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George Washington becomes president
Washington was a good president in that he cared what the public thought and did well with the small staff that he had to work with. -
Hamilton proposes Report on Public Credit
Hamiton's report promised that the States would fund thier foreign and domestic obligations at full value and that the federal government would take responsibility for paying state debts -
Bank of the United States created
Hamilton had proposed the formation of a national bank. Some had been opposed to it because they didn't think that the Constitution gave the government the right to create a bank but Hamilton justified it under Article I section 8, starting the idea of implied powers -
Report on Manufactures
This report suggested that America would become independent from European imports by developing it's own industry. Congress turned down this proposal. -
French Revolution begins
The French declared war on Britain which created more arguments between those who supported Hamilton (Federalists) and those who supported Jefferson (Republicans). -
Whiskey Rebellion
the federal government sent an army to Pennsylvania to suppress people angry about a tax on whiskey. This event was significant because it showed the governments willingness to use militia to enforce rules -
Jay's Treaty
Chief of Justice, John Jay, was sent to England to gain compensation for ships stolen by British sailors and to establish the United States neutrality in the war between Britain and France. Howeve, Hamilton sabotaged Jay's chances and the British said that they would continue to search ships and wouldn't compensate for stolen US ships until all debts created during the Revolution were paid off. Americans were outraged and thought that Jay was betraying public interest. -
Treaty of San Lorenzo
an agreement with Spain that opened up the Mississippi River to the US, gave the US the right to deposit goods in New Orleans without paying duties, and secured a southern boundary at the 31st parallel. Also, Spain promised to stay out of Indian affairs. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington's resignition from presidency. In this speech, he warned against political factions and making any permanent alliances with foreign countries. -
Adams Presidency
John Adams was a Federalist and was elected president. Hamilton rigged the election to get Federalists to win. Although Adams won the presidency, Jefferson, a Republican, won the vice president position. -
Quasi War with France
France began to capture US ships, but since neither country actually declared war on the other, it became known as the Quasi War. -
XYZ Affair
Representaives from the US are sent to France to try and gain compensation for seized ships and to release treaties from 1778. But French officials refused to talk to the representatives unless they received money. The event became known as the XYZ affair and hurt the US's relationship with France. It also made the tensions rise between Federalists and Republicans. -
Provisional Army
a provisional army was formed during the summer of 1798 to suppress any people who spoke out against the government, particularly Republicans. The reason of the formation of the army was to "restore political order to the US". -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These acts gave the president the power to remove someone of foreign nationality from the country. It also put limits on the requirements of US citizenship and defined any crticism of government as criminal libel -
Kentucky Resolves
Written by Thomas Jefferson in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Actsl. It said that the any powers not specifically given to the federal government in the Constitution would be given to state governments. Kentucky legislators didn't pass it though because it could be interpreted very extremely -
Virginia Resolves
written by James Madison in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts. It said that a single state legislator shouldn't have the authority to overthrow federal law, but urged the states to defend the rights of the American people. -
Adams settles disputes within the government
Adams declare independence from the Hamiltonian branch of the Federalist party, dividing it. He fires Pickering and McHenry and settles matters with France, clearing things up for the Louisiana Purchase. This was one of Adams biggest accomplishments. -
Downfall of the Federalist Party
The Federalists were divided amongst themselves because of the supporters of Adams and Hamilton. Many were displeased with Hamilton because he had rigged elections. But the true downfall came because the party had been so intent on supporting the wealthy people in government that they had forgotten the people. And when it came time that they needed public support, they found it very hard to come by. -
Jefferson elected president
The election of 1800 was again rigged by Hamilton in attempt to support the Federalists. But this plan went horribly wrong and two Republicans, Jefferson and Aaron Burr, tied for the presidency position. In a long House of Representatives meeting, Jefferson finally won the election with a vote of 10 states to 4. -
Twelfth Amendment
Added to the Constitution in 1804, it said that the electoral college would cast separate ballots for president and vice president, so that nothing like the election of 1800 would happen again,
