Early Federal Period

  • Declaration of Independance

    Declaration of Independance
    The thirteen American colonies broke their political ties to Great Britain on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence.
  • Articles of Confederation Adoption

    Articles of Confederation Adoption
    This was the first constitution of the United States.
  • AoC Unanimous Ratification

    AoC Unanimous Ratification
    The Confederate Congress was established on March 1, 1781, when Maryland approved it.
  • Virginia Bill

    Virginia Bill
    A declaration of both conscience freedom and the idea of the separation of church and state may be found in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
  • Constitution

    Constitution
    A single written text that establishes the boundaries of governmental authority, establishes government institutions and protects specific civil liberties.
  • Federalist Papers

    Federalist Papers
    The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 essays and articles written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton under the pen name "Publius" to support the ratification of the US Constitution.
  • Bill of Rights Offer

    Bill of Rights Offer
    It establishes guidelines for the due process of law and reserves to the people or the States all powers not specifically granted to the federal government. Originally it had 12 amendments.
  • Bill of Rights Approval

    Bill of Rights Approval
    It protects each person's civil rights and liberties. 10 of the original 12 were ratified.
  • 11th Amendment

    11th Amendment
    The Eleventh Amendment limits a person's capacity to file a lawsuit in federal court against a state they do not have citizenship in.
  • Washington’s Farewell Address

    Washington’s Farewell Address
    Washington issued a warning that the republic's stability was in danger due to the forces of political factionalism, geographic sectionalism, and foreign meddling in internal matters.
  • Alien and Sedition Acts

    Alien and Sedition Acts
    A group of four laws that restricted immigration and speech were passed.
  • Marbury V. Madison

    Marbury V. Madison
    Created the judicial review premise.
  • Louisiana Purchase Treaty

    Louisiana Purchase Treaty
    Originally encompassing over 800,000 square miles of land, the area is currently composed of fifteen states spanning from Louisiana to Montana.
  • McCullough v. Maryland

    McCullough v. Maryland
    The court held that states lacked the authority to impose taxes on the federal government and that the federal government was free to establish federal banks.
  • Monroe Doctrine

    Monroe Doctrine
    It contends that any foreign meddling in American politics could be interpreted as an act of hostility toward the US.