APUSH Period 3 Documents

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Passed by the Federalist Congress and signed by President John Adams in 1798. The Alien Acts allowed deportation of foreigners and extended naturalization time; the Sedition Act made criticizing the government illegal. Intended to protect national security but violated free speech and angered Democratic-Republicans.

Antifederalist Papers (1787–1788)

Written by various opponents of the Constitution (Brutus

Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

Written by George Mason in June 1776. Declared natural rights to life

Declaration of Rights of the Stamp Act Congress (1765)

Drafted by delegates from nine colonies meeting in New York in 1765. Protested the Stamp Act

Fairfax Resolves (1774)

Written by George Mason and George Washington in July 1774. Listed objections to the Coercive Acts and called for boycotts of British goods. Helped organize colonial resistance and influenced the First Continental Congress.

George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

Written by George Washington with help from Alexander Hamilton and James Madison in 1796. Warned against political parties

Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775)

Issued by John Murray

Thomas Paine: Common Sense (1776)

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine published in January 1776. Urged independence from Britain

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

Written by the Second Continental Congress

Bill of Rights (1791)

Written by James Madison and ratified in December 1791. The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson with input from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin; adopted July 4

The Federalist No. 10 (1787)

Essay by James Madison published in November 1787. Argued that a large republic best controls factions and protects minority rights through representation. Helped persuade Americans to ratify the Constitution.