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Constitution Ratified
Because the Articles of Confederation could not produce a strong government, a new constitution was written in 1787 to establish a strong central government with a system of checks and balances. It was ratified by the necessary nine out of thirteen states in 1788. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington stressed the importance of American identity and disunion among states. He warned against sectionalism, political parties, and intervention in European affairs. -
marbury vs. Madison
The Supreme Court declared an act of Congress unconstitutional for the first time, establishing the precedent of judicial review. This made the Court's power equal to the other branches. -
Louisiana Purchase
A land deal between America and France in which the US acquired 827,000 sq. ft. of land west of the Mississippi, establishing the port of New Orleans. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Explorers sent by Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. It began in Missouri and was the first American expedition to cross the Western United States to the Pacific Ocean. -
War of 1812
War between the US and France caused by an illegal British blockade and impressment of American soldiers. Involved many Native American alliances on both sides -
Treaty of Ghent
Ended the War of 1812; released all prisoners and restored all captured land and ships to both sides -
Adams-Onis Treaty
Transcontinental treaty which gave Florida to the US and established the border between the US and Spain -
Monroe Doctrine
US policy statement against European colonialism in Americas and American interference in European conflicts; supported American exceptionalism and superpower status -
Indian Removal Act
Law signed by Jackson forcing southern Native American tribes to give up their land in exchange for federal territory west of the Mississippi; harsh treatment caused Trail of Tears -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Treaty between the US and Britain resolving disputes along the Canadian border -
Texas Annexation
Texas admitted as a slave state by James K. Polk, shifting power in favor of pro-slavery South; effects of Manifest Destiny -
Mexican American War
Mexicans attacked US troops in a disputed area and were unwilling to accept the annexation of Texas, so Congress declared war -
California Gold Rush
The gold found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill caused 300,000 people to California and led to statehood. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty that ended the Mexican American War; Mexican Cession gave the US Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming. -
Gadsden Purchase
Land purchased by the US from Mexico in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico in order to build a transcontinental railroad. -
Secession of South Carolina
South Carolina was the first state to secede after Lincoln's election, causing many other Deep South states to do the same; led directly to the Civil War. -
Civil War Begins
Battle of Fort Sumter; tension between North and South over states' rights and representation escalated into conflict -
Trent Affair
Nearly caused a war with Britain during the Civil War; Britain protested when the US illegally captured Confederate diplomats from a British ship -
Civil War Ends
Civil War ended after the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse when Lee surrendered to Grant; disbanded Southern army and eventually reunified the country -
Purchase of Alaska
US purchased Alaska from Russia; sold by Russia due to lack of resources and harsh living conditions, but benefitted the US who later found gold there -
Burlingame-Seward Treaty
Landmark treaty between the US and Qing China to establish friendly relations and make trading agreements -
Annexation of Hawaii
The US annexed Hawaii as a result of the nationalism caused by the Spanish-American War at the urging of President McKinley; made a territory in 1900 -
Cold War
Ideological struggle between the US and USSR which resulted in nuclear weapons, space exploration, and an increase in US influence worldwide -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Represented a collapse of communism, against which the US was actively fighting; increased power and status of the US; American exceptionalism
