1817–1861 - Growth and Turmoil

The Adams-Onís Treaty (1819) was an agreement between the United States of America and Spain that ceded Florida to the United States. It also allowed the United States to span the continent, from the East Coast to the West Coast.

John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829, He was the son of John Adams and Abigail Adams and had a long career as a lawyer, diplomat, and politician. He played a key role in helping President James Monroe shape the foreign policy of the United States, which is known as the Monroe Doctrine.

The American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) was a leading Abolitionist organization, dedicated to eliminating slavery in the United States. The organization was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 4, 1833.

The American System was an economic plan devised by Henry Clay that was intended to create a national economy. Although moderately successful, it is also famous for contributing to the sectional divide between the North and South leading up to the Civil War.

John Armstrong Jr. was an officer in the Continental Army. He also served as Minister to France and Spain under Thomas Jefferson, and as the Secretary of War under James Madison. During the War for Independence, he may have played a key role in the Newburgh Conspiracy, when officers challenged the authority of Congress.

William Henry Ashley (c. 1778-1838) was an American fur trader and politician who organized successful fur trading expeditions in the American West. Ashley is most well-known for establishing Ashley’s Hundred and the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous.

John Jacob Astor was a German immigrant who came to America and became the wealthiest man in the nation. He was a shrewd, successful businessman, and was primarily involved in real estate and the fur trade. His involvement in the Oregon Territory contributed to America’s fulfillment of Manifest Destiny.

Clara Barton was an acclaimed humanitarian who is popularly known as the Angel of the Battlefield. She was the founder and first president of the American Red Cross, serving from 1881 to 1904.

Key facts about the Angel of the Battlefield, and co-founder of the American Red Cross Clara Barton.

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 Black Hawk War was a short conflict fought between the United States and Native American Indians led by Black Hawk. The U.S. won the war, forcing the Sauks and Foxes to give up land in present-day Iowa.

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 worse atrocities committed by the U.S. Army against the Plains Indians.

Key facts about the violence experienced in the Kansas Territory prior to the American Civil War.

The term “Bleeding Kansas” refers to the violence and bloodshed that occurred in the Kansas Territory during the 1850s.

John Brown was an ardent abolitionist whose raid on the federal arsenal in October 1859 intensified the sectional dispute over slavery in the United States and hastened the nation toward civil war.

Key facts about ardent abolitionist John Brown.

Fifteenth President of the United States James Buchanan was the nation's chief executive when the Union began to dissolve in December 1860, on the eve of the American Civil War.

Key facts about James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United States.