Chapter 7: Founding a Nation, 1783-1791 (Notes)

Important Dates and Periods

• $1783-1791$: This period covers the chapter "Founding a Nation." It focuses on the time after the American Revolution. It describes the establishment of the new government.

• $1795$: This is the date of the Treaty of Greenville, Disputed Territory. It settled land disputes. Native nations and the U.S. were involved. This led to significant land cessions.

• $1784$, $1785$, $1787$: These are the Land Ordinances dates. They created the rules for western lands. This included surveying, selling, and governing the Northwest Territory.

• $1784-1787$: These are the Western Ordinances (land survey details). They gave specific methods for organizing new western territories.

• $1780s-1790s$: This period saw European Claims and Native Nations in the region. Conflicts over land and sovereignty were continuous. European powers, American settlers, and Indigenous peoples were involved.

• $1780s$: This decade marked the Rise of nationalist figures and ideas. It showed a growing desire for a stronger national government. This was due to the weak Articles of Confederation.

• $1778$: This date provides a Continental Currency note example (Continental Congress). It highlights the economic problems of the early United States. These issues occurred during and after the Revolutionary War.

• $1790$: This is the Population of the United States. It gives a demographic picture of the young republic. The nation was starting to define its identity and government.

• $1791-1815$: This is the Next Lecture Preview: Chapter 8 – Securing the Republic. It covers the next historical period. This period focused on strengthening the new nation and its influence.

Important People

• Eric Foner, Kathleen DuVal, Lisa McGirr: Authors of Give Me Liberty!

• James Madison: Central architect of early constitutional thought, key nationalist

• Alexander Hamilton: Proponent of a strong central government and federal finance reform, key nationalist

• George Washington: Presided over the Constitutional Convention, central leadership figure

• Red Jacket: Recipient of a medal (example of Indigenous symbolism)

• Euphemia Toussaint: Individual reference from the era

• Jefferson: Figure associated with outlooks on race and slavery

Vocabulary / Key Terms

• Treaty of Greenville: Native nations cede large portions of land in the Northwest.

• Confederation government: First government structure of the U.S.

• Articles of Confederation: First written constitution of the U.S., characterized by a one-house Congress and no independent federal executive or judiciary.

• Land Ordinances ($1784$, $1785$): Regulations for the sale, settlement, and governance of western lands.

• Northwest Ordinance of $1787$: Aimed to regulate sale, settlement, and governance of western lands.

• Northwest Territory: Lands north of the Ohio River and west of the Appalachians.

• Township system: Land survey method where townships are $6 ext{ miles} imes 6 ext{ miles} = 36 ext{ square miles}$, divided into $1 ext{ square mile}$ sections ($640 ext{ acres}$).

• Shays’s Rebellion: A crisis indicating structural weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

• Nationalism: Rise of ideas for a stronger national identity and government.

• Constitutional Convention: Meeting to address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, resulting in a new Constitution.

• Virginia Plan: Proposal for government structure, favoring larger states with proportional representation.

• New Jersey Plan: Proposal for government structure, favoring smaller states with equal representation.

• Continental Currency: Revolutionary currency, indicative of economic issues of the era.

• Division and Separation of Powers (checks and balances): Principles for structuring the new government to prevent tyranny.

• The Federalist papers: Key proponents of ratification of the Constitution.

• Anti-Federalists: Opponents of the Constitution's ratification, advocating for a Bill of Rights.

• Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual liberties and rights.

• “We the People”: Refers to the definition of citizenship in the new republic.

• Native assimilation policies / Plan of Civilization: Policy frameworks aimed at integrating Native peoples into U.S. society and reorganizing their lands.

• Gradual emancipation: Policies aimed at slowly ending slavery.