Congress wanted king George to intervene on their behalf and end the violence. He didn’t read it.
Townshend Acts
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.
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.
Jay treaty
British beliefs after 7 years war
Declaratory act
Colonial attitude towards independence
They didn’t want it. Initially the revolution was a petition to get the same rights as other British citizens
civic virtue
the character of a good participant in a system of gov
the idea that women needed to become educated so that they could educate the new generation
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
Shay’s rebellion
Checks and balances
Lexington and Concorde
Whiskey rebellion
Virtual representation
The idea that each representative in parliament represented the empire as a whole, and therefore, the colonies were represented.
The New Jersey plan
The plan for representation favored by small states. It called for 1 house of Congress with each state getting equal representation.
Proclamation of 1763
Britain didn't want to spend more money defending the colonies from the natives, so they banned settling beyond the Appalachian mountains
Hamilton's financial plan
1) Establish the U.S. credit worthiness 2) Unify the states' debt 3) Create a national bank 4) Whiskey tax to pay for the revolution 5) Establish tariffs to protect american businesses
A dispute over a French fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
Sugar act
Reduced the tax on molasses, but strengthened the court system to end smuggling, making many wealthy smugglers angry.
Federalists
virginia and kentucky resolutions
Ethan Allen and the Green mountain boys surround fort Ticonderoga, steal it's cannons, and bring them back to Boston
Democratic Republicans
Weak national government
2nd Continental Congress
How would the colonists win? George Washington would lead an army
How would they pay for it? New currency
Connecticut compromise
Congress would have 2 houses, one with equal representation and one with population based representation.
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson. Declared the colonies an independent country from Britain. Included a statement of intent, list of grievances, and a conclusion that dissolved ties with Britain
First political parties
Divisions over neutrality in the French revolution, the Jay treaty, the financial plan, and existing sectionalism created the first political parties.
First contested election in American history, won by John Adams (Washington's vice president)
