-
Common Sense Published
In 1776, Thomas Paine published Common sense. He used plain language to challenge the idea of the British Monarchy to the common people. It was the first work to ask for separation from the British Government -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by America's founding fathers. The 13 American colonies severed their political connections to England. This gave colonist the freedom from their motherland and opened doors to a long process of forming a country. -
The Ratification of The Articles of Confederation
On March 1, 1781,The Articles of Confederation is ratified. The reason was to make the Constitution as a replacement. It was written for the people and not the presidents and delegates. -
The Treaty of Paris
In 1783, Great Britain, America, and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris to end the American Revolution. -
Shay's Rebellion
Shays Rebellion was a series of protests from 1786 to 1787. American farmers were rebelling against local enforcement of tax collection. -
The Cotton Gin was Invented
In 1794, Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin. The cotton gin was a revolutionary machine that made the process of removing seeds from cotton much easier. -
The Alien and Sedition Acts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a group of acts passed by a Federalist Congress and signed by President John Adams. These acts gave new power to deport foreigners and make voting for immigrants very challenging. -
New Jersey Abolishes Slavery
New Jersey abolishes slavery in 1804, creating a new movement that would soon tear the country apart during the American Civil War.