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Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was mainly written by George Mason, in order to declare the inherent rights of men. It was significant because it later influenced the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights
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Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
The Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in Virginia in 1777 and enacted in to Virginian law in 1786. It was significant because it granted religious freedom to Virginians.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Statute_for_Religious_Freedom -
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Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was written by John Dickinson and the Continental Congress. Its ratification was mainly delayed due to the fear of a strong central government and disputes over land claims between Maryland and Virginia. The Articles of Confederation was significant because it was the first written constitution of the US and it established a national government.
http://www.history.com/topics/articles-of-confederation -
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Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was by the US (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay) and Great Britain. Its final version was signed on September 3, 1783, but was not ratified by the Continental Congress until 1784. This treaty was significant because it ended the American Revolution, established US boundaries, recognized US independence.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris
https://quizlet.com/10738470/ap-us-history-flash-cards/ -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance proposed the creation of 3-5 states from the Northwest Territory. In the territory, slavery was not allowed. Once the territory reached a population of 5,000 free white males, the citizens would be able to choose an assembly. The territory was governed by judges and a governor appointed by Congress. Arthur St. Clair became the first governor of the Northwest Territory. This land ordinance marked one of the first major accomplishments of the Confederation government. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was adopted by the US Congress and provided for the survey and sale of western lands. The ordered system of survey divided the land into townships consisting of 36 sections of one square mile. Congress wanted to establish a source of revenue based on the auction of these lands, but this territorial plan proved to be unsuccessful because people settled in western lands illegally.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 -
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Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion, which was a series uprisings by farmers who were led by Daniel Shays and protested tax collections and judgements for debt, mainly took place in Massachusetts. It was significant because it showed the need for a strong national government.
http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion -
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Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, however, delegates such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, actually intended to establish a new government. Washington was chosen by the delegates to officiate the Convention. It was a significant event because it resulted in the creation of the US Constitution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States) -
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Ratification of the Constitution
Although the Constitution was signed in September 1787, it had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states in order to become binding. New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it binding. This was significant because the Constitution put in place a strong federal government with a system of checks and balances.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-constitution-ratified -
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French Revolution
The United States tried to remain neutral during the French Revolution, despite the fact the British were attacking American ships and the French were sent a minister named Edmond-Charles Genêt, who caused more tension between the US and French because he risked US neutrality by recruiting Americans to fight against the British and French. This event was important because it led to the enactment of the Alien and Sedition Acts. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/french-rev -
George Washington Inauguration
After the inauguration where he was sworn in by Robert Livingston, Washington began his term as the first president of the United States. It took place in the first US capitol, which was located in New York City.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_George_Washington -
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Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, which occurred in western Pennsylvania, was a protest of the excise tax on all distilled spirits. This tax was apart of Hamilton's plan to gain revenue in order to reduce the national debt. Washington sent militia to suppress the rebellion, but all of the rebels had stopped protesting before the army's arrival. This rebellion showed that although the government was new, it was still able suppress resistence to its laws.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion -
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Washington Farewell
Washington's Farewell Address was drafted by himself, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. In his address, Washington encouraged national unity, denounced political parties, and emphasized US neutality in Eurpean affairs. Futhermore, it established a precedent of a two-term presidency.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp -
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Jay Treaty
The terms of the treaty were mainly designed by Hamilton and negotiated by Jay. Although it was unpopular with Jeffersonians who believed that the Jay Treaty was created between the US and Great Britain at the expense of the French, the treaty averted war with Great Britain over the British seizure of American ships. One of the treaty's terms was that the US had to pay wartime debts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Treaty -
Treaty of Greenville
The Treaty of Greenville was signed in Fort Greenville by the Western Confederacy and Anthony Wayne and ended the Northwest Indian War. It created the Greenville Treaty Line, which served as a border between Native territory and European-American lands. Furthermore, it was important because it established an annuity system (grants of federal money and calico cloth to the Natives). This lead to increasing American control over Native Americans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Greenville -
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Pinckney Treaty
Thomas Pinckney negotiated the treaty with Don Manuel de Godoy of Spain. It established the border between the US and the Spanish West Florida. Furthermore, it was significant because it ended part of the West Florida Controversy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinckney%27s_Treaty -
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Election of 1796
The presidential candidates of the election of 1796 were John Adams (Federalist) and Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican). It was significant because it was the first contested American presidential election. Furthermore, it was the first election to result in an elected president and vice president from opposing tickets. John Adams became president. This election marked the beginning of the First Party System.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1796 -
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XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair occurred during John Adam's administration. American diplomats, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry were sent to negotiate with the French, but agents of the French Foreign Minister would only negotiate if the Americans paid a bribe and loan. The American diplomats left without negotiating. This event was significant because it lead to the Quasi War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_Affair -
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, argued against the Alien and Sedition Acts because they believed that states have the right to declare acts of Congress as unconstitutional. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were important because they established the Nullification Doctrine.
https://quizlet.com/10738470/ap-us-history-flash-cards/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_and_Virginia_Resolutions -
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Quasi War
The Quasi War was an undeclared naval war between the US and French Republic. The US refused to pay its debt to the French because they claimed that the owned the debt to the French monarchy, not to new French republic. Because of this, the French began to attack American ships. It was significant because it brought up the debates over extent of US neutrality and presidential power.
http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/quasi-war/
thhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-War -
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Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were 4 bills that made it more difficult for an foreigner to gain US citizenship and permitted the president to imprison and deport immigrants who seem to pose a threat to the nation. Additionally, these acts made it illegal to speak out against the president and government. These acts were signed by President John Adams. It was significant because it lead to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts -
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Election of 1800
The candidates of the election of 1800 were Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) and John Adams (Federalist). This election uncovered the flaw of the two-vote ballot when Jefferson and Burr tied in electoral votes because every elector who voted for Jefferson, also voted for Burr. The election went to the House of Representatives, where Jefferson was elected on the ballot. This election lead to the creation of the Twelfth Amendment.
