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Virginia Declaration of Rights
A Declaration that put words onto paper in terms of what statesmen were saying and brought validity to the United States. For instance, topics that were addressed were:relationship between government and governed, revolutionary concepts, equality among citizens, and separation of powers with respect to the government. Important because of its influence later ratified using this document as a base argument as well as the first constitutional protection of individual rights. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the initial attempt of unification of all 13 colonies under a constitution. Directly governing the 13 colonies during the time period of the Revolutionary War. The weakness of the Articles resulted in the desire for a stronger governing body over the colonies to provide leadership through internal and external conflict, resulting in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The negotiation between Britain and the American Revolution to end the war in 1783. Signed in Paris by Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin recognizing the United States as sovereign states. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Congress set a standardized system of allotting farm land to colonizers settling the region. However, Congress did not have the power to raise tax revenue, thus the imporantance of land sales affecting revenue stream as well as affecting 3/4 of the land for the continental United States. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
The Bill disestablished the Church of England and allowed for religious toleration in all states. Allowing for all types of religion to be accepted and in turn allowing for rich cultural mixing in Americas society which can be seen today as a lasting impact on the society of America. -
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Shays’ Rebellion
Serious protests by farmers against state and local taxation from debt. Most seriously enforced in Massachusetts were the harvesting season was rough and the taxation would force them to lose their land and called to the weakness of the Articles of Confederation. Creating a need for a stronger governing body which was exemplified disaster at Shays' Rebellion. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
First organized territory beyond the Appalachian Mountains focusing primarily on Northern territories. Which in turn allows other states to be accepted and broaden the span that encompasses all of the United States. Prohibition of slavery allowed for slave free states and forced the need for a strong central government in place to contain and keep all the states in order. -
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Ratification of Constitution
The government wanted to ratify the Constitution to create a strong governing country, but in order to do that, many powers were allotted for states to decide to gain the popularity. This is because before, states were the ones who controlled the power and forcing a document on them to sign would be ridiculous to believe that they would sign, thus the flexibility in allowing states to decide certain state level laws. As a result of the ratification, creating Federalists and Anti-federalists. -
Constitution convention
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where representatives of states were meant to revise the Articles of Confederation. In reality, they scrapped the Articles of Confederation and provided a better Declaration that allowed the government to have power to enforce laws and create a strong central government that states can look to for protection and reduce the amount of resistance that the citizens provided against the government initially. The lasting affect is the U.S. government incorporates this. -
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French Revolution (relate to US)
Offered many ideas and concepts that America wanted to incorporate into their Declaration. Creating citizens equal with certain rights that the government couldn't take away. Creating a democratic ideological government to provide a strong basis for governmental influence. -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington was sworn into presidency with John Adams as his Vice-President as a popular man among many Americans. He was/is the only president to lead the army on the field and gained popular support for being a commander and chief. However, many people wanted him to be America's King and continue the monarchical precession into america fro England, to which Washington denied. Setting the term limit to 4 years and maximum 2 terms to keep a democracy. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
The American government imposed a tax on Whiskey, the first tax given by the newly established government and the citizens did not reposed well. Taking up arms to suggest a bloody battle, but the Continental army was called and the mob was disbanded quickly after. Demonstrating that the new national government had the will and the ability to suppress violent resistance to its laws. -
Treaty of Greenville
It was a negotiation after the Native American loss at the Battle of Fallen. Allowing Native Americans certain lands and fundings to try and incorporate Indians into American society but failed. Additionally, the land that was set aside for Indians was often impeded on by Americans and Europeans, weakening the strength in land that the Americans offered to the Indians.Resulting in the limited amount of Indians that remained living in American land. -
Jay Treaty
Treaty between America and Britain, which is credited to adverting the war and resolving many issues created by the Treaty of Paris. Written primarily by Hamilton, Jay, and Washington, resolving war-time debts and boundaries that set the limitations of where America was located. Thus, Britain removed troops slowly as America gained settled trading issues. -
Pinckney Treaty
Treaty between America and Spain on boundaries. This is due to Manifest Destiny where America's exploration and dominance allowed them to lay claim to land and result in impediment on other territory claimed by others. Thus this treaty settles the dispute between the land Spain claimed and the land that America wanted by establishing a Southern border. -
Washington Farewell
Washington was aware of the influence he left and the sense that Americans needed him as the front leader. Resulting in Washington and Hamilton creating a Farewell Letter to address all the questions and leave the American's with optimism. Offering suggestions on what to focus and fix for the Americans. -
Election of 1796
Creation of parties at this time created controversy on which party offered more ideals to be chosen from the citizens. Ultimately, Washington's VP, John Adams, is elected. The first election with parties is a lasting affect seen today in organizing and influencing beliefs about how government should behave and govern the citizens. -
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XYZ affair
Political and diplomatic confrontation between America and France that resulted in the undeclared Quasi-War. French demanded a bribe before talking to Americans which Adams addressed in his document by referring to the three French men as X, Y, and Z. The significance, is that in the eyes of the Americans, John Adams appears strong and the American army strengthens and grows. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
An act making it harder for immigrants to become citizens, as well as criminalize or deport them as seen fit by the President. Offering protection to America when in times of war, which occurred during this time period against France. Federalists argued that this strengthened national security and is a lasting affect in terms of the Naturalization Act. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Claimed the the Alien and Sedition Act was unconstitutional, arguing that the Constitutions did not explicitly have that written. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were the prime critics. Thus the creation of the argument of how to interpret the Constitution began. As some claimed to take it word for word, strict-constructionist, or use it to make inferences, loose-constructionists. -
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Quasi War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought in the sea between the United States of America and the French Republic, the United States refused to continue repaying its debt to France as the French crown had fallen. France led a series of attacks on American shipping, ultimately leading to retaliation from the Americans and the end of hostilities with the signing of the Convention of 1800. -
Election of 1800
Thomas Jefferson won over John Adams as President. The election exposed that members of the Electoral College were authorized by the original Constitution to vote for two names for President. Which in turn created confusion for their was no split ticket and it went to a tie where the House or Representative has to settle the dispute where Jefferson ultimately won.