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French and Indian War
France put up barricades in the Ohio River Valley which was the tipping point of tension between France and Britain in regards to land claims in North America. France and Britain broke out in war, and the violence ended with Britain expelling France from North America completely. This had a huge effect on Native Americans that primarily sided with the French, and led to tensions between Britain and the colonists who were angered about having to participate in the war. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
A Native American Chief, Chief Pontiac, led a violent rebellion against American colonists. With the success from the French and Indian War, Britain and the colonists had access to land that was inhabited by Native Americans. To warn against the subjugation of this land, Pontiac destroyed colonists settlements, leading to the Proclamation Line of 1763 . -
Proclamation Line of 1763
In response to Pontiac's Rebellion, Britain put in place a Proclamation Line that prohibited colonists from exploring any land west of the Appalachians. This created resentment among colonists who believed they deserved the right to explore the land that they fought to win. -
Stamp Act
Britain implemented a policy that all paper printed in the colonies had to have an official stamp that was heavily taxed. Britain was in a lot of debt due to the resources used in the French and Indian War, and they aimed to get back the wealth they lost from the colonies through this policy. This created more tension between the colonies and Britain as colonists believed they were being taxed unfairly. -
Declaratory Act
Due to public unrest, Parliament overturned the Stamp Act and replaced it with the Declaratory Acts. These acts gave Britain the power to enact laws regarding the colonies in "all cases whatsoever". The colonists were extremely angered by this as it allowed Britain to tax them without representation, furthering tensions between the colonies and their mother country. -
Tea Act
Britain reduced the tax on tea so that British merchants would have an unfair advantage selling tea in America. American colonists condemned this act which eventually led to the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
Because of increased taxation without representation and the recently passed Tea Act, the colonists decided to rebel against Britain's power. To do this they dumped gallons of tea imported from Britain into the ocean, which caused Britain to feel the need to reclaim their power by any means necessary. -
First Continental Congress
The colonies put together the First Continental Congress where delegates from the colonies met to discuss some of the biggest grievances Britain had subjected them to. The Intolerable Acts were a main cause of the congress and Britain's inability to accept the colonies complaints led to increased tensions and the outbreak of violence. -
Declaration of Independence
Document that was drafted by colonists that demanded independence by any means necessary. This was caused by legislation Britain put in place that subjugated the colonies and Britain's refusal to compromise in regards to the colonies complaints. This directly caused the Revolutionary War in which the colonies would become a new nation. -
Second Continental Congress
Another Congress was held once fighting broke out amongst British troops and colonists (ie. Lexington and Concord). This Congress discussed what to do about the violence breaking out and tried for peace by sending the Olive Branch Petition to Britain, which was refused by Parlaiment. This contributed to the Revolutionary War since Britain refused to acknowledge the colonies grievances even as they pledged allegiance to Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Once Britain surrendered in the Revolutionary War, this document was drafted and signed by colonists that stated their freedom from Britain and their creation as an independent nation. This led to the start of America as a country and allowed them to start governing independently. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles were the first governing document created in America that laid out the way government would work. In the articles, there was no central power, judicial system, and the federal government couldn't tax the states. The Articles created lots of problems (foreign debt and poverty) but also set the precedent for the American government and laid the foundation for the Constitution. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty ended the Revolutionary War and stated that Britain would recognize the colonies as a free and independent nation. This was caused by the violent Revolutionary War and created the beginning of America. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
With the Louisinanna Purchase came acres of land that the US Government had to decide what to do with. This document prohibited slavery in the Northwest territory and set the precedent for creating new states in America. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates from the states went to PA where they met to create a new founding document for the country since the Articles failed. There were many debates such as federal v state power, the institution of slavery, and state representation in the government. This convention led to the ratification of the Constitution. -
Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
After the Constitutional Convention, the American Constitution was drafted and then signed off by several prominent political leaders in America. The Constitution laid out a President, increased federal power to tax states, created a judiciary/court system, and had many other impacts on America. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Because of the Jay Treaty, Spain started seeing America as a threat as its ties with Britain were getting stronger and stronger. Due to this, Spain relinquished its land claims in North America and agreed to open the Mississippi River and New Orleans Port to trade with United States, increasing the States economic abilities. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
During the French Revolution, France called on America to help support them. This was a huge political debate between the federalists and DRs but eventually the US declared neutrality and refused to help France and focus on internal improvements. This led to increased tensions between political parties. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Hamilton convinced the federal government to put a heavy tax on whiskey since his financial plan was adopted without the high tarriffs. The increased taxes angered many citizens and led them to stage a protest, which Washington responded to by sending down military officers to shut the rebellion down. This led the precedent for a President to use the military. -
Jay's Treaty
British had started seizing American merchant ships and taking the colonists that were then forced to become a part of the British navy. In response to this, Washington sent delegates over to Britain to discuss an answer to this problem that would avoid conflict. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Due to the implementation of the Alien and Sedition Acts that many people viewed as unconstitutional, Kentucky and VA passed nullification legislation that allowed them to nullify federal law if it was unconstitutional. This changed the course of state v. federal power in the years to come. -
Washington's Farewell Address
After serving two terms as President, George Washington decided to step down from office. In his farewell address he warned about the establishment of two political parties and getting involved in foreign affairs. By stepping down as President, Washington set the precedent of serving two terms as President and influenced the history of the country. -
XYZ Affair
Due to America being seen as a weak country, France started exploiting them by seizing merchant ships. President Adams sent a delegation to talk to the French about stopping this practice, but the French requested bribes before entering negotiation. This was extremely angering to Americans who felt themselves being taken advantage of. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
President Adams implemented these acts due to growing public unrest centered around him as President. The Alien Acts decreased immigration significantly as most immigrants joined the DR party. The Sedition Acts prohibited the press from writing critical things about the President, which was largely viewed as undemocratic and unconstitutional. This caused a further divide between the Federalist and DR parties and increased popularity for the DRs. -
Election of 1800
This election was the first peaceful transfer of power between former federalist President Samuel Adams and incoming DR President Thomas Jefferson. The first peaceful transfer of power confirmed the democracy America had created.