1. Constitutional/Critical Period

2. Articles of Confederation
Adopted in 1777
Ratified in 1781
Limited power to the national government
Reflected the desire for non-tyrannical rule
Its powers included the ability to wage war, borrow money, and settle disputes between states

3. Orderly settlement of the west
Land Ordinance 1784
Laid out plans for western territory to become a state
Land Ordinance of 1785
Developed Grid System
Money from land sales financed public school
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Divided territory into sections
Guaranteed rights to citizens of territories
Abolished slavery

4. Failures of the Articles of Confederation
Inability to levy taxes
Cannot raise troops
Could not regulate commerce
Each state only received one vote
Shays’ Rebellion
Riot by western farmer’s due to hard economic times
Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

5. Annapolis Conference/Constitutional Convention
1786, 5 representatives met to revise the A of C
Lead to Constitutional Convention
1787 representatives from each state met to develop a new form government
Great Compromise
Combined the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan
Lead to bicameral legislation
3/5th Compromise

6. Constitution Ratified 1788
Federalists favored Constitution with a strong national government
Federalist Papers
Ratification was only achieved by some state with the promise of a Bill of Rights added later

7. Washington’s Administration
Inaugurated 1789
Created set of advisors known as the cabinet.
Whiskey Rebellion
Revolt due to high taxes on whiskey
Resigned after two terms
In Farewell address warned of the dangers of permanent entangling alliances.

8. Bill of Rights First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Protects rights of the people
Press, religion, protest
10th amendment enforced states rights

9. The National Bank Developed by Alexander Hamilton
Absorbed the state’s debt from the Revolutionary War
Encouraged people to invest money
Unsure if it was constitutional
Allowed for subsidies
Strong rejection towards it

10. Foreign Affairs The French Revolution Jay Treaty Pinckney Treaty
Citizen Genet
XYZ Affair
Quasi War with France

11. Virginia & Kentucky Resolution/Alien and Sedition Act
In response to Alien and Sedition Acts
Stated states had the right to nullify law
Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien Act
Made it difficult for people to immigrate
Sedition Act
Limited free speech

12. Revolution of 1800? First Anti-Federalist President
Winner determined after tie in House of Representatives
Hamilton showed support for Jefferson

13. Political Parties Federalists Anti-Federalists
George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams
Strong national Government
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
Formerly Nationalists
Anti-Federalists
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Burr
Strong states rights
Bill of Rights
Strict interpretation of constitution
Also known as Jeffersonian Republicans