Do you know any great American events from 1800-1877? Please.?

Question

I have to do a 3-6 minute speech on any American Historical event ranging from 1800-1877. If you know any, please give me an example because I'm not good at sorting through this kind of stuff myself. It can't be something like "The Civil War" or whatever, it has to be one single, solitary event. Any help would be appreciated. It can also be on a person, too.

Answer 1

John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry is probably the most pivotal.

The Lincoln-Douglas debates reshaped American history.

The AMISTAD affair brought former president John Quincy Adams out of retirement to argue against slavery. (Really a pivotal event, especially since this is Black History Month). The grandchildren of Benjamin Franklin financed the defense of the slaves who were illegally captured and brought to the US. It was literally a case of the second generation trying to fix the error of their fathers from the framing of the Constitution.

Answer 2

JUNE 18th

On this day in history in 1812, began the War of 1812, against the United States.
The relationship between Britain and the United States had been frigid since the latter gained their independence from the former. Trade had been substantial but diplomatic relations consisted of each party ignoring the other’s existence.

In 1793, Britain went to war against France in what became known as the Napoleonic Wars. The United States was neutral during this conflict but hostilities between the two belligerents interfered with its trade. The Royal Navy blockaded French ports and obliged all neutral shipping, especially American vessels, bound for France, to call first at a British port and pay duties on its cargo before being allowed to proceed. Furthermore the Royal Navy frequently stopped United States ships and pressed into service those seamen who had either deserted from the Royal Navy or were vaguely suspected of having deserted. This policy so incensed United States officials, that on 18th June 1812, President James Maddison declared war on Great Britain.

The Americans were ill prepared for war. An initial incursion into Canada was easily rebuffed. There were some minor naval skirmishes particularly involving the USS Constitution, which sank several Royal Navy vessels. The British army was too involved in Europe to send troops to fight, but British interests were preserved by supplying the Shawnee tribe with armaments to attack wagon trains, heading for Oregon. The Americans sent an expeditionary force into Canada, which burnt the city of York, now Toronto, and hurriedly retreated.

By 1814, after a series of victories in Europe, Britain had available resources to mount an offensive. An amphibious British force landed at Chesapeake Bay and after defeating the American army at the battle of Blandensberg, captured the city of Washington, destroyed the Capitol building and burnt down the president’s house. This residence was rebuilt soon after but had to be painted white in order to hide the burn marks, hence the name of the White House.

After such a disturbing and humiliating defeat, the Americans called a truce and signed a peace treaty, the Treaty of Ghent, which restored matters to the state they were in before the war.

Answer 3

Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 the driving of the golden spike which connected the country together by railroad Look up Promontory Point, Utah 1869 and I think you will find plenty of data for a 3-6 minute presentation.

Answer 4

Battle of Merrimack vs. Monitor, Finding the Northwest passage by Lewis and Clark, Louisiana purchase, Texas independence, maybe Alamo or San Jacinto, I think Battle of Little Bighorn would fall in that time frame.

Answer 5

The Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812--it is the first instance where Britain recognized the sovereignty of the US.