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The Declaration of Independence is signed, giving America its freedom from the British. The Declaration stated that natural rights should not be taken from the citizens and the problems the colonists had with the King. The day of the signing also gave name to the holiday, Fourth or July, or Independence Day.
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On November 15, 1777, the Continental Congress submitted a draft for the Articles of Confederation. The ratification of this document would grant the United States with it's first Constitution. The Articles of Confederation were to ratified in all of the Thirteen Colonies.
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The Articles of Confederation were ratified by the colonies. The Articles did, however, possessed many problems that would soon need change. In order to create laws, 9 states must be in favor for it to pass, also, the Articles were too weak to actually enforce the laws they did pass.
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The Treaty of Paris is signed, giving America its Independence. This new Nation will struggle with its opening years. As the Nation faces war debts and also could not garuntee the rights of the Citizens within it.
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The Land Ordinace of 1785 divided the Northern Colonies into townships. These townships were then divided into 640 acre lots. One of these lots were to be set aside for construction of a school.
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The Ordinance of Religious Freedom is adopted by Virginia Legislature. The paper was written by Thomas Jefferson. This would later serve to be the first amendment on the Bill of Rights.
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Daniel Shay led a rebellion of 1,200 men to attack the U.S. Government. Many theorists suggest this rebellion altered the course of the United States forever. The primary cause of these rebellions is the strict rules the U.S. Government had to follow to pay off war debt.
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Delegates from every state except Rhode Island convened in Philadelphia to discuss the Articles of Confederation. They discssed the equal importance of smaller and larger states. And would eventually draft the U.S. Contitution.
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The Northwest Ordinance in enacted by Congress in 1787. This act proposed the idea of 3 to 5 new states in the Northwest territiory of the United States. It also supported bicameral assembly, freedom of religion, public education, etc.
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The great compromise is proposed by Roger Williams in 1787. This compromise would create a two part government for larger and smaller states. These governments would give equal representation to all states.
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The Constitution is sent for ratification by the states in 1787. The Constituiton established the basis for our government today. The new constitution proposed a new system of checks and balances.
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The Federalist Papers are written in 1788. These papers promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. There were 85 of these documents originally created but nonly 77 were actually drafted.
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The first official Constituiton is into affect after the aprroval of the States. This constituion would remain the first and only Constitution has ever had. The Constitution ran off a system of checks and balances
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George Washington is elected as first president in 1789. Washington led the Colonsists to victory in the Revolutionary War against the British. John Adams is also elected Vice President in 1789.
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Henry Knox is elected Secretary at War during Washintons regime. Alexander Hamilton the Secretary of Treasury. Both of these men were the first holders of their positions under George Washington.
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The Federal Judicial Act is passed by Congress in 1789. This creates the 6 man Supreme Court. And it also creates an Attorney General.
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The Bill of Rights is submitted for ratification by Congress in 1789. This Bill of Rights garuntees the basic rights and laws of the U.S. Citizens. These laws remain the same for the U.S. Citizens of today.
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Thoams Jefferson was elected the first Secretary of State by George Washington himself. John Jay was elected the first Chief Justice in the Judicial System. Both of these positions remain in the government today.
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The Bill of Rights is ratified in 1791. This Bill garuntees the rights and laws of the U.S, Citiznes. This document is probably the most important docement for the citizens to represent themselves with.
