[APUSH] 1789 - 1824 Timeline

A timeline of events from 1791 to 1824. The timeline only goes over major events and does not go into detail or explain very specific events. Each definition is followed by the year or years in which it occurred in parenthesis.

Year President George Washington took Office

1789

First 10 Amendments to the Constitution; granted basic rights to citizens which are non-negotiable.

Bill of Rights (1791)

Plan in which the creation Bank of the United States would encourage growth and stability.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan (1791)

Tax on Whiskey; greatly opposed by southern farmers. 

Whiskey Tax (1791)

Rebellion by southerners in response to the Whiskey Tax. It demonstrated the power of the government under the Constitution.

Whiskey Rebellion (1791 - 1794)

Proclamation in which the United States is declared neutrality in foreign affairs.

Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Agreement between the United States and Britain to avoid war. It was unpopular and seen as a confession to Britain and betrayal of American sovereignty.

Jay’s Treaty (1794)

Conflict with the natives, it opened the Northwest Territory for to settlement.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

The treaty signed as a result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers. It dispossessed the Natives of their land and established American military dominance. 

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

Address which urged the Americans to avoid foreign affairs, not form permanent alliances, not form political parties, and avoid sectionalism. 

Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

Year President John Adams took office.

1797

American peace delegation in France. agents of the French Foreign Minister labeled as X, Y, and Z demanded a bribe from the American delegation in exchange for negotiation. 

XYZ Affair (1797 - 1798)

Undeclared naval conflict between the Americans and French triggered by the XYZ Affair. The French preyed on American ships; it was ended when the Convention of 1800 was signed, ending the French and American alliance. 

Quasi-War (1798 - 1800)

The act which made it difficult for immigrants to vote, and easier to deport immigrants as well; made it illegal to speak against the government.

Alien and Sedition Act (1798)

Jefferson’s response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, saying the states have the right to nullify laws.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1799)

Year President Thomas Jefferson took office.

1801

Controversial land purchase by President Jefferson. It went against Democrat-Republican ideals due to a high cost of $30 Million; doubled the size of the United States. 

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Court case which established judicial review.

Maryburg v. Madison (1803)

Act implemented by President Jefferson which eliminated all foreign trade.

The Act which replaced the Embargo Act when it was repealed. It made it so that there was to be no trade with Great Britain or France.

Non-Intercourse Act (1809)

The Year President James Madison took office.

1809

This allowed for westward expansion, and was the first federally funded road. Jefferson believed it was necessary to unify the young country. 

National Road (1811 - 1834)

Widely disputed War against the British in Canada. The War Hawks argued it was necessary in order to prove American honor and expand westward, whereas the Federalists argued it was a loss of all sense and honor, and would sacrifice trade. The final battle took place after the war officially ended, and was won by the Americans at New Orleans.

War of 1812 (1812 - 1814)

System proposed by Henry Clay. It would establish tariffs to protect the American industry and focus on domestic production. It also advocated for a national bank in order to establish a national currency. It also called for infrastructural improvements such as roads and canals. 

The American System (1812)

The Treaty which ended the War of 1812.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

War of specific states in Africa engaged in piracy and involvement in the slave trade for centuries in exchange for safe passage through their waters. The US sent a large fleet and confronted Algiers. It ended in an American victory and a treaty, ending large scale piracy, making international trade safer. 

Barbary Pirate Wars (1815)

The creation of this institution led to the establishment of a national currency and created funding for internal improvements.

Second Bank of the United States (1816)

This Tariff was established on imports of foreign goods. It promoted domestic industries and industrialization.

Protective Tariff (1816)

Bill which proposed the construction of roads and canals to facilitate commerce and the military. It was vetoed by President Madison due to his strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Internal Improvement Bill (1817)

Treaty in which Spain ceded Florida to America, establishing a definitive US-Spanish border from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Spain also relinquished its claims in Oregon.

Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)

Court case which established implied federal powers, granting not only explicit powers but also implied powers that are appropriate to carry out duties. The court also found the creation of the National Bank was acceptable under the Necessary and Proper clause. It also said that when state law conflicts with federal law, federal law takes precedence. 

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

US Foreign policy principle which declared the western hemisphere off-limits to further European colonization, promising the US would not interfere in European affairs. 

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Court case which established that Congress has authority over regulating interstate commerce; federal law takes precedence over state law. The court expounded upon the Commerce Clause in the Constitution.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)