This 1765 British law placed a direct tax on printed materials such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards.
👉 What is the Stamp Act?
This pamphlet by Thomas Paine encouraged ordinary colonists to support independence and challenged the idea that Americans should remain loyal to Britain.
👉 What is Common Sense?
This 1787 law organized territory north of the Ohio River and established a process for territories to eventually become states.
👉 What is the Northwest Ordinance?
George Washington became the first person to hold this position under the new Constitution in 1789.
👉 What is President of the United States?
This incident occurred when French officials demanded money before American diplomats could negotiate with France, creating a major diplomatic controversy.
👉 What is the XYZ Affair?
Britain adopted this economic system in which the colonies were expected to benefit the mother country by supplying raw materials and purchasing British goods.
👉 What is mercantilism?
This document formally announced that the thirteen colonies considered themselves independent states and justified rebellion against Britain.
👉 What is the Declaration of Independence?
These papers were written to defend the proposed Constitution and persuade Americans to support ratification.
What are the Federalist Papers?
Hamilton's financial program included creating this institution, which became controversial because Jeffersonians questioned whether the Constitution authorized it.
👉 What is the Bank of the United States?
These controversial laws passed during the Adams administration targeted immigrants and restricted certain forms of speech critical of the government.
👉 What are the Alien and Sedition Acts?
This 1773 protest involved colonists destroying a shipment of British tea rather than allowing it to be unloaded and taxed.
👉 What is the Boston Tea Party?
This 1777 American victory was a major turning point because it helped convince France to openly support the American cause.
👉 What is the Battle of Saratoga?
This 1786–87 uprising convinced many Americans that the national government under the Articles was too weak to maintain order.
👉 What is Shays' Rebellion?
Hamilton proposed that the federal government assume the states' Revolutionary War debts as part of his plan to strengthen this.
👉 What is the national government's financial credibility/credit?
The controversy surrounding the Alien and Sedition Acts reflected a larger debate between these two emerging political groups.
👉 Who are the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?
Colonists responded to British taxation and enforcement through boycotts, protests, and organizations such as this group that used intimidation and direct action against British policies.
👉 Who are the Sons of Liberty?
This 1781 battle effectively ended major fighting in the American Revolution when British forces under Cornwallis surrendered.
👉 What is the Battle of Yorktown?
This compromise created a bicameral Congress with representation based on population in one house and equal representation for states in the other.
👉 What is the Great Compromise?
Washington's administration faced this 1794 rebellion after the federal government imposed a tax on a product that was particularly important to western farmers.
👉 What is the Whiskey Rebellion?
By the 1790s, disagreements over Hamilton's policies, foreign affairs, and the power of the federal government contributed to the development of this.
👉 What is the two-party political system?
The French & Indian War changed the relationship between Britain and its colonies largely because Britain emerged from the war with this major problem.
👉 What is a large amount of war debt that encouraged Britain to increase colonial taxation?
Name two factors that helped the Americans defeat Britain despite Britain's military advantages.
👉 What are French assistance, American knowledge of the terrain, British logistical difficulties, colonial support, Washington's leadership, or other relevant factors?
The debate between these two groups centered on whether the Constitution created an overly powerful national government; the disagreement ultimately contributed to the addition of this.
👉 Who are the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and what is the Bill of Rights?
Washington's administration attempted to avoid war with Britain through this controversial 1794 agreement, which angered many Americans who believed it favored Britain.
👉 What is Jay's Treaty?
In his 1796 farewell address, Washington warned Americans about the dangers of permanent political divisions and urged caution regarding this type of international relationship.
👉 What are permanent alliances with foreign nations?