Major Events of the 1800’s

Louisiana Purchase

828,000 square miles of land purchased from Napoleon, leader of France, by Thomas Jefferson in 1803. Jefferson paid $15 million for the land. This purchase of land caused a dilemma for Jefferson because he favored "strict construction" and no where in the constitution did it address the president purchasing land but he did it anyway. His purchase allowed America to nearly double in size.

War of 1812

A French-British dispute that got the U.S. involved with the French while the Native Americans joined the British side. Americans forces were ill-prepared for war but managed to fight most of the battles to a stalemate.The end of the war brought changes to America. Nationalism grew throughout America and the Federalist party came to an end with the Hartford Convention following the war.

Missouri Compromise

This compromise proposed by Henry Clay in 1820 was to maintain sectional balance and allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine entered free. The 36 30 line was thus created to keep free soil in the wast. This bill set the tome for congressional actions prior to the Civil War.It also split the Democratic-Republican party ending their 20 year control of national politics.

Trail of Tears

Between 1835 and 1838 thousands of Cherokees and other Indians were forcefully marched to Oklahoma territory under the supervision of the U.S. army. Thousands died from sickness and starvation along the way. This act against the Indians contradicted the views that Jacksonites had of themselves in that they complied with the protection of individual rights. It also represented the poor relationship between the Indians and the Americans.

Texas Rebellion

Early in 1836 Texas declared their independence from the Mexican government. Many important battles, such as the Alamo, were fought between the Texan forces led by Sam Houston and the Mexican forces led by Santa Ana. Texas the wanted to be annexed but the U.S. government declined for the fear that it might upset the Mexican government. They also refused the request for the fear that annexation would upset the balance of slavery in the U.S.

American System

It was created by Henry Clay in 1824 to help stabilize the country. The plan called for a protective tariff to be put in place for manufacturing, a new federal band, and improvements in transportation. This was a symbol of nationalism felt throughout America following the War of 1812. This was a way for America to improve itself.

Second Great Awakening

One of the most momentous religious movements in American history. It began around 1800 and it converted souls, reorganized churches and created new sects. It not only affected religion but it also spread to other areas of American life. Temperance, prison reform and womens movement were all affected by the religious revival.

Mexican American War

In 1846 both the Mexicans and the Americans were in a dispute over the boundaries of Texas and also control of California. The war was ended by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848 with America winning the titles to both Texas and California. The new land raised disputes about slavery in the new territory. This war also provided field experience to officers destined for the Civil War as it served as a testing ground.

Compromise of 1850

Concessions were made in both the North and the South following the Mexican American War. It admitted California as a free state and restricted slave trade in Washington D.C., appealing to the North. It also created the Fugitive Slave law and allowed popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico territory, appealing to the South. It led to more controversy between the North and the South. It was also an attempt to keep the country unified.

Kansas -Nebraska Act

Introduced by Senator Stephan Douglas in 1854. It said that Kansas and Nebraska would be admitted into the Union under popular sovereignty. This act led to violent disputes in Kansas over slavery which became known as "Bloody Kansas". It pushed the country closer to the Civil War.

Civil War

Beginning in 1861, it was a series of battles fought between the Northern Union and the Southern Confederation. It ended in 1865 with the confederate surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse. The Union victory allowed for abolishment of slavery. It also provided inspiration to the champions of democracy all over the world.

Compromise of 1877

Following the Civil War the North took it upon themselves to Reconstruct the south. The compromise was to take the Union troops out of the south thus ending the Age of Reconstruction. This led America into the Gilded Age and also led to an end in the Republican party in the South for almost a hundred years.

Transcontinental Railroad

The Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad connected at Promontory Point. in 1869. The Union Pacific Railroad came from the east and the Central Pacific Railroad came from the wast. They met in the middle. The transcontinental Railroad helped to improve trad and transportation throughout America. It also brought corruption.

Alexander Graham Bell

He invented the telephone in 1876. A gigantic communication network was thus created. This gave women a new role as telephone operators changing their role in society. It also revolutionized communication.