-
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George Washington
-Westmoreland County, VA
-Local school in VA
-Yes
-No
-3 brothers, 2 sisters, 3 half-brothers, and 1 half-sister.
- expand his economic enterprise, complete the renovations of the mansion, and maintain some semblance of privacy from the thousands of visitors who passed through his home. -
Congress enacts tariff
Congress, led by Representative James Madison, enacts the first protective tariff. Madison consulted with President Washington about the need for the measure. -
Ratifying the Constitution
Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution, becoming the last of the original thirteen states under the Articles of Confederation to join the newly formed Union. -
Establishing the capital
President Washington signs a bill into law that permanently places the nation's capital along the Potomac River, in an area to be called the District of Columbia. -
Revolutionary War debts
President Washington signs a bill into law that directed the federal government to assume the Revolutionary War debts of the states. -
Creating a national bank
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, with President Washington's support, sends Congress a controversial message (The Report on a National Bank) calling for the creation of an official Bank of the United States. After a hard-won approval by Congress, Washington signs the bill on February 25, 1791. -
Fighting in Miami
The Miami Indians soundly defeat an American military force of 1400 men led by General Arthur St. Clair at the cost of 900 American lives. The Washington Administration had sent St. Clair to the Ohio country with the hope that his presence would clear the way for American settlers. -
Ratifying the Bill of Rights
The states officially ratify the first ten amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights. President Washington had called for their ratification in his first inaugural address. -
The President's mansion
The cornerstone for the President's mansion is laid in Washington D.C. -
Proclaiming neutrality
President Washington issues a proclamation of neutrality, warning Americans to avoid aiding either side in the emerging conflict between Britain and revolutionary France. -
Straining relations with Britain
American relations with Britain begin to deteriorate rapidly after the British government issues secret orders for the Royal Navy to confiscate any vessels trading with French possessions in the Caribbean. The Royal Navy seizes more than 200 American ships. -
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John Adams
-Braintree, MA
-Graduated Harvard collage
-Yes
-VP to Previous President
-John and Abigail had six children
-Adams retired to his farm in Quincy. -
Negotiating with France
Adams appoints a three man commission, composed of Charles C. Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, and John Marshall, to negotiate a settlement with France. -
The Eleventh Amendment
The Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is declared in full force by President Adams. It stipulates that federal courts shall not have the jurisdiction over litigation between individuals from one state against individuals from another state. -
Mississippi Territory
Congress establishes the government for the new Mississippi Territory. The Spanish had ceded the territory to the United States in the 1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo. President Adams appoints native Winthrop Sergeant as governor and selects the town of Natchez to serve as its first capital. -
Preparing for war
Congress empowers Adams to enlist 10,000 men for service in case of a declaration of war or invasion of the country's domain. It also authorizes Adams to instruct commanders of ships-of-war to seize armed French vessels praying upon or attacking American merchantmen about the coast. -
Passing the Alien Act
Congress passes the Alien Act, granting President Adams the power to deport any alien he deemed potentially dangerous to the country's safety. -
Sedition Act
Congress adopts the Sedition Act, the fourth and last of the Alien and Sedition acts. The bill subjects any American citizen to a fine and/or imprisonment for obstructing the implementation of federal law, or for publishing malicious or false writings against Congress, the President, or the government. -
Kentucky Resolutions
The Kentucky State Legislature adopts the Kentucky Resolutions, reserving states' right to override federal powers not enumerated in the U.S. Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, angry at the Adams administration for the Alien and Sedition acts, authors the resolution. -
Victory against France
The United States Navy scores its first clear victory against France when the frigate Constellation captures the French ship L'Insurgente near the island of St. Kitts. -
Treaty of Amity
U.S. diplomats conclude a Treaty of Amity between the United States and Prussia in Berlin. -
Treaty with Tunis
Congress finally passes a treaty with Tunis, negotiated originally in 1797. -
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Thomas Jefferson
-Shadwell, VA
-Law School
-Yes
-VP of previous president
-4 younger sisters and 3 younger brothers and 2 older sisters
- pursued science and natural history through research, experimentation, and invention. -
War with Tripoli
Congress recognizes the War with Tripoli, authorizing the arming of merchant ships to ward off attacks. -
War with Tripoli
Congress recognizes the War with Tripoli, authorizing the arming of merchant ships to ward off attacks. -
Excise taxes repealed
Infamous excise taxes on commodities such as whiskey are repealed. -
Naturalization laws repealed
The notorious naturalization laws of 1798 are repealed. The required length of residency reverts from fourteen years to five years. -
Ohio becomes a state
Ohio officially becomes the seventeenth state of the Union. It is the first state to prohibit slavery by law at its inception. -
Louisiana Purchase
Livingston and Monroe are sent to conclude a treaty for the acquisition of New Orleans, but instead conclude a treaty for the purchase of the entire Louisiana Territory. This day marks the official signing of a peace treaty with France and the purchase of Louisiana. The addition of 828,000 square miles of land between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains is purchased from France for approximately $15 million, increasing the national territory by 140 percent. -
Lewis and Clark
Captain Meriwether Lewis, formerly Jefferson's personal secretary, sets out from Pittsburgh to begin an expedition of the newly acquired western territory of the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis will pick up Captain William Clark to serve as co-leader of the trip early in the next year. Jefferson sponsored the journey out of personal scientific curiosity and concern for the economic and political security of the western United States. -
The Twelfth Amendment
Motivated by the infamous election of 1800, Congress passes the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, requiring electors to vote for President and vice president separately. This ends the tradition of the runner up in a presidential race becoming vice president and prevents chances for a deadlock tie. -
Louisiana Territory Act
Congress passes the Louisiana Territory Act, dividing the Louisiana Purchase into the Territory of Orleans in the south and the district of Louisiana in the north. -
Burr Kills Hamilton in Duel
On July 11, 1804, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met for duel, and Burr shot and fatally wounded Hamilton, who died the next day. The Burr-Hamilton duel stands as a vivid example that in the early republic partisan politics were also highly personal politics. -
Period: to
James Madison
Port Conway, Virginia
Graduated collage
yes
no
no
major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution -
Period: to
James Monroe
Monroe Hall, VA
Graduated Collage
Yes
Yes, 4 siblings
he joined the anti-Federalists in the Virginia Convention which ratified the Constitution -
Period: to
John Quincy Adams
Braintree, MA
Law school
yes
no
House of representatives