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Second Continental Congress
Was a meeting that lead to the Articles of Confederation. The Articles continued the government structured by the Second Continental Congress. -
The Articles of Confederation ratified
The Covenant of Confederation was enacted in 1777, but all 13 states finally ratified or approved the Covenant of Confederation in 1781. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed between the American colonists and the British. The signing of the treaty ended the American War of Independence. -
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Need for a Stronger Central Government
The new government under the Coalition Charter created many problems for the new nation. Many farmers, traders, and American leaders realized the need for a stronger central government. The Constitution was finally ratified when Rhode Island voted for approval in 1790. -
Shay's Rebellion
The rebellion began when former independence war captain Daniel Shay and hundreds of farmers marched in western Massachusetts. The farmers wanted to prevent the courts from foreclosure of their houses. The revolt was suppressed in 1787, when the economy was booming. -
Annapolis Convention
Delegates from Virginia convened another statewide meeting. All states were invited, but only five delegates were sent. Alex Hamilton persuaded other delegates to attend another conference called the Constitutional Convention. -
Constitutional Convention
American leaders realized that there were too many problems with the Coalition Protocol. They held another conference, the Constitutional Conference, which lasted from May 25 to September 17, 1787. -
Articles of Confederation achievement: The Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was enacted at the Second Continental Congress on July 13, 1787. The Northwest Ordinance approved the government of the Northwest Territory and provided a way to federally recognize new states in the Northwest Territory. -
Constitution is Ratifyed
The constitution is finally ratified when Rhode Island becomes the last state to vote for approval. However, the Constitution came into force on July 21, 1788, when New Hampshire ratified it for the ninth time.
