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Bill of Rights Ratified
The Bill of Rights, which constitutes the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified, guaranteeing freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, free assembly, the right to keep and bear arms; freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, and freedom from warrants issued without probable cause. They also limit the government's power in judicial and other proceedings and guarantee of a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury and prohibit double jeopardy. -
United States Post Office Established
The United States Post Office Department was established by President George Washington with the signing of the Postal Service Act, which outlined Congressional power to establish official mail routes. The act allowed for newspapers to be included in mail deliveries and made it illegal for postal officials to open anyone's mail. -
Eli Whitney Patented the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry in the United States and made cotton production profitable for the southern states by automating the separation of cottonseed from the short-staple cotton fiber. Prior to his invention, farming cotton required hundreds of man-hours to separate the cottonseed from the raw cotton fibers. The cotton gin could do the work of fifty men when cleaning cotton by hand. He received his patent March 14, 1794. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion occurred when western Pennsylvania farmers in the Monongahela Valley protested against the federal tax on whiskey, which they sold to earn money. Washington ordered federal marshals to Pennsylvania to negotiate with the rebels and sent a militia force to enforce the tax. It was the first serious test of the federal government and demonstrated that the new national government had the willingness and ability to suppress violent resistance to its laws. -
First American Political Party System Established
The First Party System between 1792 and 1824 featured two national parties. The Federalist Party was created by Alexander Hamilton and was dominant until 1800. The rival Democratic-Republican Party was created by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and was dominant after 1800. Both parties were based on voters, not factions of aristocrats at court or parliament. The Federalists appealed to the business community, the Republicans to the planters and farmers. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the United States with his purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon's France. The Louisiana Purchase gave Western farmers use of the Mississippi River waterway, removed the French presence from the western border of the United States, and provided U.S. settlers with huge potential for expansion. -
War of 1812
Americans declared war on Great Britain in response to continued British interference with American shipping and Britain’s aid to American Indians. They sought to uphold American honor at sea and to end the Indian raids in the west. Westerners and Southerners were the most ardent supporters of the war. Many consider the War of 1812 the Second War of Independence. -
British Troops Burn the White House
The White House was burned by British forces upon occupation of Washington during the War of 1812 in retaliation for the destruction of Canadian public buildings by U.S. troops. President Madison had to evacuate. President James Monroe would have to wait three years before he could occupy the executive mansion. -
Francis Scott Key Wrote The Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner during the twenty-five hour bombardment of Fort McHenry at the head of the river leading to the Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent two months later. -
The Panic of 1819
o The Panic of 1819 was the first financial crises in the United States and led to foreclosures and bank failures. Falling prices impaired agriculture and manufacturing, triggering widespread unemployment. Several causes have been identified, including the heavy amount of borrowing by the government to finance the War of 1812, as well as the tightening of credit by the Second Bank of the U.S. in response to risky lending practices by wildcat banks in the west. -
Alabama becomes the 22nd state in the U.S.
Alabama becomes the 22nd state in the U.S.
