Romantic Era By juliannestaten 1801 Thomas Jefferson elected president 1803 The Louisiana Purchase This extends the nation's territory to the Rocky Mountains 1804 Lewis and Clark's expedition begins 1812 War of 1812 begins 1814 Francis Scott Key writes "The Star Spangled Banner" 1820 Missouri Compromise 1825 Erie Canal succeeds, more canals being built 1827 Edgar Allan Poe publishes his first collection of poems, "Tamerline" 1829 George Stephenson perfects steam locomotive 1831 Cyrus McCormick invents mechanical reaper 1837 Samuel Morse patents electromagnetic telegraph 1838 Trail of Tears 1842 Hong Kong becomes British colony 1845 Irish Potato Famine 1846 Mexican War begins 1846 Abraham Lincoln first elected to congress 1848 Mexican War ends and United States expands its borders 1848 California gold rush begins 1848 Women's rights convention in Seneca Falls New York 1850 "The Scarlett Letter" is published 1850 California admitted to union 1850 Life Insurance introduced 1851 "Moby Dick" published 1852 "Uncle Tom's Cabin" published 1854 Japanese port opens up trade 1856 Crimean War ends
