virginia and kentucky resolutions
drafted by thomas jefferson and james madison, claimed that alien and sedition acts were unconstitutional and overstepped federal authority under the constitition, and could therefore be nullified by the states
Sugar act
Reduced the tax on molasses, but strengthened the court system to end smuggling, making many wealthy smugglers angry.
the Compromise of 1790
Jefferson and Hamilton agreed to pass Hamilton's financial plan in exchange for making Washington D.C. the Capital of the country
XYZ affair
French and british continued to kidnap american sailors, so Adams sent ministers to negotiate. When they arrived, 3 agents demanded a bribe just to speak to the foreign minister. John Adams almost declared war.
Parliament repealed the stamp act, but enacted the declaratory act, saying they could pass any law they wanted.
British beliefs after 7 years war
They viewed the colonies as subordinates. They had spent billions on defending them, and thought they'd want to help pay the debt.
Townshend Acts
In opposing the stamp act, the colonists said trade should be regulated instead. Parliament passed the townshend acts and began taxing imports and exports.
Stamp act congress
Delegates met in New York to send the "declaration of rights & grievances" to the king. They also organized a boycott of British goods.
Common sense
Attacked the obstacles to independence. It was the best selling work in American history because it presented his ideas in a vernacular way.
Age of passion
Politics was very negative with the rise of political parties, political violence, and deep political divisions
British impressment
The British continued to kidnap american sailors. Washington sent John Jay to london to negotiate
Stamp act
All paper products sold in the colonies had to be stamped and pay a small tax. It spurred on revolutionary ideals.
French revolution
Ambassador from France came to America to encourage Americans to side with the French. Washington declared neutrality, but the ambassador remained in America to not get beheaded back home.
A dispute over a French fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
The plan for representation favored by small states. It called for 1 house of Congress with each state getting equal representation.
British troops marched to take a militia's weapons. They we're beaten back and chased back to boston by militia minutemen
Philadelphia convention
12/13 states met to amend the articles of confederation. They eventually decided to draft a new constitution
Checks and balances
Different branches of government could check each other to prevent abuse of power.
republican motherhood
the idea that women needed to become educated so that they could educate the new generation
Britain didn't want to spend more money defending the colonies from the natives, so they banned settling beyond the Appalachian mountains
Failures of the articles of confederation
France and others wanted their debt paid back, yet the national government didn’t have money. States had individual economies that didn’t collaborate.
Britain agreed to abandon outposts on the western frontier. In return the U.S. would favor trade with Britian. However, the treaty failed to address the british kidnapping, and American hatred of Britian caused riots.
Articles of confederation
Looked to balance national coordination and states rights to prevent tyranny. It featured a unicameral legislature, but the federal government had no money and no military
Federalists
Strong national government
Colonial attitude towards independence
They didn’t want it. Initially the revolution was a petition to get the same rights as other British citizens
Established many precedents for the office of the president. Created a cabinet-style government, appointed cabinet officials based on merit, and stepped down after 2 terms
Boston massacre
Parliament sent 1,000 troops to boston to enforce the townshend acts. Protesters began throwing snowballs, and eventually rocks at a group of soldiers. Someone fired a shot, and the soldiers killed 5 protesters
Federalism
The division of powers between different levels of government.
alien laws
authorized the president to deport "aliens" and permitted their arrest imprisonment and deportation during war time
Olive branch petition
Congress wanted king George to intervene on their behalf and end the violence. He didn’t read it.
