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Washington Elected President
In the election, George Washington was unanimously elected for the first of his two terms as president, and John Adams became the first vice president. IMPORTANCE Each elector then cast two votes for President, requiring at least one of the two votes being for candidates from a state other than the one represented by the elector. -
France declares war on Britain and Spain
Spain declares war on Great Britain, creating a de facto alliance with the Americans. Spain's King Charles III would not consent to a treaty of alliance with the United States. IMPORTANCE the American Revolution had already spawned a world war between the two international powers of Britain and France. -
Jefferson defeats Adams for Presidency
he election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was an emotional and hard-fought campaign. IMPORTANCE The election was a realigning election that ushered in a generation of Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual demise of the Federalist Party in the First Party System. -
United States Declares War on Britain
The United States declared war on Britain in 1812. It did so because Britain refused to stop seizing American ships that traded with France Britain's enemy in Europe. IMPORTANCE British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen and America's desire to expand its territory. -
American invasions of Canada Fail
During the War of 1812, U.S. forces invaded their northern neighbor, only to be stymied by a series of embarrassing mishaps. IMPORTANCE The United States' first foray into Canada occurred at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, when colonial troops marched all the way to Quebec City before being repelled. -
Monroe Reelected
James Monroe was re-elected effortlessly and captured all but one electoral vote. IMPORTANCE President James Monroe and Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins were re-elected effortlessly and captured all but one electoral vote.
