-
Louisiana Investment
President Jefferson and others support an investment of $15 million for the Lousiana Territory, which Napoleon is willing to sell for cash for his war efforts. -
Ban on Slave Importation
The US Congress passes a law that bans the importation of slaves into the US, a law to be largely ignored in southern states. -
Migration into West Florida
People have been migrating from the United States into West Florida. These settlers rebel and declare independence from Spain. Recognizing Spain's weakened condition from occupation by Napolean, the US President James Madison and Congress declare the region for the United States - a move not recognized internationally. -
Vanderbilt Transportation
Cornelius Vanderbilt, at the age of 16, starts a business transporting people and then freight across the Hudson River and New York's harbor in a small, two mastered sailboat. A revolution in transportation was about to begin and as an entrepreneur, he would be a part of it. -
American Cotton
The US has become the world's biggest cotton producer of raw cotton. -
Treaty with Spain
A treaty is signed between the US and the declining power of Spain. The US buys Florida for 5 million dollars, money the US government gives to US citizens with claims against Spain. Spain receives an established line separating the US from its territory in North America. -
Slave Trade Act
Britain and the US negotiate a treaty establishing procedures for suppressing the slave trade, but the US Senate undercuts the treaty's powers and the British refuse to sign. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which rips the Cherokee and other eastern tribes from their homes and banishes them to areas west of the Mississippi River. -
Texas Independency
The United States officially recognizes Texas as an independent. Mexico does not. -
Annexation of Texas
The Congress of the United States approves the annexation of Texas. Mexico breaks relations with the United states. President Polk sends troops to Texas. -
Gold Rush
A gold rush begins in Central California. -
Dred Scott Case
The Supreme Court of the United States, in the Dred Scott case, rules that African Americans, free or slave, are not citizens and have no recourse in federal courts. -
Oil Well
The first successful oil well in the United States is drilled, in northern Pennslyvania. -
16th President
Abraham Lincoln takes office as the President of the United States. He tries to reassure southern states, announcing that he does not intend to interfere, directly or indirectly, with the institution of slavery. But southern politicians have allowed themselves exaggerations and panic. Some southern states proclaim secession. Shooting erupts in the South over who will possess federal forts. -
First Bills in America
In the United States, the first paper money is issued -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation becomes law. -
Civil War Ends Leading to Assassination
The US Civil War ends with General Robert E. Lee and his officers surrounding their swords. President Lincoln is assassinated. -
Dred Scott Case Overturned
In the United States, the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified. This overturns the Dred Scott case. It entitles all persons born or naturalized in the United States to citizenship and equal protection under the law. Civil rights are not extended to Indians or anyone who has held office in the Confederacy. -
The West and East Connection
The transcontinental railroad is completed, ending six years of work. Track from west and east meet in Utah. -
Confederate States Return
All former Confederate States have returned to the Union (the United States). An Amnesty Act restores the vote to those whites in the South who have been denied it. -
Communication Invention
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone
