The Critical Era of American History

Revolutionary War

Period: Apr 19, 1775 to Apr 11, 1783

Independence from Great Britian

Wealth of Nations published

Dec 30, 1776

Establishment of free market capitalism

Articles of Confederation

Nov 15, 1777

First set of guidelines for a new American state

British surrender at Yorktown

Oct 19, 1781

End of fighting in Revolutionary War

Official Seal adopted

Jun 20, 1782

Bald eagle as national symbol
Decided by continental congress

Newburgh Conspiracy

Mar 17, 1783

US military pay dispute

Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783

Jun 30, 1783

Military protest at Independence Hall

Treaty of Paris

Sep 3, 1783

Official end of Revolutionary War

Confederation Congress Proclamation of 1783

Sep 20, 1783

prohibiting the extinguishment of aboriginal title in the United States without the consent of the federal government

Washington resigned from military

Dec 23, 1783

Position of Commander in Chief
In office
June 15, 1775 – December 23, 1783
Annapolis, Maryland

Economic Depression

Period: Jan 1, 1784 to Dec 30, 1785

Caused by the revolutionary war costs

British evacuate from New York

Sep 23, 1784

John Adams meets with George III

Jun 1, 1785

First meeting after independence

Shays' Rebellion

Aug 1, 1786

Armed uprising regarding economic and political corruption

Anti Federalist publications

Aug 30, 1787

Scattered letters and other writings from anti federalist authors. Written under pen names

US Constitution

Sep 17, 1787

First permanent laws of the United States

Federalist Paper No. 10

Nov 23, 1787

The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection

Federalist Paper No. 51

Feb 8, 1788

The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments

George Washington presidency

Apr 30, 1789

First president and major founding father

Bill of Rights

Sep 25, 1789

Constitutional rights given to the government by the people