For example, well before the Civil War, Pierce took us effectively from Louisiana to the Pacific Ocean hiding (some believe surrepticiously) the news of gold at Sutter's Mill until the Mexican government completed the Hidalgo treaty, all in 1848-49.
I was being “sarcastic” when I said that apparently little happened in those years. I was pointing out that if no major war is involved or it’s not in the living memory of people we don’t teach enough of it in our schools. I think that we have a short enough history as a country that we should teach all of it in the elementary through high school years. I wish it had been taught to me. Luckily we will probably home school so I’ll get a second bite at the apple personally when it comes time to teach American History.