-
Boston Tea Party
With the British being in supreme rule over the colonies, they often imposed uncomfortable laws upon them. Such laws included the Stamp Act and the Townsend Act. The law that enraged the colonists enough to do something was the Tea Act. The said Act allowed the East India Trading Company to lower its priced. The colonists took action, and on the night of December 16, 1773 over 100 men boarded 3 seperate vessels and dumped out all of the tea into the ocean. -
First Continental Congress Meets
The First Continental Congress met together with two representatives from each state, excluding Georgia, The meeting was brought together out of anger towards Britain. While a specific purpose wasn't present, they eventually figured out what they must do: separate from Britain and for their own government. -
Declaration of Rights and Grievances is Passed.
The aftermath of the Boston Tea Party included many unjust laws, labled the Intolerable Acts by the colonists. This pushed them to join together and make a Declaration of Rights and Grievances. This document outlined the list of grievances that the colonies had against Britain. -
Revolutionary War Begins.
Great Britain declard war upon the colonies.. The British rule was setting out to diminish all rebellion before it became to powerful. They sought out to destroy the new government. The Battle of Lexington and Concord signified the beginning of the war. -
2nd Continental Congress Meets.
The Continental Congress decided to come together once again following the Battles of Lexington and Concord. They knew that while they needed to prepare for battle, they must also take a political way to fight. On May 10, 1775 they met together in Philidelphia. At this congress they discussed making a list of grievances and delivering it to the King. He later refused to see the list, and declared the colonies in rebellion. They soon rose up and authored the Declaration of Independence. -
Declaration of Independence is Signed.
At the 2nd Continental Congress, the members drafted the Declaration of Independence. Five specific members took charge in writing the declaration. They were Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Robert Livingston. Signed on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence set the colonies free from all British power. -
Articles of Confederation is Signed.
The Articles of Confederation was proposed by the 2nd Continental Congress, and signed on May 1, 1781. The Articles served as the first constitution for the newly independent colonies. While it set the colonies free and made them independent, it also provided them with a weak governmental structure. -
Revolutionary War Ends
The end of the Revolutionary War is marked by the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Geogre Washington's victory in Yorktown was the final straw that won the war for America. The Treaty of Paris not only ended the battle between the two countries, but also for all countries that became involved in the international war. -
Constitutional Congress Opens
The Constitutional Congress was formed with at least one representative from each colony/state. In Pennsylvania on May 14, 1787, the congress opened. The main purpose behind the meeting of the Congress was to decided whther or not the Articles of Confederation were appropriate for the foundation of the new country. -
Final Draft of the Constitution is Signed.
The Constitution was created to replace the Articles of Confederation. The Articles were weak, and if stood alone, would be the demise of the new country. So, September 17, 1787 the Constitution was written, forming the structure of the United States of America.
