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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, was the first U.S. secretary of state, the second U.S. vice president, and the third U.S. president. He won the election of 1800 after tying with Aaron Burr and receiving an endorsement from Alexander Hamilton. During his presidency he conducted the Louisiana Purchase, organized the Lewis and Clark expedition, and signed the Embargo Act. Thomas Jefferson is significant to leadership because he was an amazing leader for our country. -
Washington Becomes US Capital
Washington became the US Capital in 1790. In exchange for his National Bank, Alexander Hamilton agreed to support the moving of the capital city to Washington. President Washington commissioned Pierre-Charles L'Enfant to design the new city. This is significant to leadership because the President Washington and the other men who voted to move the capital made a big impact on the nation. We still use this location for our capital today. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington's decision to remain neutral in foreign affairs was an important one. His Proclamation of Neutrality stated America would not become involved in the French Revolution or other foreign affairs at the time. This is important to diplomacy because many people expected America to aid France in its Revolution. By not providing France with funds or troops, America likely hurt their relationship with the country. -
Jay's Treaty
After years of impressment on the seas and issues caused by British soldiers in western forts, Americans had had enough and sent a diplomat to work something out; John Jay negotiated Jay's Treaty with the British. The treaty stated British soldiers would be pulled out of forts in America, but said nothing of impressment. Many people were unhappy that impressment would be allowed to continue. This is important to diplomacy because it was a civil negotiation that avoided a war with Britain. -
Treaty of Greenville
Between 1774 and 1794 Indian villages were repeatedly attacked by the American Army and various militias. The treaty established a boundary line between Indian and European territories and served as a type of peace treaty between the two cultures. This is significant to diplomacy because it ended a long-lasting conflict between Indians and Americans. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Before this treaty the Spanish-American border was a source of tension between the two nations. Not wanting to encourage trade in their land, the Spanish kept the Mississippi River closed to American trade. When John Jay was sent to negotiate a treaty with England, Spain feared a powerful alliance. Spain asked for a treaty; an alliance was agreed upon as well as a new border and American access to the river. This is significant to diplomacy because it resolved issues between Spain and the US. -
Washington's Farewell Address
After a successful presidency, George Washington stepped down to allow new ideas to be brought into the office. His Farewell Address was published in a newspaper article addressed to US citizens. In this article, he warned them to stay away from permanent foreign alliances and avoid political parties. This is significant to leadership because Washington was seen as a great leader and he set a precedent by stepping down after two terms as president. -
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XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between France and America that led to a quasi-war. GB and France had been fighting since 1793 and US efforts to reconcile had failed. When John Adams became president he sent three men to France for negotiations. When the men got there, three Frenchmen (known as X, Y, and Z) told them they would have to pay to see the prime minister. This is important to diplomacy because the US was attempting to stop the war, but started a quasi-war instead. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
After the XYZ Affair many Americans began to distrust foreigners, especially the french. John Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Acts extended the amount of time necessary for an immigrant to become a US citizen and made it legal for the president to deport foreigners he saw a threat. The Sedition Act made it illegal to print or say anything bad about the government. This is important to diplomacy because relations with France were already poor and this did not help. -
The Election of 1800
The Election of 1800 resulted in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The vote was taken to the House of Representatives and was swayed by Hamilton promoting Jefferson for the presidency. After the election an amendment was added to the Constitution concerning how the vice-president was chosen. This is significant in the conflict category because the two candidates did not get along and both wanted to take the other down. -
Marbury vs. Madison/Judicial Review
The Marbury vs. Madison court case was a very important one overseen by Chief Justice John Marshall. This case confirmed the idea of Judicial Review - the Supreme Court can limit Congressional power by saying laws are unconstitutional. Judicial Review, Marbury vs. Madison, and Marshall's Court all relate to each other and are significant to the leadership category. They are significant to this category because Marshall's important decisions strengthened the idea of Judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase consisted of buying approximately 828,000,000 square miles of territory from France. This purchase, approved by Thomas Jefferson, doubled the size of the young nation. To do this Jefferson had to go against his belief of strict interpretation of the Constitution, but it paid off. It gave Americans control of New Orleans along with an immense amount of land for westward expansion. This is significant to diplomacy because it was a deal made peacefully with France. -
First Steam Boat Trip
Robert Fulton's steam boat was an important development in early America. It would make shipping of products easier and more efficient for everyone. In addition to this, it made travel much more attainable and realistic for everyone. This was important to the American Dream category because it gave people a sense of nationalism and pride, but also gave farmers a more effective way to get their products to ports. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act, passed by Congress and signed by Thomas Jefferson, stopped all trade between America and foreign countries. Congress hoped the act would stop France and Great Britain, who were currently at war with each other, from restricting American trade. The act backfired and caused Americans to suffer, it was repealed in 1809. This is significant to diplomacy because it dealt with foreign countries and showed the importance of trade with those countries. -
War of 1812
For years, British ships had been impressing (capturing and forcing into service) American sailors had made Americans mad. In addition to this, British soldiers stationed in western forts were encouraging Indian attacks on US citizens and towns. Together, these acts were enough for President Madison to sign a Declaration of War against England. This is a significant conflict because it was the first war the United States fought as an independent country. -
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Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a secret meeting of delegates from the New England states. These states were unhappy with the progress in the War of 1812 and the power the southern states had in Congress. Ultimately, no changes were made and the unpopularity of the convention dissolved the Federalist party. This is significant to conflict because it started the idea of seceding from the Union, which would later be a problem, as well as dissolving the Federalist party. -
Era of Good Feelings
The Era of Good Feelings was a term used to describe the political mood of the United States from 1815-1825. The term was first used in Boston' Colombian Centinel in July 1817. During this time, the United States was essentially a one-party system (the Federalists had dissolved). There were no major political conflicts and everyone got along for the most part. This is significant to the American Dream category because it was a time of peace and growth for the United States. -
Missouri Compromise
The Louisiana Territory quickly become populated and soon the Missouri area asked to be admitted as a slave state. To maintain the balance of slave states and free states in Congress, James Tallmadge proposed the Missouri Compromise. The compromise suggested Missouri be admitted as a slave state at the same time Maine was admitted as a free state. This is significant to the conflict category because it was the first political clash between slavery and antislavery parties in the United States. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Adams -Onis treaty, named for John Quincy Adams of the US and Louis de Onís of Spain, set new boundary lines for the United States and Spanish territories. The United States gave up any claims to Texas in exchange for control of Florida and the Oregon territory. This is significant to Diplomacy because it was an exchange of land with Spain in addition to agreeing on boundary lines. -
Erie Canal
Before the Erie Canal shipping goods from Albany was expensive and time-consuming. Governor Clinton took up the proposal for the canal and convinced Congress to allot money to build it. After much hard work and lots of money, the canal was finished. This is significant to the American Dream category because it made travel easier and shipping much quicker and cost effective, it completely changed the nation.