The Emerging Nation: America 1783-1790

At the close of the Revolutionary War, the United States faced great challenges in establishing itself as a new nation. Although a peace treaty was negotiated with Great Britain, many problems remained. Both the British and United States violated treaty provisions. The nation negotiated and when that failed, fought with Native Americans west of the Allegheny Mountains over land rights, and American ships and seamen were held for ransom by Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. This primary source portfolio presents historical document facsimiles, essays, maps, and illustrations, drawing upon individual incidents to teach students about conflict resolution in early American diplomacy. Documents used in this portfolio were selected from a collection of materials on early United States diplomacy at the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Established in 1934, the NHPRC is authorized under law to undertake a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources relating to U.S. history. This portfolio includes a Study Guide with reproducible student activities. Students also benefit from a timeline covering events from 1755 to 1790, and a comprehensive Cast of Characters. 4 Illustrated Broadsheet Essays: * The Making of the Treaty of Paris of 1783 * The Impact of the Treaty of 1783 on Slaves in the United States * Whose Land? Treaties with the Indians * Barbary Pirates: A Threat to United States Commerce on the High Seas 14 Primary Source Documents: * Treaty of Paris, 1783 * Mitchell Map I of the Emerging Nation, 1783 * Mitchell Map II of the Emerging Nation, 1783, redline version * A letter from General George Washington to Sir Guy Carleton, 1783 * A letter from Sir Guy Carleton to General George Washington, 1783 * Inspection Roll of Negroes, 1783 * Map, location of Indian nations north of the Ohio River during the 1780s * Treaty of Fort Mcintosh, 1785 * Letter from John Adams to John Jay, 1785 * Letter from John Jay to Thomas Jefferson, 1786 * Map, Mediterranean Sea including Barbary States during 1780s * A letter from Richard O'Bryen to Thomas Jefferson, 1785 * Resolution on redeeming American captives in Algiers, 1787 * A letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1787