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Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is signed, thereby ending the Revolutionary War. -
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Shays' Rebellion
An armed uprising, led by a veteran of the Revolutionary War-named Daniel Shays-which sought to oppose the debt crisis among citizens of Massachusetts and the taxation of individuals and their trades by state government. Acted as a wake up call for the federal government to work more towards creation of a new government; likely one in which the federal government could create and sustain their own military in order to better control these types of uprisings. -
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Annapolis Convention
Convention held in Annapolis, Maryland in which twelve delegates from five states discuss major trade barriers between states. Under the Articles of Confederation, states were independent of one another and the nation's government had no authority to regulate trade between the states. This led to discussion on broader nation-focused topics, which led to the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. -
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Philadelphia Convention
Also referred to as the Constitutional Convention, this gathering was intended to revise conditions under the Articles of Confederation. Many, however, who participated in this convention, sought to create a completely governmental system for the United States (namely, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton). After much time, deliberation, and discussion, the Constitution was signed and released for ratification on September 17, 1787. -
The Virginia Plan
Presented by Virginia governor Edmund Randolph, this plan was presented during the Constitutional Convention as a plan for government restructuring. This plan acted as the catalyst for an ideal of apportionment, in which states are represented in government based on their population size, rather than on a set number of votes that would be universal to each state. -
Northwest Ordinance
An act enacted by Congress to expand U.S. territory. This expansion set the precedent for more expansion nationally, and called for a more organized governmental approach in order to maintain control of more territories. -
The Signing of the Constitution
The date on which the U.S. Constitution was signed and released for ratification. -
Constitution is Adopted
On this date, New Hampshire became the 9th U.S. state to ratify the Constitution, thereby making it the official foundation and guide of the United States government. -
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First Election
During this span of time, the first U.S. Presidential election was held, with a unanimous decision made to elect George Washington as the first official President of the United States of America. This presidency would be guided by the new federal governmental system stated in the Constitution. -
The Bill of Rights
The U.S. Bill of Rights is ratified, adding amendments that promise individual freedoms and rights, in addition to limitations made on federal governmental power. The amendments also empower individuals and states to have control over powers not granted to Congress in the Constitution.
