The middle ground
2nd Continental Congress
How would the colonists win? George Washington would lead an army
How would they pay for it? New currency
A dispute over a french fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
A dispute over a French fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
British impressment
the character of a good participant in a system of gov
All paper products sold in the colonies had to be stamped and pay a small tax. It spurred on revolutionary ideals.
the Compromise of 1790
Thomas Gage
The new appointed governor of Massachusetts who began to strictly enforce parliaments laws
XYZ affair
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.
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
British won, but had many casualties. They eventually abandoned Boston
Checks and balances
Different branches of government could check each other to prevent abuse of power.
Strong national government
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.
British troops marched to take a militia's weapons. They we're beaten back and chased back to boston by militia minutemen
In opposing the stamp act, the colonists said trade should be regulated instead. Parliament passed the townshend acts and began taxing imports and exports.
Shay’s rebellion
Farmers had to take debt because they weren’t getting paid. Their land was being repossessed so they rebelled and closed the courts. They used Republican ideals to justify it.
Democratic Republicans
Weak national government
Election of 1797
First contested election in American history, won by John Adams (Washington's vice president)
Jay treaty
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.
The Virginia plan
Common sense
Colonial attitude towards independence
They didn’t want it. Initially the revolution was a petition to get the same rights as other British citizens
Philadelphia convention
Congress would have 2 houses, one with equal representation and one with population based representation.
Virtual representation
The idea that each representative in parliament represented the empire as a whole, and therefore, the colonies were represented.
Sugar act
Reduced the tax on molasses, but strengthened the court system to end smuggling, making many wealthy smugglers angry.
