Battle Cry: Politics of Emancipation, The
In 1862 President Lincoln's Cabinet urges him to wait for victory in the war with the Confederacy before issuing Emancipation Proclamation. Lee invades Maryland, hoping that victories in the Eastern Theater will convince..
Best Laid Plans...: Economic Vitality
Despite their intentions, almost nothing works out as Jefferson and his followers planned. During their years in power, the young republic develops in ways they could not have envisioned. The most striking aspect of Amer..
Best Laid Plans...: Events Leading to Louisiana Purchase
When rumors begin to surface that Napoleon Bonaparte is conducting secret negotiations with Spain to regain title to Louisiana, Jefferson is alarmed. A strong European power at the mouth of the Mississippi could have dev..
Best Laid Plans...: Initial Impact of Louisiana Purchase
The addition of the Louisiana territory doubles the size of the nation. Few Americans, including Jefferson really know what they have bought or what to do with it. Jefferson sends Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and a..
Best Laid Plans...: Jefferson's Vision for America
Thomas Jefferson and his Republican followers have an almost idyllic image of the America they would like to promote--families living on farms and in small villages, working together free from government interference and..
Best Laid Plans...: Madison's Presidency
The election of James Madison as president in 1808 continues the procession of Republican presidents from Virginia, although the Federalists capture an increased number of votes. In his final days in office Jefferson sig..
Best Laid Plans...: Second Great Awakening
In the 1790s only a small portion of white Americans belong to a traditional church. The new theologies that are emerging reflect modern scientific attitudes and de-emphasize the role of God in the world. But beginning ..
Best Laid Plans...: U. S. Response to Napoleonic Wars
Jefferson and the Republicans as well as the Federalists are determined to maintain neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars. In order to enforce neutrality Jefferson imposes an embargo to keep Americans from trading abroad. Th..
Best Laid Plans...: War of 1812
In the summer of 1812 American forces invade Canada through Detroit, but are soon forced to retreat. Fort Dearborn in Chicago is also captured. Harrison leads the counterattack in the West while Andrew Jackson pursues th..
Between the Wars: Germany Advances in Europe
In late 1940, Roosevelt trades destroyers to British in return for access to bases in our hemisphere, commits to lend lease, and meets with Churchill to draft Atlantic Charter that projects the "shape" of a post-war worl..