Precarious Experiment, A: Economic Upheaval
There is tremendous economic disruption after the war. The currency is worthless; Robert Morris' proposed 5% duty tax to pay for war debts fails. Under the Articles of Confederation economic problems fall to the states t..
Precarious Experiment, A: Negotiating a Peace Treaty
Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown and the resignation of Lord North as British prime minister signal the end of the colonies' 7-year struggle with Great Britain. Franklin, Jay, and Oswald represent the United States at the..
Precarious Experiment, A: Precarious Union
Even though the revolution was successful, long-term prospects for the survival of the United States are uncertain. Both internal difficulties and threats from abroad plague the young nation. The leaders of the country a..
Precarious Experiment, A: Western Expansion
The Confederation's most significant accomplishment during the 1780s is the resolution of at least some of the controversies related to western lands. Much of the frontier land had been acquired by land speculators who a..
Pressures from Within: Aftermath of War of 1812
In the aftermath of the war of 1812, a sense of pride and determination seems to dominate the American scene--pride that the nation had survived yet another war with Great Britain and determination to avoid the mistakes ..
Pressures from Within: Fur Trading in Northwest Territories
In the territories that had been explored by Lewis and Clark, the big news is fur trading, a lucrative business which produces the country's first millionaire, John Jacob Astor. Some species are overhunted as a result of..
Pressures from Within: National Crises of 1819 and 1820 Threaten Country
1819 experiences a major economic downturn in which people lose their homes, farms and businesses. Land values, inflated by speculation, collapse. The instability of banks operating with very little of the kind of insura..
Pressures from Within: Population Surge West of Appalachians
Once the War of 1812 diminishes the threat of Indian uprisings, there is a dramatic surge in population west of the Appalachians, particularly in the region known as the "Old Northwest." Indians who had moved to the Ohio..
Pressures from Within: Presidency of James Monroe
The Republicans have no trouble electing yet another Virginia candidate in 1816. It isn't even much of a contest. James Monroe, former secretary of state and Revolutionary War veteran is 61 years old when he takes office..
Pressures from Within: U. S. Tilts Toward Nationalism in Final Years of Monroe's Administration
During the Monroe years as president battles continue between those who favor a strong federal government and those who are suspicious of centralized control. In almost every instance, the decisions of the Supreme Court ..