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The 1812 victory of the USS Constitution
The 1812 victory of the USS Constitution over the British Guerriere strengthened national support for the war.
Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

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Images of the Era: 1789-1815
During its first quarter century, the new United States government had to find its way in the world while attending to the nation’s business. Leaders met with Indian nations and faced often-hostile relations with European powers while coping with conflicts between emerging political parties and working out relationships among the three new branches of government.