1. Early Government in Kentucky
Kentucky studies

2. Judge Richard Henderson

3. Henderson
1775 a Representative from each colony (Harrodsburg, Logan’s Station, Boiling Springs) met in Boonesborough.
Established courts, militia, debt collection, and punishment of criminals.
Set to meet 1 year later but never did.

4. George Rogers Clark Called for assembly in Harrodsburg
Convinced them to travel to Virginia
Kentucky County established 1776
Appointed Major by Patrick Henry

5. The Revolution In Kentucky
George Rogers Clark led Kentuckians in their fight against the British.
Trouble raising men
Governor Henry Hamilton at Fort Detroit
Indians encouraged by British
Dragging Canoe (southern Cherokee, Chickamauga wars)
Area North of the Kentucky River abandoned
Clark convinces Patrick Henry to go on offensive

6. Illinois Campaign Raised 175 men
Clark led his “Long Knives” across the Ohio at Fort Massac.
Marched on Kaskaskia.
July 4th 1778 Kaskaskia falls.
Cahokia and Vincennes (among others) taken without firing a shot.

7. Illinois Campaign Cont.
Hamilton returns to Vincennes
Clark leads his men back
Retakes Vincennes
Captures Hamilton in the process
The winter expedition was Clark's most significant military achievement and became the source of his reputation as an early American military hero.

8. Aftermath of Il. Campaign
Washington uses Clark’s success to encourage alliance with France.
Virginia lays claim to the “Old Northwest” adding Illinois county
Clark wants to march on Detroit, but can’t raise enough men

9. British invasion
June 1780
Mixed force of British and Indians (mostly Shawnee) invade Kentucky
Using cannons, they destroy villages and take prisoners
Aug. 1780, Clark leads retaliatory force to Peckuwe (Shawnee village)
George Rogers Clark Park, Springfield, Ohio

11. The end of the war
Clark appointed Brigadier General of Kentucky and Illinois Militia by Governor Thomas Jefferson.
Clark still wanted to march on Detroit
Washington sends regulars, but they are defeated before rendezvousing with Clark
Expedition cancelled again

12. Meanwhile…
Another British force defeated the KY militia in the Battle of Blue Licks
Clark was not there, but was still heavily criticized
Clark leads another retaliatory force into the Ohio country and destroys several Indian Villages
Last major Campaign of the war

13. Aftermath Clark conquered the British “old Northwest”
Entire territory ceded to U.S. in Treaty of Paris
Doubled the size of the original thirteen colonies
Helped win French Treaty
Considered American Hero and inspiration

14. Separation Trip to Williamsburg was long and dangerous
Use of force against Indians required Governors approval
Trade along Mississippi forbidden
General James Wilkinson wanted to secede from not only Virginia, but the U.S. as well and Kentucky to become a ward of Spain

15. General James Wilkinson
General During the Revolutionary War
Asked to resign, twice.
Appointed Commanding General of Continental Army twice
First Governor of Louisiana Territory
2 disastrous campaigns against British along the St. Lawrence
Later found to be a paid agent of Spanish Crown

16. Benjamin Logan Founder of Logan’s Fort (St. Asaph’s)
Second in Command of KY militia
Frequently disagreed with Clark
Served as Kentucky’s representative in Virginia House of Delegates

17. Constitutional Convention
After arguing for statehood in the HOD, Logan called a Constitutional Convention
Met in Danville, the capitol of Kentucky County
Over eight years, met ten times
June 1st, 1792 U.S. Congress accepts Kentucky’s Constitution

18. The Constitution
Three branches of government – legislative, executive, and judicial
bicameral legislature called the General Assembly.
bill of rights
called for an electoral college to elect senators and the state's governor. (Representatives were chosen by popular election.)
stipulation that the General Assembly vote by ballot instead of voice.
requirement that representation to the General Assembly be based on population, not geography
Experimental, called for a reevaluation in 1799

19. 1799 Convention
abolished the electoral college, allowing senators, representatives, the governor to be directly elected.
created office of lieutenant governor
In addition to appointing judges, the governor was given the power to appoint a number of local offices including sheriffs, coroners, and justices of the peace.
Gubenatorial and Assembly term limits
voting by ballot removed.
Neither of the first two Kentucky constitutions provided a method of amendment, and the 1799 Constitution made it even more difficult to call a constitutional convention.