|
American democracy has a lineage of
written records that we can trace to show the development of our nation, and
how each document builds on those before it to make our foundation of freedom
stronger. In this edition of
America’s Documents of Freedom, we look at the documents conceived in the
very early years of our republic. Educators from noted American universities
share their insights on:
The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) -- French privateers seizing American ships in the Caribbean led
President John Adams and the Federalist Congress to pass the Alien and Sedition
Acts, designed to deter those who would support activities against the U.S.
government. Many saw these acts as contrary to first amendment rights,
which led to The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1799).
Louisiana Purchase (1803) -- This
treaty between the United States and the French Republic was a diplomatic and
political triumph for President Thomas Jefferson. It ended the threat of war
with France and opened up for settlement the land west of the Mississippi – a
vast area comprising portions of what would become thirteen states. By
any measure, the purchase of the Louisiana Territory was Jefferson’s most
important action while president.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) -- Called by many judicial scholars the most
important U.S. Supreme Court decision, it established the principle of
judicial review by giving the U.S. Supreme Court the power to examine
decisions of other government bodies and to declare them unconstitutional if
it found them to be so.
Madison’s Declaration of War
(1812) -- On June 12, 1812, the
United States declared war on Great Britain as a result of long-simmering
disputes. Issues included the impressment's of American soldiers by the
British and disputes over the Northwest Territories and the border with
Canada.
|
