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Thomas Jefferson is Elected as President
Thomas Jefferson beat John Adams in the second presidential election in 1800. He lost closely to John Adams in the previous election. Some people refer to the election as "The Revolution of 1800" because the power peacefully shifted from the Federalists over to the Democratic-Republicans. Jefferson wanted a small national government and an agricultural nation. -
The Louisiana Purchase
President Jefferson and James Madison convinced Congress to buy the Louisiana territory. They bought the 828,000 square miles of land from France for 15 million dollars. Napoleon conquered the Louisiana territory in 1800, and he considered selling it. America quickly bought it even though the Federalists disapproved of the Louisiana Purchase. -
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The War of 1812
America fought against Britain in the War of 1812. The Americans claimed that the British were arming American Indians so that Americans could not expand westward. Also, Britain prevented America from trading with France and impressed American sailors into the British Royal Navy. These aggressive acts infuriated the Americans, so president James Madison declared war on Britain in 1812. The countries fought until the conflict was resolved with the Treaty of Ghent. -
America Establishes the Second National Bank
The government formed a charter for the Second National Bank of America, also known as "The President, Directors, and Company, of the Bank of the United States". This bank resembled the First National Bank that Alexander Hamilton designed. The charter established the bank for twenty years. The Second National Bank was located in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. -
The Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe told Europe to stop interfering with the Western hemisphere. He said that Europe should not try to colonize in North or South American anymore. It would not be kind. Then, he promised not to interfere with the British colonies. Later, this idea was called "The Monroe Doctrine". -
America Completes the Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is an artificial "river" that connected New York to the Midwest. This canal boosted American industrialization. The 363-mile long canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and is part of the Hudson River. This waterway not only encouraged trade but also encouraged westward expansion and settlement. -
Andrew Jackson Wins the Presidential Election
Andrew Jackson beat John Quincy Adams in the race for the presidency. Jackson became the seventh president of the United States. Adams was a Republican, and Jackson was a Democrat. This election was the first that each party promoted their presidential candidates at conventions. -
Confederate States of America Established
South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas joined together and withdrew from the Union. They formed their own union and called it the Confederate States of America. They withdrew from the Union because they were afraid that slavery would disappear. Abraham Lincoln was recently elected, and he opposed the westward expansion of slavery. Slavery was the backbone of the southern states, so they formed their own Confederacy trying to protect it. -
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The Emancipation Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, issued an executive order called the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation freed all slaves in the Confederate territory. Any slaves who escaped and made it to the Union were free forever. However, he did not free the slaves in the Union. America would free them later in 1865 with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.