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Period: to
1800-1876
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was one of the most well known Founders of the United States. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third US president. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The purchase of the Louisiana territory nearly doubled the size of the US. It stretched from the Mississippi River in the East all the way to the Rocky Mountains in the West as well as from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. The French were in possession of the port, but after much negotiation, France did not only sell the port but the entire property. The US paid 15 million for the land that doubled the Country's size. -
Lewis and Clark
Even though the United States had purchased the land, no one knew what it held. Because of this Thomas Jefferson put together an expedition to view the ands West of the Mississippi. This event became known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, named this from the leader, Captian Meriwether Lewis, and Lieutenant William Clark. The length of the travel would take over a year. -
James Madison
James Madison served as the United States' 4th President from 1809-1817. -
The War of 1812
During this time Britian was fighting with the French. The British Royal Navy kept the country from trading with other countries and this angered Americans. The Navy had also captured numerous American vessels and seamen and were putting those to war against France. Responding to these events, America waged the War of 1812. Some hoped that through this war the Canadian territories would also be claimed, but that objective was not met. -
Louisiana Statehood
After the Louisiana purchase, more and more people were migrating to the territory. The population grew till it was large enough to create a new state. This state became known as Louisiana and it was the first state West of the Mississippi to be established as well as the original boundary of the US. -
Battle of Thames
This battle was a part of the on-going war of 1812 and was fought between American troops and an alliance of the British and Indian forces. American forces won this battle, and the leader of the Indian tribes, Tecumseh was killed. -
Treaty of Ghent
In 1814, the war between France and Britian was over, but the battle between Britian and America was still continuing. However, both sides recognized that they were not getting anywhere with the war and a peace treaty known as the Treaty of Ghent was signed. The treaty stated that both go back to their own lands and keep the ones they had conquered, with small exceptions. -
The Battle of New Orleans
Although the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, the news of this had not reached the armies yet, and wouldn't for another month. The treaty was signed in December but news didn't reach them until January. This battle took place in the middle of this time period. The Americans were led by Maj. General Andrew Jackson into a great victory with heavy losses on Britians side. -
Indiana Becomes 19th State
Many settlers had been settling in lands of modern day Indiana. This resulted in much conflict between the Native Americans, but after many battles Americans became victorious. This led to the establishment of Indiana of white settlers making it the 19th state of the US. -
Era of Good Feelings
WHen James Monroe became president, he sought national unity by combining several political factors. In this era was the end of the European wars which allowed America to foster trade ties with the European nations. Americans enjoyed the peace during this time. -
The Panic of 1819
This was a widespread economic crises that hit the US. When settlers were moving West throughout the decade, they had made loans in order to buid farms and houses but were unable to pay the off. This and other factors contributed to the Panic of 1819 and America did not fully recover until 1824. -
Missouri Compromise
By 1819 there were 22 states in the US, 11 were free and 11 were slave states. The contrast in views on slavery caused bitter rivalry in Congress. In effort to keep the balance between slave states and free states, Missouri entered as a slave state at the same time Maine was admitted to the union as a free state. This was the Missuori Compromise. -
The Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe announced a new policy stating European colonial powers were barred from colonizing any part of America in the future. This doctrine was introduced at a time when Latin American nations were fighting for independence from Spanish rule. This policy was the basis for American intervention in Central or Latin America against Europe. -
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was elected as the 6th president of the United States. He served from 1825-1829. -
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was elected as the 7th presodent of the United States marking the return of the Democratic party. He was instrumental in the relocation of the Native Americans living East of the Mississippi, this event is known as the Trail of Tears. -
The Oregon Trail
Settlers were traveling to the Oregon territory. This long journey and route taken is known as the Oregon Trail. The 2,000 mile trail was followed and established by settlers in 1830. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed by President Andrew Jackson to relocate Indian tribes living East of the Mississippi to Western territories. It is stated that the act was passed through negotiation, but numerous were forcibly removed from their homeland and thousands died on the journey. -
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was elected as the 9th president of the United States. He was a member of the Whig party and served from 1831-1831. He only served for one month before his death from illness. -
Black Hawk War
Numerous people were arriving and settling in Illinois, forcing the Indians who were there to leave. The Native Americans resented them for it and the Sauk tribe under leader Black Hawk, attacked the settlers. In 1832 a U.S army arrived and the battle between the two sides lasted 15 weeks before the defeat of the Indians and the capturing of Black Hawk. -
The Beginning of the Texas Revolution
In 1835 Texas was still a part of Mexico. Though they were relatively independant under General Lopez De Santa Anna in the beginning, he now wanted to impose his rule which began the conflict. A hundred Mexican soldiers marched to Texas to take back a canon sent to them years before. Texan's refused causing the first battle of the Revolution of Texas. -
The Alamo
In February, 1836 the battle of the Alamo was fought as part of the Texas Revolution. Volunteers took control of the previously Mexican fort called the Alamo. Reclaiming the Alamo, and attempting to end the rebellion against Spanish rule, thousands in the Mexican army attacked the fort filled with only 200 Texans fighting for their independece. Though they held out for a time, ultimetely the Mexicans regained the Alamo and killing everyone inside. -
Republic of Texas Established
After the battle of the Alamo, Texans decided they could no longer live under Santa Anna so they met in a convention in March 1836. At this convention Texas was claimed independent from Mexico and the Republic of Texans was established at the same time. The Republic lasted until 1846 when Texas became part of the U.S. -
Battle of San Jacinto
This was fought as a part of the Texas Revolution following the Alamo. In this battle was the well known phrase "Remember the Alamo" and the Mexican army was defeated and Santa Anna taken prisoner. He was later released after signing a treaty and recognizing Texas as independent. -
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was elected as the 8th president of the United States and served from 1837-1841. -
John Tyler
John Tyler served as the 10th president of the United States, was a member of the Whig party, and served from 1841-1845. -
James K. Polk
James K. Polk was the 11th president of the United States, he was a democrat and he served from 1845-1849 -
Mexican-American War begins
In 1846 almost all of the Western portions of the U.S. were still part of Mexico. President James K. Polk wanted to make these lands part of the U.S. so he stationed soldiers in a border area of Mexico. Mexico's response was to attack the soldiers so America declared war and defeated the Mexican armies as well as occupied one-third of Mexico. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
This treaty marked the end of the Mexican American War. The treaty stated Mexico gave up all its land possessions North of the Rio Grande River which significantly increased the size of America. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was discovered in 1848 in California where very few people lived at the time. The news of the gold spread quickly with nearly 100,000 people arriving in California to try their luck. During the gold rush period, nearly 2 billion dollars worth of gold was extracted. -
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor served as the 12th president. He was a member of the Whig party and served from 1849 until his death in1850. -
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore was the 13th president of the United States and the last member of the Whig party. He served from 1850-1853. -
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States. He was a part of the Democratic party and served from 1853-1857. -
Gadsden Purchase
America signed a treaty with Mexico in 1854 authorizing the purchase of 29,670 square miles of area in the Southwest. In exchange for this large amount of land America paid 10$ million. -
James Buchanan
James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States and was a member of the Democratic Party. He served from 1857-1861. -
Abraham Lincoln
During this time there was strong disagreement between slave ownership and freedom. The election of Abraham Lincoln as president was not an outcome the South wanted because they were for slavery and he was against it. Because of their dislike of the outcome, many began leaving the Union to declare independence. -
Confederate States of American Break Away from Union
By 1861, many states had separated from the Union. The states joined together to form the Confederate States which were originally, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. Later in the same year four others joined which were: North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia and Tennessee. -
The Civil War
The Civil War was fought over the disagreement of free and slave states. The free states were known as the Union and the slave states as the Confederacy, these two sides would fight what is known to be one of the bloodiest war in America. -
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle in the Civil War. Nearly 35,000 Union troops fought with 20,000 Confederate soldiers, but the Confederate army was able to defeat the Union who retreated back to Washington DC. The name of the battle comes from the location it was fought, near a small river called the Bull Run. -
The Homestead Act
This act was passed by the U.S. government stating that any American citizen can go to the Western territories, claim a plot of land 160 acres, if he can settle on the land and farm it for five years. Within the next years 150,000 people went West and stated their claims. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Civil War was still going on in 1863 and the Confederate army had just secured a major victory. This army ran into Potomac on its way to Pennsylvania. Both sides suffered heavy losses. The Union 23,000 casualties and the Confederate 25,000. The Confederates failed to break through the Union army and had to retreat resulting in an Union victory. -
Abraham Lincoln Delivers the Gettysburg Address
A few months following the batle of Gettsyburg a ceremony was held in honor of those who fought and lost their lives. At this event President Abraham Lincoln presented one of the best known speeches known as the Gettsburg Address. He spoke of principles and equality. The famous phrases: "the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" were first spoken in this speech. -
The Cival War Ends
By 1865, most of the Confederate armies had already been defeated. General Robert E. Lee still commanded one of the last major Confederate armies and Ulysses S. Grant over the Union army. After being surrounded by Grant's army, Lee had no choice but to surrender. This ended the Civil war with the victory going to the Union. -
President Abraham Lincoln Assassination
On April 9, 1965, the last major Confederate army surrendered. This brought the victory of the Union, but only five days later in a theatre, the President was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth who sympathized with the Confederacy. -
Slavery Outlawed
Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment outlawing slavery in any part of America. It specifically states, ‘Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction’. -
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th president, was a member of the Democratic party, and served from 1865-1869 -
Alaska from Russia Purchase
Russia had interest in the region of Alaska for expance in settlements. Although the explorers and settlers that arrived in Alaska found natural resources, they could not expand. On the other side, the U.S. wanted to expand their borders into Alaska. In the end, America paid Russia a sum of $7.2 million and effectively became the owner of the Alaska region. -
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th president of the United States. He was a republican and served from 1869-1877. -
National Park at Yellowstone
During 1872, Congress passed an act which established the Yellowstone National Park and President Grant ratified The Act of Dedication for this cause. Yellowstone then became the fist national park of the US and a landmark in the preservation of natural beauty. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
During 1876, the Lakota and Sioux warriors were fighting against the U.S. army in order to stop them from taking their land. In an attempt to remove the resistence of the Native Americans Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led a small army of U.S. soldiers to confront the warriors. The battle took place near Little Bighorn River in Montana. This battle is famous for the thought of "Custer's Last Stand. However, the Indians won a memorable victory.
