1803-Louisiana Purchase
At first, desire was to purchase New Orleans and surrounding areas, but France (led by Napoleon Bonaparte) needed the money, and sold their claim to the Louisiana territory
$15 million for 858,000+ square miles (today's currency equates the deal to 42 cents per acre)
"the greatest real estate deal in American history"
Constitutional problem about the purchase? Did federal government have authority to purchase and acquire land?
1805-Lewis and Clark Expedition
Exploration of the Louisiana territory
Desired to find an all-water route to the Pacific.
A wealth of valuable information about the territory
1807-Steamboat & Anti-Slavery Law
1812-1815 War with England (the War of 1812)
James Madison is president
Trade embargo (prohibition of American exports) failed, revised to no trade with England and France due to attacks on American ships, then later trade with all nations (Macon Bill stating neutral stance of US)
The British were forcing American sailors into the British service
Congress declares war in summer of 1812
America is unprepared for the war
During the war, the Whitehouse was burned down during attack on Washington and Baltimore - Fort McHenry was attacked but not destroyed, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the "Star-Spangled Banner"
Future American president, Andrew Jackson, fought in the war
USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides", victories in battles on the high seas
Treaty of Ghent ends the war in 1814 (basically a cease-fire)
1823-Monroe Doctrine
A foreign policy of President Monroe that the US will not interfere with European affairs that did not concern the US. The US would stay on its side of the hemisphere and told Europe to stay on their side of the hemisphere.
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