1783-1848
Early Republic (1783-1848)
The early republic saw the United States expand from the original thirteen states to a continental nation. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the country's territory. The Adams-Onís Treaty (1821) transferred Florida from Spain. The Texas Revolution and subsequent annexation, the Oregon Treaty, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) extended the nation to the Pacific. Each expansion displaced Indigenous nations and reshaped sovereignty across the continent.
534
documented events
12
sovereignty transitions
The early republic was marked by contested visions of the new nation's character. The Constitution established federal governance, but debates over slavery, territorial expansion, and the rights of Indigenous peoples created tensions that the republic did not resolve. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the forced displacement of the Five Civilized Tribes defined the era's treatment of Indigenous Americans.
Sovereignty transitions
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
British to American
1787
Vermont admitted to Union (1791)
new_york_state to usa_state
1791
Kentucky admitted to Union (1792)
virginia_state to usa_state
1792
Tennessee admitted to Union (1796)
north_carolina_state to usa_state
1796
Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney's Treaty) — Mississippi Territory
Spanish to American
1796
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Spanish to American
1803
Maine admitted to Union (1820)
massachusetts_state to usa_state
1820
Adams-Onís Treaty — Florida Transfer (1821)
Spanish to American
1821
Mexican War of Independence (1821)
Spanish to Mexican
1821
Texas Revolution and Annexation (1836–1845)
Mexican to American
1836
Oregon Treaty (1846)
British to American
1846
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
Mexican to American
1848
Events (534)
View all ›1778
James Cook First Contact with Hawaii
Hawaii · Expedition
1780
Massachusetts State Constitution Ratified
Massachusetts · Legislation
1783
First Wine Produced in Alta California
California · Other
1783
Peace of Paris Cedes Florida Back to Spain
Florida · Treaty
1784
First Kentucky Constitutional Convention at Danville
Kentucky · Founding
1784
Land Ordinance of 1784 Establishes Northwest Territory Framework
Michigan · Legislation
1784
Virginia Cedes Claims to U.S. Government
Illinois · Transition Of Power
1784
Virginia Cedes Northwest Land Claims to Federal Government
Illinois · Transition Of Power
1784
Treaty of Paris Ratified at Annapolis
Maryland · Treaty
1784
Treaty of Paris Ratified by Congress
Maryland · Treaty
1784
Gradual Emancipation of Slaves Legislation
Rhode Island · Legislation
1784
Gradual Emancipation Act Passed
Rhode Island · Legislation
1784
Rhode Island Gradual Emancipation Law Passed
Rhode Island · Legislation
1784
Shelikhov Founds First Permanent Russian Settlement in Alaska
Alaska · Settlement
1784
Virginia Relinquishes Claims to Illinois County
Virginia · Legislation
1784
First Rancho Established in Alta California
California · Settlement
1784
State of Franklin Formed
Tennessee · Founding
1785
Land Ordinance and Northwest Ordinance Passed
Indiana · Legislation
1785
University of Georgia Established
Georgia · Founding
1785
Comanche Peace Treaty with Spain
Texas · Treaty
1785
Potowmack Company Initiated by George Washington
District of Columbia · Founding
1785
State of Franklin Established
Tennessee · Founding
1785
Franklin Statehood Petition to Congress
Tennessee · Legislation
1786
Shays's Rebellion
Massachusetts · Other
1786
Treaty of Hartford cedes western lands to New York
Massachusetts · Treaty
1786
Annapolis Convention Calls for Constitutional Convention
Pennsylvania · Other
1786
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Enacted
Virginia · Legislation
1787
Ohio Company Land Purchase on the Muskingum
Michigan · Other
1787
Northwest Ordinance Establishes Northwest Territory
Ohio · Legislation
1787
Northwest Territory Established
Illinois · Legislation
1787
Pennsylvania Ratifies U.S. Constitution
Pennsylvania · Legislation
1787
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Established
Michigan · Legislation
1787
Northwest Territory Formed
Indiana · Legislation
1787
Northwest Ordinance Forms Northwest Territory
Indiana · Legislation
1787
New Jersey Ratifies U.S. Constitution
New Jersey · Admission To Union
1787
New Jersey Ratifies the U.S. Constitution
New Jersey · Admission To Union
1787
New Jersey Plan Introduced at Constitutional Convention
New Jersey · Legislation
1787
Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall
Delaware · Legislation
1787
Northwest Ordinance Creates Northwest Territory
Michigan · Legislation
1787
Northwest Ordinance Establishes Northwest Territory
Michigan · Legislation
1787
South Carolina Delegates at Constitutional Convention
South Carolina · Legislation
1787
Hamilton Proposes Vermont Admission in New York Legislature
Vermont · Legislation
1788
Georgia Admitted to Union Under U.S. Constitution
Georgia · Admission To Union
1788
South Carolina Ratifies U.S. Constitution
South Carolina · Admission To Union
1788
South Carolina Ratifies the U.S. Constitution
South Carolina · Legislation
1788
Maryland Ratifies U.S. Constitution
Maryland · Legislation
1788
Maryland Ratifies the United States Constitution
Maryland · Admission To Union
1788
New York Ratifies U.S. Constitution
New York · Admission To Union
1788
Founding of Marietta, Ohio
Ohio · Settlement
1788
Virginia Ratifies the U.S. Constitution
Virginia · Legislation
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About the Early Republic
What was the Early Republic?
The early republic saw the United States expand from the original thirteen states to a continental nation. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the country's territory. The Adams-Onís Treaty (1821) transferred Florida from Spain. The Texas Revolution and subsequent annexation, the Oregon Treaty, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) extended the nation to the Pacific. Each expansion displaced Indigenous nations and reshaped sovereignty across the continent.
When was the Early Republic?
The Early Republic covers 1783-1848.
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