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First Congress
Senate and House of Representatives meet for first time. -
Washington Goes to New York
Washington crosses Hudson River on a specially built boat in order to be inaugurated. -
Washington's Inauguration
George Washington is inaugurated as the nation's first president in Washington, D.C. -
First Tariff
Congress created a revenue tariff to raise money for the government. -
Judiciary Act
Law that set up the Supreme and lower courts. George Washington picked first Supreme Court judges; 3 from south and 3 from north. -
Excise Tax on Whiskey
Excise tax on whiskey put on people on who make whiskey (farmers). Favored by Hamilton and meant to help government pay its bills. -
Bill of Rights Proposed
Bill of Rights added to protect personal liberties. 12 were suggested; 10 were ratified by December. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
Pennsylvania Farmers refused to pay the whiskey excise tax-the federal government raised an army to defeat them. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington issued the Proclamation to stay neutral during the wars between Britain and France -
Senate Gallery Built
Meant for public and press to view Senate proceedings. -
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Jay Treaty/Pinckney Treaty
Treaty with Britain which saw Britain give up fur posts (very unpopular) and with Spain where America got to use the Mississippi and New Orleans (popular) -
Election of 1796
Adams (Federalist) defeats Jefferson (Republican). Jefferson becomes Vice-President -
Debts Paid Off!
Congress pays back all foreign creditors (for Revolutionary War debt). -
XYZ Affair
When French officials demanded a bribe from Americans sent to negotiate, an unofficial war occurred with France. Adams ended up ensuring peace by the end of his term. -
Sedition Act
The Federalists made it illegal to criticize the government during the pretend war with France. Republican states like Virginia and Kentucky NULLIFIED the law. -
Election of 1800
Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in electoral college; both were Republicans. The House of Representatives ends up electing Jefferson. -
Marbury v. Madison
William Marbury was appointed to be a federal judge by Adams. Jefferson didn't like Marbury and didn't invite him to be a judge. The Supreme Court agreed and got the power of judicial review. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon for $15 million or 4 cents an acre. -
Lewis and Clark
They were sent by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory. It took two years, and they went from St. Louis to the Oregon Territory. -
Embargo Act
The United States forbid trading with foreign ports-Britain and France were at war.
