After a review of United States' history from 1789 to 1975, I have
identified what I believe are the sixteen most significant events of that
time period. The attached sheet identifies the events and places them in
brackets by time period. The following discussion provides my reasoning
for selecting each of the events and my opinion as to their relative
importance in contrast to each other. Finally, I have concluded that of
the sixteen events, the Civil War had the most significant impact on the
history of the time period in which it occurred and remains the most
significant event in American history.
The discussion begins with bracket I covering the period from 1789-1850,
and pairs the number one seed in the bracket "Mexican-American War" against
the fourth seed "Louisiana Purchase". The second seed in the bracket
Mexican Cession in Mexican View
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Exchange Copy, cover....
Inscription on the wall of the Supreme Court Build..."Marbury v Madison" is paired against the third seed "Monroe Doctrine".
The purchase of Louisiana from France in 1803 was the most popular and
momentous event of the Jefferson presidency. It had several significant
economic and political implications on this period in history. From an
economic perspective it doubled the size of the United States at a price of
only fifteen million dollars. It allowed settlement beyond the Mississippi
River in a territory that was rich in minerals and natural resources. It
eliminated the United States' long struggle for control of the Mississippi
River and its outlet to the sea, and as Jefferson stated, it freed America
from European influence at its borders. In addition to these economic
implications, the purchase also had historic political implications. The
acquisition took place at a time when the government was still exploring
the powers that the Constitution had granted it. Jefferson, himself,
carefully deliberated whether the Constitution granted him the...