Early Presidents—The early years of the new Republic were prosperous and optimistic. George Washington provided leadership and credibility at a critical time, and Alexander Hamilton and others worked hard to resolve contentious economic issues. The first five presidents were all founding fathers, committed to republican ideals, and all sought to increase commerce and keep the nation out of war as long as possible.

The greatest boon to befall the United States in its early years was the Louisiana Purchase. The claim that Napoleon had to the territory was somewhat dubious in the first place, but Thomas Jefferson recognized the importance of establishing the rights of the United States to settle the region, so he arranged the purchase and and sent Merriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory as soon as possible.

The United States did fight two wars during its early years, both brought about by the necessity of protecting American shipping and commerce. The first was against the Barbary Pirates of the Mediterranean, who began attacking American ships as soon as they stopped flying under the British flag. The Barbary War was a naval operation lasting almost 14 years that established the United States as an independent sea power.

The second war was the War of 1812 with Britain, in order to oppose trade restrictions brought about by the ongoing continental wars. The official casus belli had to do with British tyranny at sea, but other issues included the British support of northwest Indian tribes who attacked settlers on the American frontier, and disputes regarding the Canadian border. The War of 1812 involved several important naval battles, land battles on the western frontier, and the conquest of Washington D.C. by the British, and was finally resolved by a treaty.

DEFENSE OF BOONESBOROUGH.

Settlement of the Western Frontier—By the time of the French Indian Wars, colonists had settled much of Virginia east of the Appalachian mountains, but it wasn't until Daniel Boone blazed a trail over the Cumberland Gap that pioneers began to establish settlements in Kentucky and Tennessee. The first important settlement west of the mountains was Boonesborough. As soon as the colonies declared independence, the Shawnees in the region made an alliance with Britain, and began to attack forts and settlements in the Ohio Valley, especially those in Kentucky. Attacks on settlers continued even after fighting had ceased on the Eastern front. Once fighting ceased, thousands of white settlers flocked to the region and Virgina was admitted as the 15th state in 1792.

The first American settlement in the Ohio Valley was at Marietta, founded by Rufus Putnam, a Revolutionary War General. Several battles between the settlers and the Northwest Indians were fought over the next ten years, and Ohio became the 17th state admitted to the Union in 1803. Ten years later, Tecumseh, a Shawnee leader, sought to organize the Ohio valley tribes to resist encroachment of the colonists. His cause was lost when the Shawnee were defeated by William Henry Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe, but he continued to resist the colonists by joining forces with the British during the War of 1812. He was killed in the conflict, but his honor and courage during the war won him respect among whites as well as Indians.

TRAIL OF TEARS: REMOVAL OF THE SOUTHERN INDIANS.

Further south, in Louisiana and Alabama, Andrew Jackson fought the Creek Indians after they united with the British during the War of 1812 and began attacking colonial settlements. The most notorious Indian attack in the region was at Ft. Mims, where over 500 settlers were massacred or taken prisoner. Outrage over the Indian atrocities helped make Jackson, the leading Indian fighter in the region, a folk hero and eventually the 7th President of the United States.

The most resilient of the Southern tribes were the Seminoles, led by the fierce warrior Osceola. The Seminoles were not a purely a native tribe, but were a collection of peoples that included runaway slaves from the southern colonies, Creek Indians who refused to be relocated, and Florida tribes that traded with the Spanish. In 1830, the United States resolved to remove most southern Indian tribes to Oklahoma territory, and during this time Oscoela, who was himself of mixed Indian-Anglo heritage, arose to lead Indian resistance. He led a valiant resistance and beat the Americans in most engagements until he was treacherously captured and imprisoned during "peace talks" with the U.S. Army. The Seminoles fought on for years after the death of Osceola, but were eventually driven from Florida.

DEPARTURE OF THE CLERMONT ON ITS FIRST VOYAGE.

Invention and Industry—The early republican era in the United States corresponded to the period of the Industrial Revolution in England, and the dramatic changes in manufacture and commerce that occurred during the early 19th century transformed the economies of many American cities. The great difference between the Industrial Revolution in America and that in Britain however, was the condition of the workers: inexpensive land to the west and mobility meant that even the poorest laborers could not be kept in servitude. Most industrial development occurred in the North rather than the south, so the economic foundation of the two regions began to diverge.

While British inventors were responsible for many important inventions of the industrial era, such as the Steam Engine, power loom, and the Railroad, American inventors also contributed. Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793, a development that transformed the whole economy of the south. Robert Fulton introduced the first commercial steam-boat in 1807. Samuel Morse oversaw construction of the first telegraph line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore in 1838. And Cyrus McCormick demonstrated his mechanical reaper in 1831. All these inventions, along with dramatic improvements in transportation brought about by railroads and canals, transformed the American economy and brought enormous prosperity to the region in a short period of time.

ZACHARY TAYLOR'S VICTORY AT RESACA DE LA PALMA.

Texas and the Mexican War—Between 1790 and 1840, the United States added eleven new states to the union, almost all along the Mississipppi and Ohio rivers. Settlement of the Western-most regions, however, was hindered by both Indians and Spaniards. Eventually several thousand English speaking pioneers made settlements in Texas under an agreement with the Mexican government. Unfortunately the Mexican government was in turmoil, and in 1835 the central government was overthrown and the terms underwhich the Americans had settled changed. This led to the Texas Revolt and the Famous Battle of the Alamo, during which American heroes Davy Crockett, and Colonel Travis were massacred by a Mexican army led by Santa Anna. They were swiftly avenged by Sam Houston and Texas was an independent state from 1836 to 1845, when it was admitted as the 28th state to the Union.

From the earliest years of Independence, many American frontiersmen and ambitious statesmen desired to annex Spanish territories north of the Rio Grande. In the early 1800's vice-president Aaron Burr plotted to start a war with Spain and sieze its territories, but nothing came of the effort. In the 1820's, when Mexico declared itself independent from Spain, American operatives supported the most radical Republican faction, knowing that a divided Mexico would be easier to partition than a country with a strong central government. While U.S. interference cannot be blamed for the chaotic state of Mexican government, disorder south of the border served long-term American interests.

The border incident that set off the Mexican American War was a flimsy excuse for a war that was fought explicity to force Mexico to cede territory. No terms other than surrender of all Mexican claims to territories in the American southwest were considered, and after soundly defeating the armies sent against them in Northern Mexico, the United States sent a Naval expedition and fought its way to the capital city in order to affect an unconditional surrender. Mexico, which had already been weakened by years of civil war, was unable to resist, and in 1848 ceded most of the territory that later became the American states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Character/Date	Short Biography
Presidents
George Washington 1732–1799	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
John Adams 1735–1826	Second President of the United States. Worked tirelessly to help establish the republic on steady footing.
Thomas Jefferson 1743–1826	Third President. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Founder of Democrat-Republican Party.
James Madison 1751–1836	One of the chief authors of the Constitution and writer of the Federalist papers. Fourth President of the U.S.
James Monroe 1758–1831	Fifth president of the United States, and ally of Thomas Jefferson. Acquired Florida and promulgated the 'Monroe Doctrine.'
John Quincy Adams 1767–1848	Diplomat who spent much time in Europe before becoming the sixth U.S. President.
Andrew Jackson 1767–1845	Hero of the Battle of New Orleans, President of U.S., and founder of Democratic Party.
William Henry Harrison 1773–1841	War hero of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812, and briefly, President of the United States.
Zachary Taylor 1784–1850	Military leader who served in various Indian Wars and the Mexican-American War. Twelfth U.S. President.
James K. Polk 1795–1849	U.S. President who followed the policies of Andrew Jackson. President during the Mexican-American War.
Statesmen
Aaron Burr 1756–1836	Controversial American statesman. VP under Jefferson. Killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Accused of Treason.
John Marshall 1755–1835	Very Influential Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Founder of principle of Judicial Review.
DeWitt Clinton 1769–1828	Governor of New York best known as the master-mind behind the Erie Canal.
Henry Clay 1777–1852	Congressman and Speaker of the house of the mid-nineteenth century, associated with Webster and Calhoun.
John C. Calhoun 1782–1850	Important Southern Statesman of the mid nineteenth century. Supported slavery and states rights.
Daniel Webster 1782–1852	Influential Senator from New England. Promoted protective tariffs. Favored compromise on slavery.
Stephan Van Rensselaer 1764–1839	Heir to one of the largest fortunes in the United States, governor of New York, and military Hero.
Soldiers and Sailors
Commodore Preble 1761–1807	Founding member of the U.S. Navy. Led the American Naval blockade of Tripoli in 1803.
William Bainbridge 1774–1833	American naval hero who fought against the Barbary pirates, and piloted the U.S.S. Constitution during the war of 1812.
Stephen Decatur 1779–1820	Naval Hero noted for his exploits during the war Barbary War, and also the War of 1812.
Isaac Hull 1773–1843	American naval hero best known for commanding the U.S.S. Constitution when in took on the HMS Guerrierre during the war of 1812.
Oliver Hazard Perry 1785–1819	Naval Hero, commander of American forces at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
General Winfield Scott 1786–1866	Longest serving officer in American history. Served in all major wars between 1812 and the Civil War.
Indian Leaders
Osceola 1804–1838	Half-breed Seminole Warrior who resisted the settlement of Florida.
Billy Bowlegs 1810–1864	AmerIndian chief who frustrated warred against the United States in the Seminole Wars.
Tecumseh 1768–1813	Shawnee Hero. Tried to unify tribes against the colonists. Fought for Britain during War of 1812.
Sacajewea 1787–1812	Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark during their explorations of the Louisiana Purchase.
John Ross 1790–1866	Frontiersman who tried (but failed) to help the Cherokees form a nation and protect their rights in U.S. Courts.
Black Kettle 1801–1868	Cheyenne chief who tried to make peace, but was sabotaged by aggressive acts of his own Indians as well as the white settlers.
Washakie 1804–1900	Shoshone Indian War Chief
Inventions and Industry
John Jacob Astor 1763–1848	First multi-millionaire in the United States. Made his fortune in the fur trade and New York real estate.
Robert Fulton 1765–1815	Inventor of Steamboats. Operated the steamboat Clermont on the Hudson River.
Eli Whitney 1765–1825	Inventor of the Cotton Gin, and also interchangeable parts for rifles.
Samuel Morse 1791–1872	Inventor of Morse code, a system telegraph transmission widely used before the telephone.
Charles Goodyear 1800–1860	Discovered the process for 'vulcanizing' rubber, and making it far more usable.
Cyrus McCormick 1809–1884	Invented the mechanical reaper, which revolutionized agriculture, especially in midwest.
Explorers/Regional Heroes
Nolichucky Jack 1745–1815	Frontiersman and Indian fighter who became the first governor of the state of Tennessee.
Jean Lafitte 1780–1826	Pirate and American patriot who fought for the Americans during the war of 1812.
Stephen F. Austin 1793–1835	Helped found the state of Texas by leading 300 families to settle in the region.
Sam Houston 1793–1863	Founder of the state of Texas, and first governor.
Daniel Boone 1734–1820	Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap.
Davy Crockett 1786–1836	Tennessee Frontiersman and congressman. Involved with Texas independence. Died at the Alamo.
Alexander Henry Jr. 1775–1814	Canadian Fur Trader, nephew of Alexander Henry the Elder, who kept extensive journasl of his travels in the northwest.
Arts and Literature
Francis Scott Key 1779–1843	Watched the bombardment of Baltimore during the War of 1812, and penned the National Anthem.
Washington Irving 1783–1859	Popular writer of humor and short stories in the early 19th century.
John James Audubon 1785–1851	World renowned painter and collector of birds.
Horace Mann 1796–1859	Advocate of Public education. Induced Massachusetts to adopt the Prussian model of state sponsored education.
Mary Lyon 1797–1849	Established schools and seminaries for women which became Wheaton College and Mount Holyoke College.

AD Year	Event
Domestic Developments
1789	George Washington begins serving as the first President of the United States.
1791	Vermont, a disputed territory between NY and NH, becomes 14th state.
1792	Kentucky resolves boundary issues with Virginia and becomes 15th state.
1793	Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin .
1803	Louisiana Purchase negotiated by Jefferson.
1804-06	Merriwether Lewis and William Clark lead an expedition to explore Louisiana Purchase.
1804	Aaron Burr shoots Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
1803	Ohio becomes the first state carved out of the "Northwest Territories".
1807	Robert Fulton launches first commercial steamboat on the Hudson River.
1820	Missouri Compromise prohibits slavery north of 36 parallel.
1821	Maine and Missouri admitted to the Union.
1828	"Teriff of Abominations", protects northern manufacturers at the expense of the south.
1829	Jackson becomes President—promotes union, disestablishes National Bank, begins spoils system.
1844	Samuel Morse sends telegraph message from Washinton to Baltimore: "What hath God Wrought?".
1845	Florida Admitted to the Union as 27th State.
1845	Texas admitted as 28th State.
1847	Cyrus McCormick establishes mechanical reaper factory in Chicago.
1849	Gold Discovered at John Sutter's Mill in California.
1844	Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons, lynched to death.
1847	First Mormon Pioneers arrive in Utah Territory, under the leadership of Brigham Young.
Foreign Wars and Entanglements
1801-05	Barbary Pirate Wars.
Oct 1803	Stephen Decatur leads a daring expedition to sink the Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor.
1812-14	War of 1812: James Madison declares war against British in support of free trade.
Aug 1812	Constitution vs. Guerriere.
Sep 1813	Battle of Lake Erie.
Aug 1814	British invade Washington DC, burn White House.
Sep 1814	Battle of Baltimore—Francis Scott Key Writes Star Spangle Banner.
1823	Monroe Doctrine promulgated in response to independence movements in South America
1835-36	Texas War of Independence .
Feb 1836	Battle of the Alamo—180 defenders massacred, including Davy Crockett and James Bowie
Apr 1836	Sam Houston lead Texans to victory at San Jacinto—Santa Anna is captured and released.
1846-48	James K. Polk declars War on Mexico due to a boundary dispute in Texas.
May 1846	Battle of Resaca de la Palma near Texas Territory.
Feb 1847	Battle of Buena Vista in Northern Mexico.
Sep 1847	Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City.
Jul 1848	Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Cedes large territory to U.S.
Frontier Expanstion
1775	Daniel Boone's family and 50 other settlers settle in Boonesborough, Kentucky.
1788	Rufus Putnam founds the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territories in Marietta, Ohio.
1794	Battle of Fallen Timbers brings Indian War in the Northwest Territories to a close.
1811	Battle of Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison puts down Tecumseh's rebellion in Indiana Territory.
1813-14	Andrew Jackson fights Creek Wars in Alabama.
1835-38	Osceola leads Seminole Rebellion in Florida.

Book Title	Selected Chapters (# chapters)
Core Reading Assignments
Guerber - Story of the Great Republic	The Beginning of the U.S to The Mexican War (25)
Marshall - This Country of Ours	Washington in War and Peace to The Finding of Gold (14)
Supplemental Recommendations
Evans - America First—100 Stories from Our History	Nolichucky Jack to Electric Telegraph (23)
Eggleston - Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans	Decatur and the Pirates to A Wonderful Woman (25)
Pratt - American History Stories, Volume III	entire book
Otis Kaler - Benjamin of Ohio	entire book
Otis Kaler - Hannah of Kentucky	entire book
Otis Kaler - Philip of Texas	entire book
Eggleston - Stories of American Life and Adventure	entire book
Baldwin - Conquest of the Old Northwest	entire book
Perry - Four American Indians	entire book
Perry - Four American Inventors	entire book
Sabin - Opening the West with Lewis and Clark	entire book
Sabin - With Lieutenant Pike	entire book
Morris - True Stories of Our Presidents	George Washington to Zachary Taylor (12)
Morris - Historical Tales, Vol I: American	Fate of the Philadelphia to The Electric Telegraph (3)
Morris - Historical Tales: American II	Eli Whitney and Cotton-Gin to Captain Lee and Lava-beds (6)
Drake - Indian History for Young Folks	The Backwoodsmen of Kentucky to War with the Seminoles of Florida (6)
Special Interest - Military
Seawell - Twelve Naval Captains	entire book
Fraser - Boys' Book of Sea Fights	Burning of the Philadelphia to The Strange Disappearance (4)
Sabin - Boys' Book of Border Battles	The Battle of Blue Licks to Resaca de la Palma (9)
Sabin - Frontier Fighters	Five Boy Captives to Through the Enemy's Lines (7)
Sabin - Boy's Book of Indian Warriors	Little Turtle of the Miamis to Strong Medicine of Konate (12)
Sabin - Into Mexico with General Scott	entire book
Ladd - The War with Mexico	entire book
Also Recommended
Southworth - Builders of Our Country: Book II	Chronology to Samuel F. B. Morse (11)
Morris - Heroes of Progress in America	John Adams to Horace Mann (20)
Nye - Comic History of the United States	The Revolutionary War to Befo' the Wah (11)

I: Introductory, II: Intermediate, C: College Prep