Timeline of the Constitution

  • Shays Rebellion

    Shays Rebellion of 1786 was a lashing out in response to the debt crisis and the citizen's opposition to states' increased efforts to collect taxes. This rebellion revealed the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses as the National government had neither the means nor jurisdiction to put the rebellion down.
  • The First Constitutional Convention

    Representatives from all states, excluding Rhode Island, met to discuss an alternative to the Articles of Confederation. This would lead to the speculation and creation of the United States Constitution.
  • The New Jersey Compromise

    The New Jersey Compromise was adopted to protect small states' rights by allowing each state only one vote in Congress.
  • The Connecticut Compromise

    The Connecticut, or "Great" Compromise allotted each state proportional representation based on the population of that state.
  • The Last Convention

    The last Constitutional Convention was held. Although this was the beginning of the Constitution's rise as the supreme law of the United States, it wasn't the end of the debate over it.
  • The Constitution is Adopted

    The US Constitution is ratified and adopted by all states.
  • The Bill of Rights is Ratified

    The Bill of Rights is ratified and added to the constitution, further securing the rights of the people as well as appeasing the Anti-Federalist.