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Louisiana Purchase
The United States paid $15 million to receive the territory which extends west from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. Napoleon, the leader of France, was in financial trouble due to war and was willing to give that huge chunk of land for a very little price. Jefferson wanted to expand America and eagerly bought the land. This transaction, although was unconstitutional, is forgotten about and is overlooked today. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition sets off
Lewis and Clark set out to explore the unknown territories of the Louisiana purchase. -
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War of 1812
The U.S. declared war on Britain over Britain's interference and prevention of American shipping to Europe and over their interference of America's westward expansion. Many important events took place during this war. For one, Washington D.C. got captured by the British and the White House and Capitol Building were set on fire. Another event that happened was Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner as he watched Britain's attack on Fort McHenry at Baltimore. -
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First Public Railroad System
Construction began on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This is the first public railroad in the U.S. It was a key factor in America's westward expansion and it made trade much easier and less expensive. This threw America into the Industrial Revolution as well as changed the face of this once primitive land. -
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Mexican War
Mexican War took place in America's effort to gain California and other territories in Southwest. -
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California Gold Rush
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. After news spread that gold had been discovered there, thousands of Americans dropped everything they had and moved to California. By 1849, it was the peak of the Gold Rush, thus, creating the name forty-niners for the many miners that searched for gold there. This event greatly increased America's westward expansion. -
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Abraham Lincoln is elected
Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest and most remembered presidents of America, was elected on this day. His election spurred on the most brutal and deadliest war in American history. Soon after he was elected, South Carolina seceded from the Union and was then followed by the Civil War. -
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Civil War
The Civil War was the conflict between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) over the expansion of slavery into western states and over the preservation of the Union. This war was had a higher fatality rate out of all of the wars fought in America combined. This sad event shaped our government for the better and opened the eyes of Americans to the brutality of slavery. -
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U.S. adopts standard time
The U.S. adopted standard time. -
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Statue of Liberty is dedicated
The Statue of Liberty is dedicated to the U.S. by the people of France as a gift of friendship.