1825-1852 Major Events Leading to the Civil War
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) 4 men run for President, Andrew Jackson gets the most votes-but election is given to Adams who came in second. (Jackson blames Henry Clay) Adams has many goals but will have very little success as Jackson s supporters block his moves. The election of 1828 Adams vs. Jackson is one of the dirtiest ever. All about character. Jackson Wins in a landslide
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) Jackson s Wife (Rachel) dies 2 weeks after election January 1835 Andrew Jackson paid off the National Debt. (the only time this has happened) Multiple Calls to do away with the electoral college Indian Removal Act called for 5 tribes to be forced from their lands Cherokee nation takes government to court and wins. Jackson says the court has ruled let them enforce it. Cherokee are forced out leads to the Trail of Tears
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) Nullification Crisis (1828-1832) South Carolina claims it can nullify high tariffs that hurt its economy. Vice President John C. Calhoun is the leader. In response Jackson asks Congress to pass a Force Bill allowing him to take troops into S.C. He claims he will hang Calhoun from the first tree he finds. Henry Clay works out the Compromise Tariff that averts the crisis
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) Martin van Buren becomes Vice President for 2 nd term Opposition to the National Bank-he destroys the bank in 1833 by withdrawing federal funds.(had to fire 2 Sec. of the Treasury to do so) Jan. 30 1835 - Richard Lawrence attempts to kill Jackson (first time this had happened)
New States: Andrew Jackson: Arkansas 1836 Michigan 1837
Texas Revolution 1835-1836 Texas fights for its independence from Mexico Feb. 23, 1836-March 6 Battle of the Alamo Mexican Forces win killing all of the defenders April 21, 1836-Revolution comes to an end with defeat of Mexican Army. Texas wins Independence
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841) Panic of 1837 beginning of 5 year depression(one of the worst economic crises in US History) Slavery becoming more of a divisive issue between North and South 1837-Denies Texas s request to join the union New political Party formed (Whigs)
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841) 1839-Slaves on slave ship Amistad revolt and land in New York. John Quincy Adams defends leaders of revolt in front of Supreme Court 1839-Abner Doubleday invents baseball in Cooperstown, NY 1840-William Henry Harrison runs for President with John Tyler-slogan- Tippecanoe and Tyler too (Harrison member of Whig Party wins)
Harrison/Tyler (1841-1845) Harrison takes oath on March 4, 1841- dies of pneumonia on April 4. Is President for 30 days (1 st president to die in office) Last president born before Declaration of Independence was signed John Tyler takes oath of office on April 6, 1841 1844-Samuel Morse opens telegraph between Baltimore and Washington DC
James K. Polk (1845-1849) 1845-U.S. Naval Academy opens at Annapolis, Maryland Dec. 29, 1845 US annex s Texas it becomes the 28 th state Smithsonian Institution founded with a half million dollar gift by James Smithson Potato famine in Ireland many flee to the United States Gold found at Sutter s Mill California on Jan. 24,1848-California Gold Rush begins in 1849- Miners called 49 ers
Mexican-American War April 25 th, 1846 Mexican troops cross the Rio Grande and attack American troops under General Zachary Taylor begins Mexican-American War United States Marines capture Mexico City on September 11, 1847. February 2, 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends war.(u.s. gains almost all of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. US pays Mexico 15 million for land)
California Gold Rush Over 400,000 people would venture to California looking for Gold Routes were the Cherokee Trail, Oregon Trail (2,000 mile trip). Some made the trip by boat around Cape Horn. 1852 was the peak year for movement west. Dangerous Trip-many travelers died on the way to California
Zachary Taylor 1849-1850 Zachary Taylor (Whig) old rough and ready elected 12 th President of the United States The plague is spreading world wide (20 million will die world wide during its course) last occurrence Taylor Dies on July 9, 1850 Millard Fillmore takes oath of office on July 9, 1850
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) With the addition of new territory the Slavery issue rises again Calls for secession first heard Henry Clay works out the Compromise of 1850 California a free state, D.C. no slaves All territories have popular sovereignty Texas a slave state and can expand, Fugitive Slave Act. (makes it a crime to help escaping slaves)
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) Tensions between North and South continue to rise over the issue of slavery. Abolitionists angered by the Fugitive Slave Act, Slave Owners saying compromise is not being followed 1851 Harriet Beecher Stowe writes antislavery novel Uncle Tom s Cabin adds to slavery tension August 12, 1851 Isaac Singer gets a patent for his invention a sewing machine Henry Clay dies on June 29, 1852