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Creation of a National Bank
In 1791, the Federalist Party supported the creation of a national bank. Adams was president at the time and went through with this idea. The bank was created to print paper money, deposit money, and stimulate business.
The bank's significance comes largely from the conflicts it brought. People debated over the government's right to create a bank, because the Constitution did not specify. Federalists saud yes, but Republicans said no.
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Neutrality
In April of 1793, in the midst of a war between Great Britiain and France, President Washington declared the US neutral. Both of the countries wanted US support, and were harming the United States to get to their enemy. Therefore, Washington declared neutrality.
Both political parties had different views on what to do. Washington did not ask Congress for advice when he made the decision. Some people, like Genet, disagreed with Washington. Genet secretly tried to support France, but failed.
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Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington was the first president of the United States. He only served two terms in office, though the people wanted him to serve a third term. Through his Farewell Address, Washington told the American people that he did not plan to run for a third term. This happened in 1796.
Washington's Farewell Address is significant for many reasons. First, it formally shows Washington's commitment to retiring after his second term. Next, it had advice for Americans for the future.
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Jefferson Elected President
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States of America. He served for two terms, and was first elected in 1800. Jefferson had been active in American politics before this time.
Jefferson was the first Democratic-Republican president of the United States. Despite Washington's warning, the country would divide in to political parties. Jefferson faced conflicts in and outside of his party during his presidency.
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John Marshall Appointed to Supreme Court
Marshall was a Federalist, appointed by Adams and therefore called a "midnight judge". Marshall was known for making some controversial decisions that the Republican presidents did not necessarily agree with.
He had six main cases in 34 years. The laws gave the Supreme Court power to declare a law unconstitutional; gave the court power to invalidate state laws; gave the Federal government power over the states; allowed for the BUS; allowed for charters, and gave the court the final say.
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Lousianna Purchase
The Lousianna Purchase was finalized on April 30, 1803. Originally, the US just wanted New Orleans and was willing to pay $10 million for it. Napoleon, suffereing from his wars, offered the entire Louisianna Territory for $15 million, out of desperation.
America's largest land purchase ever, it caused conflicts for Jefferson, because he was a Republican. Republicans disliked loose interpretations of the Constitution, and it did not give the president direct permission to buy the land.
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Burr Conspiracy
Aaron Burr was a former vice president of the United States. He planned to secede the West from the Eastern part of the US. Spain funded some of this attempt. Britain refused to give him money. He was caught and tried in 1806.
Burr was turned in by James Wilkinson, who supported Burr early on. President Jefferson refused to testify, and so did others. John Marshall had to drop the case because no one would testify on behalf of the government, though only two people needed to testify.
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Orders in Council
Because of the war between France and Britain, Britain put into effect the Orders in Council, which said that American ships had to go to British ports before French ports, or they could not go to French ports for trade. This angered Americans, who were neutral in the war.
Britian also inspected every ship, which angered Americans. This led to Jefferson's Embargo Act, which hurt the US more than Europe, the intended target. It was supposed to make Europe respect US rights, but it failed.
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White House Burned
The War of 1812 involved Britain and Canada against the US. In the war, the US burned down the Canadian capital at York. The British burned the White House for retaliation on behalf of the Canadians.
The White House was not the only significant building burned. In fact, most buildings were. The president and his wife were inside, but escaped safely. Dolly Madison (pictured left-link) was even able to rescue a picture of George Washington as she escaped. -
Treaty of Ghent signed
The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814. It ended the War of 1812. The treaty returned all boundaries to their original positions before the war. The treaty did not discuss any of the issues that caused America to declare war in the first place.
The treaty ended the war essentially without a winner. Americans were happy that they did not lose any territory. However, the issues of impressment, Orders in Council, issues with the Indians, and other issues were not discuessed.
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