Digital History
Digital History: The First National Census
An interesting look at the difficulty of conducting the first national census in 1790. Find a snap shot of American society in that year and a glimpse of what the future held.
Digital History
Digital History: Challenges Facing the Nation
The new United States had no blueprint to follow in establishing a new democratic government. Read about the challenges facing the new nation, and how it dealt with ways to make the government work.
Digital History
Digital History: Years of Crisis
It's not surprising the United States would have challenges in its first years. Read about the problems with foreign countries, its own citizens who resisted taxes, and dealings with Native Americans.
Digital History
Digital History: The Presidency of John Adams
John Adams, early revolutionary and founding father, became the second president of the United States, only to face difficult foreign policy problems. Read about the XYZ Affair and the Federalists' preparation for war with France.
Digital History
Digital History: The Revolution of 1800
The election of 1800 was a revolution in a peaceful sense. Read about the election, how Thomas Jefferson became president, and the resulting 12th Amendment.
Digital History
Digital History: Conclusion
A brief account of the death of George Washington and a review of the great strides the country made in the decade beginning when he became president.
Digital History
Digital History: War on the Judiciary
The Judiciary Act of 1801 was a final attempt by the Federalists to control the judicial system before the Democratic Republicans took over. Read about the repeal of the act, which resulted in a landmark Supreme Court decision, Marybury...
Digital History
Digital History: The Louisiana Purchase
Find out about the serendipitous sale of the whole of the Louisiana Province by Napoleon to the Americans for $15 million dollars.
Digital History
Digital History: Conspiracies
An interesting account of the possible conspiracy of Aaron Burr. Was he trying to take land in the West by force? Read the evidence against him and see why he was acquitted.
Digital History
Digital History: The Embargo of 1807
Thomas Jefferson tried to retain American neutrality in relations with France and Great Britain, who were at war with each other. Read about the Embargo Act and its effect on the American economy. See how other acts enacted in the...
Digital History
Digital History: A Second War of Independence
A brief explanation of the lead-up to the War of 1812. Find out who supported it and why.
Digital History
Digital History: The War of 1812
The War of 1812 showed American military weakness in many ways, but the British lost anyway. Read about some of the major battles, the treaty that ended the war, and the battle that was fought after the treaty was already signed.
Digital History
Digital History: Strengthening American Finances
Monetary woes followed the War of 1812. See how chartering a second Bank of the United States was a plan to get the United States back on a firm financial footing. Find out who opposed the bank.
Digital History
Digital History: Judicial Nationalism
Chief Justice John Marshall and his Supreme Court shaped the importance of the federal courts that still is in effect today. Read about several major Supreme Court decisions that were issued during his time on the court.
Digital History
Digital History: Conquering Space
A good review of how the rise of nationalism led to western expansion, support for federal funds to build infrastructure, and the protection of new American industry.
Digital History
Digital History: Defending American Interests in Foreign Affairs
A look at the foreign affairs that were dealt with by the Monroe Administration. Read about how the United States gained territory from Spain in Florida, why Russian settlements on the west coast were troubling, and why the Monroe...
Digital History
Digital History: Rise of Democratic Politics
Although difficult to comprehend, after the demise of the Federalists, there was essentially just one political party in the United States for about a decade. Read about the rise of the new two-party system and how the attack on...
Digital History
Digital History: Emergence of a New Party System
There were many reasons for splits in the first Republican party, now usually referred to as the Democratic-Republican Party. See how that changed the party itself and the ways those changes affected the election of 1824.
Digital History
Digital History: The Presidency of John Quincy Adams
Read about the many problems encountered by John Quincy Adams during his presidency, most not of his making, but a reflection of the split in the philosophies of the National Republicans and the up-and-coming Jacksonian Democrats.
Digital History
Digital History: The Presidency of Andrew Jackson
The campaign of 1828 was heated and bitter. Read about the man who was elected, Andrew Jackson, his background, and the basis of his administration.
Digital History
Digital History: Indian Removal
The Indian Removal policy was inhumane and without empathy for the Native Americans who were forced from their lands. Read about the attempts to enforce federal treaties and the final removal of three major tribes from the Southeast.
Digital History
Digital History: Nullification
As with most other debates leading up to the Civil War, the debate about states' rights in reference to nullifying federal laws, ostensibly about tariffs, was really about the future of slavery in the South. Read about the issues of...
Digital History
Digital History: The Celebrated Bank War
A good discussion of the views of supporters and opponents of the Bank of the United States, and the banking industry in general during Jackson's presidency. Were Jackson's ideas backward looking and ignorant? Did his policies cause the...
Digital History
Digital History: The Whigs
A look at the Whig Party's formation in the 1830s as opposition to the Democratic Party. Read about their legislative plans, and the men they nominated for president over the years.