U.S. History: Key Battles, Treaties, and Legislation (1790s-1820s)

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Final battle between U.S. forces (Anthony Wayne) and Miami Confederacy; U.S. victory broke Native resistance in the Northwest Territory.

Cause of the Battle of Fallen Timbers

U.S. settlers entering Ohio + British-supported Native resistance; earlier U.S. defeats.

Effect of the Battle of Fallen Timbers

U.S. victory; British refused to help Natives; Native power collapsed.

Significance of the Battle of Fallen Timbers

Opened Ohio to settlement; led directly to Treaty of Greenville.

Treaty of Greenville

Natives ceded most of Ohio after losing at Fallen Timbers.

Cause of the Treaty of Greenville

U.S. military victory at Fallen Timbers.

Effect of the Treaty of Greenville

Natives surrendered huge lands for small payment + hunting rights.

Significance of the Treaty of Greenville

Opened the Old Northwest to American settlement.

Pinckney's Treaty

Spain gave U.S. access to Mississippi River & New Orleans.

Cause of Pinckney's Treaty

Spain feared a U.S.-British alliance after Jay's Treaty.

Significance of Pinckney's Treaty

Huge win for western farmers; boosted U.S. confidence.

Washington's Farewell Address

Avoid political parties & permanent alliances; stay neutral.

XYZ Affair

French agents demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats → U.S. outrage.

Cause of the XYZ Affair

France was angry at Jay's Treaty and seized American ships.

Effect of the XYZ Affair

U.S. outrage; led to undeclared Quasi-War with France.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Anti-immigrant + anti-Democratic-Republican laws; Sedition Act banned criticizing government.

Cause of the Alien & Sedition Acts

Fear of immigrants + desire to silence D-R opponents during tension with France.

Significance of the Alien & Sedition Acts

Major violation of free speech; set off states' rights crisis.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

States can nullify unconstitutional federal laws (states' rights doctrine).

Revolution of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.

Marbury v. Madison

Judicial review — Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

Midnight Judges

Adams appointed last-minute Federalist judges before leaving office.

Tripolitan War

Jefferson refused to pay tribute → fought Barbary pirates; improved U.S. naval reputation.

Haitian Revolution

France lost Haiti → Napoleon sold Louisiana to U.S.

Louisiana Purchase

U.S. bought Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.

Louisiana Purchase Significance

Doubled U.S.; Jefferson broke strict-construction beliefs.

Lewis & Clark Expedition

Mapped the West; strengthened claims to Oregon; guided by Sacajawea.

Embargo Act (1807)

Jefferson banned all exports to pressure Britain & France; crushed U.S. economy.

War Hawks

Young congressmen pushing for war with Britain; blamed Britain for arming Natives.

Tippecanoe

Gov. Harrison defeated the Prophet → Tecumseh joins Britain.

War of 1812 Causes

Impressment, British support of Natives, War Hawks pressure.

War of 1812 Significance

Boosted nationalism; "Second War for Independence."

Fort McHenry

U.S. survived British bombardment; Key wrote "Star-Spangled Banner."

Battle of New Orleans

Huge victory after treaty; boosts nationalism; launches Andrew Jackson.

Treaty of Ghent

Ended War of 1812 with no territorial changes → restored status quo.

Hartford Convention

Federalists opposed war, talked secession → party destroyed after war ended.

Lowell Girls

Young women working in textile mills; early industrial workforce.

Cotton Gin

Made cotton profitable → massive expansion of slavery & planter class.

American System

Strong bank, protective tariffs, internal improvements → national economic plan.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Missouri slave; Maine free; banned slavery above 36°30'.

Judicial Nationalism

Strengthened federal power over states (McCulloch, Gibbons, Dartmouth, etc.).