The American Revolution and the Growth of a Nation

Republicans), led by Thomas Jefferson, who wanted small government and focused on farmers. Washington’s successor, John Adams, was president for a single term, from 1797 to 1801. Both presidents worked to create a national bank and to repair the economic damage of the 1780s.

Thomas Jefferson was elected president in 1801. His most significant act was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Under Napoleon, France needed money for its various wars, so Napoleon sought to sell the remaining territory France had in North America. Although he was concerned that he did not have the authority to make this decision, Jefferson accepted the offer, doubling the size of the United States.

BE CAREFUL!
The Republican Party to which Jefferson belonged is not the same as the Republican Party today. The parties have the same name, but they have different ideas.

Napoleon’s war in Europe was with Britain and other powers, and that war had a powerful effect on Jefferson’s second term as president. Great Britain launched a blockade of Europe to prevent trade from reaching France, and to ensure it had sufficient sailors, the Royal Navy would impress, or seize, British citizens from merchant ships. Some Americans were caught this way, and Jefferson launched a widely criticized embargo of Britain that hurt the economy and failed to stop impressment.

These issues continued under Jefferson’s successor, James Madison. Combined with British refusal to abandon forts in the west and its tacit support for Native American raids, Congress voted to declare war against Britain on June 18, 1812. The war proved to be a difficult stalemate for the United States. Most of the country soon came under a British blockade, devastating the economy. Attempts to invade Canada stalled, and the Americans suffered a humiliating defeat when the British burned Washington, DC, in August 1814. However, the Americans were able to prevent a land invasion of the United States and hold their own against the British. The Treaty of Ghent in 1814 ended the fighting, as well as British support for the Native American tribes, effectively opening the west to the United States.

DID YOU KNOW?
Fighting continued after the Treaty of Ghent because of the time it took for news to cross the Atlantic. A future president, Andrew Jackson, led an American force to victory against the British outside New Orleans in early 1815.

Example

Against which country did the United States go to war in 1812?

The correct answer is D. The United States fought Great Britain in the War of 1812.