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The thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain, leading up to the American Revolutionary War. This marked the beginning of the United States as a new nation. -
American and French forces defeated the British in the final major battle of the Revolutionary War. General Cornwallis’s surrender effectively ended the war. -
Delegates met in Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution. This document replaced the Articles of Confederation and established the framework for the U.S. government.
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George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. His leadership set many precedents for future presidents. -
The U.S. and France finalized the agreement for the Louisiana Purchase for $15 million. This doubled the size of the country. -
Lewis and Clark set out to explore the western territories of the U.S. Their journey helped map the land and established relations with Native American tribes.
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The U.S. declared war on Britain over trade restrictions and impressment of American sailors. The war ended in 1815, affirming U.S. independence. It ended with the Treaty of Ghent.
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The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It helped temporarily help tensions between North and South over slavery. -
President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law, leading to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, and to the Trail of Tears. -
The war started over a border dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. It ended with the U.S. gaining vast southwestern territories, including California.