Ratifying the Constitution

  • First Continental Congress

    First Continental Congress
    After Parliament passed the intolerable acts a meeting was called. Delegates from every colony (except Georgia) met in Philadelphia. They sent out the Declaration of Rights and planned for another meeting.
  • Period: to

    Ratifying the Constituion

  • Second Continental Congress

    Second Continental Congress
    The Second Continental Congress became the first national government even though it was not constitutional based. It served as the first government of the United States for five years.
  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence
    The Declaration of Independence made the colonies a nation and deminished all British control.
  • The Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation
    The Articles was the first constitution and formed "a firm league of friendship" between the states. The national government was given very limited power. The Articles lacked in maintaining order between states and made the United States earn no respect from other countries.
  • Shays Rebellion

    Shays Rebellion
    A bunch of farmers took over courts and revolted against the court system causing scare through out the nation. Shays Rebellion showed the weakness of the federal government and speed up the process of creating anew constitution. This public scare was kept in mind while the constitution was created.
  • Philadelphia Convention

    Philadelphia Convention
    The Framers of the Constitution met to discuss the future of the United States. Many of the attendants later held political positions.
  • The Virginia Plan

    The Virginia Plan
    The Virginia Plan gave the Government alot more power than the Articles of Confederation. The Virginia Plan favored the larger states. The current Constitution uses alot of the ideas of the Virginia Plan
  • The New Jersey Plan

    The New Jersey Plan
    The New Jersey Plan offered amendments to the Articles but still used alot of the basics. This plan favored the smaller states and was created not wanting a government like the one they just fought.
  • Completed

    Completed
    The United States constitution is completed. To this day it is still in use and considered such a historical event that kids 225 years after it is signed are still doing projects on it!