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Election of 1800
The Election of 1800 was the first peaceful transition in power from one political party to another and lasted the whole year. Federalist, John Adams, ran against Democratic-Republican, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson won receiving 72 votes compared to Adams getting only 65. -
Period: to
Era of Good Feelings
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Lewis and Clark start their Expedition
President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore Louisiana Purchase. They were sent to learn about the Natives, plants, and animals of the west. They had to document their journey and try to find a river route across the west to the Pacific Ocean. -
The Embargo Act was passed by Congress
The Embargo Act banned trade with all foreign countries. The U.S. was trying to punish Britain and France and protect American ships from capture with this act. It was later replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act. Both were unsuccessful and had little effect on the British. -
The War of 1812
The U.S. had many reasons to declare war against Britain, one of the biggest being the impressment of U.S. ships. The battles of Lake Erie and New Orleans were fought during this war. The Treaty of Fort Jackson was made which ended the Creek War. The War of 1812 didn't end until the end of 1814. -
Treaty of Ghent was signed
The Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812. It was signed in Belgium. The Battle of New Orleans was fought after this treaty was signed because of slow communications at the time. -
Henry Clay develops the American System
The American System was intended to make the U.S. economically self-sufficient. It would do this by building the economy, making a second national bank to provide a single currency, and making interstate trade easier. Some members of Congress didn't approve of this system. They believed that the Constitution didn't permit the federal government to spend money on internal improvements. -
James Monroe is elected
In the election of 1806, Democratic-Republican, James Monroe, ran against Federalist, Rufus King. Monroe won, getting 183 electoral votes with King getting only 34. Monroe took office on March 4, 1817. -
Rush-Bagot Agreement is signed
The Rush-Bagot Agreement limited naval power on the Great Lakes for both the U.S. and British Canada. Both the U.S. and British Canada wanted to keep their navies and fishing right on the Great Lakes. This was an unresolved issue left from the War of 1812. -
The Cumberland Road reached Wheeling
The Cumberland Road was the first road built by the federal government. They had to cut a 60 ft wide band and dig a 12-18 inch roadbed. This road was later expanded to Columbus, Ohio and is now called the National Road. -
The Convention of 1818 was signed
This treaty set the border between the U.S. and Canada at 49°N latitude. Britain gave the U.S. fishing right off parts of Newfoundland and Labrador coasts. The U.S. also agreed to occupy the Pacific Northwest together. -
The Adams-Onis treaty is signed
This treaty settled all border disputes between the U.S. and Spain. Spain gave the U.S. East Florida, The U.S. gave Spain what is now Texas. The U.S. also agreed to pay up to $5 million of U.S. citizens' claims against Spain. -
The Missouri Compromise is signed
The Missouri Compromise settled conflict arisen from Missouri's application for statehood. This compromise had 3 main conditions, Missouri enters as a slave state, Maine enters as a free state, and slave states were prohibited 36°30' latitude. There were still strong disagreements between the North and South over the expansion of slavery, despite the success of the compromise. -
Monroe Doctrine was issued
The Monroe Doctrine was created by Secretary of State, John Adams, and President Monroe. The Monroe Doctrine warned European powers not to interfere with the Americas. It included 4 main points, the U.S. would not interfere in the affairs of European nations, the U.S. would recognize colonies that already existed in North and South America, the Western Hemisphere was to be off-limits to future colonization by any foreign power, and interference would be considered a hostile act. -
Election of 1824
In the Election of 1824, Andrew Jackson ran against John Quincy Adams. Jackson won the popular vote but Adams won the presidency. The House of Representatives chose the winner, and Jackson supporters claimed Adams had made a corrupt bargain with Henry Clay. Suspicions grew when Clay was chosen to be Secretary of State. -
Erie Canal was completed
The Erie Canal ran from Albury to Buffalo, New York. The British, German, and Irish dug the canal entirely by shovels. The canal cost millions but was worth it because of its' success. It allowed goods and people to move between towns of Lake Erie, New York, and the East.