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I. Quick Chronology: 1774-1790
1774: First Continental Congress meets
1775–1781 (83): American Revolutionary War
1776: Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration
of Independence
1781: Articles of Confederation ratified by the States
1786: Shays' Rebellion erupts
1787: Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (May–Sept.)
1789:
• George Washington is unanimously elected president of
the United States (elected Feb., takes office in Apr.)
• U.S. Constitution goes into effect, having been ratified by
nine states (March)
• U.S. Congress convenes (April)
1790: Rhode Island, last state that ratified the Const. (May)
II. Government Under the Articles of Confederation
A. Highlights from the Document:
Article I
The Stile of this Confederacy shall be “The United States
of America”.
Article II
Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and
independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right,
which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to
the United States, in Congress assembled.
Article III
The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league
of friendship with each other, for their common defense,
the security of their liberties, and their mutual and
general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other,
against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them,
or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade,
or any other pretense whatever.
B. The Methods of Dividing Government Power
Between the Levels-
1. Unitary- most power rests with NATIONAL
2. Confederal- most power rests with STATES
3. Federal- shared power between the NATIONAL and
STATE governments
So why did the former colonies adopt a Confederal system
of government?
Answer: It was the least threatening of systems to the
former colonies.
C. Structure of Government Under the Articles:
 The Congress of the Confederation was the only
component of the national government
 No separate executive or judicial branches
 The Congress (the legislature) was unicameral