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Louisiana Purchase
The United States paid $15 million to receive the territory from the Mississippi River westward to the Rocky Mountains. Napoleon, the leader of France, was in financial trouble because of the war, and he was willing to sell the large piece of land at a very low price. Jefferson wanted to expand the United States and eagerly purchased the land. The deal, though unconstitutional, is forgotten and ignored today. -
War of 1812
The United States declared war on Britain because of British interference in and blocking American shipping to Europe and British interference in the western expansion of the United States. Many important events took place in the war. For example, Washington DC was occupied by the British and the White House and capital buildings were set on fire. -
Spain Secession
Spain cedes Florida to America. -
First Public Railroad System
Construction began on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. It was the first public railroad in the United States. It was a key factor in the expansion of the American West, making trade easier and cheaper. This plunged the United States into the industrial Revolution and changed the face of this once pristine land. -
Mexican War
Mexican War took place in America's effort to gain California and other territory in Southwest. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. When the news of the discovery of gold spread there, thousands of Americans gave up all their possessions and moved to California. By 1849, this was the peak of the gold rush, and many of the miners who searched for gold there were known as the "Forty-niners." This event greatly facilitated the westward expansion of the United States. -
Gadsden Purchase
Gadsden purchase was made for $10,000,000 from Mexico. -
Abraham Lincoln is elected
Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest and most remembered presidents of the America, was elected on this day. His election spurred on the most brutal and deadliest war in American history. Soon after he was elected, South Carolina seceded from the Union and was then followed by the Civil War. -
Confederate States are formed
11 states had seceded from the U.S. and the Confederate states were formed. Jefferson Davis was elected as president of them a day later. -
Civil War
The Civil War was the conflict between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) over the expansion of slavery into western states and over the preservation of the Union. This war was had a higher fatality rate out of all of the wars fought in America combined. This sad event shaped our government for the better and opened the eyes of Americans to the brutality of slavery. -
The end of civil war
The war began with confederate shelling of Fort Sumter and ended in victory for the Union. -
The death of abraham lincoln
Dies from a bullet wound inflicted the night before by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathizer. -
Elected President
The 1876 U.S. Presidential election was the 23rd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 7, 1876. It was one of the most controversial and controversial presidential elections in U.S. history and was seen as a catalyst to end the rebuilding.