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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. -
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Ratifying the Constituion
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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 made the colonies a nation and deminished all British control. -
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
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
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 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 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
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!