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Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was written by Thomas Jefferson for the opening paragraphs for the Declaration of Independence. It was important because it was copied by the other colonies, and became the basis for the Bill of Rights. -
Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America accepted by the Continental Congress, and ratified by all states in 1781; it established a weak central government with state governments holding much of the power. While the Articles of Confederation was a failure, it was important because it paved the way for ratifying the new Constitution. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was the peace agreement between America, France, and Great Britain after the American and France victory in the American Revolutionary War. The main American diplomats (John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Henry Laurens) established the independence of America and also agreed on several other terms. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 established how the US government would divide and distribute the new land North and West of the Ohio River it had gained from Great Britain after the Revolutionary War. It was important because it established new boundaries for the country. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
This was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1777, but was passed in 1786. It was important because it established the separation of church and state, and served as the basis for the First amendment's religious freedom. -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was an uprising led by Revolutionary war veteran Daniel Shay in a response to a series of taxes on the farmers. The rebellion was crushed by the militia in January 1787. This was important because it showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia to discuss the problems of the Articles of Confederation and possible revisions. It was led by George Washington. It was important because the new Constitution was formed as a result of it. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This act, which is usually attributed to Thomas Jefferson, Nathan Dane, Rufus King, and Manasseh Cutler, created a system of government for the Northwest territory, and established how parts of the Northwest territory could become states. The Northwest Ordinance was important because it paved the way for Ohio becoming the 17th state. -
Ratification of Constitution
The last state to ratify the Constitution was New Hampshire, on June 21, 1788. It was important because the new system of government under the constitution was officially put into place. -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington officially became the first president of America, on April 30, 1789 in New York. This was important because it marked the beginning of America's political independence. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, was the overthrow of the French monarchy. It was important because it showed the importance of America's neutrality in foreign policy. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a rebellion that broke out among farmers in western Pennsylvania as a result of the tax on whiskey distillation. Washington finally sent 13,000 men to crush the rebellion. It was important because it showed the power of the federal government. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty was a treaty between the British and Americans, negotiated by John Jay. The British and Americans agreed that the British would withdraw from America by 1796, limited American trade with the British, and most favored nation status for both countries. This was important because while it was a success for the Hamiltonians, the Jeffersonians and southerners were enraged because they did not address the south's needs and complaints. -
Treaty of Greenville
The Treaty of Greenville happened after the the Americans defeated the Indian confederacy at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Ohio. Representatives from twelve Indian nations ceded territory as a result of the treaty. It was important because the new land allowed for more expansion and settling. -
Pinckney's Treaty
Pinckney's Treaty was an agreement between Spain and America. Thomas Pinckney negotiated the treaty, where Spain agreed to a boundary with America, and opened the Mississippi to American shipping. This was important because it allowed trade in the Mississippi tto take off. -
Washington Farewell Address
Washington published his Farewell Address during his last months of his term. In it, he warned America to remain neutral in foreign affairs and not to create political factions and parties. It was important because he also set the precedent for presidential terms. -
Election of 1796
The election of 1786 was the presidential election after George Washington's terms. John Adams won the election, beating Jefferson by three electoral votes. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition acts were 4 acts which severely limited freedom of speech and freedom of press, and also threatening the liberty of foreigners and immigrants. The acts allowed the president to deport of imprison foreigners and citizens who were deemed a threat of published sedition. -
Quasi-War
The Quasi-War, between France and the US, was fought between 1798-1800 due to the political tension between the two countries. It was an undeclared war, but Congress tripled the size of the army, and Washington came out of retirement to lead the forces. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, were passed by the state legislature of Virginia and Kentucky. It was important because they're purpose was to protest the Alien and Sedition acts. -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ affair was a foreign diplomatic incident between the French and American. US diplomats, trying to resolve the tension between the two countries, encountered French diplomats who demanded a bribe. John Adams released the letters from the French diplomats, renamed X, Y, and Z. This was important because the American public adopted an Anti-French sentiment, and boosted Adams popularity. -
Election of 1800
This was the fourth presidential election. Thomas Jefferson was elected president. It was important because it shows the shifting power of political parties.