-
Louisiana Purchase
United States purchases the French territory of Louisiana for $15 million. -
Beginning of Lewis and Clark Expedition
Thomas Jefferson would commission the expedition of the newly squired Louisiana territory. The party would consist of the US Corp of Discovery led by Cpt. Meriwether Lewis and 2lt William Clark. Their mission would be to explore and map the area and find practical routes across the territory for settlement. In addition, the party was to study any new fauna or flora and establish trade with Natives. -
Hamilton-Burr Duel
Vice president Aaron Burr fatally wounds Alexander Hamilton in a duel after Burr believed Hamilton tarnished his name according to a letter from Charles Cooper. His Political Career would be ruined, and he would flee to Europe in self-exile. -
Declaration of War on Great Britain
Congress declares war on Great Britain after pressure from President Madison -
Period: to
War of 1812
Tensions of conflicts with British ships capturing US citizens and forcing them into service in their navy, and tension along the US Canada border would lead the US into a second war with Great Britain. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Eliminated British Naval presence in lake Erie, which Britain took control of at the start of the war. Allowed future retaking of Detroit in the Battle of Thames. -
Battle of Fort McHenry
25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenry by British Naval forces. Would lead to the poem "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key. -
Treaty of Gent
Official end of War of 1812. Seeked to re-normalize relations between GB and US. Boarders returned to pre-war configurations and each side reimbursed the other for losses. Madison wanted GB to stop its impressment of US sailors, but negotiators refused to mention it. -
Battle of New Orleans
News of the Treaty was slow to reach both US and British forces, and British forces would launch a unsuccessful invasion of the city of New Orleans. They would be repelled by combined militia and federal forces led by Andrew Jackson. -
Panic of 1819
First major depression in the US due to poor banking policies leading to a sharp drop in agriculture prices with farmers not being able to pay of debts/loans. -
Missouri Compromise
Sought to balance Free and Slave states with the admission of Maine and Missouri. Prohibited slave states above 36°30′ parallel with the exception of Missouri. -
Election of Andrew Jackson
First 'populist' president, known for his bank war, the Trail of Tears and removal of Native Americans, recognition of the Republic of Texas, and the Nullification Crisis. -
New England Anti-Slavery Society founded
-
Annexation of Texas
Texas is annexed into the United States as the 28th state into the Union, leads to Mexican American War. -
Period: to
Mexican-American War
War with Mexico over annexation of Texas into the Union as Mexico did not recognize Texas' independence. After Mexico attacked US forces near the Rio Grande at the Nueces Strip. Ended with the Surrounding of Mexico City by US forces. Disliked by Whigs and opponents of Manifest Destiny. -
Declaration of War on Mexico
Official deceleration of War on Mexico after Mexican Attacks on US forces. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Official end to the Mexican American War, required mexico to cede its northwestern territories to the US, which composed 55% of the country. -
First National Convention for Women's Rights
-
Compromise of 1850
Series of acts that once again sought to balance slavery and anti-slavery interests. Brought about the Fugitive Slave Act, the free state of California, abolished slave trade in D.C., and organized lands gained from Mexico. Made slavery decision to popular vote in new states. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Abolitionist novel that showed horrors of American Slavery, evoked outrage and empathy in the North. -
Period: to
Bleeding Kansas
Series of Violent Skirmishes between slavery and anti-slavery civilians in Kansas. Caused by influx of both anti-slavery and slavery supporters in order to flip the states to one of the causes. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Created the states of Kansas and Nebraska, would furthur challenge the balance of slavery and anti-slavery, would lead to skirmishes in 'Bleeding Kansas'. -
Battle of Mexico City
Final battle of the Mexican American War, would lead to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
Effort by devout abolitionist John Brown to incite a slave revolt by capturing a US arsenal at Harper's Ferry. His forces would be defeated by federal forces led by General Robert E. Lee. -
Period: to
US Civil War
Fought between Union Northern States and Confederate Southern States. Began when South Carolina Militia fired upon Fort Sumter. Ended with the Battle of the Appomattox Court House. Northern Cause of Preservation of the Union and Abolition of Slavery. Southern Cause was Preservation of Slavery and of Self-Governance. -
Seccession of South Carolina
After the election of President Lincoln, South Carolina succeeds from the Union, along with numerous other Southern states. -
Battle of Fort Sumter
Beginning of Civil War. South Carolina Militia Forces Fire upon Union Fort Sumter after refusal to surrender. Union Loss. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclamation no 95 from President Lincoln: freed all Slaves in the United States, and former United States currently in rebellion in the CSA. -
Period: to
Reconstruction Amendments
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the constitution outlawed slavery, made everyone equal under law regardless of skin color, and allowed all men to vote regardless of skin color. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a show at Ford's Theater in D.C. -
Surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House
After Lee abandoned Richmond and the Battle of Appomattox Court House, Lee's forces of the army of Northern Virginia would Surrender to Grant's Army of the Potomac, ending the Civil War
