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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