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The Constition is ratified
The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 38 of 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states. -
George Washington Elected 1st President
On April 30,1789, George Washington took oath of office as the first president of the United States under the new Constition. -
The BIll of Rights is added to the Constitution
10 Admendments, together called the Bill of Rights, became part of the Constitution. -
The Whisky Rebillion
The new government wanted to collected taxes on whiskey, Western Pennsylvania farmers were especailly upset by this tax. Their anger turned into violanced in July 1794. -
XYZ affair occurs
The nation was in the middle of a dispute with france when Adams took office. The French viewed the 1794 Jay's treaty as an American attempt to help the Brisish in their war with france. President Adams sent a team to Paris to try to resolve the dipute in the fall of 1797. When Adam learned that the French sent 3 agents, who demanded a bribe and a loan for France from the Americans. The Americans refused. -
Alein and Sedition Acts pass
When public found out about the XYZ affair, many grew angry at forgein attempts to influence their government. They be came more suspicious of aliens. In response to these concerns, Federalists in 1789 passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. This allowed the president to imprison aliens. The president could also deport those though to be dangerous. -
The Judiciary Act of 1801
After the elction and before Jefferson took office, the Federalists passed an act that set up a system of courts. John Adams used this act to make hundreds of appointments during his last days as president. -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon had a problem: he needed money to finance his war against Britian. Withput Santo Domingo, Napoleon had little use for Louisiana. In order to solve his money problem he decided to sell the Louisiana territory. -
Marbury v. Madsion decision establishes judicial review
The ruling in Marbury V. Madison affected much more than William Marbury's career. In his opinion, Cheif Justice John Marshall established the tree principles of judicial review -
Lewis and Clark begin their expedition
In the spring of 1804, the expedition left St. louis and worked its way up the Missouri River -
Tecumseh joins forces with British after the Battle of Tippecanoe
After his people's defeat, the Battle of Tippecanoe,Tecumseh joined forces with the British -
the War of 1812 begins
The War Hawks, led by Henry Clay of Kentucky and John Calhoun of South Carolina, were driven by hunger for land and for more power for the nation. A message to Britian asked them to declare war. -
The British burn the Washington D.C.
British forces march on Washington. At a brief battle on the road, known as the Battle of Bladensburg; the British forces defeat the American forces, who withdraw in disarray, thus opening the road to Washington. The British burn the White House and the Capitol, but the rest of Washington is saved by a strong rain storm. The British, under orders not to hold any territory, withdrew. -
The battle of New Orleans
One final, ferocious battle occured before word of the treaty reached the United States.On January 8,1815, the british advanced on New Orleans. Americans achieved a decisive victory.