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Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was written by George Mason. It was a document stating the eneumerated rights of men and was the first article of Virginia's state constitution. This document is significant because it influenced other states to adopt a Bill of Rights, and later influenced a Bill of Rights in the US Constitution. -
Ratification of Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the United State's first written constitution. It was written and drafted by delegates appointed by the continental congress. All of the 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation March 1, 1781. This is significant because once the Articles of Confederation were ratified by all 13 states, the Articles called for more of the power to lie in the state governments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation -
Treaty of Paris
The Americans, British, French and Spain all signed the Treaty of Paris in the city of Versailles in 1783. The treaty of Paris enabled the United States to be independent of Great Britain and it is significant because the treaty ultimately ended the war and granted the long-desired freedom to America. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was an act passed under the Articles of Confederation resulting in a system that divided up the land formerly owned by Great Britain to the colonists. This is important because the Land ordinance eventually forced some Indians off of their land and ultimately there was a problem in the legality of the land ordinance.
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 -
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
The Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom was written by Thomas Jefferson and ratified into the Virginia state constitution. This document granted citizens of Virginia freedom of religion and later influenced the first amendment of the Constitution. -
Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)
Daniel Shay led an uprising in Massachusetts troops of farmers. They fought due to new taxes threatening their ownership of their farms. The rebellion spread to many other colonies, but was most serious in Massachusetts. This is significant because this rebellion stood as an area of improvement for the framers writing the Constitution.
http://www.history.com/topics/shays-rebellion -
Constitution Convention
The Constitution Conevention occurred in Philadelphia and gathered delegates from the colonies to discuss the issues with the Articles of Confederation. This event was significant because it was the foundation for the US Constitution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States) -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance was a law abolishing slavery in the Northwest. This law was passed in 1787. This is significant because the Northwest Ordinance set an example for future states to prohibit slavery. Additionally, it set a model for other states to be apart of the union. -
Ratification of Constitution
The Constitution took 10 months to be ratified due to the conflict between Federalist and anit-federalists. The last state to ratify was New Hampshire and the first state to ratify was Delaware. -
George Washington Inauguration
George Washington was sworn in as first president of the United States in New York City. The first electoral college selected George Washington due to his excellent leadership as general during the American Revolution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_George_Washington -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a war between Great Britain and France. George Washington established a foreign policy of neutrality. However this created a divide between colonists. Some people wanted to fight in the war because they sympathized for France and they had an alliance with the French Monarchy. However, others felt they could not afford to fight another war. Ultimately, this caused factions in the cabinet and Thomas Jefferson resigned. -
Whiskey Rebellion 1791-1794
The Whiskey rebellion was a resistance, lasting 3 years, against the excise tax placed on Whiskey as part of Hamilton's financial plan to get rid of the debt. As a result, Washington called up a resistance to the rebellion with a troop of over 3,000 people. However, Hamilton was actually the main leader in this rebellion. Ultimately the tax was repealed when Jefferson's party was established. -
Jay Treaty
Jay Treaty was signed in 1794 and was signed in London. It was an agreement between the US and Great Britain ensuring peace between the two countries and enabled trade for 10 years. This is important because it caused a lot of conflict because people did not want peace with Great Britain. Many criticized Washington for this decisions and factions were created.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Treaty -
Treaty of Greenville
The Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795 in Ohio. The treaty ended the Northwest Indian War in Ohio and established the Greenville Treaty line setting in place a boundry between American and Native American land. -
Pinckney Treaty
The Pinckney Treaty was signed in 1795 in San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This treaty proclaimed positive relations between Spain and the US. This is significant because it displays how the US was ammending any tension with other countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinckney%27s_Treaty -
Washington Farewell
When Washington resigned from presidency in 1796, he wrote a letter to the country informing them of his advice. George Washington suggested national unity, a foreign policy of diplomatic independence, and neutrality in foreign affairs. -
Election of 1796
After Washington declined a third term, the first official presidential election was in play in 1796. There were two parties. On the republican card were Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson. On the federalist side were John Adams and Thomas Pinckney. Ultimately, John Adams won the election. This is significant because it shows the beginning of American political factions. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
This Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in 1798 by John Adams. These laws included the Naturalization act, the Alien Friends Act, the Alien Enemies Act, and the Sedition Act. These laws collectively made it difficult for immigrants to become citizens, allowed deportation and imprisonment of immigrants if necessary, and deemed it a criminal act of false statements harming the government.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ affair was a diplomatic dispute between the French and The United States. It is named XYZ for the three French diplomats who disrespected the United States demanding bribes and loans. This is significant because this dispute ultimately led to the Quasi War. -
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
These documents were written by Jefferson and Madison stating that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconsitutional. This is significant because it shows how both the states of Virginia and Kentucky desired for greater states rights.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_and_Virginia_Resolutions -
Quasi War 1798-1800
The Quasi War was an undeclared war sparked by the XYZ affair. It was caused by France's anger towards the US because of their declaration of neutrality in the French revolution. This is significant because it showed how the United States demanded respect. -
Election of 1800
The election of 1800 was a race between John Adams and his vice president, Thomas Jefferson. Ultimately, Thomas Jefferson defeated Adams. Vice president Aaron Burr was elected. This is significant because it shows the beginnings of political parties: the Federalist party and the Democratic-Republican Party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1800
