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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement by a nation’s people asserting their right to choose their own government. The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government. -
Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation, first U.S. constitution (1781–89), which served as a bridge between the initial government by the Continental Congress of the Revolutionary period and the federal government provided under the U.S. Constitution of 1787. Because the experience of overbearing British central authority was vivid in colonial minds, the drafters of the Articles deliberately established a confederation of sovereign states. -
Start of the Revolutionary War
The American Revolution was an insurrection carried out by 13 of Great Britain’s North American colonies that began in 1775 and ended with a peace treaty in 1783. The colonies won political independence and went on to form the United States of America. The war followed more than a decade of growing estrangement between the British crown and a large and influential segment of its North American colonies. -
Ratification of the Treaty of Paris Ends Revolutionary War
The Treaty of Paris between Great Britain and the United States ended the Revolutionary War. The document was signed by American representatives as well as representatives from Great Britain in September of 1783, but it was not ratified by Congress until January 14, 1784. The treaty recognized the United States as a free nation and established boundaries for the United States to be recognized by Great Britain. -
Ratification of the Treaty of Paris Ends Revolutionary War
The Treaty of Paris between Great Britain and the United States ended the Revolutionary War. The document was signed by American representatives as well as representatives from Great Britain in September of 1783, but it was not ratified by Congress until January 14, 1784. The treaty recognized the United States as a free nation and established boundaries for the United States to be recognized by Great Britain. -
Shays's Rebellion
Shays’s Rebellion, uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands forced the closing of several courts to prevent execution of foreclosures and debt processes. In September 1786 Daniel Shays and other local leaders led several hundred men in forcing the Supreme Court in Springfield to adjourn. -
Annapolis Convention Adjourns
Following Shays' Rebellion, a Convention in Annapolis discussed the state of commerce in the United States. However, the national government didn't have any power to regulate commerce between and among states, and it was decided that amendments to the Articles of Confederation were sorely needed. Thus it was recommended that another Constitutional Convention take place to fix the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation. -
Annapolis Convention Adjourns
Following Shays' Rebellion, a Convention in Annapolis discussed the state of commerce in the United States. However, the national government didn't have any power to regulate commerce between and among states, and it was decided that amendments to the Articles of Confederation were sorely needed. Thus it was recommended that another Constitutional Convention take place to fix the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation. -
Constitution Is Signed by Convention Attendees
The final draft of the Constitutional Convention was signed on September 17th, 1787, and marked the adjournment of the Constitutional Convention. It's important to note that only 39 of the 55 delegates that attended the convention actually signed. However, this was enough to send the document on to the Congress for ratification. -
Constitution Is Signed by Convention Attendees
The final draft of the Constitutional Convention was signed on September 17th, 1787, and marked the adjournment of the Constitutional Convention. It's important to note that only 39 of the 55 delegates that attended the convention actually signed. However, this was enough to send the document on to the Congress for ratification. -
Congress Approves the Constitution & Sends to the States for Ratification
After the delegates at the Constitutional Convention completed and signed the Constitution, the next step was getting approval from the established Congress under the Articles of Confederation to agree. This happened very soon after the Constitutional Convention adjourned, and the ratification process began. Two-thirds of the states had to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect. -
Bills of Rights
The first 10 amendments, the Bill of Rights, were not originally included in the Constitution. The lack of a "Bill of Rights" led to several delegates refusing to sign the Constitution until it was included. The disagreement centered on the fear that people would think that the listed rights were their only rights. James Madison introduced the bill into the House of Representatives, which approved 17 articles, later reduced to 12 articles by the Senate.