Precarious Experiment, A: Economic Upheaval
There is tremendous economic disruption after the war. The currency is worthless; Robert Morris' proposed 5% duty tax to pay for war debts fails. Under the Articles of Confederation economic problems fall to the states to resolve if a unanimous vote...
Precarious Experiment, A: Negotiating a Peace Treaty
Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown and the resignation of Lord North as British prime minister signal the end of the colonies' 7-year struggle with Great Britain. Franklin, Jay, and Oswald represent the United States at the Paris Peace Talks. Although ...
Not Much of a War: Support for Independence Intensifies
Colonial support for independence intensifies with the circulation of "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine. Three weeks after the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress meets at the state house in Philadelphia with delegates fr...
Not Much of a War: Securing Aid from Abroad
Historians characterize the Revolutionary War as an "embarrassing" military event with few notable battles. The failure of the British to crush the Continental army in the mid-Atlantic states combined with the stunning American victory at Saratoga t...
Not Much of a War: Battles in New England and the Mid-Atlantic
During the first year of fighting, British forces attempt to crush each outbreak of rebellion as it occurs. They suffer major losses when they take on revolutionary forces at Breed's Hill in Boston, yet crush Washington's troops in New York. Each ti...
Precarious Experiment, A: Articles of Confederation Need Revamping
For most of the 1780s U. S. leaders try to come up with modifications to the Articles of Confederation that will strengthen the nation without creating a tyranny. They call for a meeting in Annapolis to discuss their ideas but only five states send ...
Rivals and Friends: Troubled Presidency of John Adams, The
In the early months of Adams' term, the French government captures American ships and crews. When Adams' negotiators are rebuffed, the president cuts off trade with France and orders preparations for war. Hamilton and other Federalists see this as a...
Rivals and Friends: Presidential Election of 1800
Bitter controversies shape the presidential election of 1800. The candidates are the same as four years earlier-Adams versus Jefferson-but personal attacks during the campaign are unprecedented. In a close race New York emerges as the crucial swing ...
Rivals and Friends: Adams and Jefferson, Rivals and Friends
Noted historians Barbara Oberg, Peter Onuf, and Helena Wall compare the styles, personalities, and accomplishments of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the two men who occupy the presidency from 1796 to 1808. The close relationship between the two du...
Rivals and Friends: Presidential Election of 1796, The
The presidential election of 1796 is the first partisan election in the nation's history. As it unfolds, it is a contest not only between the emerging Republican party and the Federalists, but a battle among the Federalists themselves. When John Ada...