Individual Sources:
Bill of Rights
Link: http://www.thirty-thousand.org/pages/BoR_image_repro.htm
The Bill of Rights is a document created by James Madison and lists all of the rights an
American citizen possesses.
This bill put limits on the government's power and gives citizens important rights such as, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and right to refuse to have soldiers quarter at your home. It, along with the Declaration of independence and the Constitution, helps to define the American political system and government-to-citizen relations.
Fatima O.
Link: http://www.thirty-thousand.org/pages/BoR_image_repro.htm
The Bill of Rights is a document created by James Madison and lists all of the rights an
American citizen possesses.
This bill put limits on the government's power and gives citizens important rights such as, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and right to refuse to have soldiers quarter at your home. It, along with the Declaration of independence and the Constitution, helps to define the American political system and government-to-citizen relations.
Fatima O.
Biennal Act 1715
Link: http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1701-1750/the-north-carolina-biennal-act-1715.php
Summarize: The North Carolina assembly passed the Biennal Act in 1715 because colonial rule was trying to put their arguments in the legislatuive branch and control their number of representations. This act defyed the king because colonial rule was sought out by the people, and in North Carolina these rules were what they saw as important and soon to be effective. In North Carolina, the Biennal Act was due to the fact that the colonies in 1715 were controled by the king of Britain.The colonial citizens, although had the control because they were suppliers to Britain and their goods were sent to Britain for resale, they figured that Britain were dependent upon them and their power to supply.
Significance: The siginificance of establishing the Biennial Act was to keep going with colonial self-goverment, and not have the rule under a king and arbitary governmenent. Many of the rules were expectations from the assembly and their role in goverment, which was significant since they were trying to continue colonial rule and incorprate their ideas.
Andrea McDermott
Link: http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1701-1750/the-north-carolina-biennal-act-1715.php
Summarize: The North Carolina assembly passed the Biennal Act in 1715 because colonial rule was trying to put their arguments in the legislatuive branch and control their number of representations. This act defyed the king because colonial rule was sought out by the people, and in North Carolina these rules were what they saw as important and soon to be effective. In North Carolina, the Biennal Act was due to the fact that the colonies in 1715 were controled by the king of Britain.The colonial citizens, although had the control because they were suppliers to Britain and their goods were sent to Britain for resale, they figured that Britain were dependent upon them and their power to supply.
Significance: The siginificance of establishing the Biennial Act was to keep going with colonial self-goverment, and not have the rule under a king and arbitary governmenent. Many of the rules were expectations from the assembly and their role in goverment, which was significant since they were trying to continue colonial rule and incorprate their ideas.
Andrea McDermott
George III's Letter on the Loss of America
Link: http://www.nationalcenter.org/GeorgeIIILossofAmericas.html
Summarize: King George III of England looks on the positive sides of losing the American Colonies. He refers to the costly wars and fees paid to keep possession of and maintain them. He says that if trade is still possible with the Americans that it might actually be a good thing they left the Empire. The King says that there is little hope to save future colonies from their rebellions.
Significance: King George feels that the British should preserve what remains of their empire rather than hunting out new territories. This is significant because it could have had massive changes on the United States of America of he felt that the colonies needed to be returned to the empire rather than allowed to go.
~~~Anthony~~~
Link: http://www.nationalcenter.org/GeorgeIIILossofAmericas.html
Summarize: King George III of England looks on the positive sides of losing the American Colonies. He refers to the costly wars and fees paid to keep possession of and maintain them. He says that if trade is still possible with the Americans that it might actually be a good thing they left the Empire. The King says that there is little hope to save future colonies from their rebellions.
Significance: King George feels that the British should preserve what remains of their empire rather than hunting out new territories. This is significant because it could have had massive changes on the United States of America of he felt that the colonies needed to be returned to the empire rather than allowed to go.
~~~Anthony~~~
Link to document: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/neutra93.asp
Summary: Washington acknowledges that Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, United Netherlands, and France are all in states of war and asserts that the United States will remain neutral. He states that anyone in the United States who tries to assist or work against any of these countries for these wars will be punished under the law.
Significance: This is Americas first act towards completely isolating itself from the European countries it came from. It also foreshadows an era of isolationalism that the United States will undergo well into the 20th century until World War II.
S.W.
Summary: Washington acknowledges that Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, United Netherlands, and France are all in states of war and asserts that the United States will remain neutral. He states that anyone in the United States who tries to assist or work against any of these countries for these wars will be punished under the law.
Significance: This is Americas first act towards completely isolating itself from the European countries it came from. It also foreshadows an era of isolationalism that the United States will undergo well into the 20th century until World War II.
S.W.
Trigger Words
3/5ths Compromise
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The compromise between North and South was reached during 1787. It stated that slaves would be counted as 3/5ths a person for the house of Representatives and tax distribution. Those in favor of slavery wanted them to be counted as people and those against didn't want the slaves to be considered part of the population.
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Era of Good Feelings
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Refers to the era after the Napoleonic wars. The time period took place during the James Monroe presidency. The conflict between the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists slowed down as Monroe tried to eliminate political parties. After the wars finished the country experienced a wave of increased nationalism. The name "Era of Good Feelings" is often used with irony because the time period saw increased hostility between people on political grounds.
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Marbury V. Madison
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John Adams gave out several important position appointments just before leaving office, including a guy named William Marbury. Thomas Jefferson, the new president, refused to acknowledge them. Thomas Jefferson's head of state, James Madison, refused to give William Marbury his commision, or ability to exercise power. Marbury decided to sue James Madison. Marbury lost because the Supreme Court decided that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. This was the first time in history a law was shot down for being unconstitutional.
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The American System
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A three part economic plan influenced by Alexander Hamilton and supported by Congressman Henry Clay. 1 A strong bank to help the economy 2 a "protective tariff" on foreign goods to promote America's manufacturing industry 3 A roads and canals system supported by the money from the tariff.
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Missouri Compromise
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An 1820 agreement between North and South on how states will be entered to the nation in regards to slavery status. It prevent slavery in the recently purchased Louisiana territory except for Missouri, a slave state. Missouri was entered at the same time as Maine, a free state to preserve the balance in the senate. The compromise was repealed and declared unconstitutional three years later.
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War of 1812
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A brief North American conflict between the United States of America and the British Empire. The war was started because of trade restrictions, impressment and the British support of hostile Indian tribes to the west. The war ended in a truce. Despite not being a major military victory simply their survival against the greatest empire in the world increased the national pride. Americans felt they had just won a second war of independents from Britain. The British blockades and trade regulations led to factories being built on American soil beginning the American industrial revolution.
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Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
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Political statements by Virginia and Kentucky declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts to be unconstitutional. They were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, both major supporters of States' rights. The Alien and Sedition Acts expired and the resolutions were forgotten until the Civil War on the issue of slavery.
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Louisiana Purchase
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The purchase of the Louisiana territory from France under Napoleon by the United States under Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson felt the purchase was unconstitutional but decided the offer was too good to pass up.
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Alien and Sedition Acts
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A series of Federalist bills passed during the Quasi-war with Britain and France. The acts extended the period of time it takes to become a citizen (from 5 to 14 years), made it possible to deport aliens and aliens from countries at war with the US. The Sedition act criminalized the publishing of "false, scandalous and malicious writing" against the government. The acts resulted in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. The acts expired before the next president, Thomas Jefferson, took office (so that they couldn't be used against the Federalists in case of a loss).
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Articles of Confederation
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The first agreement of confederation for the United States of America towards the end of the Revolutionary War, officially ratified in 1781. The Articles of Confederation required agreement of all 13 states and provided no executive branch. It was seen as weak and time-wasting. The Articles were replaced by the Constitution created in 1887.
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Embargo Act
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An American act passed in congress 1807 during the Napoleonic wars. The act was an attempt to stay out of the Napoleonic wars. The embargo hurt the American economy as much as the British or French. The embargo act failed and was repealed soon after being passed. It was replaced by the Nonintercouse Act which allowed trade to all countries except France and Britain.
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Northwest Ordinance
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Passed by George Washington in 1789 the act set a precedent for how new States would join the nation. The American Northwest was designated as a "free" or non-slave territory, helping to build the divide between North and South.
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Revolution 1800
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The passing of power from the Federalists to the Democratic Republicans during the 1800 American election. It is notable because it was the first transfer of power between parties and was peaceful, unlike power-changes had been historically in Europe.
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Land Ordinance
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Passed in 1785 under the Articles of Confederation the Land Ordinance divided up the territory won in the Treaty of Paris into easily recognizable patterns (squares, rectangles) so that the land could easily be settled peacefully.
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Whiskey Rebellion
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A tax was placed on whiskey by George Washington's Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, as part of his plan for the national debt. The tax was difficult to collect and hated by farmers. Farmers tried to avoid paying the tax, eventually resulting in a government marshal being sent in. Around 500 people in western Pennsylvania rose up. Washington sent in an army to negotiate and put down the rebellion. The farmers fled and some were arrested but later pardoned. This showed the government's power to enforce the law.
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Shay's Rebellion
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A rebellion in 1786-1787 in Massachusetts caused by the economic hardships brought on by the revolution including the lack of currency and harsh methods used to help the national debt. The rebellion was quickly put down. Shay's Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. It changed the minds of many convincing them that a stronger central government was needed.
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McCulloch V. Maryland
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The state of Maryland attempted to place a stamp-tax on all out of state currency. The Supreme Court ruled that this was unconstitutional because a state law cannot over-rule a federal law. The case also declared that the constitution has "implied powers".
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