1. The American Revolution - Part 2 (Ch. 6, Sec. 4) 1.Main Events of American Revolution 2.Colonies Great a Republic 3. States Create a Federal System

2. What were the main events of the American Revolution? April 1775, British soldiers exchanged fire with colonial militia (Lexington & Concord) 2 nd Continental Congress voted to raise an army / declared independence (Jefferson / based on Enlightenment) French joined war in 1778 after American victory at Saratoga (1777) America won its independence at Battle of Yorktown (1781) / Treaty of Paris officially ended the war

3. How did the 13 colonies create a republic? As victory became apparent, the 13 colonies ratified a constitution in 1781 The delegates chose Articles of Confederation (weak national government) over Federalism They created a single branch of government, Congress (with one vote for each state) The national government had no ability to raise money, which caused it to fail

4. Three Branches of Government

5. How did the 13 independent states finally decide on a constitution? After Articles failed, Constitutional Convention held in 1787 to adopt new constitution Delegates argued over how states should be represented in Congress (small states vs. large) They decided on two houses, Senate & House of Representatives (The Great Compromise) They agreed on Federalist System (3 branches of government / checks & balances / Bill of Rights)