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Thomas Jefferson's Presidency
During Jefferson's time as president, he defined and expanded the limits of the government's power. He made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the U.S.’s land mass, and he stabilized the country’s economy through reducing the national debt. He also used warships to eradicate the threat of North African pirates on American trade with the Mediterranean. However, during his second term, he passed the Embargo Act which ruined American exports and let to the War of 1812. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson and the U.S. ambassador Robert Livingston negotiated with Napoleon to acquire the land they controlled in mid-western North America. After Haiti’s rebellion and the pressures of war in Europe, Napoleon decided to sell it to them for only $15 million, which was roughly below 3 cents per acre. The huge area provided bountiful new resources and strategical land for the U.S. -
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James Madison's Presidency
James Madison faced turmoil overseas as soon as he entered the office. He declared war on Britain after attempted peace negotiations went south, and America was thrown unprepared into the War of 1812. Lack of support for the war, many military defeats, hurt trade, the burning of the White House, and the threat of New England seceding hurt Madison’s reputation, but he and Britain agreed to negotiate peace in 1814. In the end, he was praised for triumphs that boosted American moral. -
The War of 1812
British impressment of American sailors and their attempts to inhibit the U.S.’s trade led to the United States' declaration of war against Britain. Unfortunately, they were greatly unprepared for the war, and some states refused to support it. The U.S. forces suffered many defeats, one of which left the White House in ashes. However, victories in Baltimore, New York, and New Orleans bolstered their morale. Both weary countries signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. -
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James Monroe's Presidency
Monroe became the fifth president and led many developments in westward expansion by encouraging infrastructure and in foreign policy through the Monroe Doctrine. He also purchased the land of Florida from the Spanish, and he helped pass the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which attempted to resolve the issue of the balance between slave and free states. Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri were added to the states during his time. -
The Monroe Doctrine
Assisted by John Adams, Monroe declared that the United States would protect the rest of the New World from further colonization or interference by European nations. Any future European attempt to meddle with the Western Hemisphere would be considered a threat to the U.S. This speech created the foundation for America’s foreign policy in the years to come. -
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Andrew Jackson's Presidency
Jackson, a veteran general of the Battle of New Orleans, was seen as an advocate and representative for the common man. He eradicated the Second Bank of the U.S., played a part in forcing the Native Americans to migrate west, supported individual liberties for the states, and advocated for westward expansion of slavery. He created and led the Democratic party. He also used his powers such as vetoing as president more liberally than any president had before. -
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Martin Van Buren's Presidency
When Van Buren came into office, he was faced with the worst financial crisis the country had seen. Part of it was caused by Jackson’s decision to transfer funds to state banks and dissolve the federal bank, but Van Buren did not help much because he only continued the deflationary money policies. He also became less popular for the second Seminole War and his decline of Texas’ statehood. -
William Henry Harrison's Presidency
Harrison died after only one month in office from pneumonia. His illness was caused by his lack of proper clothing in the frigid environment during his two hour inauguration speech. -
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John Tyler's Presidency
As President he was politically independent since the Whigs no longer supported him, but he managed to reorganize the navy and end the Second Seminole War during his time. He also annexed Texas as a state. -
Prigg vs. Pennsylvania
In this Supreme Court case, it was ruled that the south's slavery laws that required the return of escaped slaves, had dominance over the north's freedom laws. -
The Dred Scott Decision
Dred Scott v. John F. A. Sandford was a Supreme Court case where it was ruled that slaves who lived in a free area was not free, that African Americans could not become citizens, and that the Missouri Compromise was not in agreement with the Constitution. -
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James Buchanan's Presidency
Buchanan did not address the issue of slavery during his presidency. His lack of action has led some historians to consider him one of the factors that led to the civil war because the issues only continued to simmer and boil during his time as president. -
South Carolina Secedes
After Abraham Lincoln was elected president, South Carolina voted and decided to secede, releasing a Declaration of the Immediate Causes. One of their main grievances was with the government's failure to ensure the Fugitive Slave Act was executed in the northern states. -
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Abraham Lincoln's Presidency
Lincoln served during the time of the American Civil War. as President, he helped pass the Thirteenth Amendment, which was the official end of slavery in the U.S. He also made the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which prevented England from siding with the Confederates in the war since it explicitly made the war about slavery. Ultimately, he led the U.S. back to union and set up the path to freedom for African Americans. -
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the Civil War
The Civil War was the culmination of the disagreement between the free and enslaved states about westward expansion and slave policies. South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded and formed the Confederacy. Fighting began at Fort Sumpter with the Confederates taking control and Lincoln sending troops to quell the rebellion. After many bloody battles, it ended with the Confederates forces surrendering to the Union after the Battle of Paltimo Ranch. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
This battle is often considered the most important battle of the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee led his forces into Pennsylvania, where they clashed with the Union army lead by General George G. Meade at the town of Gettysburg. It was an extremely bloody battle, but the Union troops eventually one using an assault dubbed “Pickett’s Charge.” This victory turned the tides of the war in favor of the Union.
