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Virginia Declaration of Rights
George Mason, the main writer, stated the rights the people have. Mainly informing the people of having equal freedom, independence, the power of the government comes from the people, equality of all citizens, principle of separation of powers, and free elections. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Written by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly. This document states the right to be religiously free. Also that the government must be separate from the church. Having a religion is a choice. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
After 4 years of constant debate, all thirteen states agreed to this form which would lead their government for 8 years before being overthrown. These articles would allow the states to keep their sovereignty and independence. -
Treaty of Paris
A negotiation between Great Britain and the United States which was led by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens. The document was a form of peace between these two nations and independence for the U.S. -
Shays’ Rebellion
Daniel Shay, a revolutionary officer and a leader from Pelham, fought for the equality of power between the poor and rich. He led a rebellion made up of farmers. The rebellion did not last long before milita forced was placed upon them. The other leaders were tried and sentenced to death as a consequence. The aftermath of this rebellion led to an effect on conservative nationalists who wanted a stronger government. -
Constitution convention
The delegates from five states met at the Annapolis Convention to discuss further improvements on the Articles of Confederation in order to have a stronger government. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Was a land policy that established the basis for the Public Land Survey System, which is used to divide the sale and settling of land. The survey was first done by Thomas Hutchins.This was also significant for reserving land for public education buildings. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Was an act passed by Congress in 1787 that stated the rules for governing land north of the Ohio River and west of the Alleghenies. It was later used as a boundary between free and slave states. -
Ratification of Constitution
9 of the 13 original states were needed in order to have the Constitution approved. It took 10 months for the first 9 states to agree. The Constitution informed the public of the improvements made to the government. -
George Washington Inauguration
Marked the day of the first four-year term of George Washington as President. The ceremony took place on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. -
XYZ affair
Was a political and diplomatic confrontation between the United States and France, which was led by the administration of John Adams. The letters X, Y and Z stand for the names of French diplomats Hottinguer, Bellamy, and Hauteval. -
French Revolution
Forced the United States to stay neutral in order to avoid being drawn into these European conflicts. The French Revolution also influenced U.S. politics, as pro- and anti- Revolutionary which seeked to influence American domestic and foreign policy. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Was a tax protest against the Whisky tax. This tax was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the newly formed government. -
Jay Treaty
Was a treaty, negotiated by John Jay, that seeked to solve the issues between Great Britain and the USA that had been left unresolved since American independence. Britain agreed to leave the Northwest Territory, compensate for its attacks against American shipping, to end discrimination against American commerce, and to grant the U.S. trading privileges in England and the British East Indies. -
Treaty of Greenville
Ended the Northwest Indian War in the Ohio Country and limited parcels of land to the North and West. The treaty established the Greenville Treaty Line and annuity system. -
Pinckney Treaty
Established intentions of friendship between the United States and Spain. It also stated the boundaries of the USA with the Spanish colonies and guaranteed the USA navigation rights on the Mississippi River. The treaty was negotiated by Thomas Pinckney. -
Washington Farewell
A letter for the American people by George Washington. He stated the clear fact that he was no longer needed therefore he was retiring after his second term as President. -
Election of 1796
Was the first American presidential election since Washington refused to continue on with a third term. The nominees were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. John Adams won with a 71 electoral vote. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Were four bills passed by the Federalist and signed by John Adams. It included the Naturalization Act, Alien Friends Act, Alien Enemies Act, and the Sedition Act.The Federalists stated that the bills strengthened national security although others beg to differ that statement. That the Federalist actually did it to prevent having votes against their favor and they indeed violated the First Amendment. -
Quasi War
Was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the US and the French. It occurred because the US refused to continue repaying its debt to France. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Were a series of political statements in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures declared the federal Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Kentucky Resolutions and James Madison wrote the Virginia Resolutions. -
Election of 1800
Marked the first time that there was a change in who was in power which made it more Democratic. -
Marbury v Madison
A court case in which the Supreme Court formed the basis for the judicial review. It also define the boundary between the executive and judicial branches. The case was about Madison's refusal to deliver the commission which was both illegal and correctible. -
LA Purchase
A land deal between the US and France. The U.S. received about 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. -
Embargo Act 1807
A general embargo that made any and all exports from the US illegal. The goal was to make Britain and France respect the American rights during the Napoleonic Wars. -
Election 1808
The first of only two instances in American history in which a new President would be selected, but the Vice President would continue to serve. -
Nonintercourse Act
It lifted all embargoes on American shipping except for those headed for British and/or French ports. The plan was to hurt the economies of both the UK and France. -
Macon’s Bill #2
It was a revision of the first version that was named after Nathaniel Macon. The newer version of the bill was intended to motivate Great Britain and France to stop taking American vessels during the Napoleonic Wars. -
War of 1812
The US declared war on the UK. Reasons included trade restrictions, US interest in expanding its borders west, British support for Native American tribes fighting settlers on the frontier, and insults to national honor during the Chesapeake. -
Siege of Detroit
The start of Anglo-American War of 1812. Major General Isaac Brock with Native American allies under the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, were with the British force, had used bluff and deception to force Willam Hull into surrendering the fort and town of Detroit, Michigan. -
Hartford Convention
Consisted of a series of meetings in which the Federalist Party met to discuss their concerns on the War of 1812 and the political problems arising from the federal government's increasing power. They also discussed about removing the Three-Fifths Compromise, declarations of war, laws restricting trade, Louisiana Purchase, and the Embargo of 1807. -
Treaty of Ghent
A peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the US and the UK. It restored relations between the two nations and restored the borders of the two countries to the lines before the war started. It was approved by the UK parliament and signed into law by the Prince Regent. -
Battle of New Orleans
It was the final major battle of the War of 1812. Major General Andrew Jackson prevented the British from seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the US had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. -
Election of 1816
The Federalist Party was about to collapse. This gave James Monroe, Madison's Secretary of State, a huge advantage against its weak opponent. This led to Monroe winning the election. The ending vote was 183 to 34.. -
Era of Good Feelings
This marked a period in US political history in which an entire nation was striving for one goal. It was to have unity among Americans in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. This also marks the date in which the Federalist Party collapsed. This made the Democratic-Republican the dominant party. It came to power in the early 1800s in order to oppose the Federalist Party.
