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Louisiana Purchase: Who: Napoleon Bonaparte gave it to the U.

S Robert Livingston negotiated the terms, under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson What: The acquisition by the United States of 828,800 sq. miles of Frances claim to the territory of Louisiana for $15 million. It doubled the size of the U.S. When: April 1803 Where: The purchase included all or part of 14 current states and two Canadian provinces. Robert Livingston and James Monroe signed the treaty in Paris. Why: The purchase was a vital movement in the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. At the time, it faced domestic opposition as being possibly unconstitutional. Although he felt that the U.S. Constitution did not contain any provisions for acquiring territory, Jefferson decided to purchase Louisiana because he felt uneasy about France and Spain having the power to block American trade access to the port of New Orleans. George Washington Who: George Washington What: He was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1797, leading the American victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander in chief of the Continental Army, 17751783, and presiding over the writing of the Constitution in 1787. As the unanimous choice to serve as the first President of the United States (17891797), he developed the forms and rituals of government that have been used ever since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. When: 1732-1799 Where: the United States Why: He built a strong, well-financed national government that avoided war, suppressed rebellion and won acceptance among Americans of all

types. Acclaimed ever since as the "Father of his country", Washington, along with Abraham Lincoln, has become a central icon of republican values, self-sacrifice in the name of the nation, American nationalism and the ideal union of civic and military leadership.

Thomas Jefferson Who: Thomas Jefferson What: He was the third President of the United States (18011809) and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Jefferson was one of the most influential Founding Fathers, known for his promotion of the ideals of republicanism in the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (18041806), as well as escalating tensions with both Britain and France that led to war with Britain in 1812, after he left office. He epitomized the Jeffersonian democracy and was a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. He also was a state legislator, gov. of VA, minister to France and Secretary of State. When: 1743-1826 Where: Virginia, U.S. Why: Jefferson envisioned America as the force behind a great "Empire of Liberty" that would promote republicanism and counter the imperialism of the British Empire. Alexander Hamilton Who: Alexander Hamilton What: He was the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, economist, and political philosopher. He was a leader of American nationalists calling for a new Constitution; he was one of America's first constitutional lawyers, and wrote most of the Federalist Papers, a primary source for Constitutional interpretation. Hamilton was the primary author of the economic policies of the George

Washington Administration, especially the funding of the state debts by the Federal government, the establishment of a national bank, a system of tariffs, and friendly trade relations with Britain. He created and dominated the Federalist Party, and was opposed by Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party. Hamilton opposed Adams, as well as the opposition candidates Jefferson and Aaron Burr, in the election of 1800; he supported Jefferson over Burr when the House of Representatives had to choose in an electoral tie between them. Tensions with Burr escalated to a duel, in which Hamilton was killed. When: 1755-1804 Where: born in the Caribbean, lived in NY, U.S. Why: Hamilton was always denounced by the Jeffersonians and later the Jacksonians, but his economic ideas, especially support for a flexible constitution, a protective tariff and a national bank, were promoted in the 1830s and 1840s by the Whig Party and after 1854 by the newly created Republican Party, which hailed him as the nation's greatest Secretary of the Treasury. Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution Who: The 2nd Continental Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution. What: The Articles were created by the representatives of the states in the Second Continental Congress out of a perceived need to have "a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States." Nationalists felt that the Articles lacked the necessary requirements for an effective government. There was no tax base, no executive agencies or judiciary. There was no tax base, which meant no way to pay off state and national debts from the war years. In 1788, with the approval of Congress, the Articles were replaced by the United States Constitution and the new government began operations in 1789.

When: the Articles were written in 1777 and the Constitution was written in 1787 Where: Congress Why: The Articles were the first constitution of the United States and specified how the Federal government was to operate, including adoption of an official name for the new nation, United States of America. The Constitution is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States. Declaration of Independence Who: Thomas Jefferson What: A statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. When: July 4, 1776 Where: Congress wrote it in the U.S. Why: he famous wording of the Declaration has often been invoked to protect the rights of individuals and marginalized groups, and has come to represent for many people a moral standard for which the United States should strive. This view greatly influenced Abraham Lincoln, who considered the Declaration to be the foundation of his political philosophy, and who promoted the idea that the Declaration is a statement of principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted. Great Awakening Who: mainly Protestants, ministers What: A religious revival in American religious history. Historians and theologians identify three or four waves of Great Awakening occurring from the early 18th century to the late 20th century, each

characterized by widespread revivals led by evangelical Protestant ministers, a sharp increase of interest in religion, a profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected, a jump in evangelical church membership, and the formation of new religious movements and denominations. The First Great Awakening began in 1725 and lasted to about 1750. Ministers from various evangelical Protestant denominations supported the Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening was strongest in the western states, following the revival at Cane Ridge in Kentucky, and also in the "burned over" district of upstate New York. When: 1st awakening: 18th century, 2nd: 19th century Where: across the United States, 2nd Great Awakening especially in Burned-Over District Why: The evangelical movement of the 1740s played a key role in the development of democratic concepts in the period of the American Revolution. This helped create a demand for the separation of church and state. Popular Sovereignty Who: the American people Lewis Cass (slavery), John Locke (philosopher), and Jean Rousseau (philosopher) What: the belief that the legitimacy of the state is created by the will or consent of its people, who are the source of all political power. When: late 18th century and mid 19th century Where: across the U.S in states that had to determine if slave or free state Why: In the decades before the American Civil War, the term "popular sovereignty" was often used to suggest that residents of U.S. territories should be able to decide by voting whether or not slavery would be allowed in the territory. It allowed for the peoples voices to be heard in the U.S. government.

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