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Slaves in Haiti revolt
In Saint Domingue (Haiti), slaves were being used to farm sugar. Domingue was well known for its sugar crop. However, the slaves began a massive uprising against the plantation owners and the French colonial rule. -
Slavery is abolished in Haiti
At a French assembly in Paris, the lawmakers decree that slavery is illegal in all French colonies. After this massively influential decision, they tried to win the loyalty of ex-slave owners, as they could be very powerful allies for protecting Saint Domingue against invasions from Spain and England. One of these such people was Toussaint Louverture. -
the Right of Deposit signed between the US and Spain
Leaders of the US and Spain signed a treaty that guaranteed America the right to operate commerce through New Orleans. This means Americans can now store and export goods in the Spanish port of New Orleans. -
Napoleon Bonaparte acquires Louisiana
Through the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso, the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte acquires the Louisiana Territory from Spain. He hopes to use the land to create a massive sugar empire that would supply other life staples as well (food, cotton, lumber). -
Slavery is abolished in Santo Domingo
Toussaint Louverture's army of ex-slaves conquers Santo Domingo (the Dominican Republic), liberating all the slaves and uniting the island under the rule of Toussaint. -
Toussaint Louverture creates a new constitution for Santo Domingo
Louverture proclaims a new constitution for Saint Domingue, establishing him as ruler while maintaining his loyalty to France and Napoleon. -
Napoleon sends out an army to the Caribbean to revive slavery and overthrow Toussaint
Napoleon Bonaparte, wanting Saint Domingue back, sends an army of 40,000 men to reconquer Domingue and overthrow Louverture, as well as reinstate slavery. -
American commence value through New Orleans surpasses 1 million dollars.
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Napoleon Bonaparte tries to reinstate slavery in Santo Domingo
After Napoleon overthrows Louverture, he attempts to restore slavery on Saint Domingue. This fails, as the islands substantial ex-slave population fiercely resists. -
Napoleon deports Toussaint to France
Louverture is sent to France to be confined to a dungeon. He dies of pneumonia in 1803. -
French lose Saint Domingue
A combination of illness within the French armies and the steadfast resistance of Domingue's ex-slaves caused the French to lose the war for Saint Domingue. -
Expedition of Discovery
Congress allocates $2500 for funding of an expedition to discover the uncharted West. -
Napoleon Offrs Louisiana
Napoleon offers to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the US. -
Louisiana Purchase
Robert Livingston and James Monroe conclude negotiations to purchase the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million. This doubles the size of the US at the cost of 3 cents an acre. -
Lewis and Clark
Meriwether Lewis (Jefferson's pick to lead the expedition) contacts William Clark, asking for him to be the co-leader of the expedition. he accepts the offer in July. -
Indian Encounter
Lewis and Clark make their first peaceful encounter with Indians at around Council Bluffs, Iowa. -
Purchase Approved by Congress.
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Official Ceremony for the Louisiana Transfer
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Lewis and Clark depart
The expedition departs from Fort Dubois, Illinois, paddling up the Mississippi River. -
Lewis and Clark expedition reaches the Continental Divide, high up in the Rocky Mountains.
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Lewis and Clark float along the Colombia River in canoes built by friendly Indians.
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Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon
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Lewis and Clark begin their journey home
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In the only violent Indian encounter, the expedition is forced to shoot two aggressive Blackfoot Indians
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Lewis and Clark return home and share their discoveries