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Period: Nov 29, 1384 to
Important Events and Influences that Shape the US government
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Nov 29, 1450
Aristotle
384-322B.C: Aristotle was a Greek philosopher that lived in Macedonia. He believed politics should have an ethical purpose and that virtue was the key of happiness. He defined a just constitution as one that benefits the entire city. Aristotle was a strong advocate for free public education and a large middle class. Aristotle inspired the civil right of pursuit of happiness as well as the limited government we have today. -
May 3, 1469
Niccolo Machiavelli
1469-1527. Machiavelli was a philosopher that exsisted during the italian renissance. Machiavelli believed that the ends justify all means. Machiavelli advocated strongly for a free republic system of government. He argued that a state is not free unless it is self governing and that an elective system is the only way to represent the common good of a state. -
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes was an English Philosopher that believed mans nature was self interested. During a state of war Hobbes believed all people will give themselves over to absolute authority in exchange for peace. This legitamate force would be responsible for enforcing law and punishment. Hobbes idea influenced the U.S police and military system still in effect today. -
John Locke
1632-1704. John Locke was an English philosopher also known as the father of classic liberalism. Locke believed that all men were naturally free. He thought that an agressive absolute authority leader should be avoided in government at all costs and that the people have the right to revolution if they are oppressed. John Locke main influence was on natural rights, Locke believed all men were entitled to life liberty and property. -
End of French/Indian war
The British win the French/Indian war and obtain a large territiory of North America to govern. The British wanted payment or contribution from the colonists in return for their defense and impose high taxes on imports without the colonists consent. -
First Continental Congress
Delegates from each colony were sent to congressin Philadelphia to discuss the future of their relations with Britian. -
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American Revolutionary War
America and Britian engaged in warfare to determine whether independence would be granted or not. -
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson and inspired heavily by John Locke. The document announced the colonies independence from Britian and justified their right to revolt with the main argument that GeorgeIII has failed to protect their natural rights. -
Treaty of Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance officially marked a military alliance between the colonies and France against Great Britian. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were put into effect 1781 and survived until 1789. The Articles of Confederation was a league of friendship and perpetual union amoung the 13 states. The articles established a national legislature but most power was left to the state governments. -
Treaty of Paris
The revolutionary war was officially ended by the Treaty of Paris which recognized American independance and established the nations borders. -
Annopolis Meeting
Handful of leaders representing New York, Deleware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia assembled in Maryland to discuss problems with the Articles of Confederation and find solutions. They later reached out to the Continental Congress to call a meeting for all of the states. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates from every state met in Philedalphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. -
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. They consisted of 85 papers explaining and justifying the Constitution. -
United States Constitution
The U.S constiution was ratified on this date, replacing the Articles of Confederation. -
FIrst National Bank Established
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Bill of Rights
Ammendments 1-10 were created by the Anti-Federalists to protect citizens natural rights. They were introduced to congress by James Madison and ratified to create the Bill of Rights. -
Fugitive Slave Act
Guarenteed the right of a slaveholder to recover and escaped slave regardless of what state the slave is found in. -
Eleventh Amendment
Prohibited the prosecution of states by their citizens in federal court. -
Sedition Act
Made criticizing the U.S government illegal. This was a push for national government power and was later repealed. -
Marbury vs. Madison
The first United States Supreme court case to apply the concept of judicial review. -
Twelfth amendment
Revises the process of electing the president and vice president. The 12th ammendment makes the president and vice president two seperate votes on seperate ballots. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
Maryland was trying to impose tax on the U.S bank. It was argued the US did not have the right to even establish a bank. The supreme court found Marylands tax illegal due to the Supremecy clause. The necessary and proper clause was created. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
Declared that congresses ability to regulate commerce did not begin or end at a states boundries. Congress was given the authority to manage and liscense steam boat travels. -
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Declared that blacks could not be citizens and that Congress had no right to ban slavery in their territories. -
American Civil War Begins
Civil war breaks out between the confederacy that has declared themselves independent and the North, fueled by slavery and commerce fueds. The US wins in 1865. -
Thirteenth Amendment
Abolished slavery and involentary servitude except as punishment for crime. -
Fourteenth Amendment
Grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States. Prohibits states from making or enforcing any laws that infringe on US citizen rights and privledges. Ensures all people equal protection of the laws. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The 15th amendment to the United States constitution prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen their right to vote based on their race. -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
granted African Americans equal treatment in public accomodations, transportation, and jury service. -
Sixteenth Amendment
Allows Congress to levy income tax from citizens without distributing it to the states or basing it on the US census. -
Seventeenth Amendment
States that the sentate should be made up of two senators from each state elected by state citizens for terms of six years. -
Eighteenth Amendment
Prohibited the production and sale of alcohol in the US. Was appealed in 1933. -
Nineteenth Amendment
Guarentees all women the right to vote! -
Twentieth Amendment
Sets dates at which government elected offices terms begin/end. Establishes that the vice president will succeed the presidency if the president dies. -
Twenty First Amendment
Repeals 18th amendment -
Twenty Second Amendment
Limits the president to two terms and 8 years of service. -
Twenty Third Amendment
Gives the District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections.
