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Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from French Emperor Napelon for 15 million dollars. This added almost a million square miles to the country and effectively doubled its size. -
A war between the United States and the United Kingdom. Americans were angry over not being treated correctly by England as well as many of their sailors being impressed into service. THe war resulted in peace that would last between the nations for several centuries.
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In the midst of the War of 1812, British forces occupied Washington, D.C., and burned down several governmental buildings, including the White house. Today, it remains the only time a foreign nation has occupied our capital. -
This Act, created by President Andrew Jackson, served to remove Native Americans from their lands in exchange for white settlement. Many died during the ousting, and the Cherokee's path west was labeled the Trail of Tears. -
When America annexed Mexico in 1845 it started a war as Mexico still thought it to be their territory. The war resulted in a major American victory and almost doubled their land size while halving Mexico's. It also served to train many American generals for the Civil War a few decades later.
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When gold was discovered along the Sacramento River in the late 1840s it ignited a nationwide gold rush that would bring in over 300,000 prospectors. While most were unsuccessful in their venture, some became incredibly wealthy, but the impact stretched far beyond that. The event greatly boosted the state's population as well as helped to accelerate the decline of Native tribes in the area.
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Otherwise known as the Great Compromise, the Compromise of 1850 was a series of 5 bills passed by Congress in an attempt at diplomacy between the North and the South. It postponed the issue of slavery in the nation but did not end it. -
The Civil War is the deadliest conflict in American history, with over 600,000 confirmed deaths. It began in response to the Southern half of the country seceding over many issues, but mainly slavery. The North then declared war in order to maintain the conturyy. The war resulted in a once again unified country and the abolishment of slavery.
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The Battle of Gettysburg is remembered as a turning point in the Civil War, but also a costly one. In the course of a three-day battle, over 50,000 casualties were attained, the deadliest in American history. However, with a Union victory, the Confederacy had lost a massive amount of men, supplies, and weapons. They would struggle to recover from this in the final years of the war.
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John Wilks Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, with the hopes of reinstating the Confederacy. This failed and he was killed in a pursuit a few days later. The nation mourned the loss of its beloved president.