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Constitutional Convention
70 Delegates from all the states except for Rhode Island. They all met in Philadelphia and their goal was to decide on how America should be governed, But it was actually held to revise the existing articles. George Washington was elected to preside over it. Significance: It was to address the weak problems of the central government that was in place under the Articles of Confederation. Impact: The U.S. Constitution was written and signed by 39 members. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The Fugitive Slave Act allowed local governments to arrest and return slaves that had escaped back to their owners. Anyone who interfered was punished accordingly. Impact: This put pressure on citizens to take sides regarding the slavery issue. It also increased tension between the North and the South initiating the Civil War. -
The Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was invented by Eli Whitney. The sole purpose of this machine was to separate the cotton seed from the cotton. Significance: To speed up the time consuming process of removing the cotton from the seed. Impact: This lowered the need for slave labor, but it actually did the reverse. Cotton became very profitable and it increased the need for both land and slave labor. -
Unites States purchases the Louisiana Territiory
The Louisiana Territory was purchased for $15 Million dollars from the French. It was done because the U.S. was afraid that the french would not be able to lay down a slave revolution. Significance: It strengthened the country both material and strategic wise. It provided for westward expansion and confirmed the doctrine of implied powers of the Federal Constitution. Impact: Allowed for land expansion throughout the west and also the south, and for slave plantations to monopolize the area. -
Hartford Convention
A secret meeting of the federalist delegates from the New England States. They were dissatisfied with Pr. Madison's mercantile policies and the progress of the War of 1812. Resentful of the political power given to the south.
Sign: Federalists opposed the War of 1812 and held the meeting to discuss and seek clarification from Washington of their complaints and wrongs they felt were done
Impact: N.E. refused to place militia under fed. control. Called on Fed. government to protect trade economy. -
Mexican-American War
1st U.S. conflict fought on foreign soil. Pr. Polk wanted to expand west to Pacific Ocean. A fight broke out along the Rio Grande and was followed my many more U.S. victories. When ended Mexico had lost about 1/3rd of it's territory (Ca., Utah, Ne., Arizona, and N. M.).
Sign: Was to expand the U.S. territory across the entire North American continent.
Impact: It affected mainly Texas and Mexico. Mexico had a huge loss of life, economic ruin, and damage to property. Huge land gain by the U.S.. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Ended the Mexican-American War. Gave Mexicans the right to either stay and become U.S. citiz. or go back to Mexico.
Sign: Mexico lost 55% of their ter. which included Arizona, Ca., N. M., Texas, Co., Nevada, and Utah. Mexico released their claim on Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as the Southern border of the U.S.
Impact: It cut Mexico in half and doubled the territory of the United States. This extended to the Pacific Ocean giving them a bounty of ports, minerals and natural resources. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was found at Sutter's Mill in Ca. This brought thousands of men west to look for gold. This made for a booming society, towns became wealthy and spurred the American economy.
Sign: It created a lasting impact by advancing industrial and agriculture development. It shaped the course of Ca.'s growing economics.
Impact: Ca. was ruined for people who lived there. There was a loss of land, respect, culture and legal rights. Tons of Native Americans died of diseases and forced onto reservations.
