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FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
The French had explored and colonized Canada, the Ohio valley, and the Mississippi valley before the English had arrived; but its colonies had never grown very large.Because of differences in government, economy, population, and Indian relations, war seemed inevitable. England and France had fought three wars in Europe over a period of seventy-five years.Each country wanted to dominate the colonies; neither would tolerate the other's presence there. -
Treaty of Paris
The peace that ended the French and Indian War is known as the Treaty of Paris, 1763. While fighting continued in the New World, the French and English were also fighting in Europe. The peace treaty that was drawn up reflected the great triumph that England enjoyed throughout every part of the world. -
The First Continental Congress.
A movement spread among the colonies to call a general congress represented by delegates from all the colonies. The delegates would decide what steps should be taken in overcoming the problems with the British government.Many of the leading figures were present, including Samuel Adams and John Adams of Massachusetts, Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and Joseph Galloway of Pennsylvania.After lengthy debates, the First Continental Congress drew up a Declaration of Rights. -
SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
On the face of it, such a war seemed preposterous. The colonies were economically weak and politically inexperienced. Moreover, they did not even have a regular army until the Second Continental Congress, the raising of troops in 1775. Great Britain, on the other hand, was a leading world power.It wasn't looking good for the colonies.Nevertheless, the American colonies eventually secured their freedom. -
Formation of the Regular Army
The Patriot forces lacked training and organization. Against Britain's armies of well-trained regulars, the Patriots seemed ill-matched. Most of its men had joined, not because they had been ordered to do so, but because they wanted to join of their own free will.The Patriots also lacked equipment and money. To carry on a war, the Patriots needed equipment and supplies--muskets and cannon, bullets and powder, uniforms and food.The Second Continental Congress had little money. -
The Revolutionary War
''The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard upon the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat, sir, let it come!" This was Patrick Henry.This is going to be a bitter war Nevertheless,They do it they win after a long and hard fought war -
BIRTH OF A NATION
Even before the struggle for American independence had been successfully concluded, members of the Second Continental Congress had taken steps to establish a central government for the 13 states. The Articles of Confederation but by 1780 they realized that it gave too much power to the states, so the government had no power to even do taxes. -
Peace in the Colonies
Congress had disbanded the Continental army on November 3, 1782; and on December 4, George Washington said farewell to his officers at Frances Tavern in New York.They could now focuson how they want to run the government.Land became plentiful thousands pushed into the lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains that had been closed by the Proclamation Line of 1763. -
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
The Second Continental Congress served as a temporary government for the states immediately after the Revolutionary War began. The delegates began almost immediately to plan for a permanent government. A committee was appointed in 1776 to draw up some kind of constitution,the plan was submitted in 1777 but it wasn't used until 1781.After 8 years they figured out that it was not working and was putting too much power into the states so they revised it. -
Constitution of United States of America
Eventually the Articles of Confederation were found insufficient to govern the United States.That's when they made the Great Compromise and It suggested the creation of a two-house legislature composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate, To satisfy those who supported the Virginia Plan.Each state would elect two senators, who would vote individually. The legislative authority of the two bodies was to be equal. This "Great Compromise'', was accepted by the convention on July 16.
