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The Capital of America
The U.S. Capital moves from Philadelphia, to Washington D.C. -
The Louisiana Purchase
America buys the Louisiana Territory for $15 million from France. -
James Madison
James Madison becomes the 4th U.S. President. -
The War of 1812
The U.S. goes to war because of British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen and America’s desire to expand its territory -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent officially ends the war. -
James Monroe
James Monroe becomes the 5th president. -
The Missouri Compromise
The U.S. Congress passed a law that admitted Missouri to the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while banning slavery from the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands located north of the 36º 30’ parallel -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution. -
Monroe Doctrine
In his annual address to Congress, President Monroe declares that the American continents are henceforth off-limits for further colonization by European powers -
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams becomes the 6th president. -
The First Public Railroad
Construction is begun on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first public railroad in the U.S. -
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson becomes 7th president. -
Indian Removal Act
President Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which authorizes the forced removal of Native Americans living in the eastern part of the country to lands west of the Mississippi River. -
Jackson's 2nd Term
Jackson's second inauguration. -
An Independent Texas
Texas declares its independence from Mexico. -
Remember the Alamo!
Texan defenders of the Alamo are all killed during siege by the Mexican Army. -
Texas Victory
Texans defeat Mexicans at San Jacinto -
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren becomes the 8th president. -
Trail of Tears
More than 15,000 Cherokee Indians are forced to march from Georgia to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Approximately 4,000 die from starvation and disease. -
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison becomes the 9th president. -
John Tyler
William Henry Harrison dies one month after inauguration and is succeeded by vice president John Tyler. -
James Polk
James Polk becomes the eleventh president. -
Manifest Destiny
The term “manifest destiny” appears for the first time in a magazine article by John L. O'Sullivan. It expresses the belief held by many white Americans that the United States is destined to expand across the continent. -
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso, introduced by Democratic representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, attempts to ban slavery in territory gained in the Mexican War The proviso is blocked by Southerners, but continues to enflame the debate over slavery. -
Mexican War
U.S. declares war on Mexico in effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war. -
Sutter's Mill
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. The gold rush reaches its height the following year. -
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor becomes the twelfth president. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act, establishing the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. -
The Civil War
The Civil war caused by disagreements over the expansion of slavery begins. -
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodies battle during the Civil War. -
The Thirteenth Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, abolishing slavery. -
The Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment is ratified giving African American people to vote. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act, giving equal rights to blacks in jury duty and accommodation, is passed by the United States Congress. It would be overturned in 1883 by the U.S. Supreme Court. -
The Battle of Little Big Horn
The Battle of Little Big Horn occurs when Lt. Colonel George Custer and his 7th U.S. Cavalry engage the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians on the bluffs above the Little Big Horn River. All 264 members of the 7th Cavalry and Custer perish in the battle, the most complete rout in American military history.
