-
start
-
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson authorizes the purchase of the Louisiana territory from Napoleon, who needed funds to continue fighting Europe, for fifteen million dollars. The territory was approximately 800,000 square miles comprising the Mississippi River Valley and most and most of the present-day midwest, almost doubled the size of the United States. -
War of 1812 with Britain
The war between Britain and America lasted for two and a half years over trade and naval restrictions. The war was fought on three fronts: on the sea with naval battles, on land in the northern provinces, and in the deep south with the Battle of New Orleans. Both sides suffered heavy losses and the British eventually overtook the capital at Washington D.C. and burned down the White House. -
Slavery is growing in numbers in the U.S.
There were more than 2 million African-American slaves in the U.S. in 1830. -
"Underground Railroad" established
A network of secret routes and safe houses to help slaves escape to freedom in the North. Harriet Tubman, a former slave and a conductor on the railroad made 13 trips to the south to save 70 enslaved families. She also served as a spy in the civil war. One estimate suggests that by 1850 100,000 slaves had escaped via the underground railroad. -
Samuel Morse sends first telegraph message
This changes the face of communication for the entire world and allows information to spread more quickly and easily than ever before. -
Abraham Lincoln elected President
Shortly after his election, the Confederate States seceded from the Union, starting the Civil War. -
Battle of Gettysburg
Largest Civil War Battles and turning point of the war, leading to a Union victory. -
Lincoln assassinated
Lincoln was assassinated 5 days after the surrender of Robert E. Lee (after the Civil War ended) -
end