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The Critical Period in American History
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Treaty of Paris
The Traty of Paris was a treaty between America and Great Britian that recognized the independence of America. Basically, along with recognizing independence, it allowed Americans access to the fishing coasts of Bristish and Canada and in return, colonists stopped persecuting loyalists. -
Start of China Trade
The China Trade was an attempt of the US to have better trade relations with China, as America wanted to build up its trade with other countries. -
John Adams sent to Britian
Spends next three years trying to get Britian to make peace with the new country -
Land Ordinance of 1785
Divides northwest territory into townships of 6 sqaure miles each. -
Ordinance of Religous Freedom
Virginia passes the Ordinance made by Thomas Jefferson stating that no man will be discriminated against because of his religion -
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Economic Crisis
Depression with problems that included shortage of currency, high taxes, nagging creditors and bankruptcies. -
New monetary system
Congress adopts a monetary system based on the Spanish system -
Money problems
Angry representatives meet in Massachusetts to discuss the rising money problems. (Sidenote: This picture is meant to depict Shay's Rebellion, which was also in Massachusetts, but I felt it was fitting for this event anyways) -
Shay's Rebellion
Daniel Shay, a bankrupt farmer, lead an armed mob to stop the Northampton Court from holding session to prevent debtors from being put in prison. -
US mint
Congress establishes the mint. -
Constitutional Convention
73 delagates attend in the Indenpendence Hall in Philadelphia and discuss revising the Articles of Confederation but then overhaul the Articles of Confederation and create a new document called the Constitution. -
Northwest Ordinance
Outlined formal procedure for making states. -
Constitution
39 delagates approve and sign the Constitution. -
Constitution made public
Printed copies of the Constitution are handed out which causes contreversy because people expected a revision of the Articles of Confederation and not a complete overhaul. -
Publication of Federalist Papers No. 10
Adressed the question of how to adress smaller groups needs/wants in regard to the rest of the community. The author argued for a strong central government because a strong governemnt could adress the small groups better than the local goverments -
Publication of Federalist Paper No. 51
This federalist paper told of how to create checks and balances within the government. -
Massachusetts ends slave trade
Following an incident where free blacks were kidnapped and forced into slavery, Massachusetts declares slave trade illegal. -
Constituion ratified
Congress makes the formal anouncement that the Constitution is in effect because nine states ratified it. -
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Prosperity returns
Commodity prices stabilize which spurs economic recovery. -
Old Congres Adjourns
The U.S. is temporarily without a central government. -
Ballots
Ballots are cast for the first presidental election -
First president
George Washington is sworn in, at the age of 57, is sworn in as the first President of America. -
Tonnage Act of 1789
Tax on ships entering American harbors. -
Federal Judiciary Act
Established Supreme Court, federal district courts and district courts, plus the appeals process. -
Bill of Rights
Congress submits 12 constitutional amendments, but only 10 will get ratified.
