-
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war between the British colonies and Native American tribes that were backed by the French. It occurred as a result of settlers constantly encroaching on Native lands and refusing to bring gifts or offer any respect to the tribes. Fighting was mainly in the Ohio River Valley, and surrounding areas. The war resulted in massive land gains for the US, in addition to France's power in North America being reduced. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's Rebellion was an uprising by Native Populations against British encroachment and colonies. It occurred after the end of the French and Indian War, when Britain was attempting to utilize its massive land gains, which also included them taking land that belonged to Native American groups. The effects were that it caused Britain to reevaluate their actions towards Native American groups, and prohibit settlers from travelling West of the Appalachian Mountains. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 saw a tax being placed on all printed goods in the US. Following the French and Indian War, Britain felt that constant military presence was needed in the colonies in order to protect them, much to the disdain of the colonists. In order to pay for this, Britain enacted the Stamp Act, which outraged colonists since they didn't have any representation or say in the creation of the law. The Stamp Act was one of the many economic reasons that led to the American Revolution. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act of 1776 saw the repealing of the Stamp Act of 1765. However, it also allowed Britain to make any laws binding in the colonies. Following the outrage caused by the Stamp Act, most colonists were open to the Declaratory Act, which meant they didn't place much significance upon the fact that Britain could make any law they wanted in the colonies. Britain did this in order to maintain power and save face. The Declaratory Act later helped spur the American Revolution. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act of 1773 saw a tax being placed upon tea; a key resource in the colonies. Britain wanted to rescue the financially struggling East India Company by granting it a monopoly on tea. Colonists were not only angered by the economic squeeze, but also because of the fact that they had no representation despite being taxed. The Tea Act later led to the Boston Tea Party, more deliberate actions by the colonists signaling independence, and eventually the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
In 1773, to protest the Tea Act, a group called the Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans and threw a large amount of tea in to the ocean, thus destroying it. Britain was outraged by the Boston Tea Party, and shut down the port in addition to later introducing the Intolerable Acts. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was formed in response to the Intolerable Acts. One representative from each of the colonies met, with the exception of one, and discussed the future of America. The First Continental Congress is one example of a unified action taken by colonists to protest British rule. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was formed in response to the souring of relations between Britain and the colonies, with the threat of war looming. The Second Continental Congress was a more organized and uniformed action taken by colonists to fight against British tyranny. The Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence, and led the colonies during the time. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written in order to formalize the natural rights of every person, and to officially declare the colonies to be separated from Britain. The Declaration of Independence further outraged Britain, and set the structure for policies that would be created as America became a new country. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris marked the end of the American Revolution, where independence was recognized by Britain and major land grants were given to the US. Additionally, it also allowed the US to be seen as a foreign nation, although not formally or seriously, which can be seen by later actions such as the Citizen Genet affair or impressment. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the formal government of the US during the Revolution and after. While it had some successes, such as the Land Ordinances and winning the war, it also wasn't entirely popular, it wasn't legitimized by foreign nations, and it was in debt. The Articles of Confederation led the US until the constitution and congress were established. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 dictated the process for admitting new states to join the US, in addition to the frame of government, whether or not slavery would be legal, etc. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allowed for new states to be created, in addition to setting a precedent about how new states would be able to join the Union. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention saw the Articles of Confederation government being set aside and a new Constitution being drafted. The Articles of Confederation, while partially successful, was still unpopular, and warranted an overhaul. The Constitutional Convention allowed for the beginnings of the federal government to take place. -
Ratification of the U.S.
The Ratification of the U.S. was when the Constitution was handed to the states and was voted upon to see if it would be passed. The weakness of the Articles of Confederation government warranted more power being given to the federal government, hence the Constitution. Multiple compromises, especially about representation for states, had to be made in order for the Constitution to be ratified. This allowed for the beginning of a better structure of government to happen. -
Constitution
The Constitution went in to effect in 1789 in an attempt to avoid the previous failures of the Articles of Confederation government and to vest more power in the federal government. The Constitution created a path for the fledgling nation and provided the federal government with some amount of power, allowing it to effectively rule. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Congress approved a tax on alcohol, specifically whiskey, which hurt farmers. Poorer farmers in Pennsylvania started a rebellion, which was promptly quashed by the federal militia. It was viewed as both a respectable use of power and displaying the central power of the federal government, or as a gross abuse of power, akin to that of Britain. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
In response to war in Europe, Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality. It stated that the US would be neutral in foreign affairs. Washington knew that the US was weak in its early stages, and couldn't stand up to powerful European countries such as Britain or France. The Proclamation of Neutrality helped to dictate future US foreign policy at the time. -
Jay's Treaty
Jay's Treaty was a treaty with Great Britain that sought to resolve issues, especially around trade, between the two countries. It was drafted in response to growing tensions between Britain and the US. While it was unpopular among the public, it was also helpful in ensuring relative peace with Britain. It also dictated the attitude the US had towards Britain; the current government preferred Britain to France. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Pinckney's Treaty was a key agreement between the US and Spain, allowing for the Mississippi River in addition to the port of New Orleans to be used by US merchants. America wanted to be able to use the port of New Orleans as it was one of the only ways that goods in the South could be shipped. This greatly expanded the ability of the US to ship goods. As such, America was able to grow as a world power. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington's Farewell Address was given as he was leaving his presidency. He stressed two main things during it; to not form political parties and to maintain neutrality with foreign nations, especially European nations. Washington understood the importance for America to not intervene in European affairs as it was too weak, and he also wanted for American people to be united, not divided by political parties. Washington's Farewell Address served as a guideline for future politics in America. -
XYZ Affair
In an attempt for a peace delegation with France in an attempt to end impressment, three French diplomats asked for bribes in return for their cooperation. This outraged the American people, many of whom called for war, but ultimately no action was taken against France. However, the XYZ Affair set the precedent that European nations didn't respect the sovereignty of the US. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were created in an attempt to suppress criticism of the president in addition to making it harder for immigrants to vote and easier for them to be deported. The Alien and Sedition Acts were widely unpopular, and were viewed as an infringement of First Amendment rights. The Alien and Sedition Acts resulted in a change in political power in the US; the Federalists were no longer the leading party. -
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions claimed that the federal government didn't have the power to enforce certain laws that were deemed unconstitutional, in this case the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions highlighted the intense dissatisfaction among the American people towards the US government, in addition to underscoring the power struggle between states and the federal government. -
Election of 1800
In the election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected; the first Democratic-Republican president. He repealed the Alien and Sedition Acts, and was the first in a long line of Democratic-Republican presidents. The election of 1800 highlighted multiple precedents in American politics, such as the two term limit and the peaceful transference of power after an election.