Developing the Constitution

The Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This took place in Boston, Massachusetts. British soldiers fired upon colonists. Five colonists were killed from the shots fired by the British. Newspapers used this as a way to make it seem that the soldiers killed too many colonists so they would turn on the British.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

This battle was the first military engagement of the Revolutionary War. The first shot fired is known as "the shot heard around the world."

Battle of Trenton

Dec 25, 1776

George Washington takes soldiers across the Delaware River to Trenton, New Jersey, leading a surprise attack and surrounding the Hessian garrison on Christmas Night. This battle started to inspire more rebels in the colonies.

Battle of Saratoga

Sep 19, 1777

Known as the turning point in the Revolutionary War. British General Burgoyne's army was captured at Saratoga. The victory brought France to help fight with the colonists in the war and Spain to give supplies.

Articles of Confederation

Mar 1, 1781

The Articles of Confederation was ratified by all 13 states, but was very weak. It pushed for more states rights and a weak central government. Without a government, laws could not be enforced. There was no military so each state had to have its own militia on hand.

Shay's Rebellion

Aug 21, 1786

An armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts. The leader of this rebellion was Daniel Shay, and lead this rebellion because of the taxes the state government was putting on the people when they had already fought a war due to taxes. The rebellion helped the people see that the Articles of Confederation was too weak and something had to be done to fix them.