute between the new state of Texas and Mexico, Congress declared war on Mexico on May 13th, 1846. Although American soldiers captured Mexico city within a year, negotiations were difficult, and peace was not made until February 2nd, 1848. The peace treaty gave the U.S. many western lands, allowing future western expansion. -
Gold discovered in California
The discovery of gold in the Sacramento Valley area of California started the famous Gold Rush. Thousands, mostly single young men, flocked to this area in hopes of earning their fortunes. However, the rapid influx of settlers disrupted the lives of many earlier settlers, who largely traveled as family groups. This rapid change caused many divides in the new territory. -
South Carolina secedes
After a heated presidential race ending in a Republican victory, a South Carolina Convention unanimously voted to secede from the union. Many other southern states would follow until these states came together to form the Confederate States of America, beginning the long and bloody Civil War. -
General Lee surrenders
After almost 5 years of war, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9th, 1865. With this surrender, the North had effectively won the war, as Southern military resistance was effectively gone. -
The Depression of 1873 begins
After a major bank went under in September of 1873, the country dove into an economic depression. This depression ended many idealist feelings about reconstruction and put even more stress on the overburdened working class.
You are not authorized to access this page.