Effects of the Revolutionary War | Learn About America

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Effects of the Revolutionary War
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	Franklin in France - Benjamin Franklin played a crucial role in securing French support for the American Revolution, negotiating an alliance that provided vital military and financial aid. His diplomatic efforts in France helped turn the tide of the war, leading to the eventual victory of the United States over Britain.
	Treaty of Alliance - The Treaty of Alliance, signed in 1778 between France and the United States, was a military alliance in which France agreed to support the American colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. This agreement provided crucial aid, including troops, naval support, and supplies, significantly strengthening the American cause during the Revolutionary War.
	Articles of Confederation - The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, created during the Revolutionary War to unite the thirteen colonies under a weak central government. Although it helped guide the nation through war, it lacked key powers like taxation and enforcement, leading to its eventual replacement by the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
	Treaty of Paris The 1783 Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation. It also established borders for the new country and addressed issues like fishing rights and the repayment of debts.
	Land Ordinances of 1784 and 1785 - The Land Ordinances of 1784 and 1785 were early laws passed by the U.S. government to organize and divide western lands for settlement and future statehood. The 1784 ordinance, written by Thomas Jefferson, proposed rules for creating new states, while the 1785 ordinance created a system for surveying and selling land, including setting aside land for public schools.
	Shays' Rebellion Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786–1787 led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays and other Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and aggressive tax and debt collection. The revolt highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger national government, eventually leading to the U.S. Constitution.
	Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from twelve states ultimately created a new U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger federal government with three branches.
	The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. These essays explained the benefits of a strong central government and addressed concerns about the new Constitution, ultimately helping to persuade states to approve it.
	French Revolution The French Revolution began in 1789 as the French people rose up against the monarchy to demand equality, liberty, and democratic rights. It led to the fall of the monarchy, widespread violence, and major changes in France’s political and social systems.
	Bill of Rights The 1791 Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. It was created to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government.
	Citizen Genêt Citizen Genêt was a French diplomat sent to the United States in 1793 to gain American support for the French Revolution. His actions, including recruiting Americans for war and trying to stir rebellion against President Washington, led to his recall and damaged support for the French cause in the U.S.
	Whiskey Rebellion The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 was a protest by farmers in western Pennsylvania against a federal tax on whiskey, which they saw as unfair and harmful to their livelihoods. President George Washington led federal troops to suppress the uprising, demonstrating the new government's strength and ability to enforce its laws.
	Federalists vs Republicans Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government, a national bank, and close ties with Great Britain. In contrast, Jeffersonian Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, advocated for a limited federal government, a focus on agriculture, and greater independence from Britain.
	Hamilton's Assumption Plan Hamilton's plan aimed to strengthen the federal government by having it assume state debts incurred during the Revolutionary War, thereby creating a national debt. In exchange for support of his plan, the capital city of the United States was placed south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
	Jay Treaty The Jay Treaty was an agreement made in 1794 between the United States and Great Britain to settle leftover issues from the Revolutionary War and avoid another conflict. Though unpopular with many Americans, it helped maintain peace and improved trade relations for a time.
	The XYZ Affair and Quasi-War The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident in 1797 where French agents demanded bribes and loans from American diplomats in exchange for peace talks. The scandal angered Americans and led to an undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France known as the Quasi-War.
	Newspaper Wars In the 1790s, fierce newspaper battles broke out between the Federalists and Jeffersonians, with each side using the press to attack and discredit the other. These partisan papers often spread personal insults, political accusations, and damaging rumors, fueling public division in the early American republic.