Timeline: Origins of U.S. Government 1775-1791 | Timetoast

Jan 1, 1775

Second Continental Congress
Jan 1, 1775

Revolutionary War
Period: Jan 1, 1775 to Dec 31, 1781

Revolutionary War

War with England over independence.
Period: Jan 1, 1775 to Dec 31, 1781

Second Continental Congress

Met to decide what to do following breaking ties with England. They drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Jul 2, 1776

Continental Congress Adopts a Resolution for Independence

Continental Congress approves breaking ties with England, and how to do so.
Jul 4, 1776

Continental Congress Adopts the Declaration of Independence

The Continental Congress officially approves Thomas Jefferson's full document.
Jan 1, 1781

Articles of Confederation
Period: Jan 1, 1781 to Dec 31, 1787

Articles of Confederation in Effect

The original US Constitution put in place after the Revolutionary War
Jan 1, 1783

Critical Period

Shay's Rebellion
Period: Jan 1, 1783 to Dec 31, 1787

Critical Period

Critical because anything can happen. It's just after the Revolutionary War, and the US is still new, and needs to be united.
Jan 1, 1787

Constitutional Convention
Period: Jan 1, 1787 to Dec 31, 1787

Constitutional Convention

A group of 55 delegates from every state except Rhode Island. Met to draft the Constitution.
Jun 21, 1788

9th State Ratifies the Constitution

New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution and make it official.
May 29, 1790

13th State Ratifies the Constitution

Rhode Island becomes the 13th state to ratify the Constitution
Jan 1, 1791

Bill of Rights Ratified
Period: Jan 1, 1791 to Dec 31, 1791

Bill of Rights is Ratified

The Bill of Rights was added to appease Anti-Federalist demands, and was ratified in 1791.