George Washington was the first United States president. He set major precedents that future presidents followed. George only served 2 terms. He came up with the way that people address the president (he came up with president). He called for the cabinet to offer him advice. He also remained neutral in foreign affairs. George Washington is an all around good leader.

John Adams took over presidency in 1797, France and the rest of Europe were at war. This caused the xyz affair, a diplomatic incident which led to an undeclared naval war called the Quasi-war. In 1801 the Treaty of Alliance was ratified and the fighting ended.

Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd president of the United States. He served a 2 term presidency. In 1803 he bought 827,000 acres along the Mississippi River for 15 million dollars. This was called the Louisiana Purchase. He bought the land from Spain.

Great Britain dominated his administration for nearly his full 2 terms. He tried to deal with the failed polices towards Britain and avoid conflict. Britain didn't offer them a choice and attacked Washington D.C. On June 1, 1812, Madison asked congress to declare war. The military was very unprepared, untrained, unreliable and loyal to only them selves and their homes. When Britain invaded Washington D.C. they burned it to the ground. The only battles the Americans were winning were the naval engagements. The United States could barely afford this war. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent but it didn't fix the problems that started it.

James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States. He also came up with the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy regarding Latin American country's in the early 19 century. It stated that if European country's continue to colonize land or interfere with states in north and South America would be viewed as an act of aggression. The doctrine also stated that the United States would not interfere with existing European colonies.

John Quincy Adams and a couple of other politicians came up with a way to strengthen our country. This was called the American system. What it did was placed high tariffs to protect American industries, it added maintenance of high public land prices, preservation of the bank of the United States to stabilize currency and developed a system of internal improvements such as roads and canals which would knit the nation together.

The nullification crisis was a sectional crisis while Jackson was the president. This ordnance declared by the power of the state that the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional.