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Virginia Declaration of Rights
Written by George Mason,this declaration was made by the representatives in Virginia, and fought for how rights do pertain to them and their posterity, and wanted the foundation of their government to be one in which they could oppose a government they did not agree with. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was important due to it being the first written government of the U.S. It created a weak federal government. In November of 1777, the Continental Congress adopted it. Each state had one vote, with Washington as the first president. The people included Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, and other members of the Continental Congress. -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill which abolished the inheritance law and introduced this bill. Many states still maintained a close tie between church and state. This allowed individuals to no longer be persecuted for their religion, and shows an increase in independence for individuals. -
Treaty of Paris
The treaty, which included treaties between the U.S., Spain, and France, was signed in Paris on Sep. 3, 1783. It was important because it ended the Revolutionary War, and identifies American sovereignty over the states. The parties involved were Great Britain and The U.S. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
This provided for the survey and sale of western lands, which divided land into townships of a certain measurement. The land was auctioned off. Indians had to cede some of their land. This preceded how the new states would gain land in the west. Thomas Jefferson was important in this because his plan was that land should be given to settlers. -
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Shays’ Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion was series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by American farmers against state enforcement of tax collections and how to solve the debt. This showed some weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, and showed people's discontent of it. This was led by Daniel Shay in Massachusetts. -
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Constitution Convention
At the Annapolis Convention (Maryland), delegates from the states met to discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. They drafted the Constitution, and created guidelines for a new government. James Madison and Ben Franklin were among the attendees. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Congress created a government for the Northwest territory. Three to five states were excluded from this. Slavery was also banned. This is important because it showed self-governance, and how it ultimately was replaced due to Congress' rule. It included the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. -
Ratification of Constitution
On September 17, 1787, after months of debate, the new U.S. constitution created a strong federal government with a system of checks and balances. It was put into action after being signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the convention. Some people present were Washington and Madison. -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington took the oath to become the first president of the U.S. This is significant because it was the first big step towards implementing the new government that the states had created after achieving independence. -
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French Revolution
After the Revolution France was bankrupt, and this started a series of European wars. This was important in the U.S. because they remained neutral throughout it in order to not stir up conflict with other nations. -
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Whiskey Rebellion
This was a tax protest in the U.S. beginning in 1791, while Washington was president. This was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the new federal government, which colonists of the states did not like. -
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Jay Treaty
In 1794, representatives of the U.S. and Great Britain signed Jay's Treaty, which sought to resolve issues between the two countries that had been left unsolved since American independence. Supreme Court justice John Jay negotiated the terms that Madison had written, and G.B.'s King George the Third signed. This is significant because it withdrew G.B.'s army from the Northwest. -
Treaty of Greenville
The Treaty of Greenville at Fort Greenville (Ohio) was a result of negotiations after the Native American loss at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. It was important because it ended the Northwest Indian War in Ohio and limited land to the north and west. It involved the U.S. and Native Tribes in the Ohio Country. -
Pinckney Treaty
Spanish and U.S. signed Pinckney’s Treaty, on October 27, 1795. The treaty was a diplomatic success for the U.S. It resolved territorial disputes between the Spain and the U.S. and granted American ships the right to navigate freely in the Mississippi River, as well as free transport through the port of New Orleans. This was written by Thomas Pinckney, an American. -
Washington Farewell
When the first president, Washington, decided to retire after serving his second term, he wrote an address to the American people, advising American citizens to view themselves as a one and to avoid political parties and avoid conflict with other nations. This gave the country a sense of unity. -
Election of 1796
After Washington retired, electors were required to place the names of two people on their ballots, the candidate with the highest vote count became the president and the runner up the vice president. John Adams won, followed by Thomas Jefferson. Adams was a Federalist, while Jefferson was a leader in the Republican party. This was the first election that electors could vote on with a race among people. -
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XYZ Affair
American diplomats were sent to France in 1797, when France required a loan from the U.S. before negotiations could begin. This angered the U.S., and resulted in an undeclared war, the Quasi War. The three diplomats were Hottinguer, Bellamy, and Hauteval. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These were a series of acts passed by Federalist Congress while Adams was president. These laws included power to deport foreigners as well as make it harder for immigrants to vote, as well as prohibited opposition to the government. This gave the government a lot more power, as well as undermined the first amendment of the Constitution. -
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Quasi War
This was the result of the XYZ affair, in which France and the U.S. engaged in war over an argument. This proved the U.S. Navy's power when it dominated the French fleets. -
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Kentucky and Virginia drafted political statements in 1798 and 1799, in which the legislatures of both states called the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional. They were made by Jefferson and Madison, and this paved the way for controversy and secession among the states. -
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Election of 1800
The election in which Jefferson defeated the last president, John Adams. This caused a shift from a president that wad a Federalist to a Republican president.