Revolutionary Roots – Growing a Nation

Setting the Stage

Thirteen years before the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the financial pressures imposed on the colonies by England sowed the seeds of revolution. The end of the war with France left England in significant debt, and the colonies presented a golden opportunity to grow England’s tax base. Here is how the situation progressed from 1763 to 1767.

• Treaty of Paris (February 10, 1763): Ended the Seven Years’ War, leaving Britain with massive war debts that they sought to recoup through colonial taxation.
• Sugar Act (1764) & Stamp Act (1765): The first direct taxes on colonists, sparking widespread protest and the famous slogan “No taxation without representation”.
• Townshend Acts (June 1767): Imposed taxes on essential goods like glass, lead, and tea, leading to a British military occupation of Boston in 1768. The occupation of Boston was the first large military occupation of a colonial city.

Unrest Becomes Action

As years of anger over taxation and occupation by British troops grew throughout the colonies, resistance turned into unrest. The Boston Massacre lit the fuse on what would become a full-blown battle for America’s independence. Here are some key events from 1770 to early 1776:

• Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770): A clash between British soldiers and a colonial mob that left five dead, serving as a powerful catalyst generating colonists’ support for the revolutionary movement.
• Tea Act & Boston Tea Party (December 13, 1773): In response to a tax on tea, colonists dumped a shipment into Boston Harbor, the first major act of open defiance.
• The Night of April 18, 1775: Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride. Did you know that Paul Revere had a partner who rode a different route? – William Dawes.
• Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775): The “shot heard ’round the world” marked the start of armed conflict and moved many colonists toward favoring total independence.
• Publication of Common Sense (January 1776): Thomas Paine’s pamphlet argued persuasively for independence and is credited with turning public opinion in favor of the break from Britain.

The Push Toward American Independence

A little more than 250 years ago, the final push toward a Declaration of Independence began during the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. On June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston officially began the drafting process as the five delegates tasked with “getting it down on parchment.”

Jefferson prepared the initial draft over the following weeks, with revisions and input from the committee, before it was presented to Congress.

Declaring Independence

Beginning in June 1776, and over the course of the following months, our nation’s independence began to take root.

• Lee Resolution (June 7, 1776): Richard Henry Lee formally proposed that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States”.
• June 7 – July 2, 1776: For almost three weeks, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston write what will become the Declaration of Independence.
• JULY 4th 1776: Against the backdrop of military action, our Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, and in the words of Abraham Lincoln nearly a century later, “brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

It is believed that all of the delegates who ultimately signed the Declaration did not do so for many months after the larger group had. It’s not widely known, but a “Clean Copy” of the document was rewritten, and likely the Declaration was not “officially signed” until August 2nd.

The Long, Hard Road to Freedom

In the years following the Declaration of Independence, our young nation struggled to secure its freedom through many hard-fought battles across northern and southern colonies. Ultimately, with the support of the French military, the colonies won their independence.

Major Revolutionary War Battles:

• Battle of Long Island (August 1776): Also known as the Battle of Brooklyn, this was the first major battle after the Declaration of Independence and resulted in a significant British victory, forcing Washington out of New York.
• Battle of Trenton (December 1776): General Washington’s famous Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River led to a surprise victory over Hessian troops, boosting low Patriot morale.
• Battle of Saratoga (September – October 1777): A major turning point in the war, the American victory in New York led to the surrender of British General John Burgoyne and convinced France to openly ally with the Americans.
• Battle of Kings Mountain (October 1780): A major Patriot victory over Loyalist forces in South Carolina, often described as a turning point in the South.
• Battle of Cowpens (January 1781): A brilliant tactical victory for American forces in South Carolina that proved crucial in turning the tide in the Southern Theater.
• Battle of Yorktown (September – October 1781): The last major battle of the war, where combined American and French forces trapped General Cornwallis in Virginia, leading to his surrender and effectively securing American independence.

Signed on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris finalized the end of the war and established boundaries for the new nation.

Our First Constitution – SPOILER ALERT – It Needed Work

America’s “First” Constitution: The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, after over a year of debate. Following ratification by all thirteen states, the Articles officially went into effect on March 1, 1781, serving as the first Constitution of the United States.

While allowing our young country to function during the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation created strong state governments and a weaker Federal government, which ultimately became its undoing.

The Road to a Lasting Constitution

The creation of the U.S. Constitution was driven by the failure of the first American government under the Articles of Confederation and a series of escalating crises that convinced leaders that a stronger central authority was necessary.

Several pivotal moments highlighted the need for a new framework of government:

• Shays’ Rebellion (August 1786): A violent uprising of Massachusetts farmers that horrified political leaders and served as a final catalyst for calling a national convention to reform the government.
• Annapolis Convention (September 14, 1786): Delegates from five states met to discuss trade issues and formally recommended a broader convention to reform the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention (1787) Big States vs. Small States

The convention in Philadelphia saw intense debate over how to balance power between small and large states. Over five months in 1787, the Constitution took shape.

• Convention Opens (May 25, 1787): Delegates gathered at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). George Washington was unanimously elected president of the proceedings.
• The Virginia Plan (May 29, 1787): Introduced by James Madison, this plan proposed a strong central government with representation based on population, favoring larger states.
• The New Jersey Plan (June 15, 1787): A counterproposal favoring smaller states, calling for equal representation regardless of population.
• The Great Compromise (July 16, 1787): Delegates agreed to a bicameral legislature: a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
• Constitution Signed (September 17, 1787): The final document was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates, ending the convention.

Ratification and the Bill of Rights (1788 – 1791)

The Constitution still required approval from nine of the thirteen states to become law.

• Official Ratification (June 21, 1788): New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official law of the land.
• New Government Begins (March 4, 1789): The first Congress met in New York City, and the new constitutional government officially took over.
• Bill of Rights Adopted (December 15, 1791): To address concerns about individual liberties, the first ten amendments were added to the Constitution.

Explore America’s History Close to Home

With Philadelphia nearby, Harrison Township residents have a unique opportunity to visit many of the locations that played a pivotal role in the founding of our country. While there are countless historic sites to explore, several major attractions make excellent day trips during the America250 celebration.

• Start at home with the Harrison Township Historical Society’s Hometown Revolutionaries Exhibition. Open Saturdays and Sundays through June 13.
• Independence Hall & Liberty Bell: Located within Independence National Historical Park, these are paramount sites for American history.
• Betsy Ross House: Known as the birthplace of the American flag.
• Elfreth’s Alley: Known as the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street.
• Museum of the American Revolution: Features extensive collections, including George Washington’s headquarters tent.
• National Constitution Center: An interactive museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution.
• Carpenters’ Hall: The meeting place of the First Continental Congress.
• Christ Church & Burial Ground: Historic church with connections to many Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin’s grave.
• Franklin Square: One of the five original squares planned by William Penn.