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The Federal Judiciary Act
President Washington establishes the Supreme Court and all other smaller, local courts. -
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The Whiskey Rebellion
A rebellion of farmers were angry over the tariff on Whiskey, so they resisted the tax by attacking (often tarring and feathering) federal revenue officers who attempted to collect it. Washington rode in with a militia and put the rebellion immediately to an end. -
Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court Case
Jefferson refuses to acknowledge the appointments by Madison and a court case is called. This case establishes judicial review. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson wants to expand the US West, so he sends some representatives to negotiate with Napoleon. Livingston and Monroe are sent to conclude a treaty for the acquisition of New Orleans, but instead conclude a treaty for the purchase of the entire Louisiana Territory. This day marks the official signing of a peace treaty with France and the purchase of Louisiana. -
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Captain Meriwether Lewis, formerly Jefferson's personal secretary, sets out from Pittsburgh to begin an expedition of the newly acquired western territory of the Louisiana Purchase. -
Jefferson Asks for a Ban on Slave Trade
Jefferson appeals to Congress asking for a ban on the slave trade. -
The Embargo Act
This was a law passed by the United State Congress and signed by President Thomas Jefferson on December 22, 1807. It prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. This ended up hurting the US economy more than it hurt foreign trade relationships. -
The Desegregation of the Armed Forces
Eisenhower forced the desegregation of the military by reinforcing Executive Order #9981 issued by President Harry Truman in 1948. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court ruled in 1954 in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Eisenhower never spoke out in favor of the Court's ruling. Although the President usually avoided comment on court decisions, his silence may have encouraged resistance to school desegregation. In many parts of the South, white citizens' councils organized to prevent compliance with the Court's ruling. -
Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960
Eisenhower proposed the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960 to Congress, which he signed into law. The 1957 Act created a civil rights office within the U.S. Justice Department and the Civil Rights Commission; both departments had the authority to prosecute discriminatory cases and voting rights intrusions. They were the first significant civil rights laws since the late 19th Century. -
The Creation of NASA
President Eisenhower signed the Act that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which provided for the peaceful and collaborative exploration of space.
