American Revolution

Lexington and Concord

April 19, 1775

“Shot heard around the world” occurred when militiamen resisted British soldiers attempt to take stockpiled arms

Signified the beginning of the American Revolution

Battle of Saratoga

October 1777

American victory over British troops, turning point in the rebellion

Convinced the French to join the American cause (Treaty of Friendship and Alliance)

Declaration of Independence

July 2nd, 1776: formally declared the US independent, July 4th, 1776 approved

Unalienable rights” that non government could take away as no government could give them

Liberty became a universal entitlement and central element of American Freedom, many DoIs based on the Amercan one

Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

1775

Offered freedom to any slave who would fight for the king, offered by Lord Dunmore

Forced the conversation of slavery, made the Continental Congress face the issue

Common Sense

January 10, 1776

Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in defense of the revolution, used metaphor of a child leaving its mother

Was written in a simple manner, making it accessible to the public

Stamp Act of 1765

1765

British law that established a direct tax in the colonies on written documents, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The tax was designed to raise revenue for the British empire.

Led to boycotts and protests against the which eventually led to its repeal in 1766.

Declaratory Act

1766

The British Parliament asserted they had “the sole and exclusive right” to tax the colonists, rejecting the colonial argument that taxation should rest in the hands of colonial assemblies.

Was intended to put colonists in their places

Townshend Acts

1767

Import taxes for the colonists on products made in Britain. Recognizing the colonists had been pushed too far, Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770, except for the tax on tea.

Furthered tensions

Treaty of Alliance 1778

1778

Alliance between the Americans and French in war against Britain. France recognized U.S. independence from Britain. (Note: This was the first and only treaty of alliance made by the U.S. until NATO was created in 1949.)

Treaty of Paris 1783

1783

ended Revolutionary War, British recognized US independence, established US/Canada border, fixed western border at MI river, ceded Florida to Spain

Articles of Confederation

November 17, 1777

Only real powers declaring war, conducting foreign affairs, making treaties with other countries, could coin money but not levy taxes, amendments required full consent, needed to establish national control over western land, Articles only ratified after land-rich super-states gave up land claims

Land Ordinance of 1785

1785

Provided for orderly surveying and distribution of land belonging to the US, first Congress would govern a territory, then the territory would be admitted as a state once it met the population requirements

Major success of AoC

Northwest Ordinance

1787

Created northwest territory (north of Ohio river, west of Pennsylvania), established conditions for self-government and statehood, Bill of Rights, no slavery though some brought slaves with them

Proved that a future America would not contain slavery

Jay’s Treaty

November 19, 1794

Great Britain agreed to vacate forts in NW territories, disagreements settled by commission, US would favor British goods

Essentially canceled the US-France alliance and ensured American neutrality in British-French war

Whiskey Rebellion

1794

A protest by grain farmers in western Pennsylvania against Hamilton’s federal tax on whiskey. President Washington led an army to end the uprising.

Demonstrated the will and ability of the new national government to suppress violent resistance to its laws.

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798

Laws passed by the U.S. Congress that sought to prevent immigrants from participating in politics and silence those (limited freedom of speech) who criticized the Federalist Party and the U.S. government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

1798

Statements authored secretly by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Resolutions asserted the right of states to veto federal legislation.

Strongly reinforced the concept that freedom of speech was key to American freedom

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Genet Affair

Loose vs Strict Constructionism