Philadelphia convention
A dispute over a french fort spiraled into a global conflict. Indigenous tribes tried to play Britain and France off of each other.
The idea that each representative in parliament represented the empire as a whole, and therefore, the colonies were represented.
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.
the idea that women needed to become educated so that they could educate the new generation
Stamp act
All paper products sold in the colonies had to be stamped and pay a small tax. It spurred on revolutionary ideals.
Federalism
The division of powers between different levels of government.
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.
Thomas Gage
The new appointed governor of Massachusetts who began to strictly enforce parliaments laws
pinckney's treaty
between US and spain, defined border US and spanish florida, guranteed US navigation rights in mississippi river
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
Hamilton's financial plan
Lexington and Concorde
Battle of Bunker hill
British won, but had many casualties. They eventually abandoned Boston
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
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
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.
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
Strong national government
The British continued to kidnap american sailors. Washington sent John Jay to london to negotiate
Democratic Republicans
Weak national government
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.
Election of 1797
First contested election in American history, won by John Adams (Washington's vice president)
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
Fries rebellion
The Albany conference
Meeting between leaders of 7 colonies to create a plan for joint defense and administration of the colonies. "Join or die"
The plan for representation favored by large states. It called for 2 houses with population based representation and a strong national government.
Shay’s rebellion
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.
