History: Presidents and Events During their Presidency

Mexican War 1846-1848

A conflict over the annexing of Texas during James K. Polk’s presidency

Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804-1806

A journey sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore the region of the Louisiana Purchase

Tariff of Abominations 1828

a protective tariff passed during the presidency of John Quincy Adams that raised the cost of imported goods

Passage of the Bill of Rights 1791

the first ten amendments to the constitution, passed during the presidency of George Washington

Webster-Ashburton Treaty 1842

a division of disputed territory during the presidency of John Tyler

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions 1798 and 1799

political statements, which were made during the presidency of John Adams, saying that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional

Panic of 1837

a major financial crisis partly caused by the president before Martin Van Buren

Louisiana Purchase 1803

Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of land west of the Mississippi River from France

First presidential death in office 1841

William Henry Harrison gave

Marbury vs. Madison 1803

Thomas Jefferson was president; it was the first case in which Supreme Court invalidated a law passed by Congress

Kitchen Cabinet 1830’s

term used to describe the unofficial advisory group of Andrew Jackson

Spoils System

Andrew Jackson’s way of rewarding some of his supporters

Embargo Act 1807

law passed by Thomas Jefferson that banned trading with foreign ports

War of 1812

James Madison was president during this war between the US and Britain

Settlement of the Oregon Boundary 1846

James K. Polk successfully negotiated with Britain and gained the territory.

“Midnight” judicial appointments 1801

John Adams last-minute attempt to appoint federalists as judges

Rush-Bagot (1817) and Adam-Onis (1819) treaties

Rush-Bagot demilitarized the great lakes, and the Adam-Onis treaty secured Florida for the US (both were signed during James Monroe’s presidency)

Whiskey Rebellion 1791-1794

George Washington put an end to the rebellion

Specie Circular of 1838

an executive order issued by Andrew Jackson saying that land must be bought will gold or silver

Jay Treaty 1794

President Washington sent John Jay to negotiate the treaty with Great Britain

Clay’s American System

John Quincy Adams supported his system