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Election of 1800
The election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800 was considered a bloodless revolution because of the divisive politics surrounding the candidates and the Constitution. President John Adams was widely despised, so the race came down to Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. When the Electoral College reached a tie, the vote was sent to the House of Representatives. Jefferson eventually won the vote. -
Lousiana Purchase
One of the triumphs of Jefferson's presidency was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France for a mere 15 million dollars. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was yet another conflict between the British and the United States. The Americans feared that the British were supporting the Native Americans in attacking settlers, thereby attempting to control the U.S. Additionally, the impressment of American soldiers onto British ships, along with trading conflicts, all contributed to the war. After several defeats and the burning of Washington D. C, the U. S. won the war with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1842. -
The Missouri Compromise
This compromise was the result of divisions over admitting Missouri as a slave or free state. Both the Northern and Southern states feared upsetting the balance of power between slave and free states in the union. In the end, Missouri was admitted as a slave state with Maine admitted as a free state, and the land of the Louisiana Purchase divided along the 36 30' line into slave and free territories. -
The Erie Canal is completed
The completion of this canal in New York was a great triumph for the Transportation Revolution -
Indian Removal Act
In 1830, the Jackson administration passed the Indian Removal Act which allowed the President to negotiate with Native Americans for their lands and move them west. This policy was abused by the government and many Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands. -
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner believed he was a prophet who had been visited by divine powers. In the summer of 1831, Turner led one of the deadliest slave rebellions in U. S. history. After killing over 50 people, Turner and his followers were eventually captured. Turner was executed. -
U. S. Mexican War
The annexation of Texas and the disputed territory between Mexico and the U. S. both contributed to the war. President Polk encouraged the war, although the public became increasingly opposed to the war. Ultimately, American troops occupied Mexico City, forcing the Mexican government to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848. The treaty gave America huge amounts of land and forced Mexico to accept the Rio Grande border of Texas, all for 15 million dollars. -
The Seneca Falls Convention
This convention, organized and led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, was essential in organizing the women's rights movement in America. The Declaration of Sentiments written at the convention laid a foundation for the early feminist movement. -
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
John Brown attempted to cause a slave revolt by attacking the Federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry Virginia. His attempt was unsuccessful, and Brown and his men were captured by Robert E. Lee. John Brown became a symbol of greatness to the Northern abolitionists while being despised by the South. This incident showed the growing divisions between North and South. -
Abraham Lincoln elected
Lincoln was elected with just 40% of the popular vote, and no votes from any of the slave holding states. This would result in the secession of South Carolina. -
South Carolina secedes from the Union
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union after the election of Lincoln. This ultimately led the country into civil war. -
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect
The Emancipation Proclamation freed the enslaved people in the Southern states. This was a great victory for abolitionists, although many of the enslaved would not gain their freedom until after the war ended. -
Assination of Abraham Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth killed President Lincoln just days after the end of the Civil War.