1754-1791

ROAD TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

The French and Indian War 1754-1763The British charged the Americans high taxes

after fighting the French and Indian War in the American Colonies

Stamp Act Tax passed 1765• The Stamp Act Tax was one of the taxed passed

to help pay the high cost of the French and Indian war

Boston Massacre 1770• As a result of the Numerous Taxes on the

colonists, the colonists began to protest and rebel

Boston Tea Party 1773• The tea tax was the final straw for the colonist.

In protest, they tossed tea into the Boston Harbor

First Meeting of the 2nd Continental Congress-1775• The Colonists met to discuss the problems and

possible solutions with the British

Declaration of Independence signed-1776• The 1st Continental Congress elected Thomas

Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence after the issues with British could not be resolved.

Battle of Yorktown-1781• The Battle of Yorktown ended the American

Revolution

Articles of Confederation accepted by states-1781• The Articles of Confederation was America’s

FIRST Constitution

Shays’ Rebellion-1786• The Articles of Confederation had many flaws.

Shay’s Rebellion was caused because of the lack of money.

Northwest Ordinace-1787• The Northwest territory was added to the

Confederation which brought up the issue of slavery. The national government was too weak to settle this issue.

Delegates Finish Writing the Constitution-1787• The delegates met again to revise the Articles of

Confederation, but a new government was necessary. The delegates wrote a new Constitution.

New Hampshire ratifies Constitution-1788• With the ratification from New Hampshire (9th ),

the Constitution became the official government of the American states.

George Washington sworn in as 1st US president-1789• George Washington was the obvious choice for

the 1st US president because he was the military general who won us the American Revolution.

US Congress meets for the first time-1789• After the president had been sworn in the 1st US

Congress was ready to meet.

Bill of Rights added to the Constitution-1791• The Anti-federalist had been against the US

Constitution because the national government was too strong, and it did not give the people rights.

• The Federalist wrote several essays that became known as The Federalist Papers trying to get support for the Constitution.

• The Federalist finally compromised and added the Bill of Rights.