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Virginia Declaration of Rights
This was an important document used as the basis of Virginia's government that declared the inherent rights of men to be free that cannot be taken away and was incredibly influential to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States of America, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. -
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Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
This first form of government for a united U.S.A. allowed them to direct a more efficient wartime effort against Britain and begin diplomacy with other nations. Its power was weak since it didn't allow for any taxing of the states nor the enforcement of its laws. This ratification began the process of centralization since until this point there had not been a comprehensive system of government and was the predecessor to the United States Constitution -
Treaty of Paris
This was the treaty that ended the revolutionary war between Britain and the United States in 1783 in which Britain recognized the independence of each of the 13 colonies. Due to shrewd negotiating, the American delegation prevented ceding any land to France as well as securing Britain as a trading partner. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
This was an ordinance passed that allowed citizens of the United States to purchase land to the west of the Appalachian M. and stated that this land was to become separate states despite the lack of clarification of the boundaries or size of these states. This was important because it raised money for the federal government and was the impetus for the settlement of this new land previously barred from settlement (by the British). This system for surveying was used to settle 3/4 of the U.S. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
This Virginian statute removed the Anglican Church from the state religion and guaranteed freedom of religion in Virginia. This was important because it set the precedent to freedom of religion, the establishment clause, and the Free exercise clause in the first amendment of the constitution. -
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Shays' Rebellion
This was an uprising against the Massachusetts Government from anger against the increase of taxes and their loss of property from debt incurred that they were not able to pay off after selling their bonds to speculators. This was important because it showed the weaknesses of the articles of Confederation because of the lack of ability to tax and enforce and was a topic of discussion at the constitutional convention which it helped show people was necessary. -
Constitutional Convention
This was in response to the failure of the articles of confederation to address taxation or enforcement of laws. This technically illegal meeting led to the creation of the constitution which was eventually ratified by all the states and advocated a stronger federal government. Opposition to the constitution was characterized by anti-federalist which were created in response to this event. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This Ordinance created the Northwest Territory and addressed the political needs of the Land Ordinance of 1785 since it affirmed the sovereignty of the federal government over the states by allowing it to dictate the creation of new states rather than expanding old ones. This ordinance barred slavery from these new lands but brought up the question of slave vs free for all future land annexations or acquisitions. -
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Ratification of the Constitution
This process led to the creation of the Federalists and Anti-federalists and technically only required 9 states' approval under the articles but in order for it to have legitimacy it needed all 13 states' approval. It was aided by the publication of the Federalist Papers and led to the constitution being the official legal force in the country until even today. -
Inauguration of George Washington
This was the ascendancy of the first president of the United States to office beginning the long precedent of having a president as the leader of the United States of America. This was especially important because Washington held the country together in a very divided atmosphere and was able to keep the fledgling country from falling apart in its inception. -
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French Revolution
This conflict originally was viewed positively in America but helped solidify American neutrality when news of the atrocities of the revolution and the forsaking of the democratic ideals reached American shores. This also led to the Quasi-war since America stopped paying debts as they were technically owed to King Louis instead of the revolutionary government. People were split in their support of France but the radical nature of it trumped the sympathizers and America remained neutral. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
This was a rebellion against the Pennsylvania Government by western farmers over the Whiskey Tax imposed by Hamilton to generate revenue to pay off the war debt. These farmers also were unable to have a voice in the matter due to the distance away from the center of government and felt this was taxation without representation. It was viewed as a victory by Washington's administration and showed that the federal government could enforce its tax policies. -
Jay Treaty
This was a treaty between the U.S. and Britain that kept them from going to war and helped resolve leftover issues from the Treaty of Paris. This treaty was very one-sided and essentially gave us nothing but the demilitarization of the forts that were already supposed to have been evacuated while giving them favored nation status. This treaty angered France and appeased Britain and helped shape the policy American neutrality in international affairs by not immediately siding with France. -
Treaty of Greenville
After the Battle of Fallen Timbers this treaty led to Native Americans ceding a large part of the Northwest territory in current day Ohio to the United States for $20,000 worth of goods and an agreement of a boundary for Native American territory that was defied in the future anyway. This agreement symbolized the continuing expansion of the United States and the refusal to follow the terms of any agreements made with Native Americans. -
Pinckney's Treaty
This treaty led to the clarification of the American/Spanish border and gave control of the Mississippi River Trading to the United States. This treaty also revoked a promise of support of the Native Americans in the region by the Spanish allowing the U.S. to proceed without worry of Spanish retaliation. This treaty began the westward expansion or "manifest destiny" of the United States and was a symbol of rising American power now that Spain was acquiescing to the new nation. -
Washington's Farewell
Washington's refusal to run for a third term set the precedence of two term presidencies and showed the immense humility of a man looking out for his country rather than himself. Also, the ending of his presidency began the infighting of party politics that continued in every election afterwards between different parties and sent the country into dissension in which it never regained full support of a candidate unequivocally. -
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Election of 1796
This election led to the ascension of John Adams as the second president of the United States and the continuation of the Federalist party as the arbiters of the country. This continued the federalist policy of neutrality and more pro-Britain policies. With Adam the country passed laws like The Alien and Sedition acts and showed solidarity against France in the Quasi-war. His presidency reinforced this neutrality for years to come and kept America from steering too close to France. -
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XYZ affair
This event showed the American refusal to negotiate with the French when being forced to make a bribe before the negotiations could continue. It turned the American populace against France and resulted in a resurgence of Adam's popularity. This anger against France kept America's neutrality in the looming crises but failed to get Adams reelected. -
The alien and sedition acts
These acts increased the difficulty of becoming a United States citizen and allowed the deportation of "hostile" citizens of another country. The controversial part was the act of sedition making critical statements against the government illegal. This was widely protested by Jeffersonians and brought this issue to the forefront of American politics. This also set a dangerous precedent of trying to circumvent freedom of speech and was used against defamatory newspapers. -
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Quasi-War
This was an undeclared war between the United States and France that was fought because the United States refused to continue paying debts to the French Republic after the French monarchy was toppled as they claimed it was owed to the previous government. The French began seizing American ships leading to the authorization of the attacks on them with American vessels. It ended at the Convention of 1800 in which the previous contracts between the two nations were annulled. -
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These resolutions argued that states could nullify laws passed by the federal government that they believed were unconstitutional and not authorized by the constitution. Written by both Madison and Jefferson they were a response to the Alien and Sedition acts. The public outcry and support of these resolutions led to Adam's defeat in the election of 1800 while the Alien enemies act remains in effect today. -
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Election of 1800
This election led to Thomas Jefferson becoming the 3rd president of the United States after defeating Adams and the Federalists. The alien and sedition acts and the failure to end the Quasi-war put the nail in the coffin for Adams. This election led to the downward spiral of the federalist party and the ascension of the Democratic-Republican party. -
Marbury v. Madison
This was the supreme court decision in 1803 that helped define the difference in executive and judicial power through setting the precedent of judicial review whereby the supreme court had the right to examine the constitutionality of laws. -
Louisiana Purchase
This was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory by Jefferson and the United States from Napoleon and the French government for less than 3 cents per acre as a result of failed French colonial ambition regarding a New French empire. It doubled the size of the United States and set precedent for the extent of constitutional power regarding the annexation of land.
