Virtual representation
The idea that each representative in parliament represented the empire as a whole, and therefore, the colonies were represented.
7 years war
Election of 1797
First contested election in American history, won by John Adams (Washington's vice president)
Age of passion
Politics was very negative with the rise of political parties, political violence, and deep political divisions
7 years war
A dispute over a french fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
Farmers in southeast Pennsylvania stopped paying taxes for the larger military. John Fries led a peaceful protest, but John Adams ordered federal troops to stop the protest, and they made mass arrests, assaulted newspaper editors, and almost executed John Fries.
Boston massacre
Connecticut compromise
Congress would have 2 houses, one with equal representation and one with population based representation.
Sugar act
Reduced the tax on molasses, but strengthened the court system to end smuggling, making many wealthy smugglers angry.
Stamp act congress
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
alien laws
authorized the president to deport "aliens" and permitted their arrest imprisonment and deportation during war time
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.
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
Olive branch petition
Congress wanted king George to intervene on their behalf and end the violence. He didn’t read it.
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.
Common sense
republican motherhood
the idea that women needed to become educated so that they could educate the new generation
Colonial attitude towards independence
They didn’t want it. Initially the revolution was a petition to get the same rights as other British citizens
Battle of Bunker hill
2nd Continental Congress
How would the colonists win? George Washington would lead an army
How would they pay for it? New currency
Meeting between leaders of 7 colonies to create a plan for joint defense and administration of the colonies. "Join or die"
Philadelphia convention
12/13 states met to amend the articles of confederation. They eventually decided to draft a new constitution
British troops marched to take a militia's weapons. They we're beaten back and chased back to boston by militia minutemen
Articles of confederation
Weak national government
The plan for representation favored by small states. It called for 1 house of Congress with each state getting equal representation.
Divisions over neutrality in the French revolution, the Jay treaty, the financial plan, and existing sectionalism created the first political parties.
The Virginia plan
Checks and balances
Different branches of government could check each other to prevent abuse of power.
