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Presidential Election
This was the first election with political parties. John Adams became the second president (federalist) over Thomas Jefferson (democratic-republican). -
Marbury v. Madison
The ruling of this Supreme Court cased involved the commission of several judges by the president before leaving office. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, wouldn't fill the papers for the judges. Marbury, one of the judges, sued, and the court ruled in his favor. This established the judicial review. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The United States wanted access to the Spanish-controlled New Orleans. However, Spain secretly ceded the Louisiana Territory to France. Madison was sent to France to purchase the territory for $15 million dollars ($200 million today). This showed independence from Britain, and some wondered if the purchase was constitutional. -
The Burr Conspiracy
Aaron Burr, former vice president, was charged with treason. Thomas Jefferson, the current president of the time, sent for his arrest. However, Burr was adquitted due to the lack of evidence for treason. Burr was suspected of raising his own army and creating a nation in the west of the United States. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
The Second Bank of the United States held a branch in Maryland. The state wanted the bank to pay taxes, but the bank head, McCulloch refused. Maryland sued and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of McCulloch. This Constitution's "neccessary and proper" clause allowed the bank to continue functioning. -
The Missouri Compromise
Congress was unsure on whether to permit slavery in new states in territories. When Missouri applied for a slave state, Congress didn't want to become unbalanced. Maine also applied for a state, so Maine became a free state and Missouri became a slave state. Congress then set up a 36'30' boundary between free and slave states. -
The Monroe Doctrine
James Monroe stated the doctrine during his seventh annual State of the Union Address to Congress. It said that the United States would defend the Western Hemisphere from European interference, and the United States wouldn't interfere with Europe. Spain and other countries were still trying to control some colonies in the Western Hemisphere. -
The Erie Canal
The Erie Canal began construction on July 4, 1817. It connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. It ran from the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York. The canal was finished on October 26, 1825. -
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Trail of Tears
This was the forced removal of Native Americans. They were forced to move towards present-day Nebraska and the trail was commissioned by Andrew Jackson, the current president at the time. About a quater of natives died along the trail. -
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The Temperance Movement
The movement attempted to curtail alcohol. It hoped to ensure the stability of civil society and family life. There was a American Temperance Society formed and women were particularly involved. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
This was a Supreme Court case in which Dred Scott sued for his freedom. He was a slave for several years, but he was in a free state when his master died. The chief justice ruled against Scott and said that Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. He also said that state laws were above federal.
