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Election of George Washington
On February 4th, 1789 our very first president was elected.,this is a big change in United states history for it is the start of a democracy in the U.S. Though this has been tweaked a lot since, this event has set a very important precedent in the United States. -
Bill of Rights added to Constitution
This is when the Bill of Rights was Ratified. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the constitution. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to set limits on government’s power over the people’s liberty. -
Beginning of the Democratic-Republican Party
The Democratic-Republican Party was founded by Thomas Jefferson in the late 1700s. Many presidents we in this particular party, including James Monroe and James Madison. This party eventually evolved into the Republican Party. -
Beginning of the Federalist Party
The Federalist Party is a political party formed by Alexander Hamilton, although the only Federalist president was John Adams, who held office from 1797-1801. Federalists supported a national bank, tariffs, and a good relationship with the British. The Federalist Party eventually lost support and disappeared. -
Whiskey Rebellion
After the 1791 tax issued by the federal government on Whiskey, many western farmers became angered. Many Pennsylvania farmers began organizing attacks to protest eventually leading to violent mobs burning down federal homes. On August 7th President Washington issued and order with his militia to settle the dispute and proof the true power of the federal government. -
Election of John Adams
While in office Adams had to deal with the XYZ Affair and over-all relations with France. He also passed the Alien and Sedition acts while in office. When he ran for re-election, he did not get re-elected. -
XYZ affair
Three agents from France were sent to America to demand a bribe. We do not know the names of the agents so we commonly refer to them as X, Y, and Z. America was appalled at the bribe and declined, following with the famous quote “Millions for defense, but not one penny for tribute.” This quote indicates that they would rather go to war than pay them any bribe, consisting of any amount of money. -
Alien Act
What they were about: The Alien Act Made it to where aliens would have to wait fourteen years instead of the five they would have previously been required to do. The act also allowed the president the power to deport immigrants. The Alien Act was established so that the French were unable to make change enough to affect the way the U.S. government would work, or the presidency. -
Sedition Act
It was part of the Alien and Sedition acts passed around the time of the XYZ Affair. This act was aimed to forbid any type of written critism against the US government. This act was opposed by Jefferson which helped him in his presidency. -
John Marshall Appointed
John Marshall was appointed as Chief Justice of the United States. John Marshall was appointed by John Adams; Marshall was appointed because he was a federalist and shared many of the same views as Adams. This gave Adams a large portion of power from the Judicial Branch, because Marshall and Adams agreed with most things. -
Election of Thomas Jefferson
The election held between Democratic-Republican and Federalist John Adams where vice president Jefferson defeated President Adams. It started a generation of Democratic republican rule, and exposed a problem in the Constitution. Eventually, the House of Representatives had to choose Jefferson as president and Adams as vice president. It was a rematch of the 1796 election. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Marbury vs. Madison was the first time the Judicial Branch was faced with the decision of invalidating a law, and making it unconstitutional. This set a precedent in history known as Judicial Review. This ended up evening out the branches allowing the Judicial Branch to be equal to the other two. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana purchase was the purchase of current day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and parts of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and West of the Mississippi river, which includes New Orleans. This was a major accomplishment for the president at the time, Thomas Jefferson. This purchase protected trade rights through New Orleans, which was of great importance at the time. -
Lewis and Clark expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. The expedition gained much land for the U.S., but the main goal was for study. Their study consisted of the area’s plants, animals, and geography. -
Embargo Act
This act was passed by Congress to meet British orders restricting neutral shipping, and Napoleon's Continental System. It was President Jefferson's nonviolent resistance to British and French shipping regulations. It was hard on US farmers and New York and New England merchants. -
Non-Intercourse Act
During the last days of Jefferson’s presidency, Congress issued the Non-Intercourse Act to replace the Embargo Act of 1807.It lifted all American shipping embargoes to hurt the British and French economies. It was ineffective, helped lead to the War of 1812, and damaged the US economy. -
Election of James Madison
Democratic-republican James Madison defeated Federalist Charles Pickney. It was the first time where there would be a new President, but the same Vice President. James Madison won over half of the popular votes. -
War of 1812
It was a military conflict between the British and America forces. America declared war since Britain was violating trade regulations, pressing impressments on Us sailors, and supporting Native Americans to prevent expansion. British forces burned down Washington int he Battle of Bladensburg even though this war is considered the “Forgotten war”. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the last battle in the war of 1812. The American forces were led by Andrew Jackson. A peace treaty had already been signed overseas, but word would not reach the United States until a few weeks later. -
Election of James Monroe
When Monroe was elected, there was a surge in the “Era of Good Feelings”, meaning the country was in a joyous state. However, when the Panic of 1819 occurred, things in our country took a turn for the worst. Even though he left the country in a panicked state, Monroe still had a unanimous re-election. -
Missouri Compromise
This Missouri Compromise was an agreement that allowed Missouri to be admitted as the 24th state in the nation. It was controversial because it would upset the balance of the free/slave states. Missouri was a slave state because Maine was separated from Massachusetts, maintaining balance of free/slave states. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
It was a decision by the US Supreme Court to impose tax on all bank notes not charted in Maryland. It was recognized to target the new US bank system. It mainly affirmed the constitutional doctrine of Congress's implied powers. -
Expanded suffrage to all white males
The expanded suffrage allowed all white males to vote, instead of just property owners. Women and Immigrants were still unable to vote. They thought that with this they would have the opinions of the majority of the U.S. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine is a document that states European powers cannot cross a certain border. If Europe crosses that border it will be taken as a sign of aggression, and will ultimately be the start of a war. Presented by James Monroe this was a defining moment in the foreign policy, it was also very efficient in keeping European powers from crossing the border. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
It was a decision where the Supreme Court had the power to control interstate commerce. It was argued by Thomas Addis Emmet and Thomas J. Oakley argued for Ogden, while William Wirt and Daniel Webster argued for Gibbons. Aaron Ogden filed a complaint on Thomas Gibbons over his water. -
Election of 1824
John Adams was elected President of the United States on February 9, 1825. The election was so close it had to be decided by the House of Representatives. This is why the election of 1824 is called a “Corrupt Bargain”. -
Election of Andrew Jackson
In 1824, Andrew Jackson ran for president but did not succeed because of the “corrupt bargain”. In 1825, he was nominated to run again. This time, he won the presidency with 54% of the popular vote. -
Indian Removal Act
It was signed by President Jackson. It was strongly supported in the South since it would benefit them for expansion. Many Indians were forced to leave their homes and travel during one of the coldest winters from this law. -
Beginning of the Democratic Party
Andrew Jackson is really the first Democratic president of the United States. Democrats evolved from anti-federalist beliefs, and they strongly support universal health-care and lowering defense spending. -
Worcester v. Georgia
It was a court case where the US Supreme Court said that Cherokee Native Americans were entitled to federal protection from the state governments that would violate the Cherokee’s rule. It resolved the conviction of Samuel Worcester stating that non-Indians couldn't not be on Indian lands without be called unconstitutional. It established tribal sovereignty. -
Closing of the US Bank
Andrew Jackson closed the Bank of the US because he believed it was unconstitutional. He thought that the bankers had control over the country’s economics and he didn’t think that was okay. When it was time for re-approval, Jackson vetoed the Bank of the US.
