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| 1806 |
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| Noah Webster (1758–1843) compiled the first American dictionary. | 1 |
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| 1807 |
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| Robert Fulton (1765–1815) demonstrated the practicality of steam-powered boats and ushered in a new era of water transportation, particularly on western rivers. | 2 |
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| June |
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| The Chesapeake-Leopard affair. The American ship Chesapeake was fired on by the British ship Leopard, and four deserters were taken from her. Although Federalists and Republicans put aside their differences in the face of this national insult, Jefferson, opposed to war, merely ordered British ships of war to leave American waters and demanded reparation and the abandonment of impressment. | 3 |
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| Dec. 22 |
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| The Embargo Act. Jefferson, still averse to war, resolved on commercial coercion as a means of forcing France and Britain to withdraw their restrictions on American trade. The act forbade the departure of ships for foreign ports, except foreign vessels in port at the time the act was passed. Coasting vessels were required to give bond to land their cargoes at American ports. Aaron Burr was tried for treason and acquitted. | 4 |
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