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Period: to
1790 through 1810
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The Lancaster Turnpike
The people of Pennsylvania decided that they needed a way to get from Philadelphia to Lancaster more easily. The idea to build the road was petitioned in 1730 but construction started in 1792. Before it was finished, in 1794, it was opened to the public. The road was complete in 1796, being 62 miles long and costing 450,000 dollars to build. -
The First American...Continued
memorized the plans and departed for the States. Samuel became partners with the failing business men Moses Brown, and William Almy who together created the first successful cotton mill in the Americas. Samuel slater was dubbed “The Father of The American Industrial Revolution” for creating the factory boom by buying up mill land and moving an entire family to work in his factory. The machines were housed in factories next to rivers. The factories used the river’s current to power their machines -
The First American Factory
With the invention of the Spinning Jenny in 1763 which sparked the British Industrial Revolution, many machines were invented to help process wool and cotton. By the 1790’s the United States were struggling to keep up. After decades of bad relations with the British, they prohibited any blueprint or plans related to mills to go to the United States. The English born Samuel Slater, an apprentice to a factory master, found out about the bounties American industrialists were giving for plans, he -
The Treaty Of Greenville
After endless conflict with Native Americans between 1783 (When the Northwest territories, were ceded to the United States) and 1794. General Anthony “Mad” Wayne leader of the United States Northwest army led his troops into the what is now Ohio and built Fort Greenville. As tensions arose with the Native Americans in the summer of 1794 Wayne’s troops battled Indians in an area titled Fallen Timbers (a tornado had ripped through and torn up a portion of the forest). The Indian troops were defeat -
Jefferson's Presidency
Thomas Jefferson was initially supported by the Federalists in his campaign for presidency. The Federalists disliked Jefferson’s opponent, Aaron Burr, more than they disliked him so they supported Jefferson. After his election, the Federalists were scared of Jefferson and his promises to unite the country. Jefferson broke many precedents by acting like a normal citizen during his presidency and not expecting excellent treatment. -
XYZ Affair
The French were jealous of Jay’s Treaty, a peace treaty between the Us and the British, so they started raiding US ships. John Adams didn’t like this, so he sent Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry to negotiate with the minister of France. They ended up meeting with X, Y, and Z, French agents, who stated that the French minister wanted a 250,000 payments for himself and a 10,000,000 dollar loan to France. The US delegates declined and John Adams prepared the US defenses for war. -
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase The US needed to use New Orleans to store their merchandise, but the Spanish wouldn’t let them. Robert Livingston and James Monroe went to France to negotiate a purchase of New Orleans and parts of West Florida. Napoleon decided to give up on American conquest and sold the negotiators the Louisiana Territory for 15 millions dollars. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
After the Louisiana Purchase Americans knew little about the newly acquired land. Jefferson wanted to learn more so he sent former officer of the Northwest Campaign, Meriwether Lewis, on an expedition to study and learn about the new uncharted land. Lewis appointed his friend and fellow comrade William Clark to join him on the expedition and together they gathered a greatly talented team to explore the new land, they were known as the Corp of Discovery. Jefferson’s goals were for them to learn t -
Lewis and Clark ...Continued
new land, they were known as the Corp of Discovery. Jefferson’s goals were for them to learn the geography, find a route to the Pacific, and lastly develop relationships with the Native Indians for trading. To achieve this they sent them with gifts for the Indians. The expedition began in May 1804 and ended in 1806. When they arrived back in St. Louis in 1806 ending their 7,689 mile journey, Americans celebrated with pride and joy in the new discoveries and information. -
The Twelfth Amendment
After the disputed election of 1800 when Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson received a tie of electoral votes. There was an upset in American citizens, but according to the Constitution, Congress could vote to elect the president; Thomas Jefferson became president. In December of 1803 the constitution was tweaked and the twelfth amendment was adopted, it would later be ratified June 15, 1804. This changed many things in the electoral college, it gave guidelines if there was not an acting president, -
Fulton's St...Comtinued
eventually sank due to the fact that it was scraping against the bottom of the river. -
Fulton's Steamboat
Robert Fulton was the first person to make a commercial steamboat. Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent the steamboat. He just made them publicly available.
He also modified the design for the original steamboat and made it more efficient. His first steamboat ride took place on August 17, 1807. At first the engine had a bit of trouble but he was able to fix it and smooth sailing followed. His second steamboat worked and lasted for a long time until it eventually sank due to the fact tha -
Embargo Act
British impressment was a practice in the military centered Britain that gave the government the right to force ‘press’ citizens into the navy. This affected American traders because ‘press gangs’ would often board trade ships and force Americans who could not prove their citizenship into the British navy. A significant event occurred in 1807 it was called the Chesapeake Affair. When four impressed sailors (3 of which were American) tried deserting, they were taken in by the American navy. Who r -
The National Road (Western Expansion, Part 3)
... Cumberland Road, National Pike, and also the National Trail. Today, the trail has become part of Route 40. -
The National Road (Western Expansion, Part 1)
*Note: The exact date for the beginning of the construction of the National Road was unspecified, and most of the construction was delayed until immediately after the War of 1812. In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson signed a legislature that approved funding for the construction of the National Road. This road was supposed to connect Cumberland, Maryland and Wheeling, Virginia, but there were many extensions added onto the road as more states were added to the Union. To provide funding, the... -
The National Road (Western Expansion, Part 2)
... government used tax money to pay for the National Road. Also, Albert Gallatin, Jefferson’s Secretary of Treasury, sold land in the west to settlers. This increased settlement in the west while providing the money needed for the construction of the National Road. The road decreased popularity in travel by river for a while, until travel by river became popular again. Then, the road gained popularity again after the invention of the automoblie. The National Road is also known as the... -
The Battle of Tippecanoe (Conflict, Part 2)
... After being defeated, the Native Americans were forced to flee their village, and Prophet’s Town was burned. Harrison became a hero because of this battle. On the other hand, the Prophet was discredited as a leader. At the time, Tecumseh had been elsewhere recruiting followers. He returned to find his dream of a Native American confederation destroyed. -
The Battle of Tippecanoe (Conflict, Part 1)
Governor William Henry Harrison led 1,000 soldiers against the Prophet and his Native American followers at Prophet’s Town. There was a meeting with several Indians and whites, where it was agreed there would be no fighting until the following day. Just before daybreak the following day, The Prophet led his followers in a surprise attack on Harrison and his men. Even though the Prophet had the element of surprise with him, the Native Americans were defeated... -
New States (Western Expansion, Part 3)
... Congress. To complete the process, the idea needed to be approved by the House of Representatives, The Senate, and signed by the president. States could then pick a name. Many states chose their names in several ways, mainly based on location and the history of the land. Indiana for example, was named Indiana because in the past, its land was owned by Indians. Mississippi was named Mississippi because of its location near the Mississippi River. When some states were added, there... -
New States (Western Expansion, Part 5)
... still theirs, but others felt that the western part of Florida was apart of the Louisiana Purchase, and could also become a part of the Union with Louisiana. -
New States (Western Expansion, Part 2)
... enough people living in each area for them to apply for statehood. To become a state, the area needed to have a current population of at least 60,000. There needed to be a meeting of delegates (1 delegate per 1,200 citizens). At this meeting, the delegates needed to write a constitution for the state that agreed with the Constitution of America. The delegates also had to decide collectively that they would like the given area to become a state. They then had to present the idea to... -
New States (Western Expansion, Part 4)
... were conflicts. For example, when Louisiana decided to join the Union, there were some debates because many colored people that lived in Louisiana were respected and had jobs. This made a disagreement for the other states that were in the south of America, where slavery still existed. Also, there was confusion about the borders of Louisiana. When the Louisiana Territory was bought in the Louisiana Purchase, a small part of Western Florida was also bought. Spain argued that Florida was... -
New States (Western Expansion, Part 1)
Between 1811 and 1820, five new regions were added to the Union. These states included: Louisiana, on April 30, 1812, as the 18th state in the Union; Indiana, on December 11, 1816; Mississippi, on December 10, 1817; Illinois, on December 3, 1818; and Alabama, in 1819. At this point in time, people were starting to move out of the thirteen original states. So many settlers moved west, that more people were living in the new states than in the thirteen original states. Eventually, there were... -
War of 1812 (Conflict, Part 2)
... to surrender Detroit to the British at the very beginning of the war. Later, at the Battle of Lake Erie, Oliver Hazard Perry led an attack against British forces, raising a feeling of patriotism when he won. The victory at the Battle of Lake Erie also secured the land around the region. After that was the Battle of Thames, led by William Henry Harrison. In this battle, Detroit was recaptured and Tecumseh, a Native American leader, was killed. When the war between France and Britain ended... -
War of 1812 (Conflict, Part 3)
... Britain was able to focus their forces on America. They invaded Chesapeake Bay and set the White House and the Capitol building on fire. From there, British forces attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore. This battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that later became the U.S. national anthem. On December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, restoring pre-war conditions. The treaty did not address anything that had caused the war, so many believe that the War of 1812... -
War of 1812 (Conflict, Part 4)
... was pointless. The last major battle of the war, the Battle of New Orleans, happened after the war had ended, because news of the signed treaty traveled very slowly. The Battle of New Orleans was a huge victory for the United States, and it was led by Andrew Jackson. Many view the War of 1812 as America's "second war of independence", since it proved the capability of America in a war. -
War of 1812 (Conflict, Part 1)
In 1812, War-Hawks, people who supported war against Britain, influenced President Madison into declaring war with Britain. The War-Hawks were mad that the British had interfered with American trade, and they were also furious with the British act of impressment. Lastly, they wanted to expand into Canada, which was a British colony at the time. The Americans hoped to conquer Canada easily, but the American army was small and poorly trained, so they were tricked, defeated, and also forced... -
The Treaty of Ghent (Conflict, Part 2)
... gained during the war would be returned, and all pre-war conditions would be restored. Also, it stated that Britain would end all claims to the Northwest Territory, and that both nations would work to end the slavery still present in America.The Treaty of Ghent did not discuss British impressment, which was a large cause of the war. The treaty also did not mention Britain’s interference with the United States’ neutrality in European affairs. The Treaty of Ghent showed how pointless the... -
The Treaty of Ghent (Conflict, Part 3)
... War of 1812 was, since nothing was physically achieved from the treaty and the war. However, it helped America to gain power as a foreign influence, and it also proved that the newly established nation would be capable at war. -
The Treaty of Ghent (Conflict, Part 1)
On December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Belgium. This treaty was meant to end the War of 1812, but news of the treaty traveled very slowly, so the war didn’t technically end until after the Battle of New Orleans (January 8, 1815). The treaty was officially ratified in February of 1815. John Adams, James Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell and Albert Gallatin were some of the men sent to negotiate the treaty with Britain. The treaty stated that all properties lost or... -
The Battle of New Orleans (Conflict)
The British were planning on attacking New Orleans. They wanted to take over the city because they would then be able to gain control of the the Mississippi River, and use it to their advantage. Luckily the United States found out what the British were planning, and had time to prepare. General Andrew Adams was given many men and put in charge. Some of his men included frontiersmen, many skilled with riffles. He also had Choctaw Indians who were fighting along their side because their rival... -
The Battle of New Orleans (Conflict, Part 2)
... tribes were allied with the British. Many of New Orlean’s citizens offered their services, most of whom were African American.To prepare, Jackson had his men dig trenches, which he used as a defense mechanism. He also took over Pensacola in Spanish Florida so the British could not use it as a base. Jackson and his men were waiting for the British when they arrived. The battle took place January 8, 1815 in New Orleans. Sharpshooters and cannons managed to take down many British men. During... -
The Battle of New Orleans (Conflict, Part 3)
... the battle, one of the men in charge of the British soldiers, Sir Edward Pakenham, was killed. The British surrendered, ending the battle and making Andrew Jackson a hero. This was the last major battle of the War of 1812. The battle actually occurred two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent (a peace treaty) had been signed. News of the treaty had not yet reached New Orleans, which is why it still occurred. The battle did, however, give Americans national pride, and hope for the future. -
The Era of Good Feelings (Politics, Part 1)
*March 4, 1817 was President Monroe's inauguration date.The "Era of Good Feelings" was largely credited towards President Monroe, but there was no exact date that it had started on. The time period of 1817 and around then is known as the “Era of Good Feelings”. At this point in time, James Monroe was the President. James Monroe was the last president who had been in the Revolutionary War as an officer. He was also a republican. He was a very old fashioned person (wore breeches and powdered... -
The Era of Good Feelings (Politics, Part 2)
... wigs), and this was one of the reasons why many people admired him. Monroe worked to create national economic development. One of the things he did was that he created the Second National Bank of the United States, located in Philadelphia. He wanted to create a new sense of national unity. These are a few things James Monroe did to make his time as President better, and he ended up creating an “Era of Good Feelings”. Some other factors that made this time an “Era of Good Feelings”... -
The Era of Good Feelings (Politics, Part 3)
... includes the fact that there were little political disputes between parties during this time. There was really only one party, the Democratic Republicans. They were mainly in charge of decisions, and they made up around 85% of Congress. In Congress, they made economic decisions that Federalists agreed with. The decrease in the amount of debates between the two political groups helped to increase the general happiness of everyone. -
The Erie Canal (Industrialization, Part 1)
In 1816, an idea came for a canal to built. This canal would connect the Great Lakes to the Hudson River. However, many people believed that a canal this long would be impossible to build. Governor Dewitt Clinton, on the other hand, strongly supported the construction of the Erie Canal, and he is credited for the start of the construction of the canal. For that, the canal became known as "Clinton's Ditch". The construction began in 1817, and made made transporting goods a lot faster, easier... -
The Erie Canal (Industrialization, Part 2)
... and cheaper. When the canal was built, it had to overcome some obstacles. Many trees had to be pulled out to make room for the canal. For this, a stump-puller was invented. This sped up the process of getting rid of trees, and also made it a lot easier. Another obstacle the canal had to overcome was that it had to pass over streams and rivers. Stone bridges were made for the water in the canal to pass over. The canal was finished in 1825, and is over 363 miles long. -
Spain Gives Florida to the U.S. (Expansion)
On February 22, 1819, the Adams–Onís Treaty was signed. This treaty was also known as the Florida Purchase because it stated that Spain gave Florida to the U.S. Florida had been purchased for $5 million. At first, Andrew Jackson had marched a force of 3,000 men to try to force Spain to give up Florida. Spain, however, was busy fighting the rebels in Latin America, so the Americans were met with little resistance. -
McCulloch v. Maryland (Politics, Part 2)
... helped to strengthen federal power because the court had ruled that states had no rights to interfere with federal institutions such as the Second Bank of the United States. -
McCulloch v. Maryland (Politics, Part 1)
This case was a big decision by the Supreme Court. The government wanted to open a Second Bank of the United States. The Republican party agreed on opening a second bank hoping it would help pay back debts. Maryland had tried to put tax on everything that had to do with the banks so they didn’t have to open another bank in Maryland. James McCulloch refused to pay the tax for the bank. The case went to court and Chief Justice Marshall declared that Maryland had no right to tax the bank. This... -
Period: to
1820 through 1830
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2nd Great Awakening
The 2nd Great Awakening was the birth of a new type of Christianity, Protestantism. In this type, you can live a non-perfect life, but you can be forgiven. It began in upstate New York, where preachers, which sometimes attracted more than 20,000 people, held religious meetings. Rev. Charles Grandison Finney was an example of someone who gave speeches in New York. This moment appeared strongly to women and African-Americans. It is considered to be important to Christianity today. -
Adams-Onís Treaty
After the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, Americans lived in Florida even though Spain took control over it again. In 1810, they started rebelling for American independence. The US said that the land in West Florida was apart of the Louisiana Purchase. Spanish minister, Luis de Onis and John Adams got together to settle the conflict. They came up with what is known as the Adams-Onís Treaty, which involves the US paying Spain $5,000,000. -
Steam Powered Printing
In the very early 1800s, printing was rare in the US because of the high paper and machine prices, but this changed a lot in the 1820s. In 1813, George Clymer of Philadelphia brought the first invention of a printer, a hand press, to America. Many other inventors based their presses off of Gutenberg’s invention of the 1400s, and so did Clymer. John Wells came up with the Wells press, but his new design couldn’t keep up with the other fast growing printing manufacturers, and he had sued many for -
Steam Powered Printing (continued)
for using his work. The smith press, made by Peter Smith, changed the shape of the hand press, making it easier and more efficient. This also changed his shapes later after what Smith had done. The last and most important press invention of the 1820s was the Columbian press. It was also made in 1821, but didn’t recognized before around 1829, and it was in use by all of America throughout the 1800s. -
Santa Fe Trail
On September 1, 1821, William Becknell set out on an expedition westward. On this journey, he founded what was known as the Santa Fe Trail. It was a passage for traders from Missouri, trading fur and other valuables. The trail ran from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Franklin, Missouri, making a total of 900 miles. Becknell found a great source of trade for his country. -
Settlement in Texas (continued)
However, Mexico became nervous of losing Texas, so they banned new citizens from coming in. Also, they planted new laws saying citizens must worship Catholic church, and there was no slavery. Slowly, the tensions began to rise between the countries. -
Settlement in Texas
Spain finally allowed Americans to settle in Texas, by giving Moses Austin a land grant. However, he died and his son, Stephen Austin, took over. Also, Mexico won its independence from Spain, so Texas was Mexican territory now. Mexico still let Americans settle though. Austin gathered almost 300 families to move to Texas. As Austin’s colony grew, Mexico gave out more land grants, when by 1830, almost 20,000 Americans lived here. However, Mexico became nervous of losing Texas, so they -
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was at the controls of a locomotive as it pulled 36 wagons filled with sacks of coal and flour. The ride of 9 miles took two hours. But, during the final descent into the Stockton terminus, he reached up to 15 mph on it. The Stockton and Darlington line successfully lowered the cost of transporting coal, and in 1826, Stephenson was made the engineer and provider of locomotives for all new railway projects. -
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal was an idea created in 1808. Like many ideas, people liked the Erie Canal and it was turned into more than an idea. In 1816, they came up with the geography for the canal. It connected Lake Erie and the Hudson River in New York. The idea behind the canal was to link Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes with the Atlantic Coast through a canal. The canal was completed in 1825. It was a major passageway for passengers and cargo for many years up until 1903. -
Spoil System
When Andrew Jackson had his inauguration, officials “mobbed” it. The President had already planned before that he was going to replace “corrupt” officials with officials he felt would suit the country better. These supporters that mobbed it, were going to be the new officials. This system was called the spoils system, giving jobs to your supporters. Senator William Marcy named it, by saying, ”To the victor belong the spoils.” Over Jackson’s presidency, he dismissed about 10% of the -
Spoil System (continued)
government officials. This system is still used today sometimes, depending on the person or issue. -
Jackson's Election
In 1824 Adams won office by having supporters in the north and parts of the south, while Jackson had focused more on the south. Jackson and Adams had different views about everything, and later Adams called himself a National Republican, and Jackson, a Democratic Republican, later know as the Democrats. This election didn’t have a winner, so under the constitution, it was taken to the House of Representatives and Adams was chosen over Jackson. -
Jackson's Election (continued)
Jackson later got connections with Martin Van Buren, a great politician in the north, and he helped him get many followers by starting to worry about the banks and the national debt. He was elected in 1828 by both popular and electoral vote, but he had some trouble because his wife died a couple of weeks before his inauguration. He managed to pay off the entire national debt in his later years, which was the first time it has ever happened. -
Indian Removal Act
In 1814 to 1824, Andrew Jackson with his army brought violence to the native americans and took their land and signed treaties, giving the tribes land further west. They could stay in the US, but weren’t allowed to own land, or they could move westward. This was made easier when the Indian Removal Act was passed right when Jackson after Jackson became President; it allowed him to seize native land in exchange for unsettled land west of the Mississippi. -
Indian Removal Act Part 2
Many obeyed and stayed as citizens, and many moved west peacefully. Others however fought for their land and tried to cheat their way out of losing it, but they all lost their land and many were killed, mostly because of the United States “having” to grow cotton. -
Nat Turner Rebellion
In 1831, Nat Turner was moved to the Travis household. He described his owner as a kind person. A few months later, Turner arranged a meeting with four men who he trusted the most. He explained his plan to them. About 7 months later, Turner went into his owner’s household and killed his whole family while they were sleeping. Then, he kept going on to house to house killing every white person that came in their way. His team almost had about 40 slaves. Soon, Turner escaped from -
The Liberator Newspaper 2
About 75% of the readers were African American. It took him a lifetime of work to achieve what he wanted to do. -
The Liberator Newspaper
William Lloyd Garrison created a newspaper called the Liberator in 1832. It talked about Anti-Slavery and trying to free the African American slaves in the south. He started this newspaper when he was about 21 years old. Later Garrison decided he wanted support from all around the world so he traveled, meeting up with delegates to form an American Anti-Slavery Society. Throughout the years the newspaper was out, Garrison convinced many Americans to be part of his side...... -
Black Hawk War
This war was caused by a Sauk Warrior named Black Hawk, in 1832. He wanted his birthplace back. In the beginning Hawk noticed that many whites started to settle in their town, so he moved his tribe to the east side of the Mississippi River. Soon, he started building an army of American Indians of the Sauk and Fox tribes. Hawk led his army toward their original ground place, but the government of Illonois did not approve of this. They hired General Edmund P. Gaines and some of the local...... -
Black Hawk War 2
militia. They fought for about two months. Next, Black started to plan a surprise attack on a campsite where the militia were. In the end, Black Hawk lost many of his people and he was defeated. 70 settlers and about 450 American Indians were killed. Black Hawk was captured and sent to Virginia for supervision. -
Nat Turner Rebellion 2
Soon, Turner escaped from all the ruckus he made. Many whites were trying get revenge by killing more than 200 African Americans. Turner was found in a cave by a local farmer. He then surrendered and was sent out to jail. Turner was later executed. The state executed 55 more people because of this tragic conflict. -
Nullifcation Act
In 1832, President Andrew Jackson create a Nullification proclamation. It said that states had a right to determine if a law was constitutional or unconstitutional. It was first made by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The act was placed for the opposition of the Alien and Sedition Acts. Soon, a Compromise tariff was sent out, Many people from South Carolina thought that the Tariff was unconstitutional. Next, a force bill was placed. -
Nullification Act 2
Then, when John C. Calhoun was elected as Senator for South Carolina, the Compromise tariff and the Force Bill were nullified on March 2, 1833. -
Texas Revolution
In the beginning, William Travis wanted texas to become independent. He pulled together 25 soldiers to fight in the battle. President Santa Anna didn’t want American settlers immigrating to Texas. He sent out troops to guard. Santa Anna made about 342 Texans surrender.. Santa Anna ook Travis as a prisoner. The Mexican force lost 600 people. Soon, Santa Anna was captured and the Texans had their Independence on March 2nd, 1836. Texas became the 26th state to join the United States. -
Siege of the Alamo
In the 1836 in Alamo, Texas, the Texans were “property” to the Mexicans. The Texans did not like this and wanted to be independent. However, the Mexicans did not want this to happen. The Mexicans went to the Alamo in Texas and shots were fired. The Texans tried to fight back, but they were outnumbered. Almost all of the Texans died at the end. -
Oregon Trail
In the 1800’s pioneers wanted to go west for a better life. In the spring of 1836 the pioneers traveled on wagon trains to the west. The route that took the pioneers to Oregon was called the Oregon Trail. There was more than one route to travel on. The route began in Independence, Missouri and it w.as a 4-6 month journey. It was said that the first wagon journey was in 1841. The wagons were carried many supplies and were pulled by oxen. There were a lot of people and wagons. -
Oregon Trail-2
Some pioneers that went to Oregon had to or chose to walk. There were leaders that made decisions. The trail was dangerous and there was a lot of sickness. Pioneers traded with Native Americans but there were many fights too. -
A Lone Star Republic 2
Soon, Texas almost went bankrupt and other Indian clans were starting to threaten some villages around the country. In the 1830s there was a lot of slavery that was growing in the north. Texas had slavery in their country too, but they didn't want to be part of the union. In America, Andrew Jackson was worried that Texas might get in a conflict with Mexico and turn it into a war. Nine years later, Texas was still attracting new settlers to live there. Many came from Germany and Switzerland.... -
A Lone Star Republic 3
By the 1840s, almost 140,000 people lived there. Some Mexicans also lived there, along with Native Americans. -
A Lone Star Republic
During the battle between the Texans and Mexicans, the Texans always carried a flag with a white star on it. The Texans started writing a constitution that was modeled after the United States’s one. Next, the Texan voters chose Sam Houston as the President of their new country. Texas faced many problems Some of them were that the Mexicans didn’t respect the treaty between Santa Anna and the Texans/ Mexico thought that Texas was still a part of them.... -
Panic of 1837 (Depression)
The Panic of 1837 created a massive depression throughout the states. Before all this happened, Martin van Buren was elected as President in 1836. He followed the ways of Andrew Jackson’s financial policies, which created the Panic of 1837. Jackson hurt the second federal Bank of the United States by moving the federal funds to smaller state banks. He thought that the Bank of the United States hurt the citizens, so after Burne came into office the banks were in trouble and he knew this... -
Panic of 1837 ( Depression) 2
Some banks had to close and shut down, because of this. Many businesses were failing and various people lost their jobs. Buren never cared what people had said. He was looking forward to creating a strong federal government and take control of the nation’s failing economy through a new Bank of the United States. The only thing he wanted to do was move the federal funds to an independent treasury. This was one of the reasons he wanted to run for his next term in 1940. -
Trail of Tears 2
This is why the way from their homes to Oklahoma is called the “Trail of Tears”. -
Trail of Tears
In 1838, President Andrew Jackson passed a new law called the “Indian Removal Act”. This allowed the U.S Government to evict any Indian tribe from their home and relocate. The government tried kicking the Cherokee out of their land, but they refused to move. The U.S. army came in and captured every Cherokee tthat refused to move and made them go to Oklahoma, by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat. Because of the harsh conditions, many people died on the journey.... -
The Oregon Trail Part 3
Settlers died rather from accidental gun discharge, drowning, disease, lightning, hail, and falling from horses or mules. After 1843, traveling the trail became an annual event until the railroad cross country was built (1969) -
The Oregon Trail Part 2
The Oregon Trail than followed the South Passage through the Rocky Mountains. The path then followed either the Colombia River or the Snake River. The Oregon Trail, or the Oregon-California Trail, helped settle Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah. It took 4-6 months by wagon. In movies and books, it has mostly been assumed that the Native Americans were much trouble. However, they were usually friendly. -
The Oregon Trail
In 1843, 1,000 settlers set off on the Oregon Trail. The trail had started as a pathway for Native Americans, and was than used by fur traders and trappers. Its main purpose for the settlers was to lead them westward to settle. The trail itself is 2,000 miles long. The two main starting points of the trail are in Iowa and Missouri. The two trails then meet up in Nebraska. Next, the trail divides into Wyoming and Idaho. Parts of the trail follow the Platte River, or went through the Great Plains. -
First Telegraph Message
The Congress gave Samuel F.B Morse funds to put a wire from Washington D.C to Baltimore. There was a crowd of people that watched the first telegraph happen. It worked by sending electrical signals over a wire. Congress gave Morse $30,000 to build the telegraph line. One May 24th, 1843, Morse sat at a sending device in the Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and sent the first official telegraph message, "What hath God wrought!" -
Election of 1844 Part 2
A black horse (little known) named James K. Polk was instead nominated. Polk supported expansion and Clay was opposed to it. President Tyler then dropped out of the runnings. Henry Clay lost votes from the North and South, and Polk won. Overall, the election of 1844 was a political battle over westward expansion. -
Election of 1844
As the next election was coming up, the candidates for president and vice president were getting ready. The president at the time wanted to have a second term, and threatened to annex Texas.
Van Buren and Henry Clay, both running for president, did not want the annexation of Texas and tried to avoid talking about it. Van Buren lost Democratic votes because of this. At the Democratic Convention, Van Buren did not win all of the need votes. -
Manifest Destiny Part 2
they could take down any enemy and take anything they wanted. Many natives to the land that were taken were killed or kicked out of their land. White men felt superior to the Native Americans and Mexicans that they took land from. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was a 19th century United States belief. John L. O’Sullivan first voiced the idea in 1845. This belief was that Americans had the right to expand from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. If the Manifest Destiny were fulfilled, the U.S. would have a lot more land, and more land meant more money. Having a port on the Pacific Coast would also increase trading opportunities. There were, however, negatives to the concept of Manifest Destiny. It gave the white men the idea that -
The Mexican-American War Part 3
Twenty months later, after many bloody fights, the Mexican-American War ended with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The U.S. got one-third of Mexico’s territory. This land is now New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the eldest treaty between the U.S. and Mexico. -
The Mexican-American War Part 2
Mexico was afraid that Americans might encourage rebellions in California or Mexico like the ones in Texas. President Polk really wanted the land, and was ready to go to war for it. Not being able to purchase the land, President Polk planned a military campaign to get it. In 1846, he sent American troops, under the direction of Zachary Tyler, to go to the Rio Grande River. April 25, 1846, Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked. President Polk declared war on May 13. -
The Mexican-American War Part 1
President James K. Polk wanted more land from Mexico to achieve the American idea of Manifest Destiny. To achieve this, Polk planned to buy California and New Mexico. Polk also supported the annexation of Texas, and settlers were already in Mexico. Texas belonged to the Mexican government and Mexico threatened America. Americans were already settling in Mexico, which made Mexicans outraged. -
California Gold Rush Part 2
After 2 years of people migrating, California’s population grew 20 times its original population. Because so many people wanted to become wealthy, there were too many people to all be in the mining business. Some people were forced to become farmers or ranchers. It got so chaotic, but it was the reason why California was allowed to join the Union. The population grew, so they accepted California as a state in 1850. -
Free Soil Party
Many people of the Democratic Party and the Whig Party were against slavery. Members of both parties got together in Buffalo, New York in 1848. There, the Free Soil Party was formed. This party was created to keep slavery from expanding into the Western territories. The members of this single-issue party, a party that focuses largely on one idea, opposed slavery in newly founded territories. They also were against existing laws that discriminated against freed African Americans. -
California Gold Rush
James Marshall discovered gold at Sutters Mill, California. When people found out about the discovery in “The Californian,” they started to migrate. There were 2 routes to California: a 6-month voyage around South America or a long trail on land. Both of these routes influenced the constructions of the Panama Railroad. It shaved months off the trip and didn’t have as bad living conditions. The distance did not even stop people from China, Turkey, Ireland, Chile, Germany and Mexico. -
Treaty of 1848
The Treaty of 1848 ended the U.S Mexican war. It was signed Febuary 2 1848. It is still the oldest Treaty betwween U.S and Mexico. Because of the treaty, the United States got 500,000 square miles of land that was valuable. -
Women's Sufferage Part 2
but was the first convention on women’s rights ever. The people that attended wanted equality for women at work, school, and church. The result of the convention was the resolutions and the Declaration of Sentiments. -
Women's Sufferage Part 1
In the 1800’s, women were not respected or treated as the men were. African American woman could not fight for freedom like the men, wives could not own property, and other Two women, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cody Stanton were denied seats at the National Anti-Slavery meeting. They wanted to make a difference in both women’s treatment and freedom, so they planned a convention. The convention took place on July 19th and 20th at a church in Seneca Falls. The convention was not very organized, -
Compromise of 1850
After the Mexican-American War, there were land disputes. Texas claimed their territory expanded to Santa Fe, but others opposed that thought. California wanted to join the Union as a free state, which would create disputes between the free states and the slave states. In Washington D.C. , slavery was allowed and it was the largest slave market in North America. These disputes were settled in the Compromise of 1850.
Members of Congress debated the Compromise that was proposed by Senator Henry -
Compromise of 1850 Part 3
- California would be a free state and join the Union.
- The Fugitive Slave Act, which allowed citizens to assist on the recovery of runaway slaves, was passed to keep the slave-state politicians happy.
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Compromise of 1850 Part 2
Clay of Kentucky. A series of bills were ushered through Congress by Stephen Douglas. These bills made up the compromise:
1. Texas would surrender the land and be granted 10 million dollars so they could pay off debts to Mexico.
2. The new territories would be created without the mention of slavery. The decision would be made later by the people later when they applied for statehood.
3. The slave trade would be abolished in the District of Columbia even though slavery would still be allowed. -
Fugitive Slave Act
The fugitive slave act was a gathering of federal laws made to capture runaway slaves that have escaped from there owner. This act was enacted by congress in 1793. The law returned the slaves back to their owners and added punishment to the people who helped the slaves get away, limitinng the amount of space and freedom the slaves actually would get. -
Period: to
1851-1860
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California Gold Rush
John Sutter found gold in an American river just north of Sacremento, California, when he found small bundles of gold dust flowing down the river. After the word got back to the Atlantic seaboard, hundreds of thousands of people rushed to California. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin: An Antislavery Bestseller
In 1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a novel called Uncle Tom's Cabin. This novel was about Uncle Tom who was a slave known for his kindness and good deeds. He gets bought by a brutal slave owner who questions Uncle Tom where two runaway slaves are. Uncle Tom refuses to tell him so he is sent to death . The book was written to promote the idea of anti slavery. In the north most people realized how awful slavery is. South said slavery was not bad, and hated the novel. -
Gadsdon Purshase
In 1853, the United States bought a strip of land from Mexico. They had spent $10 million to buy the land. The land went to making more railroads. the land today is in Arizona and New Mexico. The U.S. had a;ready spent and given Mexico $15 million and agreed to repect the rights of the spanish. Many Americans were very happy with the U.S. buying the strip of land. -
Kansas Nebraska Act (2)
was passed, the anti- and pro-slavery supporters rushed into Kansas to try and affect the outcome the first election that was held, after this act went into play. The pro-slavery supporters won the election, but at the same time, were charged with fraud by the anti-slavery supporters. Therefore the election they won was not accepted. Shortly after the anit-slavery settlers held an election, meanwhile pro-slavery settlers refused to vote. Soon after violence broke-out. John Brown led the anti- -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Compromise of 1820 that was made to ban/prohibit slavery in the North. The Northermers were furious about the Kansas Nebraska Act, because they Lready agreed with the Missouri Compromise, and were strongly against slavery. On the other hand, the South was pro-slavery, and strongly supported this Act. After the Act -
Kansas Nebraska Act
the anti-slavery supporters outnumbered the pro-slavery supporters, and on January 29, 1861, (right before the beginning of the Civil War) Kansas was enlisted as a "free state". -
Kansas Nebraska Act
slavery force. After this battle, this event led into another one, being called "Bleeding Kansas". This name was mostly supported by all of the deaths that arose from this violent battle. Franklin Pierce (the President) sent federal troops to stop this unnecessary battle. Another election rose from this point. Once again the pro-slavery settlers won, and once again they were "charged with election fraud". As a result to this poor behavior, Kansas was not eligible to become a state. Eventually -
The Assault of Charles Sumner
On May 22nd, 1856, Charles Sumner was assaulted by Preston Brooks from South Carolina. Mr. Brooks came to the senate chamber and beat Mr. Sumner with a cane. He did this because Sumner previously strongly criticized Andrew Butler the senator of South Carolina. Brooks left him there bloody and unconcious. Sumner was not able to resume full duties in senate until three years later. Because of this, northerners realized that slavery was extremley dangerous. -
Bleeding Kansas
In 1865, men crossed over the border to Kansas to vote. Only 791 of the voters were legal. 20 out of 600 were legal. The men burn down houses and newsStands. They both did a guerrilla warfare. Thousand of armed people from Missouri. The town was Lawarance.The fight was aganst slavary and weather to have it or not and Kansas as free territory. -
Dred Scott Case
This led to slaves wanting their freedom and fighting and killing their owners just to live the normal life. Dred scott though was very significant because he launched a battle to enslave his freedom. 11 years after his first suit to become free but they denied. Still after all the waiting he did he still got denied because all slaves are promoted as not citizens of the U.s and that letting him go to wisconsin and missouri to be free was unconstitutional thus their answer was no. -
John Brown's Raid
A lunatic named John Brown known to be a man of action, had a master plan to destroy the south's slave system. He led his anti-slavery campaign of 21 men from Kansas into the east. Their plan was to raid a a gun warehouse on Harper's Ferry and get weapons for a revolt against the south. His planned turned out to be a fail. He got some guns but most of his men did not raid with him. Shortly after the weak attempt he was captured. He would later appear in court. Almost all Americans' opinions on -
John Brown's Raid (2)
John Brown was that he was insane. Since most Americans viewed him this way The way his trial in court ended was him being sent to death. -
The Election of 1860 (3)
could carry out the North, and win the majority of Electoral College votes. Their best choice suting these traits came out to be Abraham Lincoln. Douglas was sure that Lincoln would win, considering he was a symbol of 'frontier, hard-work, and the American Dream'. Keeping this in mind, Douglas wantedthe Democrats to try to save the Union. Therefore Douglas urged all democrats to stay with the union, no matter whi was elected President. Lincoln (as planned) carried out the North, and wonMeanwhile -
The Election of 1860
The Northern Democracts met in South Carolina to discuss who they wanted to select to run for the President spot. After this meeting, they decided to elect Stephen Douglas, because their their thinking was that hr has the best chance of defeating the "Black Repulicans". This took 6 for the North to decide who they would select as candidate. However tje South Democrats did not like Stephen Douglas. THey considered him a traitor because he supported popukar sovereignity. With this thought in -
The Election of 1860 (4)
The Southerners decisions did not even matter/affect the outcome of the vote. The most shocking part, was that Lincoln's name was not on the ballet in 10 southern contries. The Northerners outnumbered, and outvoted the Southerners. -
The Election of 1860 (2)
mind, the south "stormed out of the meeting, without choosing a candidiate". Thinking about the election at a later date, the south democrats finally chose (Vice President) John Breckenridge from Kentucky. The Constitution Union electeted John Bell of Tennessee to run for President. The constitution union most likely elected Bell for president, because his promise was to keep the union together. The republicans met in Chicago to discuss who they wanted as president. They wanted someone who
