Early Republic Timeline
1788Constitution ratified.
1789Washington inaugurated President - establishes cabinet with Departments of State, War, and Treasury.
1789Judiciary Act of 1789 - creates Supreme Court with six justices and provides for lower courts.
1789French Revolution overthrows French monarchy.
1789Tariff of 1789 protective tariff instituted.
1789Congress submits the Bill of Rights for Ratification.
1790Hamilton submits his Reports on Public Credit outlines his financial program concerning assumption of state debts.
1791The Bank of the United States created, enacting second element of Hamiltonís financial plan. Launches constitutional debate between Jefferson and Hamilton.
1791Hamilton submits his Report on Manufactures to Congress calls for high tariff, federal aid for public works projects to promote U.S. industry
1791Congress passes Whiskey Tax, on recommendation of Hamilton.
1791Bill of Rights ratified by the states.
1793France declares war on Britain.
1793Proclamation of Neutrality issued by Washington in war between Britain and France.
1793Citizen Genet affair - furthers tension between America and France.
1794Whiskey Rebellion erupts in rural Pennsylvania over whiskey tax. Washington calls out 13,000 troops to put down the insurrection.
1795Jayís Treaty with Britain ratified by narrow margin in the senate. Arouses controversy, particularly along sectional and party lines.
1796Pinckneyís Treaty with Spain resolves boundary disputes in the South and West.
1796Washingtonís Farewell Address warns against divisiveness of political parties and against entangling alliances with European nations.
1797John Adams (Federalist) inaugurated President, Republican Thomas Jefferson is Vice President.
1797XYZ Affair results in an undeclared naval war (quasi-war) with France, and sharp rise in anti-French sentiment.
1798Alien and Sedition Acts passed by Federalist Congress - inspired in part by anti-French hysteria and designed to silence Republican opposition and strengthen federal government.
1798Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions drafted by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison protest the usurpation of power by federal government under Alien and Sedition acts. Promote compact theory of government (state sovereignty) and doctrine of nullification.
1800Election decided by the House of Representatives due to a deadlock Thomas Jefferson is chosen, Aaron Burr becomes Vice President. These difficulties result in the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, passed in 1804.
1800Washington D.C. established as the nationís capital - moved from Philadelphia. Washington D.C. is officially incorporated as a city in 1802.
1800Treaty of Mortefontaine restores normal diplomatic relations between France and the U.S., ending undeclared naval war.
1801John Marshall, a Federalist, is nominated Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President Adams.
