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VA's Declaration of Rights
Document that proclaimed the rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish an "inadequate" government. It was written by George Mason "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Also due process, trial by jury, sovereignty with the people, and more. Influenced other documents like the Bill of Rights and the first 10 amendments of the Constitution. -
Ratification of the Articles of Coonfederation
Took place in the Continental Congress by the colonies. 1776-1781 from birth to ratification. Gave no real power to the government -
Treaty of Paris
King George III and representatives from the U.S., like Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams met in Paris to negotiate the independence of the U.S. France disagreed, which led to the U.S. hinting of a possible British-American alliance. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Under the Articles of Confederation, it created a grid system survey by which all public land was made available to sell. Forced Indians to give up their territory, modern day Ohio. Thomas Jefferson thought we should give the land away to actual settlers. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, adopted by General Assembly in Jan 16,1786. Virginians have the right to chose their religion without coercion. Church and State separate. Influenced first amendment. -
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Constitutional Convention.
Convention in Philadelphia led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, meant to revise the Articles of Confederation -
Northwest ordinance of 1787
Carved out territory of the Northwest and made slavery prohibited. States included: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Thomas Jefferson wanted self-governance, but that idea was replaced with governors and judges. -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington, the first president of the United States, is inaugurated. In New York City's Federal Hall -
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French Revolution (Relation to U.S.)
The Revolution affected the U.S. by making George Washington's position of neutrality in any foreign skirmishes due to the fact that it was still a new nation. This caused people like Citizens Genet to feel betrayed from the "alliance" they had. Also created more political division among the political elite; Jefferson leading the pro-French and Hamilton leading the pro-British, wanting to keep ties with Great Britain. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
Alexander Hamilton suggested a large tax on whiskey in order to raise revenue and George Washington agreed. However, sparked a rebellion with the people not only because the tax, but because the tax sounded very similar to the taxes imposed on them by the British -
Jay Treaty
Written by John Jay, a representative for both the British and the U.S. , wrote the treaty to establish peace between Britain and the U.S. Highly unpopular with Americans, it was still passed 20 to 10 and by George Washington. -
Treaty of Greenville
Signed at Fort Greenville or modern-day Greenville, Ohio. American Indians agreed to give up South and East land claims and the Americans would give up North and West land claims. Indians could still hunt and $20k of good were given to the American Indians and then $9.5k in goods every year after that. -
Pinckney Treaty
The treaty resolved territorial disputes between Spanish and Americans about New Orleans and navigating the MS River. The Spanish didn't want to encourage American trade and port on the MS River. Thomas Pinckney was involved in this treaty. -
Washington Farewell
Helped written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, the Farewell Address stated and urged all of Washington's political polices. Like the idea that Americans should be individual, yet all identify as Americans. Also, his opinion that political parties are poisonous was stated. As well as, the ideas that the US should reman neutral. -
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Election of 1796
The two major candidate were John Adams, the federalist party, and Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic-Republic party. John Adams ended up winnning -
Alien and Sedition Acts
John Adams and Congressed past the acts that made it harder for immigrants to vote and the power to deport foreigners. It also banned people for doing or saying anything bad about the government. This was infringing on the rights of the people stated in the Constitution. This is because judicial review was not well established. -
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XYZ affair
The affair was between France and America. France's directory was paying for their wars and mad about America's Jay Treaty with Britain. They decided to seize American merchant ships. Adams sent 3 reps. to go meet with Talleyrand to find peace. However they were met by 4 other reps.. They said that Talleyrand demanded a bribe, and payments of the American merchant claims, and a loan to France. Adams prepared for war, and later sent a new rep to Frances despite Federalist disappointment. -
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Quasi War
This stemmed from the XYZ Affair. Congress rescinded all treaties with France. The war was fought entirely at sea, the American Navy would capture the French privateers ships. Coupled with Britain and America's alliance and the changing government during the French Revolution made France submit to peace and signed the peace treaty, Treaty of Mortefontaine. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions were passes December 24,1798 and November 16,1798 respectively. They were a response to John Adams's Alien and Sedition Act, and authored by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. These resolutions stated that Congress could not exercise rights that weren't delegated to them in the Constitution and protested the limitations of civil liberties placed by the Alien and Sedition Act -
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Election of 1800
The Election of 1800 was between Jefferson and John Adams and was filled with mud slinging. Since the vice president and president weren't on separate ballots, this caused a tie between John Adams and Jefferson because Burr was Jefferson's running mate. The tie was broke by the House declaring Jefferson as the president. However this opened up the fault in the electoral college about ties and VP's from different factions than the president, this layed down the reason for the 12th Amendment -
LA Purchase
Reason was for the access to Mississippi River for farmers and other economical purposes. So Jefferson wanted to negotiate with France for the Louisiana property, which from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The US wanted land and France needed the money for Napoleon. They worked out a deal to sell Louisiana for $15million. This proved to be on of Jefferson's greatest accomplishments and 9 years later the first state to be carved out was admitted into the Union. -
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Shays Rebellion
Daniel Shay and a group of debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts brought on an armed movement. This because he and the group believed the land was for the community and wanted to take land from the wealthy and distribute it to the poor. This caused a shut down of the government in Massachusetts.
