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Virginia Declaration of Rights
Written by George Mason, this declaration of rights was adopted by the people of Virginian as a basis and foundation for government. This is important because it continues the theme of independance and rights. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress finally adopted the AOC, Congress was set up, each state had one vote, and a presiding president that began with George Washington. This was the first written government of the US and was weak and had almost no power in November 1777. Samuel Adams and other members helped create this document. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Thomas Jefferson introduced this bill which established religious freedom. There remained a close tie between church and state, but it reformed the governing constitution of the United States -
Treaty of Paris
On September 3rd, 1783 at Versailles in Paris, many different treaties were signed between the US, France, Spain and Britain. It identified American sovereignty in the United States, and it was important because it ended the Revolutionary War. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 provided for the survey and sale of western lands in America, dividing land into townships of 36 sq. miles each. Jefferson argued land should be given to settlers, but it is sold. This preceded how the new states would get land in the West. -
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Shays Rebellion
Shays Rebellion 1786 to 1787 was an armed uprising in Massachusetts where war veteran Daniel Shay led rebels in an uprising against the Articles of Confederation and the suspension of civil rights. It is important because it is continued the American spirit of rebellion for independence and equal rights. -
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Constitution Convention
In September 1786, at the Annapolis Convention in Maryland, delegates from five states called for a Constitutional Convention to discuss possible improvements to the AOC. The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787. They drafted the Constitution and created guidelines for the future of America. James Madison and Ben Franklin were the main drafters of the Constitution. -
Norwest Ordinance of 1787
In the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Congress created a government for the Northwest Territory. 3 to 5 States were carved from the territory, slavery was prohibited. This is important because it included the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787. It had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states to pass, and when New Hampshire signed it passed. It was written by James Madison with many others that led to the governing document for the United States and established rights of the people. -
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French Revolution
From 1789 to 1799, similar to the American Revolution the French Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals, with popular sovereignty and inalienable rights proving ideal just like the US and their revolution. -
George Washington Inauguration
On April 30, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. This marked the first commencement of a 4 year term as president and was important because it became an example and way for America to have a leader without a monarchy like Britain, and America needed a leader. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
In the beginning of 1791, while George Washington was president, many rebelled against a tax on whiskey. This is important because it kept up the goals of complete Independence and equality in America. This was the first tax of the newly imposed federal government and it was highly opposed. -
Jay Treaty
On November 19, 1794, representatives from the US and Great Britain signed Jay;s Treaty which was to settle outstanding issues between the two countries that had been unresolved since American Independence. -
Treaty of Greenville
In August 1795, the Treaty of Greenville was signed on August 3, 1795 at fort Greenville in Ohio. It ended the Northwest Indian War in the Ohio Country and limited strategic parcels of land to the north and west. Its important because it established more peace in America. -
PInckney Treaty
In 1795, Pinckney's treaty was signed in spain and established ties of friendship between the US and Spain. This also represented America's neutrality in the war. -
Washington Farewell
In September 1796, Washington announced he was retiring from his role as President therefore paving the path for America to have the 2 term system as not to be compared to a monarchy. Washington gave advice about the future and warned against excessive party spirit and long term alliances with other nations. -
Election of 1796
In 1796, after Washington's Farewell, the first held presidential election occurred and elected a president and vice president on separate tickets. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were some of the main runners. John Adams won the election and became the second president of the United States. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien and Sedition Acts were 4 bills passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress, and signed into law by President John Adams in 1798. These laws made it harder for immigrants to vote and allowed for deportation. -
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XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was an incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in the Quasi-War. U.S. and French negotiators restored peace with the Convention of 1800. -
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Quasi War
The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800. In the United States, the conflict was important in determining the foreign affairs between the US and France. -
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions AKA Resolves were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799, where the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were not right. -
Election of 1800
Vice president Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams during this election. This changed the federalist party rule to Republican party view and changed the US with the rise of different political parties and more fierce competition in 1800.