STEP 1: ESSENTIAL TOPICS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM THE 1789-1850 TIME PERIOD.
WHO WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT?
George Washington was the first president of the United States.
WHAT?
He was elected by the Electoral College and received 100% of the votes.
WHEN?
He termed from April 30th, 1789 to March 4th, 1797
WHERE?
The United States
WHY IS HE OF IMPORTANCE?
He belonged to no political party (although some say he had Federalists ideals). Alexander Hamilton and George Washington designed the Jay Treaty to normalize trade with Great Britain. He pre-set he two term limit for future presidents to come. His farewell address is one of the most commonly noted speeches: he mentioned the value of the Constitution, not to engage in rigid political parties, and to beware of permanent foreign alliances.
George Washington, our nation's first president
Still George Washington, our nation's first president
WHAT WAS THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE?
The Louisiana Territory, owned by Napoleon Bonaparte of France, was bought by Thomas Jefferson for $15 million dollars. Thomas Jefferson had a hard time deciding whether or not to purchase the territory because he was a strict interpreter of the Constitution, which did not deliberately state territories like these could be purchased. However, in the end, the purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States' land mass.
WHEN?
July 4th, 1803
WHY IS THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE OF IMPORTANCE?
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States. It also removed France's presence from the United States in regards to the United State's occupation of the port at New Orleans. It allowed the United States reigning access of the Mississippi River. The land also permitted admission to more resources (and more Native American issues) than ever before.
the dark purple is the Louisiana Purchase territory.
WHERE WAS THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE?
Another map of the Louisiana Purchase and the American land mass post purchase.
T. Jefferson, the man responsible for the Louisiana Purchase
WHAT WAS THE MONROE DOCTRINE?
The Monroe Doctrine stated that Europe should abandon all of their imperialistic views in the Western Hemisphere. It also stated that the United States could not interfere in European affairs.
WHEN?
Early 19th century, 1850
WHERE?
Via the United States to European nations
WHY IS THE MONROE DOCTRINE OF IMPORTANCE?
The primary reason for the Monroe Doctrine was to aid people in European controlled territories. It was one of the first foreign policy statements of the United States as an independent nation. (Pretty bold of them, don't you think?)
political cartoon of the Monroe Doctrine.
low key version of the Monroe Doctrine
WHAT WERE THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTIES?
Federalist vs. Democratic Republican (Anti-Federalists)
WHO?
Federalists were led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Anti-Federalists were led by Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason and Samuel Adams.
WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Federalists favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists (DRs) favored a strict interpretation. Federalists stressed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and believed that a strong government needed to be in full force, as opposed to the states holding all of the power. The Anti-Federalists believed in the opposite, stating that the states deserved most of the power in regards to balance. The Federalists supported Great Britain and the Anti-Federalists were in cahoots with the French during this time of strong tension. These topics are important to understand because most important people who helped shape the United States were stemmed/brought up under the brim of either one of these ideals.
FEDERALISTS
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
WHAT WAS THE COMPROMISE OF 1850? Consists of 5 laws that deal with the issue of slavery.
WHEN? September 1850
WHO? Henry Clay introduces this compromise
WHY IS THE COMPROMISE SO IMPORTANT?
A new Fugitive Slave Act implemented, the slave trade in Washington D.C. was abolished, California entered the Union as a free state, the boundary dispute between Texas and New Mexico was settled, and it prohibited slavery in the Mexican cession. Some measures angered the South because they believed it enhanced the North's power.
Henry Clay, the man responsible for the compromise.
A map of the compromise, showing the slave states v. the free states