American Policies Timeline

  • Proclamation of Neutrality

    Proclamation of Neutrality
    In 1793, president George Washington signed the Proclamation of Neutrality. This policy was created during a time of which both Britain and France were at war, with each other. Both sides kept trying to pressure the United States to join their side, but the US wanted to remain neutral. This policy made it so that the US was unable to join in the war. This policy, like many of the others, had quite a big impact on the US. Staying out of the war eventually led to the start of the war of 1812.
  • Alien and Sedition Acts

    Alien and Sedition Acts
    The alien and sedition acts were a series of policies created by John Adams in 1798.The purpose of these acts were to strengthen national security, and stop criticism against the president. These acts did not do much, though, and almost had the opposite effect. Instead of helping, US citizens criticized the president and his actions even more than before. These too had a great effect on the country, for they affected voting on policies from the citizens mightily.
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    War with Tripoli

    Back in the early 1800's, the Tripolian government would require money from the US, and in exchange would grant them protection from pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. Eventually, Tripoli started asking for more money, which Thomas Jefferson refused to pay. This lead to Tripoli declaring war on the United States. After four years of battle, the war finally ended, with the US being the victors. As a result of this war, Jefferson deemed it necessary to increase the size of the US navy.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana Purchase
    Back in 1803, the United States purchased a considerable amount of land from France, which was under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. This was one of the biggest events that took place during Thomas Jefferson's presidential career. The Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the current size of the US, so it was a big (and still is) part of American history. The Louisiana Purchase also lead to the now-famous Lewis and Clark expedition.
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    War of 1812

    From 1812 to 1814, the United States and Great Britain went back and forth in yet another war. This one, however, was not due to an independence wish, but the fact that Great Britain was impressing US sailors. Tensions because of this rose and rose, and eventually broke out into a war. After two years, the United States eventually won the war. This led to the country gaining a more developed sense of national identity.
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    In 1823, James Monroe (hence the name Monroe Doctrine) signed into effect the Monroe Doctrine. This policy warned Europe that the United States would attack if they interfered with any North or South American countries. This policy greatly helped the relationship between the United States and the surrounding countries. This policy is still in effect, and continues to shape the american foreign policy to this day.
  • Tariff of Abominations

    Tariff of Abominations
    In 1828, the US passed the Tariff of Abominations. This policy put taxes on foreign goods, in hopes of helping the US's industrial economy, and to discourage buying foreign goods over US made goods. In the end, however, it backfired, and actually hurt the US. This lead to the southern states loosing money, because foreign countries bought fewer raw materials from the US. Source:http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.timetoast.com/public/uploads/photos/9294185/jqa_tiny_landscape.JPG?1481211517
  • Indian Removal Act

    Indian Removal Act
    In 1830, president Andrew Jackson put into action the Indian Removal Act. This policy forced many native american's living on the east cost off of their land, and then were moved to what is now Oklahoma. This policy hurt America in many ways. For starters, it killed thousands of native american's. It also, unexpectedly, hurt the relationship between the Native American's and the United States.