1788–1817 - Early Republic

The Bayonne Decree, issued by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808, was a key policy of the Continental System. This Decree blocked American ships from accessing European ports controlled by France, increasing tensions, which eventually led to the War of 1812.

James Beckwourth (c.1798–1866) was a famous Mountain Man — trapper, frontiersman, and guide — who is most well-known for being a successful black man in the first half of the 19th century and his reputation for exaggerating stories about his life.

Charles Bent was a fur trader, merchant, and politician who rose to prominence during the Fur Trade Era and became the first Governor of the New Mexico Territory. He is most well-known for his trade ties to Santa Fe and his death during the Taos Revolt.

William Bent was a fur trader, merchant, and frontiersman who rose to prominence during the Fur Trade Era. He is most well-known for building Bent’s Fort and his close ties to the Cheyenne.

The Berlin Decree established Napoleon Bonaparte’s Continental System. This Decree declared a comprehensive trade embargo against Britain and its allies, aiming to isolate Britain economically and weaken its global influence. It prohibited any neutral nation, including the United States, from trading with Britain.

The Bill of Rights make up the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments protect individual liberties by placing limits on the power of the government.

Black Kettle was a Cheyenne chief who is most well-known for his efforts to secure peace and safety for his people as Americans migrated westward. He was involved in the Sand Creek Massacre, and killed at the Battle of the Washita — two of the worst atrocities committed by the U.S. Army against the Plains Indians.

Aaron Burr (1756–1836) was a U.S. Senator and Vice President of the United States under Thomas Jefferson. Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in an infamous duel in 1804. He was also tried and acquitted of treason against the United States for allegedly trying to establish a separate empire in the southwest.

The Cadore Letter was a message France sent to the United States Minister to France, John Armstrong. It implied France was willing to drop economic sanctions against the U.S. President James Madison responded with economic sanctions against Great Britain, increasing tensions that eventually led to the War of 1812.

John Caldwell Calhoun was a staunch defender of slavery, States' Rights, and Nullification. He served the nation as a Congressional Representative and Senator from South Carolina, U.S. Secretary of War and Secretary of State, and Vice President of the United States during the Antebellum Era. Calhoun’s policies inspired the Southern Secession Movement, which triggered the Civil War.

Robert Campbell was an Irish-born Frontiersman, fur trader, and businessman. He is most famous for the years he spent trapping and exploring the American West and for various successful business ventures.

Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a planter and politician from Maryland who is most famous for being the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence and the last living signer. Carroll was considered to be one of the wealthiest men in America during his lifetime.

The Citizen Genêt Affair was a diplomatic incident that occurred in 1793–1794 during the French Revolution. French diplomat Edmond Charles Genêt went against President George Washington's wishes and tried to enlist Americans to help France fight the British. The incident led to the establishment of America’s neutrality policy regarding foreign affairs.

James “Jim” Clyman was a frontiersman, mountain man, and explorer who rose to prominence in the early days of the Western Fur Trade. Clyman is most famous for keeping a detailed journal that was published as “Journal of a Mountain Man.”

The Confederation and the Constitution cover the United States under the Articles of Confederation and the transition to the United States Constitution.

The Constitution is the foundation of law and government in America. It outlines the structure of the government, its powers, and the Amendment Process. It also defines the relationships between the People, the Federal Government, and State Governments.

Amendments to the Constitution of the United States have been made 27 times since it was ratified on June 21, 1788. Article V of the Constitution gives the authority to amend the document and outlines the process for proposing and ratifying Amendments.

Napoleon's Continental System restricted access to French-controlled ports in Europe. It was designed to weaken Great Britain by blocking its trade with the Continent but also affected American merchant ships. The Continental System contributed to the tensions that led to the War of 1812.

The Convention of 1800 was a series of meetings between the United States and France that produced the Treaty of Mortefontaine and ended the Quasi-War.

John Crane was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. A supporter of the Patriot Cause, he participated in the Boston Tea Party and was the only person wounded. During the war, he held various artillery commands and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. After the war, he settled in Maine and served as a judge.