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Virginia Declaration of Rights
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Virginia-Declaration-of-Rights
George Mason was the largest contributor to this document which outlined that all men are "free and independent" and have their own rights that can not be taken away from them such as life, liberty, and pursuing happiness and safety. It was important because it became a framework and model for the Bill of Rights by James Madison and for the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
http://www.vahistorical.org/collections-and-resources/virginia-history-explorer/thomas-jefferson
Thomas Jefferson proposed this bill to recognize religious freedom and equality to all Christian Protestant denominations in Virginia. It made all churches equal before the law and also made sure there was no direct support to any, separating church and state. This was important because it became the first real protection of religious freedom that had been established in the nation -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
http://www.history.com/topics/articles-of-confederation
The articles of confederation was the first constitution of the US, which stated that the states were independent and the national government existed to settle conflicts they couldn't resolve on their own. The articles went through six drafts, including Franklin's and Dickinson's, and was significant because its implementation emphasized the prominent problems of society and eventually lead to the constitutional convention and new laws. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris
The Treaty of Paris was created by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Laurens to end the French and Indian War. It was significant because it established American independence from the British and also set up territorial boundaries for the new nation. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
After the American Revolution, the Land Ordinance of 1785 was a document created under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson that established how the land north and west of the Ohio River would be distributed. It dictated that the land north and east would be separated into 10 states while the west would become states. It was significant because it created the opportunity of settlement in the Ohio Country, but it also highlighted the continuing problem of Native Americans refusing to leave the land -
Shay's Rebellion
http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion
From 1786-1787, Shay's rebellion was a series of protest initiated by farmers in western Massachusetts who were angered by taxes and felt that their civil liberties were being threatened. The farmers rebelled with muskets, broadswords, and cudgels to defend farms that were going to be shut down because of inability to pay taxes. This was significant because it brought to light that the weak central government established by the AOC was not effective. -
Constitutional Convention
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/constitutional-convention-convenes-in-philadelphia
In Philadelphia, state delegates met up to develop a plan addressing the Articles of Confederation. This included the proposal of the Virginia Plan, representation based on population and the New Jersey Plan, equal representation, which led to the Great Compromise, the creation of a bicameral legislature. This was important because it led to the US Constitution, a new plan of government for the nation. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/northwest.html
The Confederation Congress created this document to outline the process of admitting a new state into the Union at the same time guaranteeing the new states equal status to the 13 colonies. It was important because it established the pattern of how the Western world would be settled. Furthermore, it's considered one of the most important legislative acts of the congress because it "protected civil liberties and outlawed slavery.." -
Ratification of Constitution
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-constitution-ratified
The Constitution was ratified easily by 5 states on December 7, but some states such as Massachusetts who opposed the document because it didn't ensure protection of certain rights. However, in February, Massachusetts agreed to ratify with the agreement that amendments to the Constitution would be made to satisfy their needs. This is significant because it established America's long lasting government, laws and rights. -
George Washington Inauguration
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-presidential-inauguration
George Washington was inaugurated in New York City in 1789. He was known for being one of the most influential leaders of the revolution. This event was important because he became the first president of the US after ratification of the Constitution and he worked to listen to the needs of the people while also working to unite the nation. He also built up a strong militia for the country and led them to victory. -
French Revolution
http://www.history.com/topics/french-revolution
The French Revolution occurred in 1789-1799 between the French and their European enemies. It was caused by a struggle and desire for hegemony and political conflict which led to national unrest. Although it seemed to end in failure, it established the dominance of the bourgeois class in France. It also had effects on the US which had to firmly claim neutrality in European conflicts, also leading to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts. -
Whiskey Rebellion
From 1791-1794, farmers in Western Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, and several federal officers were killed in the riots. In October, an army of 13,000 men lead by Washington put down the rebellion. This event was significant because it showed that the new government had a commitment to preserving the Union, protecting the Western boundary, and demonstrated the supremacy of the national over local community. This lead to the repeal of the tax by Jefferson. -
Jay Treaty
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/jay-treaty
John Jay created the Jay Treaty which claimed that Britain had to pay for the American ships that were captured in 1793. Americans had to pay their debts to Britain, who agreed to remove troops and forts from the Ohio River Valley. This document was important because it helped establish peace between Britain and America and also helped the US stay neutral in conflict and wars with the British. -
Treaty of Greenville
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Treaty_of_Greeneville_(1795)
After General Anthony Wayne defeated the Indians at the battle of fallen timber in Ohio, this treaty gave America al the land of Ohio. The Miami Confederacy had to give up a lot of their land in the Northwest and In turn, Americans gave money to the Indians, the right to hunt, and sovereign status. This was all significant because it established boundaries between the Natives and Americans and allowed for further white settlement. -
Pinckney Treaty
The Pinckney Treaty was written by Spanish and US negotiators which gave the US the right to navigate and transport goods on the Mississippi River and and store the goods in New Orleans which was a Spanish port at the time. This treaty was significant because it allowed for continued westward expansion by Americans by defining the boundaries of Spain and America. Furthermore, it allowed for diplomatic relations between the two countries. -
Washington Farewell
http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp
In 1796, Washington delivered his Farewell Address when he was about to retire. It had 3 main goals: to establish that he was still in control, to establish a middle ground between both political parties,to remind people of the importance of national unity. It was significant because it emphasized the importance of central government, defending the nation from foreign affairs, and embracing national identity which would hopefully continue to guide the nation. -
Election of 1796
http://www.270towin.com/1796_Election/
The election of 1796 was the first and only one in which the president and vice president were from opposing tickets. John Adams, a Federalist, won the presidency while Thomas Jefferson, a Republican gained the title of vice president. This event was important because it was the first real contested presidential election between the political parties which led to difficulty in actual administration. -
XYZ Affair
http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/what-was-the-xyz-affair
3 American delegates, Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, were sent to France to negotiate an agreement with French diplomats, X, Y, and Z to avoid war. XYZ demanded a bribe for peace, but the Americans refused to pay and returned home. This event was significant because it highlighted the hostilities between the French and Americans and would lated lead to the Quasi War between the two nations. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adams-passes-first-of-alien-and-sedition-acts
John Adams passed these acts which increased the requirement for being a citizen from 5 to 14 years, allowed the president to deport dangerous "aliens" and arrest citizens of countries that the US was at war with, and made it illegal to publish any defamatory statements about the government. This was important because it tried to stifle opposition to the Republican party but its enforcement ended in 1800. -
Quasi War
http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/quasi-war/
The Quasi war was an undeclared war fought between America and France which was largely a result of their disagreements on treaties and the French's growing suspicion that the US, supposedly neutral, favored the British. The French began to seize American ships that were trading with Britain. This "war" was significant because it eventually lead to the Treaty of Mortefontaine which established peace between France and America. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/primary-source-documents/virginia-and-kentucky-resolutions/
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson created the resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts which granted more power to the federal government. They advocated for more self government and rights for the states, including the right to declare actions by Congress unconstitutional. They were significant because they argued for states' rights and strict constructionism. -
Election of 1800
http://www.ushistory.org/us/20a.asp
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both ran in the election of 1800. It ended in a tie so the decision was up to the House of Representatives who ultimately chose Thomas Jefferson as president and Aaron Burr as vice president. This election was significant because it was a change from Federalist to Democratic Republican dominance and it led to the creation of the 12th amendment which required people to vote for president and vice president on separate ballots.
