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1774
The 1st Continental Congress called for the complete abolition of the slave trade in 1774. Several northern states went further and either completely abolished slavery or provided the gradual emancipation of slaves. No states south of Pennsylvania abolished slavery. -
1775
The Philadelphia Quakers founded the first anti-slavery society in 1775. -
1776
The Declaration of Independence was formally approved by the Congress on July 4, 1776. -
1776
The British concentrated their forces in New York City instead of Boston because Boston was evacuated in March 1776. In 1776, General Washington and his men were overpowered by the British at the Battle of Long Island. Washington and his men escaped to Manhattan Island. -
1777
The 2nd Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a written constitution for the new nation; The Articles of Confederation. It was adopted by Congress in 1777 but it wasn't agreed on by all 13 colonies until 1781. -
1778
The French feared American-British reconciliation, so in 1778, the French made an open alliance with the Americans. The French would join the fight against the British.