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Charles B. Finney Lead Religious Revivals in Western New York
Charles B. Finney made U.S religious history, due to him leading the Second Great Awakening, this allowed the Baptist and Methodist churches to gain more followers through his innovative preaching methods. -
Eli Whitney Patented the Cotton Gin
This patenting greatly increased cotton production by increasing the speed of taking the seeds out of cotton fiber. This technology revolutionized this process, however it did increase the demand for slave labor from landowners. -
Gabriel Prosser Slave Revolt
Prosser was the first person in history to plan an organized slave revolt in the United States. He desired to create an independent state in Virginia for only African American people, where he was the ruler. However, this dream was put on hold when there was a violent storm the night of the planned attack, and the Virginia governor had been informed of his plan and set out an army to attack. This later brought fear into the eyes of white people who owned slaves in the south. -
Second Great Awakening Began
The Second Great Awakening was yet another religious revival among Protestants. It followed the Great Awakening, which introduced the summoning of stronger feelings and connection to religion, which was what the Second Great Awakening reflected. This gained momentum and encouraged greater devotion to Baptist and Methodist churches, and left a long lasting effect on U.S religious history. -
Thomas Jefferson Elected President
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, represented the peaceful transfer from one political party in power to another. Previous presidents were both Federalists, while Jefferson was an Anti-Federalist. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase marked the U.S control over the Mississippi River and allowed easy access to the port of New Orleans. This allowed farmers to buy goods and ship their own goods, and also for the United States to expand their territory. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Being one of the most important cases in Supreme Court history, and also the first to apply the ideals of a "judicial review," concerning whether or not the federal courts could shut down acts of Congress that were not constitutional. -
Beginning of Lewis and Clark Expedition
This proved important due it marking the exploration of unknown territory, greet Natives and establish a trade system with them, along with finding a waterway that was between the Pacific Ocean and the United States. -
Embargo Act
This act passed by the United States during Jefferson's presidency, prohibited American ships from trading with all foreign ports. They did this as punishment to both Britain and France in order to avoid any future aggression from the two countries. This symbolized the closing of past Hamiltonian ideals, which halted progressive trade methods. -
Chesapeake Leopard Affair
This was the naval event that occurred off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia. They were between the warships of the British called HMS Leopard, and the U.S ship called the USS Chesapeake. The Leopard Attacked the Chesapeake in search for deserters of the Royal Navy, further displaying the continual distrust between the two countries. -
James Madison Elected President
James Madison being elected President represented the continuity of a certain political party in power, he was famous for adding contributions to the Constitution, while also being a founding father. -
Non-Intercourse Act
This act allowed the United States to trade with all countries other than Britain and France, this was in attempt to damage the economic system of the two countries. Much like the Embargo Act had, this action also contributed to the causes for the War of 1812. -
Beginning of Manifest Destiny
The Manifest Destiny encouraged the belief that the United States was meant to expand and spread democracy and capitalism across North America. This would often be used as justification for westward expansion and the exploitation of native people, due to many believing that the U.S was destined to expand their territory. -
Rush-Bagot Treaty
The Rush-Bagot Treaty occurred the United States and Great Britain shortly after the War of 1812. This treaty marked the elimination of the country's opposing naval fleets within the Great Lakes. Both sides decided to ease tensions in order to avoid any other future wars. -
Death of Tecumseh
During the War of 1812, Native American Tribes allied with the British during their resistance movement, however when resistance leader Tecumseh passed away towards the end of the War of 1812, this marked the end of the alliance between the natives and Great Britain. -
The British Burn Washington DC
During the War of 1812, British soldiers entered the U.S capital and burned the White House, in order to retaliate when the United States attacked the city of York in Canada. The burning of our nation's capital later fueled the need for an agreement justifying the means of having peaceful terms between the two countries. -
Francis Cabot Lowell Smuggled Memorized Textile Mill Plans from Manchester, England
Through his efforts, Francis Cabot was able to take advantage of this plan and create his own Textile company in Massachusetts, giving the United States a unique advantage in the production of textiles, allowing greater advances within the U.S financial and economic system. -
Era of Good Feelings Began
After the War of 1812, marking a political period in history involving a country wide feeling of purpose and unity among Americans, this later gave headway to other movements such as the Second Great Awakening. And finding ways to make the U.S form their own identity and united people. -
Battle of New Orleans
This battle symbolized the deciding point for the enforcement of a peace treaty between the United States and Great Britain. The American people believing that this victory had won the war. It is so important due to it proving Andrew Jackson to be a war hero. -
Treaty of Ghent Ratified
This treaty marked the official end of the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States, it was signed on Christmas Eve. in what is now Belgium. Marking the beginning of a new era for the United States. -
Hartford Convention
These were a series of meetings during the nineteenth century, where the New England party met to talk about their concerns involving the war of 1812. In addition to their issues with the problems of the increasing federalism within the U.S government. -
End of War of 1812
The end of this war left no geographical impacts with either Britain nor the United States, however, the end of this war and the Treaty of Ghent allowed there to be two centuries of peace between the two countries. When the United States wanted to redeem themselves from the humiliation received after these wars, which was eventually achieved. -
James Monroe Elected President
It was during Monroe's presidency that the Monroe Doctrine was put into action, further encouraging the Louisiana Purchase. He was again another Republican candidate, just as Jefferson was, further enforcing these Anti-Federalist ideals. -
Anglo-American Convention
This treaty set up boundary lines between the United States and Canada, while also signifying the restoration of slaves within the United States of America. This allowed there to be official lines signifying of the two countries. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
This treaty between the United States and Spain marked the end to any future issues in terms of Spain's ownership of Florida. This allowed the U.S to gain ownership of Florida, while also setting the boundaries between the U.S and New Spain. -
Panic of 1819
Occasionally credited to president Andrew Jackson's influence, after he altered the banking decisions. Jackson's Specie Circular eventually dried up credit, which led to the financial and economic downfall of the nation. -
Dartmouth College V. Woodward
This court case addressed the issues involving state power and political contracts. The Supreme Court decided that the charter of Dartmouth college held by King George of England, which could not be overturned by the New Hampshire legislature. This charter gave England power over the college, which the court claimed was unconstitutional. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
This case involved the issue on whether or not states were able to tax the federal government, while also verifying the Bank of the United States being constitutional, wherein the phrase "the power to tax is the power to destroy" solidified this ideal. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise occurred while slavery was on the rise, and Missouri insisted upon becoming a slave state. Which would give the south more power within the federal government, due to the ratio between slave states and non-slave states being unbalanced now. So, it was decided that all states in the Louisiana Purchase except for Missouri would not be slave states. -
Denmark Vesey Slave Revolt
Denmark Vesey was a literate and skilled leader among the African American community within the south, was credited for beginning the slave revolt during this time. He planned an uprising among African American people who worked on plantations and within the city, the plan was solid. However, it was never executed due to white authorities taking action and eventually killing Vesey, further enforcing racism within the south. -
Monroe Doctrine
This document represented the creation of separate spheres of influence between European and American ideals. The American people agreed to stay out of European businesses and vice versa. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
This was a landmark choice in which the Supreme Court had the power to look over interstate commerce, the Commerce Clause of the U.S Constitution later granted Congress the power to regulate navigational activities. -
Robert Owen Founded the New Harmony Community
Robert Owen's attempt to enforce a kind of Utopia, it was an unsuccessful attempt at this kind of society. Where its followers believed that a person's merit is determined by their environment, and if they were to gain control of this environment, then they could create a perfect society. -
Erie Canal Completed
This innovative structure was led from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, being the first transportation route to not require the taking of a craft over land. This was extremely beneficial in terms of trade and transportation. -
Lyman Beecher Delivered His "Six Sermons on Intemperance"
Lyman Beecher was a leading revivalist within the religious community, he was most famous for helping to build organizations for create a "benevolent empire," marking a turning point in both religious and social history within the United States. -
Tariff of Abominations
This tariff established by the United States was served to protect industries within the northern U.S., so that they could avoid cheap British commodities. This was named the "Tariff of Abominations" by those within the south, who were experiencing increased taxes on their raw materials, this also led to the Nullification Act. -
John Quincy Adams Elected President (Corrupt Bargain)
Andrew Jackson, who was infamous for his lack of self control, was infuriated when Henry was elected for secretary of state by John Quincy Adams. Already upset about losing the election, Jackson declared that this was a "corrupt bargain" due to him already losing the election and Henry Clay already being a dominating political figure during this time. -
Creation of the Whig Party in the U.S
This creation of the political party was popular during Andrew Jackson's presidency, and was thought to be extremely important towards the support of the second party system. They created opposing policies against Jackson and the Democratic party. They believed that Congress was more important than the executive branch and desired modernization. Creating a, slim, but greater diversity of political ideals. -
Catharine Beecher Published Essays on the Education of Female Teachers
Beecher, an American educator, wrote these essays on the importance of having equal educational opportunities for women, and how this would lead to a better functioning society. Her theories supporting a feminist outlook on society encouraged the importance of have a strong community with equal opportunity. And she served as an essential figure in American history due to her influential beliefs. -
Indian Removal Act
During Jackson's presidency, he negotiated land-exchange treaties with Native American tribes, stating that they could live on their land as long as they followed the laws of the United States. To which Jackson added multiple laws discriminating against Native American people, and eventually led to a forced relocation of them. -
Worcester v. Georgia
This case concerned the native inhabitants within the state of Georgia, who were experiencing discriminatory and invasive laws from the Georgia government. They claimed that the Cherokee tribe in this state were to be deprived of certain rights. This case was taken to the Supreme Court, wherein the tribe was classified as "a distinct political community," therefore making the Georgia laws against them unconstitutional. -
Andrew Jackson Vetoed the Re-Charter of the Second Bank of the United States
Andrew Jackson, whose influence within the banking system caused the Panic of 1819, vetoed the recharter of the second bank, and stating that the Supreme Court would no longer be investing funds in the national bank and would rather be investing in state banks. However, his banking methods proved ineffective. -
Nullification Crisis Began
This crisis began during Andrew Jackson's presidency, and was caused due to protective tariffs, and southern unhappiness rooted from these. Declaring these protective tariffs (taxes) to be unconstitutional due to them only benefiting the northern part of the U.S. -
Black Hawk War
Native American Black Hawk desired to return all of his people back to their homes, and to regain his honors as a warrior, and therefore refused to leave him home. However, due to its lack of success, Native American tribes ended their resistance towards U.S westward expansions. And famous American officials plays a role in getting natives to give away their land in Mississippi. -
Andrew Jackson Elected President
Before becoming president, this short tempered, wealthy southern man served in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Shortly after this, he became president after running for a second time, during his presidency he greatly altered politics, and many of his influences negatively affected American history. -
Treaty of New Echota
This cost three men their lives, and served as a legal basis for the the Trail of Tears. Which marked the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from the state of Georgia. This treaty was signed and gave land to the United States, in return for compensation for the natives. -
Battle of Alamo
During the early stages of Texas' battle for independence from Mexico, wherein Texans overwhelmed Mexican generals at Alamo, and gained control over their fort, allowing them to have control over San Antonio. This fight served as a turning point in this fight for independence. -
Bear Flag Revolt
This revolt led by Juan Alvarado and Isaac Graham, settlers within California rebelled against their Mexican government and was able to declare California as an independent republic. -
Transcendental Club's First Meeting
Frederic Henry Hedge, Ralph Waldo Emerson, George Ripley, and George Putnam began this club in order to stress the importance individualism, idealism, and the divinity of nature. They created a movement in the United States that was based on early American religion. -
First McGuffey Reader Published
The McGuffey Reader served as an influential aspect of American schooling for around 100 years. They were modeled for a series of different textbooks appealed the American morality and taste. It taught religious, moral, and patriotic ideals, contributing to forming an American identity and what a true "American" is to be invested in. -
Andrew Jackson Issued Specie Circular
The Specie Circular granted that the government would only accept gold and silver in exchange for federal land, this eventually led to the financial crisis which was known as the Panic or 1819, this was eventually continued by Martin Van Buren, who succeeded him. This was again partly responsible Panic of 1937. -
Texas Declared Independence from Mexico
Due to the dispute between the United States and Mexico over who got ownership of the states of Texas and California, the state of Texas declared independence from Mexico. Many Tejanos and Texans chose to rebel against Mexico's president, who were imposing strict taxes upon the people of Texas. -
Panic 1837
This occurred five weeks into Martin Van Buren's presidency, who was credited for this financial crisis. Prices, profits, and wages dropped and unemployment rose. This was due to the flaws within the banking system, leaving room for improvement towards managing our economic system. -
Martin Van Buren Elected President
Van Buren supported Thomas Jefferson's ideals, and when he was elected president, and much like him he favored the laws of individual states over the federal government. He was the choice of Andrew Jackson, and effected multiple strides for the Democratic Party, he was also the first president to pass away while in office. -
Joseph Smith Founded the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Joseph Smith after being confused about religion, later claimed to have experienced what he called the "First Vision," wherein he said that Jesus Christ and God spoke to him alone. This later fueled his creation of the later creation of a new outlook on the Bible, and he saw that missionaries would be brought to different cities to convert others into this new religion. This altered the religious scene in the America and has continued to prove to be influential to our countries. -
Trail of Tears Began
As part of Andrew Jackson's removal of Native American people, the Cherokee tribe was forced to give up their land in Mississippi and move to modern day Oklahoma. The were forcibly taken from their homes and marched to where they were to now stay, along the way, many natives died. Giving reason for the name "Trail of Tears." -
Ralph Waldo Emerson gave the "Divinity School Address"
During this address, Waldo expresses his opinions on Christianity altering sentiment, and he states his views on other morals that were typically not questioned due to it having a "status quo" of society. His controversial views eventually led to multiple protests. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
This treaty resolved any issues involving the border issues between the United States and Canada. Marking the solution to Northeastern Boundary Control, which had previously led to conflicts such as the Aroostook War, however now there were agreeable terms that would ensure the peace between the neighboring territories. -
James Polk Elected President
While James Polk was in office he lowered tariffs, discussed the boundary issues involving Britain and the state of Oregon, wherein he secured Oregon territory. While also reforming the national banking system, and also being the President during the Mexican-American war. Therefore being one of those to discuss the territorial agreements following this war. -
Treaty of Wanghia with China
China signed this treaty with the United States, allowing the U.S access to certain foreign privileges. Therefore making it possible for there to be greater foreign relations with global superpowers, however this did later lead to a manipulation of the United States and China through the Opium War. -
U.S Annexation of Texas
The United Stated seized Texas, which eventually led to the Mexican-American War. However, due to the U.S. victory within this war, they were eventually granted ownership of Texas, which declared itself independent from Mexico and became the 28th state of the U.S. -
Start of the Mexican War
This war was an armed force between the United States and Mexico. A large cause of this war was due to slavery, Americans within the south desired more slaves in order to have an increase in their political power. Prior to this war, Mexico was suffering from many internal conflicts as well, this represented power hungry Americans who enforced their racist tendencies by desiring more that what they had. -
Horace Mann Elected Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education
Mann was often credited for his promotion on the Common School Movement, and vouched for a better, tax-funded educational system. He also took time in acknowledging the lack of training among school teachers, and sought to have them reach a certain standard in order to improve the United States educational system. -
Gold Rush Began in California
This craze began due to James Marshall's claim for finding gold in California. This news quickly spread around, and attracted people from Latin America, Oregon, and Hawaii. This craze later began the development of the state of California. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This treaty ended the Mexican-American War, and to this day serves as the longest treaty in force between the two countries. This treaty was in favor of the U.S, and ended the territorial dispute involving Texas, and justified the terms of settlement. Mexico then gave up all of their claims of Texas and California in exchange for 15 million dollars. -
John Humphrey Noyes Founded the Oneida Community
The Oneida Community, otherwise known as a group of Bible Communists, were also an attempt to create a kind of utopia in American society. Mainly in New York, the separated community functioned as their own society. Wherein the raised children as a community, practiced polygamy, and had communal property. John Humphrey was able to gain support due to his preaching and doctrine of perfectionism. Marking a choice isolation of a group of people who sought a perfect society. -
Henry David Thoreau Published Civil Disobedience
Henry David Thoreau explains through this text that it is more important to listen to ones conscience over what certain laws demand. He uses himself as an example, of when he refused to pay his taxes to protest the Mexican-American War along with slavery. These ideals argue against typical American ideals and institutions. -
Gadsden Purchase
This occurred when the United States bought from Mexico parts of what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona. This ideal was fueled by the Manifest Destiny, and was bought due to a desire to build a transcontinental railroad. Marking a border between the United States and Mexico. -
Commodore Matthew Perry Entered Tokyo Harbor Opening Japan to the U.S
It was with Matthew Perry's attempt that the United States was able to re-establish for the first time in two centuries. When he entered the Tokyo Bay with four ships, his efforts later led to the Wanghia Treaty and the renewing of foreign relations with the western world. -
Kanagawa Treaty
This was the first treaty between the United States and Japan, which allowed America to have access to ports in Shimoda and Hakodate, and established a U.S consulate within Japan. Encouraging increased relations with other countries, relating back to what Hamilton had wanted when the first shaping of the country was in action.
