Bill of Rights guarantees individual freedom.
1791 · The Bill of Rights
Age 1
After the Constitution was made, some objections were raised by Anti-Federalists. So, in response ten amendments were discussed and voted on to become The Bill of Rights. These rights were made to clarify and guarantee certain freedoms of residents of the country.
1795 · Yazoo Land Fraud
Age 5
As Georgia had been weakened during the Revolutionary War, it was unable to defend its Yazoo lands, or land west of the Yazoo River. Thirty-five million acres were sold to four companies for $500,000 as Governor George Mathews signed the Yazoo Act on January 7, 1795. Angry Georgians protested in the streets as they felt bribery and corruption were involved and the sale was far below market value. The legislation tried to rescind the Yazoo Act, but much of the land had been sold to third parties. The issue made its way to the United States Supreme Court and it was determined that rescinding the law was an unconstitutional infringement on a legal contract. The government took full possession of the territory by 1814 and awarded its claimants over $4,000,000.