History of the United States (1789–1849)

The **history of the United States (1789–1849)**, sometimes called the **Antebellum Period**, is the history beginning with the presidency of George Washington and ending just before the American Civil War. The first government, formed under the Articles of Confederation, had ended and a new government based on the United States Constitution began.

In the early 19th century, the country went though a number of dramatic changes. The country expanded its borders, cities became industrial centers and the economy grew. Sections of the United States developed differently, which led to conflicts and eventually up a civil war. Washington defined the position of president and left office after two terms. However, Britain still interfered with the Americans such as impressment (forcing American sailors into the Royal Navy).	

John Adams defeated Thomas Jefferson in the election of 1796 to become the second president of the United States. That was the first American election that was between two political parties. Under Adams, the United States Navy was created on April 30, 1798. It replaced the earlier Continental Navy, which had been disbanded by 1785. By the end of 1798, the Navy had 14 ships, and more were being built.	

In the election of 1800, Jefferson defeated Adams. One of the most important things that he did as president was the Louisiana Purchase from France, which doubled the area of the United States. By 1800, there were 24 treaties that had been signed with a total of nine European powers.

## Jeffersonian period 
This is the period from 1800 to 1815, which includes the administrations of two Democratic-Republican Party presidents: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. They are commonly called Jeffersonian Republicans. During this time the country nearly doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase from France. That was the last time the Federalist Party ran a candidate. The election of 1818 gave the Democratic-Republicans a majority of 85% in Congress. There were five candidates, with Andrew Jackson winning the electoral college with 99 votes.

The Speaker of the House was Henry Clay, another of the five candidates for president in 1824. That was largely because of Jackson's popularity as "Old Hickory" and the hero of the Battle of New Orleans. His military career had included service in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. 

During his presidency, Jackson founded the party that began calling itself the "American Democracy." It was a period of democratic reforms in voting and changes to the structure of the federal government. South Carolina passed the Ordinance of Nullification, which declared the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1838 illegal within the borders of the state. The improved economy after the War of 1812 provided a new class of people, who had the time and financial resources to become involved in social movements. Slaves were used on small farms and large plantations. Advances such as the cotton gin, the power loom, and the sewing machine created a demand for cotton, which was exported from the South to New England and to Britain. Manufacturing output grew twelve times, and the price of manufactured goods grew eight times during that period. In 1831, more radical forms of abolitionism emerged.

## U.S. presidents 

File:Gilbert Stuart Williamstown Portrait of George Washington.jpg|
File:Johnadams.jpg|
File:02 Thomas Jefferson 3x4.jpg|
File:JamesMadison.jpg|
File:GSJamesMonroe.jpg|
File:John Quincy Adams.jpg|
File:Andrew Jackson.jpg|
File:MartinVanBuren.png|
File:William Henry Harrison.jpg|
File:Johntyler.jpg|
File:JamesKnoxPolk.png|

## Notes 
## References 
## Other websites 
* Antebellum America; YouTube
* The Jeffersonian Era; YouTube