Summary The Presidential Election of 1804 was the first presidential election conducted under the Twelfth Amendment, which required electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President. It was also the fifth election held for the Office of President. Democratic-Republican candidates Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton defeated Federalist candidates Charles C. Pinckney and Rufus … Read more
Summary The War Democrats were a faction of the Democratic Party that remained loyal to the Union and the Lincoln Administration during the Civil War, believing the Federal Government should preserve the Union by force. Although they came primarily from Northern states, they represented different social backgrounds, political factions, and geographic regions. Key members also … Read more
Summary The Presidential Election of 1796 was the first Presidential Election to clearly reveal a national division between the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party. The outcome was affected by the controversial Jay Treaty (1795) and Thomas Jefferson’s disagreement with President George Washington’s foreign policy regarding France. French Ambassador Pierre Adet tried to influence the … Read more
Overview The Conscience Whigs were a faction within the Whig Party in New England, particularly Massachusetts, during the 1840s. They leaned toward an abolitionist or antislavery position as slavery-related issues increasingly dominated American politics. The Conscience Whigs formed an important part of the Free Soil coalition during the 1840s. This coalition sought to prevent the … Read more
Summary The Presidential Election of 1792 was an election in which George Washington won reelection to a second term as President of the United States without dissent, even though tensions between political factions had developed during his first term. Three electors abstained, but Washington still secured unanimous support from the participating electors. John Adams also … Read more
Timeline August 1 — Commodore Peter Parker, with General Henry Clinton and General Charles Cornwallis, arrived in New York to reinforce General William Howe. The British force of 32,000 men, including 8,000 Hessians under General Leopold von Heister, was the largest ever assembled in North America. AHC Notes August 1 — Battle of Seneca Town … Read more
Summary The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, also known as the Treaty of Aachen, ended the War of Austrian Succession in Europe and King George’s War in North America on October 18, 1748, by largely restoring European territories to their prewar owners under the principle of “status quo ante bellum.” The treaty confirmed the succession rights of … Read more
Definition An Abatis is a defensive obstacle made of felled trees placed in front of field fortifications, with branches facing outward to slow and break up enemy attacks, forcing infantry to cut through the barrier under fire, and used effectively by French forces at Fort Carillon during the French and Indian War to repel a … Read more
Overview While General George Washington and the Continental Army remained at Valley Forge, both American and British forces searched New Jersey for food, horses, and other supplies. After Washington sent General Anthony Wayne out to gather provisions for the army, General William Howe responded by sending his own foraging parties out to find food and … Read more
Overview While General George Washington and the Continental Army remained at Valley Forge, both American and British forces searched New Jersey for food, horses, and other supplies. After Washington sent General Anthony Wayne out to gather provisions for the army, General William Howe responded by sending his own foraging parties out to find food and … Read more
Overview The 1960s were a major turning point in American history, shaped by political reform, social conflict, and cultural transformation, earning the decade the nickname “Stormy Sixties.” Although the decade opened with the optimism of the Presidency of John F. Kennedy and his promise to take America to a “New Frontier,” it became dominated by … Read more
Overview While General George Washington and the Continental Army remained at Valley Forge, both American and British forces searched New Jersey for food, horses, and other supplies. General Anthony Wayne was sent to gather provisions for the American army. British commanders sent their own parties into the state to collect supplies and prevent Wayne from … Read more
Overview The Conway Cabal was a political and military conspiracy against General George Washington that started in the fall of 1777 and continued through the Winter at Valley Forge (1777–1778). The conspirators included officers from the Continental Army and members of Congress who sought to replace Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army with Horatio … Read more
Overview William Henry Drayton was a South Carolina lawyer, planter, and politician who first supported Parliament’s authority before becoming a leader of the Patriot Cause. He condemned the Intolerable Acts, served in the Provincial Congress and Council of Safety, and helped organize South Carolina’s resistance to Britain. Drayton later served as Chief Justice, President of … Read more
Overview Robert Morris was a Philadelphia merchant and investor who played a major role in funding the American war effort during the American Revolutionary War and organizing the nation’s early financial system. He served in the Continental Congress and helped manage wartime finances. As the Superintendent of Finance, he established the Bank of North America, … Read more
Overview Loammi Baldwin was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, on January 21, 1745, and started his career as a cabinetmaker before becoming a surveyor and civil engineer. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as a Major in the militia at Concord and later joined the Continental Army, where he rose to the rank of Colonel … Read more
Overview Leopold Philip de Heister was a Hessian Commander-in-Chief who served with the British during the American Revolutionary War. Born in 1707, he had already fought in many European campaigns before he came to North America. Heister commanded the first group of roughly 8,000 German troops hired by the British Government for service in the … Read more
Timeline July 1 — Debate on Independence Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — The topic of independence sparked a heated debate in the Continental Congress, with only nine colonies fully pledging support. Supporters on both sides began intense lobbying efforts over the next day and evening. July 1 — Cherokee War of 1776 Southern Backcountry — Bands of … Read more
Timeline June 1 — General John Sullivan superseded General John Thomas at Saint Johns, Quebec, as commander of American forces in Canada. He brought 3,300 men and was further strengthened by a brigade of Pennsylvania troops led by General William Thompson. Sullivan briefly entertained a second siege of Quebec City. AHC Notes June 1 — … Read more
Overview The Virginia Declaration of Rights stated major principles of liberty, government, and public responsibility. Written by George Mason of Virginia, it declared that all men were naturally free and independent and possessed rights to life, liberty, property, happiness, and safety. It said all power came from the people and that politicians served as trustees … Read more
