20 Important Events In US History (1754-1812)

1812

Louisiana Purchase

-Jefferson tried to stay neutral.

-In 1803, he went after an option to expand the nation.

-Napoleon offers to sell all of the Territory for $15 (about 4 cents an acre).

-Louis and Clark were sent to map the area, taking Sacagawea with them.

-This expansion is now part of/all of 13 states.

Jefferson's Presidency

-When Jefferson became President, Aaron Burr became Vice President.

-He kept the National Bank and got rid of the Whiskey Tax.

-Jefferson also instated a budget and continued paying off the national debt.

-During his Presidency, Ohio was added to the Union in 1803.

-Jefferson also made the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon.

Marbury vs. Madison

1801-1809

-On the last day of Adams's Presidency, he appointed the "Midnight Judges".

-He sent Madison to deliver the summons to the judges.

-Madison did not deliver the summon to Marbury because of personal dislike.

-This then went to trial to see who was in the wrong.

-Madison was found guilty.

Adams's Presidency

-Adams won the most electoral votes, making Jefferson the Vice President.

-He passed the Alien Sedation Acts allowing the President to imprison or expel anyone found as a threat to the states.

-He was considered his own party, disagreeing with both parties on certain issues.

-During his Presidency, he strengthened central government and enforced the army and navy.

-On his last day in office, he instated the "Midnight Judges" to ensure that Jefferson wouldn't destroy everything he had built up over his Presidency.

France vs. Britain

1797-1801

-France and Britain went to war and they wanted the United States to choose a side.

-Washington chose to remain neutral.

-Britain then starts to capture American trading ships for supplies.

-The colonists then decided to stop trade, the result only hurt the colonists.

-By remaining neutral, the US became more established as a nation, showing that they didn't need help from either side.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

1792

-This was a battle between the Indians and the colonists.

-Little Turtle was the head of the Indians.

-Most of this Battle took place in present-day Ohio.

-Eventually, they signed a treaty, taking much of the Northwest Territory from the Indians.

-Tecumseh refused to sign the treaty because he believed that they needed to fight until the end.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794

-This was the first real test of the United States Government's authority to enforce federal laws.

-The Federal government put a tax on Whiskey and farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay it.

-Trouble brewed for a few years until 1794 when farmers started assaulting federal tax collectors.

-President Washington called out the national militia to put down what came to be the Whiskey Rebellion.

-Many people were arrested, but in the end, none were found guilty.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton

1794

-Jefferson and Hamilton had very different views on the issue of a National Bank.

-Hamilton and Congress thought that one was necessary to pay down the nation's debt as a whole.

-Jefferson disagreed and thought that the formation of such a bank was unconstitutional.

-This led to strict and loose interpretation of the Constitution.

-President Washington agreed with Hamilton and a National Bank was established.

Hamilton's Plan

-He thought the Federal government should pay all states debt as one lump sum.

-He believed that if the US didn't pay off their own debt, we would never be able to borrow from other countries.

-Hamilton wanted to make the nation self-sufficient.

-He also suggested that we adopt a mercantilist economy policy.

-His plan was successful, giving us credit as a nation.

Battle of Yorktown

1787

-It was the last battle of the Revolution.

-Malaria effected the British soldiers, while the Continental Army was immune to it.

-Britain surrenders after deciding that the situation was hopeless.

-500 British soldiers died as compared to the 50 American and 200 French.

-This army was led by George Washington.

Winter at Valley Forge

1781

-December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778

-American Continental Army camped on 2000 acres of land in PA called Valley Forge.

-Washington commanded 11,000 men.

-He constructed light shelters and defensive earthworks, endured harsh winter, trained, and executed military drills.

-Lack of food, disease, and death were caused by poor sanitation.

-There was no battle fought, but it was a turning point in the American Revolution, because troops overcame many deprivations and went on to fight.

Declaration of Independence

1777

-The Introduction acknowledges that the reason for independence must be of reasonable terms.

-The Preamble states that there are "certain inalienable rights" the government should never violate.

-Indictment states the suffering of colonies and feeling of constraint in forming a new government.

-The Denunciation covers their reasons for separating from England.

-It also states how the people have seen existent conditions that required a change in government structure and policy.

1776

Thomas-Paine

"Common Sense"

-In "Common Sense" Thomas Paine argues for independence.

-According to Paine, society is everything constructive and good that people join together to accomplish.

-He believes people would be happier if they created their own laws without British help.

-Paine recommended a representative democracy.

-He said that be declaring Independence, America could ask other countries for help in their struggle for freedom.

Second Constitutional Convention

1776

-Members of the First Continental Congress along with new delegates.

-The meeting started with the battle of Lexington and Concord in mind.

-The New England militia was still encamped outside of Boston, trying to drive British soldiers out.

-This led the congress to establish the Continental Army to represent the 13 states.

-George Washington was then elected as the Commander and Chief of the Continental Army.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

1775

-The Battle started April 18, 1775.

-British troops were sent to Concord to capture John Hancock and Sam Adams.

-Paul Revere warned that the British were coming.

-After fight, British found Hancock and Adams had escaped and went looking for ammunition.

-British troops lost 273 soldiers while the colonists only lost 94.

First Constitutional Convention

1775

-Representatives from 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss

"The Intolerable Acts".

-They wanted to assert their rights while appearing united to Britain.

-One of the main objectives of the Constitutional Congress was to convince Britain to restore their rights.

-The other objective was to boycott British goods leading to colonial rights.

-At this meeting the United States Constitution was written.

Boston Massacre

1774

-Citizens had started a riot by throwing sticks and snowballs at British soldiers.

-The soldiers shot into the crowd to calm them.

-Five colonists were then killed, another eight wounded, though there were only 50 people in the riot.

-The soldiers were put to trial but none were found guilty.

-This helped lead to the Revolution.

1770

Stamp Act

-This was the first direct tax on the colonists.

-Made to help defend the dividing line between the colonists and Indians.

-This tax was from Britain, only for the colonists justified by protection and security.

-The Stamp Act upset the colonists because they believed that they were being taxed without representation.

-This set a standard on what Britain would start to do with the colonists.

Proclamation

1765

-It stopped colonial expansion.

-Everything West of the Appalachian Mountains was off limits.

-Colonists thought their prize was taken away.

-The Proclamation protected the Indians from colonial expansion.

-It established four new colonies: Quebec, East/West Florida, Granada.

1763

French and Indian War

-It was a war between the French and Indians against the colonists.

-George Washington was one of the British Generals.

-Most of the battles took place in present day Canada.

-The British won the War.

-As a result, Britain won Canada and other land.

1754-1763