-
Virginia Declaration of Rights
This document outlined the inherent rights of men such as the right to throw off inadequate government. It was initially drafted by George Mason and was influenced by many of John Locke's ideals and it outlined not only legal rights but moral rights. This document would later become influential in the drafting of the Bill of Rights. (http://www.constitution.org/bcp/virg_dor.htm) -
Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress adopted the Articles in 1777 and it acted as the first constitution. It wasn't ratified by all thirteen states until March 1,1781. It created a loose confederation and lead the stated to recognize their need for a stronger federal government which will eventually lead to the Constitutional Convention. (http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/articles.html) -
Treaty of Paris
This was a negotiation between the U.S. and Great Britain which officially ended the Revolutionary War. It was primarily carried out by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay who made a point of American independence, gaining access to waterways for fishing, and Great Britain ceding their American territory to the U.S. (http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris) -
Land Ordinance of 1785
This set up a standardized system whereby settlers could purchase farmland in the undeveloped west. It put the Ordinance of 1784 (Thomas Jefferson) in motion by dividing up the land west of Appalachian Mountains and providing a profitable way for it to be settled. The Natives has to relinquish the land so that it could be divided into individual townships. (http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Land_Ordinance_of_1785?rec=1472) -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the General Assembly, this statute allowed for citizens to choose their own faith and it set up the separation of church and state. He concludes that not establishing this freedom would be an infringement on natural human rights. Obviously this went on to greatly the effect the writing of the constitution. -
Period: to
Shays' Rebellion
This was a series of protests by American farmers against local strong enforcement of tax collection. The rebellions were worst in Massachusetts where awful economic conditions threatened many people's farms. it was lead by Daniel Shay who was a former captain in the Continental Army. It was crushed by the militia however it alerted the government to needing to replace the Articles of Confederation. (http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion) -
Constitutional Convention
Its intention was to revise the Articles of Confederation, however some such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a whole new government instead of revising the old one. This resulted in the writing of the U.S. Constitution. It outlined things such as the House of Representatives and the Senate and obviously impacted the country for years to come. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This was adopted by the Second Continental Congress and it chartered a government for the Northwest Territory, provided a method for letting new states to the Union from this territory, it enumerated a bill of rights for the territory. The authors were most likely Nathan Dane and Rufus King and it established the precedent for a strong sovereign federal government for westward expansion. (https://ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=8) -
Period: to
Ratification of Constitution
After it was finished being written, Congress stipulated that every state convention had to ratify the document for it to go into effect. Men used pamphlets and propaganda to debate the constitution however the Federalists successfully countered most arguments. (http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ratification.html) -
Period: to
French Revolution
During these Napoleonic wars, the U.S. was trying to remain neutral to the issues between France and Great Britain. This lead to many disagreements between the countries such as in New Orleans in 1804 which eventually lead to the adaptation of French law, greatly effecting the culture and society of Louisiana even to this day. Many innocent Americans suffered impressment into the British Navy. -
George Washington's Inauguration
Washington won the electoral votes unanimously and was sworn in by Robert Livingston in New York City. Washington was an undeniably selfless and work driven man who set the precedent for what the leader of a republic should look like. (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/washingtoninaug.htm) -
Period: to
Whiskey Rebellion
This rebellion origination in Pennsylvania occurred when farmers claimed that the exise tax on whiskey was a violation of rights. More troops than were even used in the revolution were sent out to quell the uprising immediately which represented the federal government's commitment to preserve the union, however similarly to when the colonies were ruled by Great Britain, the colonists felt as though an arbitrary larger power was controlling their money and their freedoms. -
Jay's Treaty
This was written by John Jay to relieve post-war tension between Britain and the United States. Out of the many items outlined, the one that was most carried out was for the British to remove their troops from some U.S. forts. This treaty eventually lead to increased criticism of Washington as a president and France claiming that this treaty violated their treaty with the U.S. -
Treaty of Greenville
This was signed at Fort Greenville in Ohio to negotiate with the Native Americans after they lost the Battle of Fallen Timbers a year earlier. General Anthony Wayne signed for America and it established the Greenville treaty line which acted as a boundary between Native land and the European settlers. It initiated federal government affairs over tribal life. -
Pinckney Treaty
This treaty was signed in San Lorenzo, Spain and was designed to establish amiability between the U.S. and Spain. It guaranteed U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River and set boundaries for U.S. colonization in America. This also aided to end a dispute over the boundaries of the Spanish colony in West Florida. It was negotiated by Thomas Pinckney and became critical for manifest destiny in America. -
Washington Farewell
This address was largely drafted by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton and given by Washington after he had completed two terms in office, and was given in Philidelphia which was the capital at the time. It embodies everything that Washington stood up for politically and he hoped it would serve to guide the new nation in the correct direction and to protect the union. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp) -
Election of 1796
The constitution required that each elector to place two names on their ballot, the person who wins the majority wins the presidency and the runner up becomes vice president. John Adams, as a federalist, won and Thomas Jefferson was runner up and as he was a republican, their ideals clashed. This lead to the writing of the 12th amendment of the constitution. (www.u-s-history.com/pages/h458.html) -
XYZ Affair
This was a negotiation between Gerry, Marshall, and Pinckney who referred to the 3 french diplomats as x,y,and z. Due to many tensions between the two nations, the French decided to seize many american merchant ships. The french asked for money to get the situation straightened out however Talleyrand soon realized his mistake and dropped his demands, hoping to avoid war. This lead to a treaty of alliance. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/xyz) -
Period: to
Quasi Affair
This was directly related to the negotiation between Gerry, Marshall, and Pinckney and 3 french diplomats. Due to many tensions between the two nations, the French decided to seize many american merchant ships. The french asked for money to get the situation straightened out however Talleyrand soon realized his mistake and dropped his demands, hoping to avoid war. The quasi war was not ended until the Convention of 1800. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/xyz) -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These acts, signed in by the federalist congress and John Adams, included new powers to deport foreigners as well as making it harder for new immigrants to vote. It also prohibited public opposition to the government. They were created during the threat of a naval war with France and some said it was to suppress those who disagreed with the federalist party. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/19e.asp) -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These were measures passed by legislature in these states as a protest against the alien and sedition acts. They were written by James Madison and Jefferson however were originally anonymous. They argued that the states had a right to determine if their rights had been infringed upon. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Virginia-and-Kentucky-Resolutions) -
Election of 1800
This election between Adams and Jefferson was hard fought because the federalists wanted strong federal authority to restrain popular majorities, however Republicans wanted to reduce national authority and give more power to the states. Hamilton helped to secure presidency for Jefferson in congress as did the 3/5 compromise. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/20a.asp)
