-
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Drafted by George Mason, the Virginia Declaration of rights was a sort of Declaration of Independence from England stating the rights the people of Virginia have. It was used as a big inspiration for the writing of the Declaration of independence, written by Thomas Jefferson. This was also very influential in the drafting of the Bill of Rights. https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/mason.html -
Articles of Confederation are ratified
Although the articles of confederation was adopted in 1777, it was not ratified by every state until 1781. These articles created a loose government plan with a very weak central government without the ability to tax. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/articles.html
All states at the time has representation in the ratification. The Articles were important because they brought to light the need for a stronger central government and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens negotiated this treaty between Britain and the united states ending the Revolutionary war and recognizing independance. This is important because it ended the colonial empire of Britain in the new world. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris -
Land ordinance of 1785
The Land ordinance of 1785 divided up the land, previously owned by the British into individual properties after the Treaty of Paris. The land was divided into six mile squares. Some sections were reserved for war veterans and the rest were sold at public auctions. http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Land_Ordinance_of_1785
This is important because it established the basis for a Public land survey and land policy. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Drafted by Jefferson and passed in 1786, it was a statement sent into the Virginia Convention on the principle of the separation of church and state. He wanted to give man the freedom to choose his own religious beliefs. http://www.vahistorical.org/collections-and-resources/virginia-history-explorer/thomas-jefferson -
Period: to
Shays Rebellion
A series of protests in Massachusetts by farmers against the high local taxes that were threatening their farms. The leader of this rebellions name was Daniel Shays. Although state militia ended the rebellion before t had any serious effects, it did inspire the alterations of the Articles of Confederation and therefor the Constitution of the United states. http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion -
Constitutional convention
A meeting of delegates of many states (although many were not represented) originally held to edit the prestanding Articles of Confederation, that ended in the drafting of the U.S. constitution. Many of those in attendance included: James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Randolph, Charles Pickney, etc. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/convention1787.html -
Northwest ordinance of 1787
One of the only acts of the articles of confederation that created a system of government for the Northwestern territories.Which ultimately created about three new states out of the territories. http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Northwest_Ordinance -
Ratification of the Constitution
Only nine states' compliance were required to ratify the Constitution. The first to agree were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. However, congress wanted the approval of Virginia and New York as they were highly populated original colonies, so the Bill of Rights was added and the Constitution and the rest of the colonies were finally on board. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-constitution-ratified -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington took the oath to become the first president of the United States from Robert R. Livingston in the second balcony of Federal Hall. His inaugural address was important because it was the first to be declared to a joint session of congress. https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/gw-inauguration/ -
Period: to
French Revolution (relate to US)
To avoid being permanently a part of current European conflicts, America had to write a statement of neutrality, which went against their old treaty with the now dead King Louis. While Jefferson was pro-French and Hamilton was pro-British, George Washington struck a middle ground. It wasn't until after the British harassed neutral American ships that America got involved. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/french-rev -
Period: to
Whiskey Rebellion
A small scale rebellion as an effect of the taxes levied on whiskey in attempt to pay off national war debt. For the government to remain in control, Hamilton knew America had to show it had a powerful law enforcement system. In the end, George Washington led 13000 troops to western Pennsylvania, ending the rebellion. Hamilton's call to use militia as a power force scared many citizens. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande22.html -
Jay Treaty
A treaty signed by America and Britain respectively to settle many issues left unresolved since the Revolution. However, the document did a poor job of achieving solution and was unpopular with Americans. The only thing the treaty did accomplish was the removal of British troops and forts in the Northwest territories. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/jay-treaty -
Treaty of Greenville
Native Americans agreed to give up a portion of their land in modern day Ohio for 20,000$ worth of goods. The native Americans could still hunt on the land they gave up. However, this led to violence between american settlers and native Americans who refused to honor the agreement. http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Treaty_of_Greeneville_(1795) -
Pinckney Treaty
This treaty attempted to establish friendship between America and Spain. It ended many territorial disputes and allowed for american ships to have passage on the Mississippi river, a very important change for American shipping. Pickney was sent to negotiate with Britain in England around the same time as the Jay Treaty so there would be some Spanish representation. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/pickney-treaty -
Washington Farewell
Washington announced he was stepping down as president after he had served his second term. Washington's resignation set the allowed term length for a president, something the people were not used to in comparison to Britain's Monarchy. Washington's farewell address was drafted by James Madison and then Alexander Hamilton in 1792. Washington expressed his desire to retire to Mount Vernon.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp -
Election of 1796
The first election where voters chose between two opposing parties. The federalists ran with John Adams and the Republicans ran with Thomas Jefferson. Despite Hamilton's undermining to get Pickney elected president, Adams became the the second president of the united States with a VP of Thomas Jefferson, who received only 3 fewer than Adams. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=2976 -
Period: to
XYZ affair
Diplomatic issues between America and France, seen as the most pressing issue during Adams presidency. John Adams sent a group of three men, Charles Cotesworth Pinkney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry, to negotiate a peace agreement with France. France sent three agents Jean Conrad Hottinguer (X), Pierre Bellamy (Y) and Lucien Hauteval (Z) to negotiate a bribe, but america would not comply. However a treaty, in the end, created a friendship. http://www.john-adams-heritage.com/the-xyz-affair/ -
Period: to
Quasi War
This undeclared Naval war between United states and France was the result of disagreements over treaties. The XYZ affair caused nationwide hate of the French. We sent out warships just in case, in fear of the French. In the end, the Treaty of Mortefontaine ended hostilities between the US and France. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/navalbattles16001800/p/quasiwar.htm -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The acts created new powers to deport immigrants as well as make it harder for immigrants to vote, including the requirement that they live in America for 14 years before they can become a citizen. They were signed in response to french threats. One controversial act prohibited public opposition to the government. Many people believed they were unconstitutional and shed light on the crazy power that the "necessary and proper" clause gave the government. http://www.ushistory.org/us/19e.asp -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson wrote these resolutions as a sort of call to action to state governments to dosomething about the crazy amount of central government the nation was developing due to the "necessary and proper" clause. They were fighting specifically against the unconstitutional Alien and sedition acts. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h466.html -
Election of 1800
The election of 1800 was aggressive on both parties and is sometimes referred to the revolution of 1800. In the end, Jefferson defeated Burr even though they technically tied as far as votes are concerned. Hamilton's opinion had a lot to do with the outcome of the election and led eventually to his duel and death with Aaron Burr. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thomas-jefferson-aaron-burr-and-the-election-of-1800-131082359/?no-ist
