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The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
the patriot leaders at the continental congress needed a way to unite the colonies under some type of government so they came up with the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union which was a plan for a loose union of the states under the authority of the Congress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsasRqBW0_A -
The Articles of Confederation ratified
The plan for the Articles of Confederation had to be ratified before it could be put into play. A few years later it was ratified and ready to be used. It established a weak central government. It gave the confederation congress the right to declare war, raise armies, and sign treaties. -
The start of Paper Money
At first only 7 states started to issue paper money. When Rhode Island had a riot after merchants wouldn't execpt paper money they passed a law. The law stated that you must except the paper money at the value that is stated. Those who refused could be arrested and fined. -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
the Land Ordinance established a method for surveying the western lands. It arranged the land into the townships it went six miles per square. Every township was divided into 36 sections, one mile square. -
The Constitutional Convention meets in Philadelphia
Alexander Hamilton recommended Congress call for a convention to be held in Philadelphia in May of 1787. So every state except for Rhode Island sent delegates. This convention became known as the Constitutional Convention. So on May Fourteenth of 1787 the Constitutional Convention was opened in Philadelphia. -
The Virginia Plan is introduced
In May 1787, Virginia's Governor Edmund Randolph introduced his plan for new government . This plan was later called The Virginia Plan. His idea was to get rid of the Articles of Confederation as a whole, and to create a new national government with power to make laws that bound states, and to raise money with taxes. He also proposed the legislature divide into two houses. -
The New Jersey Plan is introduced
In fear larger states would have power over smaller states William Paterson, a delegate from New Jersey came up with a new plan. His counterproposal was known as the New Jersey Plan. His plan didn't abandon the Articles of Confederation, but did modify them. With this plan Congress would have one house and each state would be equally represented, but would still have power to raise taxes and regulate trade. -
Ben Franklin's committee seeks a compromise
After the Virginia Plan won the vote of the convention many smaller states became angry, and demanded all states have equal votes. To find the solution Ben Franklin was chosen to run a committee. Finally they worked out a deal. The Connecticut Promise. It proposed that the House of Representatives would be made according to size, and the Senate would have equal say for all states. -
First Federalist Paper Published
Many influential papers/essays were published in late 1787
The essays explained how the new Constitution worked and why it was needed. People nowadays still use these papers for reference. These papers are still used to interpret the constitution and help understand what the original framers desired. -
The final draft of The Constitution is signed
With the Great Compromise finally in place the convention could finally focus on how the Government would run. By the 17th of September the 39 delegates had signed the Constitution. Even though they had to compromise quite a bit. With the Constitution signed they sent it off to the Confederation Congress three days later for final approval. Later on it would fall to the states to ratify the Constitution for it to really take effect http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAJyK0ovo8. -
Delaware 1st to Ratify Constitution
Many ratifying conventions were beginning to commence. However, Delaware was the first to ratify the Constitution. After Delaware Many followed suit. Pensylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Conneticut were the next to follow. Many battles were still to come in the battle for the constitution. -
Ratification in Massachusetts
When the convention first met in January the great patriot Samuel Adams was included. The Federalists moved quickly to touch base with Adams. It was decided that a Bill of Rights should be added to the constitution. The Federalists had reached the number of states to make new constitution. The two largest states were undecided. -
New Government put into place
March 4, 1789 was the first time the new Congress met. After this new government was set into place Virgina and New York came through and ratified the Constitution. Rhode Island still held out because they were afraid of losing their independence. Now all that they could hope for was that the new Constitution would work better than the Articles of Confederation. -
Rhode Island Last to Ratify
there was a debate on Majority rule. James Madison wanted all states to ratify before amending the constitution. Thomas Jefferson wanted majority rule before instituting the new Constitution. But the leaders only needed New York and Virginia before putting Constitution into place. Rhode Island was afraid to lose their independence and thats why they took so long to ratify the new Constitution. -
Shay's Rebelion
There was a rebelion that happend in massachusetts. The farmers had no buyers for their crops. They were unable to pay the debts or taxes. So to try and change and make help the farmers and such they went into a rebellion.
