American Government

  • Pilgrim Code of Law

    created an institutional framework with a General Court (legislature) that elected a governor and seven assistants as a council. It specified the powers of officials, required oaths, and provided trial by jury.
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    First U.S Currency issued

    The continental congress issued paper money known as continentals
  • Declaration Of Independence

    John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were to draft a document expressing the intent of the 13 colonies to declare independence as states. Jefferson penned the original draft, the committee presented a revised version to the Continental Congress on July 2, and the Congress redrafted it before adopting the final version on July 4, 1776. In the months that followed, the Declaration garnered key signatures from representatives of each colony.
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    Articles of Confederation

    On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress established a committee of representatives from each colony to establish a confederated government for the United States. The Articles of Confederation established a weak government assigned with facilitating a firm league of friendship between the states rather than a central federal government. The Articles of Confederation were adopted on November 15, 1777, but it took until March 1, 1781, to secure the unanimous ratification of the states.
  • Treasury system was reorganized

    On September 26, the Continental Congress created an Auditor, Office of Comptroller, Office of Treasurer and two Chambers of Accounts. A committee was also selected to design the Seal of the Treasury.