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Declaration to Constitution
Events leading from the Road to Revolution to the Signing of the US Constitution -
Patriot's Day
British soldiers were ordered to march on Lexington. Dr. Prescott finished warning Minutemen after Paul Revere and Sam Dawes were captured. After several British soldiers were killed, The British retreated from Concord. The British lost 250 men in their attack and retreat. The Colonists lost 100. Today, in Mass. and Maine, the 3rd Monday in April is celebrated as Patriot's Day in rememberance of these first battles of the Revolution. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonists, poorly armed and fewer in number than the British, lost the battle. Even so they inflicted many casualities on the British soldiers. The battle continued to give the colonists hope that hey could win their revolution! -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Thomas Paine wrote the pamphet Commons Sense to encourage colonists to support the break with Great Britain.
Quotes:
“Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.”
“If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.” “If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.” -
Declaration of Independence
Signing of the Declaration of Independence The Second Continental Congress met and signed the Declaration of Independence. 4 days later a printed copy was read to cheering crowds as the Liberty Bell was rung. -
Battle of Brooklyn Heights
The British captured New York City and drove the Continential Army back to Pennsylvania. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
Washington's troops cross the Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on the British Hessians (or hired German mercinaries). It was a successful attack, but the army was weak. -
Brandywine Creek
The Continential Army lost the battle at Brandywine. However, again, the British could not crush the American spirit. Washington's report to Congress stated, "Notwithstanding the misfortune of the day, I am happy to find the troops in good spirits; and I hope another time we shall compensate for the losses now sustained." -
Turning Point of the Revolutionary War
The American success in the Battle of Saratoga led to France signing a treaty with America, recognizing it as separate from Great Britain and pledging support to them. -
Articles of Confederation
Second Continental Congress approved them for ratification by the states on November 15, 1777, after a year of debate. In practice, the final draft of the Articles served as the de facto system of government used by the Congress ("the United States in Congress assembled") until it became de jure by final ratification on March 1, 1781. -
Continential Army Suffers
Congress did not have the power to collect taxes, so there were few supplies for the troops. They lacked ammunition, food and proper clothing such as shoes. Congress printrd money and offered signing bonuses to recruit soldiers. -
Ending the Revolutionary War
The Battle of Yorktown led to the surrender of the British and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. -
Problems after the Revolution
Congress needed all states to ratify articles added. Thus, when there were land disputes with Spain, although a treaty was negotiated, it could not be ratified. Congress could not tax. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shays Rebellion was an uprising by Vermont farmers who were in economic trouble. The reasons they rebelled showed the government under the Articles of Confederation was not effectively solving economic issues. -
Constitutional Convention
Delegates met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead then wrote a whole new document to govern by, the Constitution. -
Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a means to encourage development of this region. Land was to be systematically surveyed into square townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.[4] -
Signing of the Constitution
The Constitution was ratified when the 9th state convention, New Hampshire, approved it. Even so, it was important for all states to approve it. Rhole Island was the last to do so 5/29/1790.
