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Virginia Declaration of Rights
This was a document drafted in 1776 to assert the rights of man. This included the right to abolish and/or reform a government which the people deemed to be inadequate. It was important as it influenced future United States documents, including the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and the French Revolution's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Declaration_of_Rights -
Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1776 after America declared independence from Britain. This was America's first constitution and placed the power within the states. The importance of this constitution was that it left the federal government unable to tax the states or force them to follow policy. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/articles-of-confederation-are-ratified -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
This was a treaty signed in Paris by representatives of Great Britain and the United States in 1783 to end the Revolutionary War. In this treaty, Britain acknowledged the United States to be to be a sovereign and independent nation. The long-term importance was that it set boundaries between the US and the remaining British colonies in Canada. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris -
Land Ordinance of 1785
This was a standardized system for buying land adopted by the United States Congress of the Confederation in 1785. It standardized the way that settlers could purchase a title to farmland in the west that wasn't developed. This was important because it provided the federal government a way of collecting revenue as Congress could not directly tax the population under the Articles of Confederation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
AKA Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was passed in 1786. The law disestablished The Church of England in Virginia and gave the people religious freedom. This was important as it served as a precursor for future religious freedom bills such as the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Statute_for_Religious_Freedom#Text_of_statute -
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Shay's Rebellion
Shay's Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts in 1786-1787. Led by Daniel Shays, four thousand rebels rose up against what they believed to be economic injustice and the suspension of civil rights. The rebellion was eventually defeated by a privately raised militia. It was important because it highlighted the need for a stronger national government to discourage/suppress any future rebellions, leading to the US Constitutional Convention. http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion -
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Constitutional Convention
This was a gathering of prominent figures in the United States intended to revise the Articles of Confederation in 1787. During the convention, leaders including A. Hamil. and James Mad. created a new gov't. This was important as it resulted in the creation of the current United States Constitution, which decided the government structure since the convention to modern times. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/convention-and-ratification -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Act passed under Congress of the Confederation in 1787. This act created the Northwest Territory of the United States. It gave them land close to British lands in Canada, and there was a growing pressure of colonists wanting to expand west. It strained relations with Britain, France, and Indians, also showing the weakness of the AoC and the empty US Treasury. Importantly established precedent US's ability to expand with admission of new states. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Ordinance -
Ratification of the Constitution
This was an action that required the approval of 9 of the 13 states, which was eventually achieved in 1788. It was a 10 month long process that ended with it being ratified only after the creators agreed to immediately amend it with the Bill of Rights. This was important as it provided the US with a new government structure that gave more power to the federal government gave the US long-term stability and unity. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ratification.html -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution was started with terms similar to the United States' Revolution in 1789-99. It began a long series of conflicts between France and Britain, and forced the United States to take a position of neutrality as the country was no in a position to partake in another war. As the revolution took on a more radical stance, differing opinions led to creation of political parties: Dem-Rep in favor of the Rev. and Federalists against it. http://www.history.com/topics/french-revolution -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington was admitted to office in 1789, becoming the first president after the ratification of the Constitution. He had unanimous support due to the role he played in the Revolutionary War. The inauguration was important as it united the United States under a central leader. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_George_Washington -
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Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a protest for the tax on distilled spirits in the United States in 1791. It sparked outrage as whiskey was a big source of income for farmers that made it with leftover grain. Rebels would attack the tax collectors. Washington stopped the rebellion without violence by riding with 13,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, showing the US can and will suppress violent resistance to US law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion -
Jay Treaty
A treaty between the United States and Britain in 1795. during the French Revolutionary Wars. Primarily under the design of Hamilton, John Jay negotiated terms that gave the led to Britain agreeing to withdraw troops in pre-revo forts in exchange for US giving Britain favorable trade status and guaranteeing pre-war debt payments. Importantly, it marked the start of political parties, as many people didn't support supporting Britain. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/jay-treaty -
Treaty of Greenville
The treat was signed in 1795 between the Us and Native American tribes. It was created with the intention of creating peaceful relations with the Natives. It ended the Northwest Indian War, with the establishment of the Greenville Treaty Line and the annuity system, where the US annually grants federal money and supplies to Native American tribes. It was important as it gave the US the ability to govern all of its territories for the first time.
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Pinckney Treaty
The Pinckney Treaty was signed between the United States and Spain in 1795. It showed Spain the US's intention of a friendship between the two nations. The treaty established the boundaries of the US and Spanish colonies and gave the US the right to use the Mississippi River. Access to the river was important as it provided the US easier transportation of goods, stimulating the domestic economy. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/pickney-treaty -
Washington Farewell
Through a his Farewell Address, Washington resigned his position of POTUS in 1796. In the address, he gave some advice and warnings for the future governance of the United States. Mainly, he advised the importance of National unity, denouncing the formation of factions. Also, he encouraged the country to take a stance of neutrality in foreign affairs. It was also important as he showed the importance of the ability to relinquish power. http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp -
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Election of 1796
The Election of 1796 was the third presidential election in the United States. It was an election between John Adams of the Federalist Party and Jefferson of the Dem-Rep party. Both parties used various facts in an effort to discredit/undermine the others' campaigns. It ended with Adams as the president and Jefferson as the VP. These parties eventually became the Democrats and Republicans we have today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1796 -
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XYZ affair
The XYZ affair involved a confrontation between the United States and France in 1797-1798, which eventually led to the Quasi-War.X, Y, and Z were substituted names for French diplomats. American diplomats, sent to France, were intercepted by agents of the French Foreign Minister, demanding bribes and a loan before the formal negotiations. The Americans were offended and said they'd rather go to war than face the disrespect. Important because it showed that the US was not to be taken lightly. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These acts were 4 bills passed by the 5th US congress and signed by John Adams. These Acts made the process for an immigrant to become a citizen more difficult. allowed the president to deport non-citizens deemed a threat, and also made it a crime to say malicious things about the federal government. There was an argument about national security vs individual freedoms. Important because the Alien Enemies Act is still in effect today, and it highlighted the importance of freedom of speech. -
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Quasi War
The Quasi War was an undeclared war between the United States and the French Republic. It started when the United States refused to pay debts to the French, saying that the debts are no longer valid because they were owed to the previous French gov't. As a result, the French attacked US shipping ships, and the violence ended in 1800 w/ signing of Convention of 1800. It was important because it gave the president much more powers including: more troops, increase navy, Alien and Sedition Act, etc. -
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These resolutions were statements given by Kentucky and Virginia legislatures in 1798/99 that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. They argued that states had the right to declare certain acts unconstitutional. They were important in a negative way as they would have created disunion in the country. -
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Election of 1800
This was the fourth presidential election in the United States. It as between the candidates Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The most significant aspects of this election were the power shift to another party and an even bigger increase of partisanship in the government. The change in leadership with Jefferson as president started a more democratic way of governing, whereas the previous Federalist presidents focused more on the Elite
