3. The Birth of a New Nation and the Federalist Era (copy)

Founding Fathers

revolutionary leaders who contributed to the founding of the US.

Articles of Confederation, November 15, 1777

the first constitution of the United States.

Constitutional Convention - May 25, 1787

meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution of September 17, 1787

document that established the framework of the federal government of the US.

• outlining the three branches of government and their powers

Bill of Rights - December 15, 1791

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, introduced by James Madison.

Federalists

supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

opponents of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, fearing a powerful central government.

Federalist Papers

series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the US.

Virginia Plan

proposed a bicameral legislature in which states' votes depended on their population.

• separate branches: legislative, judicial, executive

• drafted by James Madison

New Jersey Plan

advocated a unicameral legislature with all states having an equal number of votes.

• introduced by William Patterson

Great Compromise - July 16, 1787

agreement to create a bicameral legislature.

• proportional representation - House of Representatives

• equal representation - Senate

Three-Fifths Compromise

each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

John Dickinson

the chief author of the Articles of Confederation and named the Confederation “the United States of America”.

Alexander Hamilton

a Founding Father and co-author of the Federalist Papers, known for his strong support of the federal government.

James Madison

a Founding Father, co-author of the Federalist Papers, and drafter of the Virginia Plan.

John Jay

co-author of the Federalist Papers and negotiator of Jay's Treaty.

Edmund Randolph

proposed the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention.

William Paterson

proposed the New Jersey Plan at the Constitutional Convention

Shays’ Rebellion, 1786-1787

Daniel Shays (Revolutionary War veteran) led an armed rebellion in Massachusetts to protest against high taxes and economic injustices.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

laws to govern the surveying of land, settlement, and formulation of states (on the Northwest Territory.)

Democratic-Republican Party

founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for states' rights and agrarian interests.

Federalist Party

founded by Alexander Hamilton, advocating for a strong national government and commercial economy.

Whiskey Rebellion, 1794

protest by farmers in Pennsylvania against the federal excise tax on whiskey. Washington and Hamilton + army of 15,000 troops → crushed the rebellion.

Jay’s Treaty, 1794

treaty negotiated by John Jay with Great Britain that wanted to resolve lingering issues from the war.

• Britain payed for damaged American ships

• Give up posts in the Northwest by 1796

• Open trade, increased to 3x

George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

Washington's speech to the nation, advising against political parties and foreign alliances.

XYZ Affair, 1797

diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in the Quasi-War.

Quasi War, 1798-1800

naval conflict between the US and France. The first seaborne conflict for US Navy.

Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798

series of laws aimed at restricting the activities of foreign residents and limiting free speech.

• signed into law by President Adams

The “Revolution of 1800”

election of 1800 where Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the US.

War of 1812 (1812-15)

fought between the US and Britain over the impressment of American sailors, trade disputes, western expansion, and Native American policy.