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Election of George Washington
Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789. Each of the 69 electors voted for Washington, making him the only unanimously elected President. He was very popular with the people and favored a simple lifestyle. George Washington set many important precedents such as the policy of foreign neutrality. -
Bill of Rights added to the Constitutiom
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to protect citizens unalienable rights. They were added because they believed without these rights the national government would be able to deny people their basic rights. The Bill of Rights, turns the Constitution into a living document, as amendments can be added. For an amendment to be added ¾ of state legislature and ⅔ of Congress has to agree. -
Beginning of Federalist Party
This party was one of the first two political parties in American politics. The Federalist party was founded by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. The name of this party came from the Federalist papers. The Federalists were also for a very strong central government. -
Beginning of Democratic-Republican Party
This party was one of the first two political parties in American politics. The Democratic-Republican party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Democratic-Republicans believed that a strong central government might hurt the bond between the states. They believed that the states should have all the power. -
Whiskey Rebellion
A rebellion protesting a tax of whiskey passed by the Federal government, it is the first show of the United States’ Federal Government’s power. After the Government passed a tax on whiskey, many farmers began to rebel. It was decided that the federal government had the right to stop rebellions like these, and George Washington led an army out to the main resistance’s forces. In the end, the army of 13,000 led by George Washington caused the rebels to flee without conflict. -
Election of John Adams
When first president, George Washington, announced that he wouldn’t be running for a third term, vice president, John Adams, ran and was elected for president in 1796. Adams was unbelievably popular during his first four years in office, especially for his role in the Alien and Sedition acts. Despite his unpopularity, he made decisions for what he thought was the good of the country, even if his party leaders disagreed with him. He was the last president in the Federalist party. -
XYZ affair
After the United States signed Jay’s Treaty with Britain, France became angry at the US, and began to seize American ships. To peacefully solve this problem, President John Adams sent three diplomats over to France to negotiate. Before they could even negotiate with Talleyrand, the foreign minister, three French agents known as X, Y, and Z demanded 250,000 dollars for Talleyrand and a 10 million dollar loan to France. -
Alien Act
The Alien and Sedition's Act was designed to control the activities of foreigners in the United States. The act stated that if any foreign nation trying to invade or threaten the U.S, that the president is authorized, by his proclamation, to act upon the event of any invasion of “aliens”. The Alien and Sedition acts consist of four laws passed by the federalists-controlled Congress. -
Sedition Act
This law made it illegal to say, print, or write anything that said something bad about the government. The Sedition Act upset Americans so much, because it was a lot like the laws imposed on the colonists by King George. They felt that this law violated their First Amendment rights. The people also felt that it violated the Tenth Amendment. -
Election of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr each ran for president in 1800. Both ran for the Democratic-Republicans, and both received an equal number of electoral college votes. The House of Representatives voted 36 times before Thomas Jefferson was elected. This election represented a shift in power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans. -
John Marshall Appointed
John Marshall was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1799, and in 1800 he was appointed Secretary of State by president John Adams. Before Thomas Jefferson was sworn in, John Adams appointed him the head Supreme Court Justice. He ruled many famous cases such as Gibbons v. Ogden and Marbury v. Madison. Marshall is most known for giving the Supreme Court the power of judicial review. -
Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison was a court case where William Marbury sued James Madison to force him to deliver his commission as judge that was issued by the last president, John Adams. When Thomas Jefferson was sworn in, he told James Madison not to deliver the rest of the commissions issued by John Adams that were originally to be delivered by Supreme Court Justice, John Marshall. -
Louisiana Purchase
The United States originally was going to purchase New Orleans from France, to gain control of the Mississippi river. When diplomats were sent to negotiate France offered their entire territory for 15 million, due to economic troubles from the Napoleonic Wars.America purchased the Louisiana Territory, which more than doubled the size of the United States, after much debate in Congress. Overall, the territory added more than 2 million square miles. -
Lewis and Clarke Expedition
After the Louisiana purchase, the United States wanted to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean from the Mississippi River to ease trading with Asia. To do this, Merriweather Lewis and William Clarke were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson. A 15-year old Native American named Sacagawea to help relations with Native Americans along the way. Although they failed to find a water route to the Pacific, they brought back much knowledge of the life and resources in the newly-bought Louisiana -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act was imposed on foreign trade in a desperate attempt to avert the War of 1812. This act was a very costly failure for the United States. Even the French and the British didn't hurt the economy as bad as this act did. There was much smuggling and the farm prices fell drastically. Many Americans didn't agree with the Embargo Act and felt the need to abandon it. -
Election of James Madison
James Madison was elected as president in 1808. At first, Adams was not so popular, but his popularity grew throughtout the year. Pinckney's 44 votes looked extremely pitiful compared to the total of 122 votes Madison received. James Madison had easily won. -
Non-Intercourse Act
The Non-Intercourse Act regulated purchases of Native American land. It stated that only government approval would allow a person to purchase Native American land. It also recognized the Native Americans’ right to their land. This stopped Americans from completely overrunning Native American territory. -
Start of War of 1812
A war between Great Britain and The United States, it is often called the “Second Revolutionary War.” The main cause for the war was British impressment of US sailors due to their war with Napoleon. The war resolved nothing, but resulted in the White House being burned down and an important British General, Robert Ross’ death. The War was officially ended with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, but the war’s most famous battle was fought after the treaty was signed. -
End of War of 1812
A war between Great Britain and The United States, it is often called the “Second Revolutionary War.” The main cause for the war was British impressment of US sailors due to their war with Napoleon. The war resolved nothing, but resulted in the White House being burned down and an important British General, Robert Ross’ death. The War was officially ended with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, but the war’s most famous battle was fought after the treaty was signed. -
Battle of New Orleans
Located just about 100 miles upstream of the Mississippi River, New Orleans offered an appealing offer to the British military. Preparing for a fight the citizens of Louisiana looked to , Major General Andrew Jackson , know to his men as “Old Hickory”. He quickly arrived in New Orleans to prepare defenses along the cities many avenues of approach. With Jackson’s help to fight the war , a victory was won and the war was over. -
Election of James Monroe
James Monroe was elected in 1816 as the fifth president of the United States. Many people openly criticized Monroe while cheering for King, another candidate in this election. Most Republicans in Congress chose Monroe when they caucused. He won 65 to 54. The depleted Federalists did not choose a president. -
Expanded suffrage to all white men
After the Democratic-Republicans took power, many citizens expressed a wish to be able to vote without owning land. Although this was granted to all white men, some states also took away women’s and black men’s rights at the same time. This was considered a step back by many. For example, in New York, all white men gained the right to vote, but black men had high property requirements. -
Missouri Compromise
When Missouri petitioned for statehood, an impasse was formed about the issue of slavery, because it would unbalance the number of slave and free states. Through Henry Clay, “ The Great Pacifist” , a compromise was finally resolved on March 3, 1820 after Maine petitioned Congress for statehood. Both states, a free Maine and a slave Missouri were admitted. -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe was scared of European countries that were in turmoil in Europe re-colonizing the independent South American countries. He stated that any attempt to interfere with affairs in the Western hemisphere would be viewed as an act of aggression against the United States. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
The New York Legislature passed that gave a monopoly on steamship travel to a group of investors. Thomas Gibbons wanted to use the steamship waterways, as well, but was denied access to their three waterways by the state of New York. John Marshall told Gibbons and Ogden that the Constitution gave the federal government the right to manage commerce and waterways. This case gave the federal government more power over the states. -
McCulloch vs Maryland
McCulloch vs Maryland was a
case that let the Americans know that Congress has the power, under the Constitution to incorporate a bank pursuant to the Necessary and Proper clause. The state of Maryland voted to put a tariff on every bank business that wasn’t done with state banks. This tax was supposed to be on the people of Maryland who also did business in other states. Andrew McCulloch refused to pay the tax, so the state of Maryland sued him. John Marshall told him to pay the tax. -
Election of 1824
The Election of 1824 stated that the “era of good feelings” had come to an end. Candidates included: John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and John C. Calhoun. When results were tailed Clay had 37, Adams finished with 84, Jackson 99, and Crawford 41. Jackson clearly expected to win although Clay, a Speaker of the House, used his influence amongst Adams. -
Election of Andrew Jackson
The Democratic-Republican party was much more popular than the slowly depleting Federalist party at this time. Jackson was a Democratic-Republican, therefore having the advantage in this election. This president campaign was not organized, but instead, no candidates made any promises or even attempted to receive any votes. At eh end of the election, Jackson received a total of 178 electoral votes and 56 percent of the voting population. -
Beginning of Democratic Party (Jacksonian Democracy)
Jackson began a movement that made people more associated with government. This time was called Jacksonian Democracy. Although his movement often took away rights and privileges, many people felt more democratic. During this time, farming and agriculture were very big because of Jackson’s favoritism towards them. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed by Andrew on May 28, 1830. This document gave the president permission to hand out unsettled land west of the Mississippi River in exchange for Indian territories. Some tribes welcomed this new law peacefully, but others were more resistant. About 4,000 Cherokee Indians died on the Trail of Tears Jackson on May 28, 1830. This document authorized the president to grant unsettled lands that were west from 1838 to 1839. -
Worchester v. Georgia
A case where Supreme Court Justice John Marshall ruled that states had no authority to enforce their laws in Native American Territory. This was due to missionaries in Georgia being arrested for not having a permit to stay in Native American lands. Although Worchester was a Federal Postmaster at the time, they applied for him to be fired so that they could arrest him. John Marshall ruled this unconstitutional and stated that Native Americans lands counted as their own nation. -
Closing of the U.S. Bank
Andrew Jackson thought that the Bank of the United States only benefited rich eastern farmers and workers, as well as smaller state banks. Henry Clay, who planned to run for president against Jackson decided to push the bill through congress to renew the banks charter four years prior. Jackson vetoed the recharter bill, even though the Supreme Court claimed it Constitutional. Jackson reasoning was the simple fact that he thought that the bank only existed to make the rich richer.
