1817–1861 - Growth and Turmoil

McCulloch v. Maryland is known for shaping the relationship between the United States and individual states by ruling Congress had the authority to establish a national bank, states did not have the power to tax the Federal Government, and Constitutional Sovereignty came from the people.

Samuel Medary was a newspaper publisher during the American Civil War, His newspaper, the Crisis, was a nationally prominent voice for Peace Democrats.

Key facts about Samuel Medary, an Ohio newspaper publisher during the American Civil War who was a nationally prominent voice for Peace Democrats.

Key facts about the Mexican-American War.

The Mexican-American War was caused by several incidents that took place between the United States and Mexico, including the Texas Revolution, the Annexation of Texas, and a dispute over the border between Mexico and Texas. Further, instability in the Mexican Government and America's desire to fulfill its "Manifest Destiny" helped cause the war.

Lasting from April 25, 1846 – February 2, 1848, the Mexican-American War polarized sectional differences over the extension of slavery in the United States, and it served as a training ground for numerous general officers who fought on both sides during the American Civil War.

The Missouri Compromise of 1820 attempted to resolve sectional disputes over the extension of slavery in western territories of the United States. Here are the interesting facts, key details, and important dates about the Missouri Compromise.

The Missouri Compromise comprised legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1820 that attempted to resolve sectional disputes over the extension of slavery in western territories of the United States.

The Battle of Molino del Rey was fought on September 8, 1847, between the United States and Mexico, during the Mexican-American War. The outcome of the battle was an American victory.

The Monroe Doctrine is a cornerstone of America's Foreign Policy that warned against European influence in the Western Hemisphere and has been modified to justify American involvement in the region.

On November 24, 1832, the Convention of the People of South Carolina approved the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification, precipitating a constitutional crisis that nearly triggered a civil war in the United States.

The Oregon Trail was a westward route that thousands of American pioneers traveled as they emigrated western part of the United States. It was most popular from 1841 to 1869. The trail was initially blazed by frontiersman Robert Stuart in 1812–1813.

The Battle of Palo Alto was fought between the United States of America and Mexico on May 8, 1846, during the Mexican-American War. It was the first major battle of the war and took place near present-day Brownsville, Texas. American forces, led by General Zachary Taylor, won the battle.

The Petticoat Affair was a social and political scandal that took place during the first administration of President Andrew Jackson. It helped create a rift between Jackson and John C. Calhoun that contributed to the Nullification Crisis.

Franklin Pierce (1804–1869) was the 14th President of the United States. He was a native of New Hampshire who sympathized with Southern views on slavery based on the wording of the U.S. Constitution. As a result, he alienated anti-slavery groups by signing the Kansas–Nebraska Act and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.

Many historians consider 11th U.S. President James K. Polk to be one of the more effective chief executives because he delivered on nearly all of his campaign promises.

On July 5, 1841, U.S. President John Tyler issued an executive order appointing Major General Winfield Scott as General of the Army.

The Battle of Resaca de la Palma was fought between the United States of America and Mexico on May 9, 1846, during the Mexican-American War. It was the second major battle of the war and took place near present-day Brownsville, Texas. American forces, led by General Zachary Taylor, won the battle. The victory helped end the Siege of Fort Texas, secured American control of the Rio Grande River, and set the stage for Taylor’s invasion of Mexico.

The Seneca Falls Convention was a meeting held by Women’s Rights activists in Seneca Falls, New York from July 19–20, 1848. Nearly 300 men and women attended the meeting, which is widely recognized as the beginning of the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States.

Fourteenth and sixteenth Governor of Ohio, Wilson Shannon also served as the second Governor of the Kansas Territory from August 10, 1855, to August 18, 1856, during the period known as Bleeding Kansas.