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John Adams Becomes the 2nd President
During the time he was President, John Adams focused on the French and Britain conflict and tried to keep the United States out of their battles. He guided us away from the British and French conflict, and focused on what was important to the newly founded America, beginning to process as a country and develop. By doing this, John Adam's helped America matured and become a confident country. -
Thomas Jefferson Becomes the 3rd President
Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States and was Vice President to John Adams. A great accomplishment of his while he was in office was the success of the Louisiana Purchase from the French in 1803. This purchase doubled the size of America and brought the possibilty of having new towns and boosted the economy. In 1807 Thomas Jefferson abolished foreign slave trade on Jan. 1, and established that it was illegal to trade slaves. -
Ohio Becomes 17th State
On March 1, 1803, the state of Ohio became the first state to be admitted to the Union from the Northwest Territory. In the 1800s, the rich soil of Ohio attracted many European farmers to leave their homeland. Ohio’s statehood, combined with its productive soil, further improved its appeal as a place to live and work.
The new state of Ohio became the destination of many immigrants to America. With the later development of roads, canals and railways, Ohio became an important link to the west. -
The Lousiana Purchase
In 1803 America purchased 828,800 sq. miles of land from France for $15 million. The land sold in the Louisiana Purchase was what is now Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Louisiana, and parts of what are now New Mexico, Montana,Minnisota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. This land more than doubled the size of America. This purchase stimulated the American economy because of how large the land was for such a cheap price which helped America grow even more. -
Land Act of 1804
The United States Congress passed the Land Act of 1804 to sell federal lands in Ohio. The Land Act of 1804 made it easier for Ohioans to purchase federal lands. Although the cost per acre was still set at two dollars, the minimum purchase was cut in one-half to 160 acres. The total of 320 dollars was still too much for most settlers to pay at one time, and once again the federal government allowed people to pay the money in installments. After this act immigrants were more able to move west. -
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
Capitons Lewis and Clark recieved a letter from Thomas Jefferson, asking them to venture west to look for places to settle. The East Coast was becoming very crowded and they were running out of room for everyone. Lewis and Clark went to what is now Montana and were looking for places with good land and places free from natives. They sold the land they found for very cheap and this caused many people to immigrate there. -
Non-Importation Act
The British reversed the policy of trading and seized American ships trading with French colonies. The U.S responds with the Non-Importation Act, stopping imports from Britian. This was important for the U.S because it stopped British trade from and to the U.S. The U.S tried to do this to collapse Great Britian and force Great Britian to buy American products. -
James Madison Becomes the 4th President
One of James Madison's biggest achievements as President was his attempt to enforce the Non-Intercourse Act, which would deny any trading with Britain and France due to the battles and the American ships that were being attacked. His way of acting towards the British and French showcased that the United States would not tolerate them, and that all three countries had to be in peace if any trading of goods would continue. -
Ferry Between Staten Island & Manhatten
At the age of 16, Cornelious Vanderbuilt started a ferry service between Staten Island and Manhattan for commuters to go to work. It soon became one of the largest family businesses of the 19th century. Little did he know that his service would continue to serve as a way to for people to get to work even today. -
Congress Raises Taxes for the War of 1812
Congress in 1812 decided the only way to fund the War of 1812 was to raise the taxes on imported goods and issue $5,000,000 in bonds. This is an important economic event those over-taxed goods affected how much people bought, not to mention the 5,000,000 dollars that were saved up specially for the war. America ran a great risk of losing thousands of dollars if they were not successful in the war, yet they took that risk and fought for what they believed in. -
Louisiana Becomes A State
In 1803 Louisiana had become a part of the United States because of the area's importance to trade. For a long while Louisiana was a trading and financial center, and the quality of its land made it rich. Over time, Louisiana split into many different states. On April 30, 1812, Louisiana signed into statehood as the 18th state. Because of it's wealth it had a major appeal. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a conflict between Britian and America for several reasons including trade restrictions. This war was a struggle that threatened the existence of Canada, then divided the United States so deeply that the nation almost fell apart. This war was needed because America could of crumbled if they lost the war, yet they knew establishing the trade restriction was important. For years they have been ruled/ pushed around by Great Britain and this war proved that America was a country. -
Indiana Becomes a State
On Dec. 11, 1816, Indiana became the 19th state to join the Union. Though this state had a very rough start financially, it soon became a very important state for manufacturing. This state had a very important role in strengthening America's economy because of its manufacturning. -
James Monroe Becomes the 5th President
James Monroe was the President for two terms due to lack of competition but still worked hard to lead America in the right path. He is most famous for coming up with the Monroe Doctrine. This law established that any European power could not colonize above the Western Hemisphere, as to not have to fight for land and control and worry about starting another war. By doing this, Monroe ensured the safety of the U.S back then and is still in action to this date. -
Mississisppi Becomes a State
When Mississisppi became a state it encouraged western growth because of it's location on the Mississisppi river. This made it an ideal area for trading. The added appeal brought in a lot of merchants and their families, and many other Americans followed. -
The Convention of 1818
The United States and Great Britain negotiated a convention stating that the 49th parallel from the Lake of the Woods, to the Rocky Mountains as the northern boundary of the Louisiana Purcahse. It also opened up Oregon for settlement. About 30,000 immigrants entered the United States in 1818 alone because of the convention. -
Illinois Becomes a State
Illinios was an odd challenge for Americans used to forests like in east America. There was a lack of forests, and farmers didn't know what to do for wood. They assumed its lack of vegitation showed it was a poor place for farming. At first they clung to the rivers and lakes of this state. However, the beauty and uniqueness of this state quickly changed it to a heavily populated, bustling state. -
The Panic of 1819
Since the 1700's France and Spain had been at war against each other. During this time they bought many wepons, supplies, and goods from America, stimulating our economy. But in 1818, Spain and France settled differences and ended war. Both contries downsized their military and needed less from America. Men didn't have as many people to sell their goods so they didn't buy as many things,causing America's economy to ground to a halt. Thus creating the first financial crisis of America. -
Alabama Becomes a State
Alabama was alread a fairly well populated area. Settlers flooded in as soon as most of the Native Americans had been chased out of the state. Alabama was popular for growing cotton, bringing many rich Americans in. This made it a fairly pleasant place to live. It was one of the keys of western expansion, because some of the population spread outside of it, into other areas of the west. -
The Land law of 1820.
The Land Law was passed by Govener Jeremiah Marrow, it stated that people could no longer buy land on crebit. This was so the goverenmnet would take in more money. It also lowered the price for land to $1.25 an acer, it also lowered the minimun amount of land you could buy to 80 acers. The biggest change the law made was that land would be expemt from taxes for 5 years after it was purchesed. This opened up the land to individual farmers of a lower class. -
Maine Becomes a State
There was a lot of fertile land in Maine, appealing to people. It was also a free state, meaning it disapproved of slavery. This attracted a large group of people, and Americans who dissapproved of slavery migrated from slave states to live there. -
Missouri Becomes a State
Missouri became it's own state because it approved of slavery. Having an same appealing climate Missouri was very popular because of the fact that it was a slave state. Many moved from free states to live there so they could own slaves. -
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Osage Indian Treaty
The Osage Indain treaty entailed the agreement that the Americans could pass into the west where the Native Americans were and the Native Americans would let the colonists just pass through. -
British propose that America helps them
The British government proposes that America join in stating that European powers will not permit further American Coloniaization, creating population set backs. Also, if there are not any people, there isn't anyone to tax, creating major set backs in government and money income to keep the government alive. -
The War Department is Established
A bureau of Indian afffairs is in Jeopardy of losing their land due to British Government. The United States established the war deptartment to keep themselves safe when realizing that the indians are going to be stuck in slavery. -
Rediscovery of the Southpass
Before the Southpass the Rocky Mountains were a natural barrier preventing migration west. Then in 1823 Jedediah Smith took a trapping party west, they wanted to find a practical way to get through the Rocky Mountains and to the west side of the Rocky Mountains and California . This was land that could stimulate the economy and provide land to produce more products to trade in Asia. -
John Quincy Adams Becomes the 6th President
Eldest son to the second president, John Quincy Adams was not the greatest of leaders. More of a dreamer than a doer, Adams looked forward to things like creating a national university and a national astronomical observatory. Even though he didn't make a great impact on the history of the U.S, Adam's fame comes from his bumbling actions and little to nothing accomplishments. -
The Santa Fe Trail
George Sibley led a team of men, appointed by the government, to survey the Santa Fe Trial. Before this many people had wanted to start trading with New Mexico. They had heard of a trail that supposidly was the fastest route there. Once the government surveyed the trail many people started trading with the people in New Mexico. It stimulated our economy, opened us up to a new faster route for trading and opened up opportunities to many new types of goods. -
Andrew Jackson Becomes the 7th President
During the period of time Jackson was in office, called the Jacksonian Era, he became an influential leader and politician. Jackson ruled with a firm fist, examples being the dozen pieces of legislation he vetoed, and honestly wanted what was best for the U.S. One of the many things he did that affected how America functioned was his spoils system, a system that ensured supporters of Jackson good political positions. Many viewed this as unfair, yet he was able to pay off the national debt. -
Indian Removal Act
President Andrew Jackson passed the Indian Removal act in hope to resolve the dispute between Gerorgia and the Cherokee nation. The Act forced tens of thousands of American Indiana east of the Misissippi. Many were displaced and forced to move from the land they had long lived on. The act also caused economic set backs for the American Indians because of the competition for natural resources. -
Trail of Tears
The Indian Removal act in the south force all the Native Americans out of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Some natives did stay but nothing really happened to them, the colonists just left them alone. The reason why they forced them out was to farm cotton. -
Great New York Fire
In December of 1835 a wildfire started in New York, destorying 50 acers of land, 530-700 buildings and New Yorks Stock exchange around the south tip of Manhatten near Wall St. Most insurances weren't forthcoming because they had been burnt down. Total losses were estimated at 2 million dollars. But, in todays times that would have been equivalent to hundreds of millions fo dollars. -
Arkansas Becomes a State
Arkansas was a very wealthy state because of it's cotton industry. It was very popular because of it's rapidly developed cities. It played a key role in expansion because so many people wanted to live there, and it drew them out into the area. -
The Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was caused when the government withdrew its funds from the second bank of United States. They started to use unbacked paper money, which lead to inflation causing 343 banks to close and 62 banks to fail partially out of the total 850 banks in the U.S. The economy didn't recover until about 1843. -
Michigan Becomes a State
Michigan was a popular area because of it's lakes. Large towns were already developed all along it's shore. People were eager to settle down in one of these towns, and population grew quickly, making it a key in Americas expansion. The only reason it took so long to become a state was a territory dispute with Ohio. -
Martin Van Buren Becomes the 8th President
Martin Van Buren was a humble man who happened to be the leader in time of trouble. Soon after he was elected President, the Panic of 1837 hit the United States, causing many banks/businesses to close and thousands to lose their land. The whole nation was in turmoil. Still, Van Buren tried his best to help out the U.S and created the Bucktails movement which emphasized party loyalty. -
Caroline Affairs
The Caroline Affair was a series of events in 1837 the lead to strained relations between the United States and Great Britian. A group of Canadian rebels lead by William Lyon Mackenzie had been forced to flee to United States after leading the failed Upper Canada Rebellion. They took refuge on the Navy Island on the American side of the Niagra River. -
The 10 hour shift
Martin Van Buren establishes the 10 hour work day for federal employies on public works. This was so people could work shorter days, making easier to provide for their families and to keep workers healthier. -
William Henry Harrison Becomes the 9th President
The history behind our 9th president is tinged with sadness as he was only in office for a month due to him dying from pneumonia. He was known for being a Whig, a group of people who believed Congress should have more control than the President. The Whigs hoped Harrison could make a difference, but his untimely death put a halt to the Whig's hopes. -
John Tyler Becomes the 10th President
John Tyler, who succeeded William Henry Harrison, was nicknamed 'His Accidency' by his opponents who believed he was an accidental President and wasn't fit to lead the U.S. Still, Tyler demosntrated perfectly the importance of having a Vice-President ready to step in and take charge. An accomplishment of Tyler's was the Treaty of Wanghia in 1844, which allowed America to trade in Chinese ports. This was a major accomplishement because it opened up the possibility of trading with other countries. -
Preemption Act
This Act was established to allow "squatters" living on government owned land to puchase up to 160 acers at a low price before it was opened up to the pubic to buy. They person buying the land had to be "head of the house", a single man over 21 or a widow, they had to be a citizen, and they had to have been living on that last for a minimum of 14 months. This act was mainly used in the Kansas and Nebraska territory. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
During Daniel Websters first term as secratary of state the primary issures involved Great Britiah. These included the Northeast borders of the United States, the involvement of american citizens in teh Canadian rebellion and the suppression of the international slave trade. The Webster-Ashburtion tready resolved these frictions. -
Florida Becomes a State
Florida was barely wrestled from Spain, and was a symbol of victory for early Americans. Florida was expanding rapidly and many decided it was time for it to become a state. It's unique climate and vegitation attracted many Americans, and Florida's population grew rapidly. -
James K. Polk Becomes the 11th President
James Knox Polk achieved all that he wanted to do during his time in office. Polk increased the size of the U.S more than any other president by attaining the land that was California and Texas from Mexico. This accomplisment of Polk's is important because by winning those states it expanded America and it was one of the last good and successful events that happened in(and to) America before the Civil War. -
Texas Becomes a State
Texas had a thriving cattle industry, attracting many cattle farmers. Many cattle drives passed through it making it a convienient place to start a ranch or trade cattle. Young cowhands moved to Texas in hopes of finding work. A key in western and southern expansion due to it's popularity, Texas quickly became an ideal place to live. -
Iowa Becomes a State
Iowa was a fertile state perfect for corn and soybeans. Because there was a good market for corn and Iowa had so much space to accomodate large feilds of corn, it played a role in encouraging farmers to move into new areas. Though it didn't originally have a large population, it was a nice place to build a farm. -
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California Gold Rush
When gold was discovered on Gen. John Sutters property, the Gold Rush began when he sent word of the discovery, east. Many people traveled west when they learned of the gold being found. They thought they could strike it rich, however, when they reached California, the living conditions were very unsanitary and illness was common. Wives stayed at "home" while the men went out and mined for gold. Often times, there were too many people in one place so starvation was also common. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty between Mexico and the U.S. gave the U.S. 1.2 million square miles of land, Texas, Nevada, California, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. But, the treaty also said that the mexicans in Texas would be protected. The U.S. paid $15 million for all of the land.
